MAM 27. 2.1857 On Tuesday last we were shown by Messrs Bell and Hammond about 70 pounds weight of amalgamated gold produced from the Sandy Creek quartz reefs, and it was stated that this was only a comparitively small instalment of the gold they have obtained from their own claim there. All through their stone has yielded about 6 ounces to the ton on an average, and the reefe there are described as almost innumerable and inexhaustible, but scarcely at all opened as yet. Messrs B. & H. have erected two Chilian mills with four rollers and a 10 horsepower steam engine, solely for the purpose of crushing their own yield. The place where this gold was obtained was about 10 miles from Dunolly, between that place and Bendigo. MDA 27.11.1857 On Thursday last we saw 600 ounces of amalgamated gold from one of the Sandy Creek reefs, all obtained within the last 14 days. MDA 1.12.1857 At Sandy Creek a good deal of gold is being obtained from the quartz reefs, the richness of which tends to make this place of considerable importance. MDA 4.12.1857 Sandy Creek maintains its reputation as one of the best quartz mining districts in the colony. Nearly 600 ounces of amalgamated gold was sold from a claim on one of the reefs last week. MDA 1. 1.1858 On Poverty Reef, which, bye-the-bye, greatly belies its name, stone was taken out on Wednesday last from the Welshmen's Claim at a depth of 152 feet that would pay at least 250 ounces per ton. This has set people astir, and the reef has been staked off each way for a considerable distance. MDA 12. 1.1858 Poverty looks busy, and new claims are being taken up, and proceeded with, almost daily. This is doubtless at present the richest reef here, and is, in consequence, in great favour. MDA 15. 1.1858 12 tons yields 240oz. MDA 19. 1.1858 The "maiden crushing" from the Welshmen's Claim on Poverty Reef took place this week, and thought the exact yield is not yet made public it is known to have been something exceedingly handsome. MDA 26. 1.1858 Messrs Bell and Hammond, on Poverty Reef, are at present raising stone from a depth of 185 feet, richer than they have had for some time. The Welshmen's Claim on the same reef continues to turn out splendidly. MDA 12. 2.1858 We understand that one of the reefers went down to town this week with 600 or 700 ounces of amalgamated gold. MDA 23. 2.1858 A claim next to the Welshmen's Poverty Reef has struck gold, though not yet so rich as its neighbour. MDA 16. 3.1858 (Advertisement) A splendid opportunity is now offered in the sale of a Fourth Share on the celebrated Poverty Reef, Sandy Creek, the claim being situated between two of the best paying claims in the colony. Apply Albert & ? Summers, Poverty Reef, Sandy Creek. MDA 19. 3.1858 A claim has been bottomed on Poverty Reef, next to the Welshmen's, from which some splendid looking specimens have been obtained. The Welshmen's party had, a short time back, a quantity of quartz crushed from which, it is said, the four men got a thousand pounds each. MDA 23. 3.1858 We have been favoured with the inspection of two beautiful lumps of amalgamated gold obtained from sixty tons of unpicked quartz on Poverty Reef, Sandy Creek. They weigh together about 500 ounces. The retorting appears to have been most excellently conducted; the gold on being struck emits a fine sonorous sound, almost as clear as if it were a bar. MDA 30. 3.1858 Poverty still maintains its reputation for the yield of gold; but the old claims are beginning to strike water at about 200 feet. Messrs Bell and Hammond have registered their Whim Shaft on account of it, in order to let some of the rest get down and have their fair share of the labour. MDA 20. 4.1858 Poverty Reef wore quite a gay appearance last Wednesday, owing to the number of ladies and gentlemen visiting the Welshmen's Claim. Many of the ladies descended the shaft, which is 152 feet deep, and remained down there for three or four hours, during which time they tried their hands at using the hammer and drill. When they arrived on the top, they looked a little pale, but not half so bad as many of the gentlemen. Before the party had separated, success to the Cambrians had been drank, with a three time three. Their reef is at present about eight feet in breadth, and gold distributed right throughout, and they expect their next crushing to be much better than the last. They christened their shaft this week - the Prince of Wales Shaft. They have had a deal of trouble in finding an appropriate name; they searched newspapers and books innumerable; but it was no good; there was no name to be found that pleased, till one inspired Welshman thought of the Prince of Wales, which was received with shouts of acclamation. MDA 4. 5.1858 At Sandy Creek the claim next to the Welshmen's has struck gold very heavily. It is known as the Lancashire New Chum's claim. In the adjoining claim to the north, a single share in a claim has been sold for L800. MDA 11. 5.1858 We were shown a few days ago ..... of Sandy Creek amalgamated gold. From the Welshmen's Claim 430 ounces were obtained from twenty tons of quartz. A small quantity of 25 cwt yielded 150 ounces. MAM 14. 