MINING IN VICTORIA.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 226, 20 December 1859, Page 3

MINING IN VICTORIA.

(From the Melbourne Age.) ■ There is nothing of any peculiar importance to report, from our mining .districts during the past week. No new rushes have occiired, but the miners, generally remain steadily at work,.and in the majority of instances appear to be tolerably satisfied with the results of their labors.

i At Sandy Qreek, quartz-miningis likely to prove extremely remunerative. On the Hellas reef, what is termed the second reef j has been struck, and (he stone looks rem'arki ably well. "To celebrate the'oecasion the Greek flag was flyiug on the claim, and sundry signs of rejoicing were manifested in every manner possible. The proprietors of the prospecting claim have commenced crushing stone out of this reef, which is expected to average from Bto 10 ounces to the ton." ■ : A large quantity of gold has been offered for sale on the Indigo during the past week, and generally speaking mining matters on that gold field are in a flourishing condition. •• Of the leads not much news is reported. The township is washing stuff from their drive, averaging about 1 oz. to the load. The water is pressing heavily upon them, but having lengthened the stroke of their pump, they manage to keep it well un^er. They are preparing to put in a new drive.: Hawley and party at the Banners say they are down eighty feet in their iieW shaft—all slabbed." A new rush has taken place in the Fiery Creek distr-iet, which promises to be of a more important and lasting character than most of those which have lately occured in that locality. The following account of this new discovery is from the (Back Greek Advertiser:—, ; . - ; " t This very important gold field extends a distance of eighteen miles, namely, from the Fiery Greek township to the Mountain Hut, or more-correctly the Pyrenees Ranges, forming the basin of the celebrated Amphitheatre, seven ■ miles from the Avoca. Charlton; better known as the New Rush Fiery Creek, is about eight.miles by the coach road from the township of the above name. >

The lead runs parallel with the "main and has turned out some niagig^ficent^ claims. About a fortnight back,'a party'of two nuggetted out 90'oz in three* Jdays.; Last week a ] 0 oz nugget was taken from a hole left as a " duffer." Whatever; gold is found in the district is very coarse.' As the main lead runs into the Flat the poorer it gets. In the opinion of those best qualified to judge, but for the frontage system, the lead would be much more easily traced. ;

The rush to Cosmopolitan Gully, about two miles from here, has not turned out as well as expected, but several parties are obtaining from 6 dwt to half an ounce to the load., The wash dirt averages from 10 to 15 inches thick. <■ ■ , • :

Parties are out prospecting in all directions. The result of this judicious system was a large rush on Friday morning, about a quarter of a mile from here, on the other side of the ranges dividing Fiery Creek from the Avoca district. The prospectors obtained 3 dwt off the bottomland on Saturday got 3 dwt to a tin dishful of stuff in a drive six feet from their shaft. Several' claims have since been bottomed, with fair prospect. This is very encouraging; and the ground being marked out in block claims, the most sanguine hopes are entertained of the results. In a social point of view sticking up is rife, and rowdyism the order of the day. We have no schools, nor bells chiming for Sabbath worship. Our main street extends a distance of a mile and a -half* with a pretty good sprinkling of business places, billiard rooms, shanties, a,n,d dancing saloons. The Redan Lead, Ballaarat, is reported tp be..very dull at present. The Golden ; Gate Company is swamped out, and but few I athers are even paying wages. The pros- ! pecta upon the Golden Point Lead are somewhat better than they have been for : pbme .time past. " The Band of Hope Company arc down about 30 feet iii the second rock, and about 200 feet from the surface. This company have a^ large quantity of water to contend Ws t The Koh-i-Noor Company j^e© doing very well just now. The quantity of gold obtained during tke last fortnight was 325 oz 12 dwt %% grs,tfrom which a dividend of £12 per. man was paid, besides some £700 for. expenses. The Cosmopolitan Company are expecting to break through with $$** incline every day, when some \\gfai \?'sl be thrown upon the dispute wi^h, the B«r.r,a Obmpiny. The 'Ifew? CJonstitutipn. Go&pany : )iavs' firo^ their swa^mping out, and are \Giie§ mpr#, fajrly at wotfe; '■ Tfcefr last cfivi- ', den,d» was 4% PPr iwm* w ; v "W« Mve iiiutKi|le flresn intelligence from | t^CftafetemairiJß district. The following, relative "lo Campbell's Creek, is from the Castlemairie Advjertisenr— Mining during the week has not l^ifc particularly favourable, either in 2j^%ig, or alluvial workings* but in tha l^jriner; phase; has ! paid- wages. O^enT from,', Blanket and jthe Hard J^ijls averaged, %Rttte P,v^, aami^cp per' ton,: and quairtg frj^.ther new \ cj^ims on i Wumjety i^b<^ t^ bujifo?!*. per/ ton. i Hutton and Go.,q£ thkduj&jiberlah^ Reef, realise^ over air.<snq|' ;jp?*4&& ,**&

yield. r.The reef recently Opened between the Cumberland Reef and the White Hill continues to be Worked with energy, and it is confidently expected will eventually turn ou£ ft profitable one.-. The. various prospecting parties out in the district have not yet struck, payable quartz, but the backers of them have faith,, and for some time to come, at least, will not fail to find them maintenance) money.' The White Hill has been gazetted as leased, and will shortly be alive with busyjniners; it.is questionable, however, f/ with what result. The cement . from it was never particularly rich, nevertheless, if .the company, is economical, it may prove a profitable one. In alluvial sinking Coulter and party, who obtained a road grant a short time ago, near the Sheriffs bridge, have been working to disadvantage, most of the ground having been taken away by parties who. drove into it, when working during the early part of the Camp Rush. The other claims in working near, the Warden's office are paying fair wages, as are also the Chinese claims on Captain Simpson's ground or Preshaw's flat.