The Kimberley Diggings.

Thames Star, Volume XIX, Issue 5816, 20 September 1887, Page 4

The Kimberley Diggings.

Although the Kimberley diggings have v to alluvial field, been something of a failure, it seems probable, though the accounts we read are rather conflicting, that it will yet take its place among the great reefing districts of Australia. The reports of discoveries in the neighborhood of Hall's Creek^ induced a syndicate of mining men in Victoria to personally prospect, and practically prove; that portion of the country..: Half a ton of the ■tone was brought back, and crushed 2§OZS| equal to 'Mozs to the ton—a yield •which, even at the great distance from the ' leaboard, would pay to erect extensive machinery, if large quantities of the stone existed. The reef known as Jackson's reef is thus described by a Mr James to the above syndicate.—" The reef is a well-defined lode, running north and south, with a good hangingwall; and the .prospectors had sunk on tho lode in one place about 40ft-; the bottom of the jshaft being all quartz about sft ie width, without meeting a haogingwali. The whole of the stone taken out was of first-class quality, showing gold freely; and in my estimation the whole of the lode, as far as developed, will yield at least 20ozs to the ton. The prospector, Jackson, informed me that he had discovered the lode through an outcrop on the surface; and on inspection it can be easily traced running between two parallel bars of slate about 20ft apart, which I think will ultimately prove the hanging and footwalls." The whole of this stone will pay for crushing, and should be worked out on a face between the two slate bars. A second shaft has been sunk at about 140 ft north of these .workings; and good gold was found in the stone, thus proving the continuation of the lode in that direction. Warden Price, who resides on the field, and has taken great interest in its development, is of opinion that a large reefing district exists, which only awaits machinery to develop it. A battery is being.manufactured in Melbourne, and is to be for. warded as soon as completed. The town ship, in addition to the resident miners, consists of four stores, two hotels, and two boarding-houses, all of which are constructed of canvas.