5.1858 Same as MDA 11.5.1858 MDA 20. 5.1858 On the celebrated Poverty Reef several fresh claims have struck gold heavily, and shares for a long distance on the reef are commanding enormous prices. Most of the old hands on this reef buy up every share they possibly can, that is if it within a reasonable distance of the gold producing claims; a fact which shows their confidence in the reef. MDA 25. 5.1858 Three claims on Poverty have struck gold this week, with the probability of their proving as rich as the Welshmen's. I believe Mr Mashford's old claim has struck it pretty good on the Poverty. Some distance ahead, on the same reef,Turnbull's claim has struck the reef at 150 feet, but whether any good or not remains to be proved - at any rate it has put everyone in good spirits. MDA 8. 6.1858 This place (Sandy Creek) is progressing wonderfully. From the Prince of Wales claim thirty tons crushed last week yielded over 400 ounces. MDA 11. 6.1858 The owners of the Prince of Wales shaft are erecting a (crushing) machine. MAM 18. 6.1858 Excellent report. MDA 18. 6.1858 The proprietors of the Prince of Wales claim are erecting crushing machinery, and are reserving a choice parcel of a few tons of picked quartz, from which a tremendous yield is expected. Our informant mentions several cwts. as the quantity of gold they would be likely to obtain from this little lot of stone. MDA 25. 6.1858 Another shaft bottomed on Poverty Reef has bottomed on gold very heavily. It is situated next to the Welshmen's, and was known as the "New Chums". So rich is it, however, that we understand the owners propose to christen it the "Jewellers Shop". A gentleman who has inspected some of the specimens, assures us they are radiant with gold, and the bottom of the shaft literally sparkles with the precious metal. Mr King is said to be in town purchasing another machine. He has already a Chilian mill, with two basins, with which he has crushed the quartz from his own claim which is computed to have yielded over half a ton of gold. There is no predicting the future in store for Sandy Creek.... MDA 2. 7.1858 A fourth part of a fifth share (ie, 1/20th -DG) in a claim on Poverty Reef sold two days ago for the extraordinary sum of L500, or at the rate of L10,000 for the claim. When it is considered that probably a heavy expense will be incurred for machinery, and that this, added to L10,000, will have to be raised from the claim before the purchaser realises again his investment, some idea may be formed of the confidence felt in the rich nature of the Sandy Creek quartz reefs. A seventh part of a claim not yet bottomed was sold a few days ago for L350. MDA 6. 7.1858 The Welshman's claim is still first rate, and the Lancashire party to the northward of them have come on it at a depth of about 170 feet, the claim bids fair to rival the Welshmen's. Messrs. Hawkins and King have struck it, I believe, first rate in the claim to the southward of them. MDA 9. 7.1858 The now celebrated New Chums claim on Poverty Reef have lately sold a twentieth share for L500. This fact speaks loudly for the importance of this vast district, which bids fair even to out-rival Old Bendigo in the number, if not the richness, of the quartz dykes. MDA 16. 7.1858 An accident occurred on Friday afternoon to a miner named John House, in the employ of Bell and Hammond at Poverty Reef, while working at the whim. He was in the act of putting the slack rope down the shaft, when the horse suddenly started off and the "bite" of the rope caught him around the leg, dragging him up to the rollers or pulleys. He was severely wounded in the temples, which were sewn up by the medical gentlemen in attendance, and he is fast recovering from the injuries received. Had the rope not been out of the sheaves, he must have been crushed to pieces. MDA 27. 7.1858 A fine sample of amalgamated gold weighing 120 ounces was the result of a week's crushing (last week) of Bell and Hammond's. A claim on Poverty Reef (some eight or nine claims ahead of any that have yet found the reef) has struck eaders containing gold at a depth of 150 feet, and the owners intend shortly to commence driving for the reef. MDA 30. 7.1858 The Welshmen, from a late crushing, averaged 13 ounces to the ton unpicked quartz. The claim between their's and King's, and which the present party obtained by jumping, has struck a rich leader at a depth of 80 feet. he vein is about 4 inches thick. King obtained 50 ounces from a crushing last week; we do not know the quantity of quartz from which it was obtained. MDA 3. 8.1858 Another claim, southward of the Welshmen's, on Poverty Reef, has also struck gold. Those to the north, however, are likely to run very deep, as the reef is dipping almost perpendicularly in the centre of the New Chum's claim; in fact, they bottom in this place, and the gold hitherto obtained has been towards the Welshmen's. MDA 24. 8.1858 Most of the claims on Poverty are registered, from the fact of the stone raised from the New Chum's claim not equalling expectation, and the reef running off almost perpendicularly in the centre of their shaft. A crushing from one of the claims in this line last week yielded five hundred ounces. MDA 27. 