|
SO THE PROPERTIES AROUND US
|
||
|
|
||
|
white
quartz had been heaped at the entrance. This, I noticed, was rich in
pyrites, more silvery in appearance than that taken from the South
Indian reefs, indicating the presence of a larger quantity of sulphur.
The
reef at Athikanu, where it has been struck by our tunnel, is not yet
cut through, although more than twenty-five feet thick to the furthest
point reached. At the foot of the hill, another level had been begun,
which was progressing satisfactorily. Close to hand was the stream
which, even at this, the driest period of the year, contained a good
supply of water, although I fancy there is scarcely sufficient fall to
afford driving power. A little to the east, however, on the adjoining
Limerick estate, it would furnish a fall of about sixteen feet.
But
to return to Athikanu. Close to this point, we noticed what appeared to
be an old river-bed, possibly a former course of the present stream.
The gravel and stones were evidently water-worn, and on trying some of
it by rough washing, we got a very encouraging show of free gold.
Having crossed the stream, and proceeded in a northerly direction over
an open level space, surrounded with tolerably large trees, we ascended
the gently sloping hill on the opposite side. Immense masses of quartz
cover the hill, in all probability indicating the presence of an
enormous reef. The Korumbers have apparently found this spot very
favourable for their rough opera-
|
||
|
|
||