KIANDRA.
FROM OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER
No. 6.
-- The escort leaves to-day, with 1354 ozs. 14 dwts. 4 grs., and £300. As I explained in the
telegram I forwarded you, this does not show the actual produce of these fields. I know
many will doubt the statement with respect to the banks holding upwards of 1000 ounces,
and others holding parcels of gold without going into the question as to my authority for
this assertion, you may rely on the accuracy of this statement.
I forwarded you in my last particulars with respect to the quartz discovered here, over
which a great excitement has been caused, a regular quartz mania seizing the miners;
many reports have been spread with respect to other discoveries, but up to the present
time they are mere rumours.
--
The workings on this place during the last week have not progressed. The prospecting
tunnel proceeds, and many who were engaged sinking are waiting the result before going
to any expense; for the water is very troublesome. Faulkner's party, who bottomed at a
depth of fifty feet, and obtained a quarter of an ounce to the first tub, have since lost the
run of the gold -- for they are unable to obtain anything like payable gold. It is supposed
they are not deep enough, for another shaft near them is at present a depth of seventy feet,
and, although not bottomed, gold is being obtained. The sluicing claims are not yet at
work, for they have great difficulty in getting their races on to the hills, having a distance
of rock which requires blasting before it can be accomplished. But whatever doubt may
exist as to the sinking on this hill being payable, these sluicing claims are certain to turn
out well. Several parties would willingly give £8 per week rent for any race to sluice part
of this hill.
The prospecting shaft sunk on the township hill bottomed upon a high reef at a depth of
about fifty feet. They purpose sinking another shaft, about one hundred yards nearer the
point of the hill, in the hopes that deeper ground may be found.
The parties working upon Surface Hill are all doing well, one of them being fortunate
enough to get a five-pound nugget this week.
At the Nine Mile, the tunnels have been abandoned in consequence of their commencing
at too low a level; the rock dips into the hill so greatly that they are unable to drain it; so
for all purposes of prospecting, the work done is useless. At this place four leases of an
acre each, have been granted to parties who purpose sluicing and puddling. One party are
bringing a race six miles to work their ground.
A public meeting was held last night on the land question, at which resolutions were
passed in favour of free selection, and the present Ministry. I enclose you a report of the
proceedings.
We were greatly surprised on Friday at the issue of on Alpine Pioneer Extraordinary,
containing the English news by telegram. Considering the situation of this place, and the
short time elapsed since it was only known by a name, such enterprise deserves the
thanks of all.