8.1858 A payable leader has been discovered in the claim lately taken up between King's and the Welshmen, and the latter are in consequence sinking a second shaft. MDA 31. 8.1858 Sandy Creek has sent in as usual several fine cakes of amalgamated gold. One we saw weighing 211 ounces, from Poverty Reef. MDA 3. 9.1858 Many claims on Poverty and other reefs are being registered. Jumping is rife as ever.... MDA 7. 9.1858 Two of the claims on Poverty have struck water. An engine will have to be procured. MDA 28. 9.1858 Some beautiful cakes of amalgamated gold, from Sandy Creek, were sold at Dunolly last week. One we had the pleasure of inspecting, obtained from quartz from King's claim, weighed nearly 200 ounces. MDA 5.10.1858 On Poverty Reef there seems to be some misunderstanding relative to the claims which have struck water. The holders of the claims on that reef have had one or two meetings relative to pumping the water, but they came to no conclusion. Those who are prevented from working by water, wish to re-register their claims, and those who have not struck the water are objecting to it. There is also a talk of the claims amalgamating, which, if the parties can only agree about it, is the best plan. MDA 19.11.1858 Those claims at work, have been doing remarkable well. Over 500 ounces were brought to Dunolly on Monday, the proceeds of one week's crushing of quartz from Poverty Reef. This reef, it is confidently anticipated, will yield an equal amount weekly for some time to come, as an immense quantity of quartz has been got out, which will keep the machines constantly at work. MDA 7.12.1858 The miners on Poverty Reef are reaping a rich harvest, and in every week's crushing, we are assured, the yield of gold from that reef alone is not less than 40 pounds weight per week. MDA 21.12.1858 The Welshmen, on Poverty Reef, continue their crushing with astonishing results. MDA 29.12.1858 A complimentary dinner was given to Mr W. Bell (of Bell and Hammond) of Poverty Reef, previous to his departure for England, on Friday 17th ult., at Foos, Sandy Creek....... MDA 7. 1.1859 Sandy Creek continues to furnish a good proportion of the gold forwarded by escort from Dunolly. The registered claims have not gone to work vigorously yet, as we are informed they are waiting for pumping apparatus to relieve them from the water against which they have had to contend. MDA 18. 1.1859 We observe that the Warden refuses to register any more quartz claims, the practice has proved to be so undesirable. Whilst the claims on Poverty Reef have reaped, and are reaping almost fabulous harvests of the precious metal, there are a great number of claims which have not yet given any return, but which may all turn out well if persevered with. We saw some of the quartz from the far-famed Poverty Reef. Immense heaps are stacked up ready for crushing, and one can readily see the gold in most of the stone. The fineness of the metal, and the manner in which it is disseminated, at once explains the uniform richness of the quartz. The system with which the larger claims are worked, and the admirable management of the crushing machines, are especially noteworthy. We shortly intend to give a detailed account of the mining operations on this celebrated field. MDA 22. 2.1859 Poverty Reef - Another claim struck gold the other day, and this will probably afford encouragement to parties who have registered to re-commence operations. MDA 11. 3.1859 Poverty Reef - One ton of quartz from Foos' claim on what is called a continuation of Poverty Reef, was crushed the other day, and yielded 19 ounces. There is likely to be a dispute in regard to this claim, another party affirming that it is within the boundaries of an old prospect claim now registered (May be Needful Reef - DG). MDA 2. 5.1859 (Mining matters are very dull because of a drought - DG) Mr King commenced working his engine on Thursday with water obtained from Poverty Reef. MDA 18. 5.1859 The little rain that fell last week set all the crushing machines at Sandy Creek to work, and right busy they have been. Some thousands of tons of quartz were ready for the mill, very little having been crushed for the last two months. MDA 3. 6.1859 Mr Hammond is about to erect another crushing machine, and Messrs. Beynon and Co. have added considerably to their establishment. MDA 13. 6.1859 Some splendid cakes of amalgamated gold were exhibited in the window of the Union Bank, Dunolly, on Thursday last. Their total weight exceeded 1,000 ounces. They were the produce of the Sandy Creek reefs. MDA 15. 7.1859 Sandy Creek has never been in a more prosperous condition than at the present time; most of the reefs are turning out well, and the yield of gold is greater than it has ever been...... Poverty Reef - The New Chums have at length struck the reef in their claim (the next to the Welshmen's) at a depth of about 240 feet. The prospect obtained is very good, and expected to yield 12 ounces to the ton. We understand L1,000 has been given for a share in the claim. MDA 29. 