GYMPIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1812, 13 August 1886, Page 16

GYMPIE.

An escort left the field on^the 13th July, taking 26570z sdwt lSgr gold, purchased by the Australian Joint Stock Bank. This brings up the total amount despatched during the present year to 41,5090z 12dwt 3gr. The trial crushing lately brought down from Chowey Creek, in the Gayndah district, by Messrs Simpson and Roberts, has given a considerably better return than was anticipated. The quantity of stone crushed was 3 tons scwt, which resulted in an average yield of soz 14dwt 12gr gold per ton. The lode from which this sample was taken is said to be of considerable width, but whether this stone was picked or a fair sample of the whole has yet to be ascertained. The yield, at any rate, is a splendid one, and will lead to the locality getting a thorough prospecting, and several parties are leavinghereto take up claims or test the ground adjacent to the prospectors' area. One peculiarity about the vein or lode is its reddish-brown ferruginous character, somewhat resembling Mount Morgan stone, the encasing rocks being slate and sandstone. A mineral assay of some of the ore, made by Mr Hamilton, at the Phcenix Assay Office, also discloses the fact that it contains metallic bismuth in considerable quantity — a valuable byproduct which can be saved by proper treatment. The tailings from the small crushing just completed are to be subjected to more exhaustive treatment, as it is supposed that, owing to the large amount of mineral contained in the ore, there may be a considerable percentage of very fine gold that has escaped amalgamation. — Queenslander Correspondent. It is a matter worthy of note^ that the immense consumption of timber in connection with the mining industry on Gympie, whether for securing of ground or to supply fuel to the numerous engines employed for winding or crushing purposes, is fast stripping the sut-

rounding district of the stately forests of ironbark, gum, and other valuable hardwoods, and every succeeding year the circuit is widening, so that a greater distance has to be traversed to obtain the necessary material for the prosecution of mining work, and thereby increasing the cost.