KIANDRA.
FROM OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
No. 5.
-- In my communications I have had occasion to call attention to the weather we have had
here, and I find that this one will not be perfect without I refer to the same subject; but
this time, I am glad to say, it will be more favourable. The last few days would lead one
to suppose that we really are to have a continuation of fine weather. If we have been
obliged to complain of the cold, rain, and snow, the last few days have completely
silenced that theme, for it is now summer weather, and the clothing that was required
only a few days since must now be laid aside for something lighter and less oppressive.
During the last week our population, although still very small, has been more settled. The
accounts received from Wahgungah, on the most reliable authority state that at present
mining prospects only can be considered favourable; that about 1500 men are now
engaged working, and that those connected with storekeeping, &c., number about the
same; and that upwards of 3000 men are walking about doing nothing. Goods are to be
purchased at lower rates than in Melbourne, and that not 100 ounces of gold can
reasonably be expected before Christmas. These accounts, together with the falling off in
the Victorian escorts some 10,000 ounces compared with the same week of 1859, induce
many to look before they leap. Several have already returned. Should the present fine
weather continue our escort returns will soon prove that Kiandra is still in its infancy. I
have no idea what the escort returns will be to-morrow; but considering that last week
there was little or no work done, I should not be surprised if it is small -- whatever it
may be, if it was only possible to convey the small amount of work that was done, the
yield would surprise any person at all conversant with gold-digging.
The Prospecting Association are going to work in earnest to test the hill sinking. I was
present on the Township and New Chum Hills yesterday, when the commissioners
marked out extended claims, and I have little doubt but their labours will be repaid.
I forwarded you a telegram yesterday with respect to the discovery of a quartz reef. I saw
some of the quartz myself: it appears honeycombed and crystallized -- one piece about
the size of a man's fist, contained fully one-third of gold, the other stones were
considerably larger, with gold dispersed through them, although not to the extent of the
one described above, yet sufficient to pronounce it very rich quartz. There is no washed
or rounded appearance in the gold; it presents the angular and sharp edges of surface or
quartz gold. I am not yet enabled to send the locality it was found in, but from
information I have received I believe it to be some three miles from this place. I hope to
send you fuller particulars in a day or two,
-- The men working on this place all appear to be satisfied, and the
most experienced miners feel convinced that some very heavy finds will be made. At one
extremity of the hill many are busily engaged sinking. Faulkner's party bottomed
yesterday at a depth of fifty feet; they have eighteen of wash dirt; and the produce of one
tub I saw, a good five pennyweights of rounded washed gold, the size of duck shot; in
another claim near this, a fine specimen of gold and quartz, about an ounce in weight,
was found at a depth of thirty feet.
-- Here the population is increasing, and from the claims that are
already opened, many paying one ounce per day per man, and the present fine weather, a
large population will sure to be on the ground. Stores are being erected. The new arrivals
are making their way there, and by many it is thought -- as I stated in my previous letter
-- that some of the richest ground yet worked in Kiandra will be found here. Fine
weather is all we want.
-- Great progress has been made at this place during the lost two weeks.
The population is increasing, although no large finds are made; it is a poor man's
diggings, for any that are disposed to work can make wages.
Clarke's party, on Surface Hill, washed up their eight days, sluicing yesterday, and
obtained eighty (80) ounces.
<2nd November.> -- Weather fine during the past week, if we except a hail storm and
light rain on Tuesday last, but nothing to stop actual working.
-- The escort this week will not exceed that of last Saturday, viz., 1126 ozs.
12 dwts. 8 grs., which, if we take the number of men actually working, must be
considered as equal to an ounce and a half per man a week. The rush to Wagunuyah has
undoubtedly taken off a very large proportion of our mining community all, in fact, who
were not earning (as they say) tucker. This leads to the question -- What is really thought
to be tucker on Kiandra? I have been at much pains to arrive at the £ s, d. of this rather
vague definition, and can safely affirm that no digger on Kiandra considers he is getting
his tucker unless he realises £2 per day.
-- The committee have begun in earnest. They have opened a shaft on
the Township Hill, under contract at 10s. per foot, and have likewise engaged a party of
ten men to run a tunnel into New Chum Hill, both parties to continue operations until a
payable lead or reef is struck. The Township Hill is generally considered the most
promising; several holes were sunk in it last February, to the depth of fifty feet, but none
were ever bottomed; the probability is that nearly 100 feet must be sunk before the bed
rock can be reached, and good deposits are then struck. The future of Kiandra will be far
more brilliant than ever its warmest supporters ever prophesied.
-- Rumours are again rife of the discovery of a reef, the richness of
which has never been equalled. Mr. Newman, of the Post Office, and some bank officials,
testify to having seen several large quartz specimens, very richly studded with gold. The
locality is vaguely given as about two miles from Kiandra. We cannot vouch for this
much-for-to-be-wished discovery, and must defer endorsing such rumour until next post.
Certain it is that several quartz-reef claims have been taken up within the last week --
but there is always so much mystery made about these new discoveries, that no-one now
will believe without occular demonstration, and even then a suspicion of salting (putting
in gold), is often entertained.
-- There has been a slight rush on one of the gullies here -- but nothing of
any importance has been discovered.
-- Here and at the Four Mile Creek -- if the weather holds -- parties
expect to realise something handsome next week. The river men are to-day just beginning
to be able to work.