THE SLUDGE CHANNEL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 216, 18 April 1873, Page 6

THE SLUDGE CHANNEL.

An adjourned meeting of the Miner's Committee was held on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of receiving and considering the report of Mr. James Hore, who ]iad been appointed to obtain exact information as to depth of ground along tile course of Sludge Channel at the upper end, which was suggested by Mr. Bastings, G-oldfields Secretary, in answer to the miner's deputation on the 2nd inst. The report e was unanimously adopted, and ordered to be forwarded to the G-o----vernment, with a request that the same would receive immediate attention. REPORT. I have to report that, by direction of your Secretary, I engaged a party of miners for the purpose of ascertaining exact depth and prospects of ground along the course, at the upper end of the proposed Sludge Channel, for the information of the Government. I beg now to furnish you with the following particulars as to the work done during the week:— The first hole was commenced on the 4th -instant, which, I directed'to be sunk fifty

yards west of peg marked 2 over 22. This bole was carried down to a depth of nine feet when water was struck, and, in consequence, left without being bottomed. No. 2 hole, sunk twenty yards west of peg marked 2 over 0, was bottomed at twelve feet, with payable prospects. No. 3 hole, 120 yards west of peg marked 2 over 0, was bottomed at ten feet six inches, with payable gold. No. 4 hole, sunk thirty yards west of peg marked 1 over 37, was bottomed at ten feet, with payable gold. No. 5 hole, sunk 140 yards west of peg marked 1 over 19, was bottomed at ten feet, with payable gold. No. 6 hole, 113 yards west of peg marked 1 over -3, was bottomed at four feet six inches, with payable gold. No. 7 hole, 150 yards west of peg marked 1 over 14, was bottomed at nine feet six inches, with payable gold. This hole was sunk close to Inder's paddock fence. I beg also to state that I made enquiries from the following persons, occupiers of claims along, the line of Channel, as to depth of ground from peg 1 over 0 upwards:—i.e., Colhoim and party, Lennon and party, Miller and party, Anderson and party, and John Green, all of whom informed me that the average depth of ground along the . Flat is twelve feet, and at some places, near the fall of the hill, over twenty feet. I am, therefore, convinced that the proposed depth of Channel is insufficient to work the ground prospected by me and mentioned by the persons above. . James Hore, Miner. The Committee, after a long consideration of the facts contained in the above report, mostrespectfully suggested that the Channel should be deepened at the two • mile' peg, eight feet, making the depth 17ft. 6in.; and at the -one mile peg, the same depth, makinglsft.; at peg (5 chains from the head) an extra depth of sft., making 6ft. 9in. This alteration would; be the means of opening up a large extent of payable ground, estimated to contain ■ between three and four hundred acres, which, under the present arrangement, .can never be worked.