Cromwell Notes. (Cromwell Argus.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 19

Cromwell Notes. (Cromwell Argus.)

Notwithstanding all warnings that the season is yet too early to do any good at Criffel, numerous parties are making their way to that field. Having got there they can only enjoy a forced idleness, as it is impossible to do anything on the mountain tops. The open season we have had has no doubt beguiled many to make an early start for the field ; but for another month at least the region is subject to sudden and severe climatic changes. ' This was shown on Sunday lai>t, when a snowstorm set in and drove before it a number of men camped on the spur leading from the diggings. In such cases the cold is insupportable. At the present time there is from nine inches to afoot of snow on the field, and the ground below this is ice-bound as hard as bellmetal. Those who reach Criffel during the early part of October will be just as far forward as the men who are now incurring hardship and discomfort on the mountain slopes. We are glad to state that the men working in the old Reliance quartz claim atßendigo for the Prospecting Association are hopeful of disclosing something permanent and good. Some three weeks ago they struck a thin vein of quartz, and following it up it widened out until now it is about a foot in thickness. The stone is described as good-looking, and gold is said to be visible in specimens brought to town. At a meeting of directors on Saturday evening, the report from the prospectors was not so favourable, as the reef was showing " mullock " in its body ; but still Pengelly and Edwards are hopeful that the reef will prove a continuation of the run of rich stone taken out by the Cromwell Company some years ago. The Reliance claim adjoins the latter property.