VICTORIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1340, 4 August 1877, Page 3

VICTORIA.

The two North Gippsland prospecting parties retired from their labours (writes the Bairnsdale Advertiser) at the end of last week for the winter. "The one under the direction of Mr Cost lias been prospecting on the coast beyond the Snowy River, the other in the high plains above the Dargo. The former have had great difficulties to contend with in the rugged nature of the country traversed, it having, we are informed, occupied them on one occasion nearly fourteen days in cutting through a distance of eight miles. They found the 'colour' pretty freelyj but in no instance in payable quantities! The indications when they broke off were' however, of a very favourable character! In connection with this subject we believe it has been proposed to prospect the district lying between the Nicholson and Clifton's Morass, and conceived by Mr Howitt to be highly auriferous, by means of funds to be raised by public subscription in Bairnsdale and district, the Government declining to prosecute tho

undertaking." The Courier, writing on the same subject, says :—": — " It would require four or five years to prospect the area laid out for them, there being fully from 500 to 600 square miles of country between the Broadribb and Bernm rivers, the whole consisting of country well worthy of examination. Prospecting extended down the valley of the Broadribb as far as Rich's River, about thirty miles south of Mount Ellery. The country in this direction looks most favourable, there being a great quantity of quartz reefs cropping out, and everywhere strewn with loose quartz." The Beechworth prospecting party report having discovered gold in payable quantities in the course of their operations. A parcel containing 4 dwt. 4 gr. has been forwarded to the Mines Department. A run of red wash has been struck, which yields upwards of 2 dwt. 2 gr. of gold to the load of thirty buckets. The lead varies from two to three feet in depth. It is stated that the party have pegged off a claim.