7.1859 A portion of a claim belonging to Harvey Knox, on Poverty Reef, has also been jumped by a party of Americans. The claim is valued at L4,000. Mr Knox has been working the claim for some considerable time, and obtained gold in the reef near the surface, but this not proving payable, had lately been sinking for the second reef. In this sinking he has only had two men employed. The Americans have jumped it on the grounds that having obtained gold on the reef, they should have had the full number of hands (four) employed on the claim. The case will come before Capt. Murray for adjudication on Wednesday next. MDA 5. 8.1859 Poverty Reef, Sandy Creek - The Warden decided the jumping case on Poverty Reef in favour of Knox and Co., the original owners, the jumpers not making out a case at all. MDA 8. 8.1859 Mr King's and the Prince of Wales, on Poverty Reef, are being vigorously worked. Nos 2, 3 & 4, amalgamated claims, stopped working on account of water, and intend putting up an engine to overcome the difficulty. There ought certainly to be more unity of action among the reefers, having reference to water bailing or pumping. MDA 8.1859 The present township of Sandy Creek is being surveyed, with a view, we believe, to its shortly being sold. Apropos of this, The surveyor has been guilty of a gross piece of injustice to Mr King, one of the older and most successful inhabitants of Sandy Creek, and to whose exertions as muc or more than any other person the development of its quartz reefs is due. The road has absolutely been surveyed through Mr King's premises (within nine feet of the boiler), cutting off from his use the only available ground he can possibly procure to stock wood and quartz, and for other purposes connected with his extensive quartz crushing machinery. He has spent many thousands of pounds on his works..... MDA 15. 8.1859 Letter to the editor - "You certainly cannot be aware that the road passing close to Mr King's machine has been in use for the past six or seven years as the leading road to Newbridge, Bendigo and Castlemaine. The present survey has been made at the instance of several miners, storekeepers, and others, who have been in the habit of using the same long prior to Mr King's claim thereto. Apart from the general traffic, the crowded state of this end of Poverty Reef is alone sufficient to make the continuance of this roadway imperative, it being the only approach we have to our claims - R W Hammond." MDA 19. 8.1859 Mr Hammond's new machine is approaching completion, and will soon be busy at work with its twelve stampers, made on Stevens' rotary principle. R W Hammond, with a party of twelve, applied for and obtained an extended claim on the north end of Poverty Reef. MDA 8.1859 The weekly yield of the reefs at present worked at Sandy Creek exceeds 1,500 ounces of gold. MDA 29. 8.1859 A splendid sample of amalgamated and alluvial gold was exhibited in the window of the Union Bank, Dunolly, on Friday. The lot weighed about 2,000 ounces. The amalgated gold, of which the greater portion consisted, was the produce of the Sandy Creek reefs. Prospectus for the Sandy Creek Poverty Reef Mining, Quartz Crushing, and Washing Company: Poverty Reef has long been known as one of the richest reefs in the colony. It was thus described in the Mining Surveyor's Report to the Board of Science, published in the Argus, 20th July 1859, "Of the above....Poverty Reef is by far the most important. It almost exclusively employs three crushing machines, two of 25 horsepower each, and one of 12 horsepower, besides an 8 horsepower engine for winding for the two principal claims adjoining. One of these claims, 80 feet in length, and which is being worked at a depth of 200 feet, is regularly yielding 600 ounces weekly. The next, north of the above, after being worked continously for 20 months, has struck the reef at a depth of 247 feet, and is quite as rich as the other". Nine contiguous golden claims have already been struck, and although some of them have been at work several years, they show no signs of abatement, either in richness or in the extent of the reef. The claims vary in size from 9 to 80 feet; the one mentioned above as yielding 600 ounces weekly, being in the latter dimension. They occupy in all a space of 430 feet, alng which the reef has been traced continously, with thickness of from six to twelve feet. They keep in constant employment four steam engines and three crushing machines; and the proprietors of the nine claims pay, in wages alone, L800 weekly. The company have applied for a lease of 768 yards of this famous reef, commencing within thirty yards of the last golden claim in which the reef was struck; and extending in a direct line to the Needful Reef, where several golden claims are also in work (one yielding six ounces to the ton) and which is looked on as the extension of Poverty Reef. On the Needful Reef side the ground approaches within 50 yards of the claim alluded to as yielding six ounces to the ton. At the Poverty Reef end 180 yards of the reef applied for, was an amalgamated claim of seven ordinary claims, the claimholders of which united to sink a shaft. After attaining a depth of 200 feet they came to water, when pending coming to an arrangement amongst themsselves