HASTINGS: INCREASED MACHINERY. (FROM THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE "THAMES ADVERTISER.") October 17.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3515, 21 October 1868, Page 3

HASTINGS : INCREASED MACHINERY. (FROM THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE "THAMES ADVERTISER.") October 17.

This week I have visited the flat above the Golden Point Claim, and found that it had assumed quita the appearance of a rising township. Sites have been taken up for a considerable distance for residence or business purposes ; it is rumoured that ere long it will be surveyed oub as a township. The site of Fraser and Tinne's machine is the first met. Timber is on the ground, and I am informed the proprietors intend pushing forward the erection of the machine. The contiguity of the Golden Point, Lady Bowen, Comet, aud other well-known claims, with Messrs. Fraser and Tinne's own, the New Zealand Mint, would point to a large and constant supply for crushing. I must not omit the simple but excellent working shoot-, of tUo Comet. Claim— an endless double rope, letting down a loaded bag of stone, and drawing up an empty one, on boards fasteued to the almost perpendicular bank. Passing the Golden Point Claim, who were sending stuff to be crushed at Gibbonß's machine, I crossed the neat but substantial bridge over the main creek, whioh has been erected by Mr. Sanderson; a Bum of £5 will cover the expense, while the boon to pedestrians is very great. I now came upon the site of Sanderson's machine, where a substantial building i» erected, and workmen busy in its completion, which ia expected to be in another month. The machine is to consist of eight stampers, worked by water-power. A substantial dam is being constructed at the joint expense of Messrs. Fraser and Tinne and Mr. Sanderson. A. flume of 1,200 feet long will convey the water, which will pass on to a wheel of twenty feet diameter, giving 10-uorae power to work the battery. The next visited was the Engineers' crushing-mill, to be worked by steam. It 13 intended to be a sixfren■tamper battery, though only eight are ontbe ground at present, 'lhe building is erected, the engine fixed, and the stamper frame was bemi? procee led wiih. at the time of my visit. Mr. Patterson, who has been employed in the well-known firm of Langland's foundry, Melbourne, and who was sent over hero from that port by tha Union Quanz - Crushing Company, is so satisfied with the prospects of the district thit he has selected a site for a machine in a creek below the Die- Hard. The excavation for the site is going on, and the contract for the cutting of the timber being rapidly piißhed forward. An upper dam is also being constructed in the creek. The machine is to be of ben stampers, to be worked by au engine of fif teen-horse-power. It will be supplied w ith steam-ripples, and all the latest Melbourne appliances. A new feature will be the passing of the tailings from the blankets through an amalgamating barrel. lhe foundation is expected to be finished in about a month, the machinery being expected to arrive from Melbourne by the next trip of the ' Hero/ Mr. Patterson intends sparing no exertion to have tne machine ready for work by the new year. The cUimii have already commenced a road up the creek, which will, no doubt, eventually be a tramway for the company. .