LONGWOOD JOTTINGS.

Western Star, Issue 350, 19 May 1880, Page 2

LONGWOOD JOTTINGS.

By A Ballarat Rkeeee. Mr Q-. Howell places the following letter at our disposal for publication. It is written by one of two Victorian diggers who a few weeks ago visited Longwood, and as an independent opinion may bo considered of some value : By an unforseen occurrence towards the end of March last, my mate and I found ourselves with a few weeks spare time on hand ; so after mature deliberation and due consideration, agreed to pack up tent and swags, and pay the New Zealand goldfields a flying visit. No sooner said than done, for the next day found us on board that fine steamer the “ Te Anau” bound for the Bluff, which port was duly reached aftcjr looking in at Hobart Town on our way. Disembarking we took train for Invercargill, en route for the Longwood reefs, about which any amount of “ corroborries ” had been held on the other side ; but nothing dcfinitel arrived at. A f ter a few hours spell in Invercargill, we took train for Riverton, where we arrived safe and sound, putting up for the night at the Globe Hotel. Started next morning for the reefs, crossing the railway bridge over the river, followed the new line of railway for some miles, when we found that we should have taken a different route. Through the kindness of a volunteer, however, we were put upon the right track for the bridge near Instone’s mills, where we arrived in the afternoon and pitched tent, intending to make an early start for the reefs upon the following morning. After a good night’s rest, the weather being glorious, and a good breakfast discussed, we left camp and made our way to the bush, (he tracks through which we found in splendid order, caused no doubt by the lorg continuous dry weather, which wo were informed had existed in those parts. Upon nearing the claims all appeared bustle and activity. Bullock sledges with machinery for Printz’s battery, workmen erecting same ; and so proceeded to the mouth of the tunnel of this claim, but being strangers and uninvited did nut seek admittance. Noticed a small quantity of tvry friable looking stuff that bad been brought out, and of rather a pale color, and considered if it was of a similar kind throughout that it would pay for puddling. Very shortly proceeded to the Geelong Company’s claim, which we found was worked by a whim, the shaft being down somo 100 ft. or so. Here a small quantity of material had also been brought to grass, which was of a much darker color and of more solidily than than at Printz’s. Not going down the shaft nothing can be said of its appearance below. Wo were hero kindly given a rough sketch of the direction to be taken to the next claim, the Bo sicker, where in a few minutes and alter clearing 'a creek, and turning to the right for 50 or GO yards, the tunnel of tha t claim presented itself to view. Observing a small quantity of stone at the moutb, and no one about, we walked in, and as good luck would have it, found in “a nieho in the wail a piece of candle ready for use, lit it, and proceeded up the drive ; after going some 100 yards or so, came to a cross drive running to the right for some 20 feet, and upon examination discovered a well defined reef over head, varying from somo Sft Gin to 8 inches in width, and running the entire length of this cross drive. The stone at the mouth of tho tunnel having evidently come from this

reef. As we were in the “ Fossiakor ” thought a little fossicking apropos, and from prospects seen consider that tbe owners of this ground will have no cause to repent their venture. Upon returning into the main drive we followed it up to the end, some 50 or GO yards, where it exhibited a granite formation, interspersed witli fine quartz veins, generally a very good indication. Afier lighting pipes, returned to the fresh air, placing balance of the dip in its old position, the only biped apparently in charge being an ancient-boking cock robin, who was perched upon the anvil, and evidently considered by his jaunty air that he was monarch of all he surveyed. It getting late, we visited no further ground, but retraced our steps homewards, arriving at the lent in good lime. Here wc were joined during the evening by some rceters outward bound, who pitched their tent in close proximity to ours, and from whom during "dural conversation wo were told that an outcrop of the reef showed itself at the crown of he hill- a fact which I was prepared for, B noli an outcrop being generally met with in Victorian reel's. Tin’s information altered our plans for the next day, and we di cidcd upon starting for the crown of the bill pointed out, tiie more so as we were informed that there were some old workings at that spot — Osborne's they call it I think. bo after breakfast the" next morning, and re oiving further instructions as to the best route to be taken, we again started, hoping to got, a good view of the country upon the other side of tbe ranges ; in this, however, we were disappointed, owing to the density of the bush. We reached the summit of the bill between one and two o’clock, and were pleased to find wo had hit our mark exactly, us we came across an ancient-looking manuscript fastened upon a tree signed by one Osborne, We then sat down, ate our lunch, and lit our pipes, after which bad a good look round, and soon came across the old workings us directed; they appear to bo situated at the head of a small gully, and have evidently been traced up the creek a considerable distance by one who knew what he was about, as was easily discernible by the numerous pot-holes found in the locality. In what appeared an old trench of considerable size—no doubt cut by some baiter to drain the workings —wo came across numerous small quartz leaders, all dipping in one direction. An old shaft, unfortunately full of water, was unapproachable, for which we were sorry, as wo had been given to understand that we should there find a more definite indication of reef, which appeared to us very probable. Several pieces of hard red cement veins met with one side bearing a very smooth surface as having become detached 'from a quartz formation or wall. Mv male, who I had missed for some time, 1 discovered doing a little prospecting with a piece of an old shovel he had found and his pannikin in the trench mentioned before, and lie actually succeeded even in this primitive way in securing several good specks of tbe metal. From vvliat we could see, it seems a great pity that these works had nut been persevered with, as strong indications of the most favorable kind exhibit themselves in this locality. p-V As it was growing late, wo bad to make our way back again, uud in following down the creek, were fortunate enough to get upon an old track that led us in the right direction, arriving at the tent by six o’clock. The following morning our alloled time having expired, we packed up tent and swags and returned to Riverton, w liieb place wo left the same afternoon by train en route to our next place of cull. “In concluding these notes, it may bo as well to state, that after paying most, of the other fields in New Zealand a similar Hying visit, my mate and self have concluded ttiat tbe Longwood, in our opinion, will eventually turn out a splendid reeling district, and fulfil the most sanguine expectation of those interested. So strongly do we think so, that it is our present intention of casting in our lot at that spot, so soon as our business matters can be wound up in Victoria, and hope that upon returning here that the whole field will be in working order, and that the country at largo will not be able to say of the “ Ballarat Reefer” that he is an untrue prophet.