A VISIT TO HUNT'S CLAIM. IMMENSELY RICH STONE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3432, 16 July 1868, Page 3

A VISIT TO HUNT'S CLAIM. IMMENSELY RICH STONE.

I tistbbdat vUited Hunt's Claim on the Kuranm in the hope of seeing the crushing machinery in operation, but. along with many others, was disappointed. In consequence of a necessary appliance having been inadvertently neglected, the crushIng will not commence till Monday next. Messrs. Hunt and Wlute very courteously oonducted me over the ground, and into the drives, where I saw quartz broken down, in every stone of which gold ml plainly discernible. ..,.!. In the face of the celebrated rock over which the Kuranui creek fell, where gold was first discovered, a drive has been made through the body of the quartz, which varies in width from three to five feet. The facility of working this drive is obvious. The quartz has only to be broken out and wheeled to the heap lying ready for the kiln. Another drive above, to the left of the watercoune, develops a ferruginous nuartz of such an auriferous character that myself and gentlemen who know what the Columbian, Victoria, and Poverty reef* of Victoria arc, said that they oannot compare with it. Of the quartz from thit leader several sacks of specimens have been ■elected. Oneof the sacks was opened in our presence, and' a piece weighing about 301b. was broken, showing gold thiokly studded throughout, portions of it •xhibiting gold In flakes. I do not hesitate to report that this specimen contained 100 ounces of gold. A rematk made by an old Victorian who was present was that, after this, if there was no faith entertained by certain persons in the Thames, they were infidels. Th*re are about two hundred toni of quartz lying in different heaps on the ground, which the proprietors are confident will yield forty ounces to the ton, and, considering that the average yietf of the stone hitherto crushed has been fifty ouncta, the estimate is nnder the mark. The picked parcel is estimated to yield 3,0000z. to the ton. On this claim, employment is given to thirty-Eve hands, And. when it is considered that an extensive plant of machinery has been manufactured and erected by local industry, the benefit afforded to working men will be understood. Before leaving the g«"? n 2» •• were told that, although a notice is posted intimating to the public that they are not to advance beyond a certain point indicated, the shareholders would always feel a pleasure in showing visitors OT«r the ground.— (Correspondent.)