to purchase the necessary machinery, they obtained the permission of the Warden to register the claim for three months. The Provisional Directors have concluded an arrangement with the claimholders to purchase their interest in the amalgamated claim for L1,500; to be paid in 4,000 shares, with the first deposit of 10/- paid up. The remaining portion of the ground for which the lease is applied for, was taken up by the Provisional Directory for the benefit of the company. The Company will thus have at its disposal 768 yards of ground, by a width of 256, along the whole course of which the reef is to be traced. As soon as the shares are allotted, shafts will be sunk at each end of the ground, and machinery at once be purchased to be ready by the time the water level is reached. The engine will be of sufficient power to admit of its being employed for the quartz crushing machinery, to be erected immediately on the reef being struck. The capital raised by the initial deposit is estimated to be sufficient to pay the cost of sinking to the reef; and in addition to the machinery required for that purpose, to procure the necessary apparatus for washing the alluvial ground. The return from this source alone, besides yielding dividends to the shareholders, it is anticipated will prove sufficient to preclude the necessity of making further calls for the erection of quartz crushing machinery. The reservoir, which will be formed as the alluvial ground is excavated, may be reckoned a large and permanent source of revenue to the Company in the future. (With other details regarding application for shares - DG). MDA 2. 9.1859 Sandy Creek Poverty Reef Company - The local directors allotted on Wednesday, as agreed on. Short as had been the notice, applications for between 65,000 and 70,000 shares (many times the number to be disposed of) were sent in from Sandy Creek, Dunolly and Maryborough. Yesterday a pound premium was freely offered at the last place. MDA 7. 9.1859 Sandy Creek Poverty Reef Co - Our Sandy Creek correspondent informs us that owing to many persons being disappointed in obtaining shares in this company, a great demand has sprung up for them. Sandy Creek, he says, has been like a Stock Exchange. The price has steadily advanced, and he reports transactions at a high rate of premium. MDA 10. 9.1859 Knox jumps case. MDA 14. 9.1859 Some portions of our resident population have been purchasing shares in the Sandy Creek Poverty Reef Company, any number that was offered, at L3-10/-. Purchases of small parcels were made at L4. The popularity of the company among the inhabitants is a great fact. The Provisional Directors have already taken steps to purchase machinery and prepare the plans for working, etc., so that as soon as the Deed of Settlement is signed and permanent directors elected, the work may be proceeded with without delay. Mr Hammond's machine has commenced crushing. This machine, of twelve stampers, is simple and neat in construction, and all the arrangements of the engineer are of a practical nature, likely to ensure good work. A portion of the new engine od 30 horsepower, lately ordered by Mr Beynon, has arrived, and is on the ground. It is intended to pump the water and drain claims Nos 2, 3, 4 north of the prospecting claim on Poverty Reef. It is at the same time provided with winding gear. The foundation and masonry work is commenced, and the engine will be at work in less than a month. Some of the public companies elsewhere might learn from Sandy Creek people how to do work with despatch. MDA 16. 9.1859 The Directors of the Sandy Creek Poverty Reef Company are active in bringing this promising company to a successful issue. I am informed, on reliable authority, that the directors, aware of the great demand for steam engines and machinery, lost no time in availing themselves of a favourable opportunity, and have already purchased an engine of large power from the firm of Messrs. Dow and Co., which will be put up on the reef without delay. They have likewise prepared specifications, and invited tenders, for the enlargement and sinking of a shaft to the required depth to strike the reef. Arrangements are at the same time made that before the shaft will be sunk to the water level, the steam engine purchased should be ready to put up on the reef and in working order, to pump the water and wind up the stuff, thus to expedite the work. This activity of the directors already shows the advantages of placing the management of a mining company in trained, practical hands, and confiding it to gentlemen of mining experience. MDA 21. 9.1859 Another cake of 430 ounces was retorted yesterday, the yield of Messrs. Baker and Summers claim on Poverty Reef. This claim, only half-a-dozen feet in length. It has given a great satisfaction to the local shareholders in the Sandy Creek Poverty Reef Mining Company, that the directors have decided upon commencing the work at once, in what is called "The Late Black Fellows Claim". In this claim, the reef has been struck parallel to, but some distance from, the Poverty Reef, and the top stone yielded 15 dwts to the ton. It is expected to improve as it goes deeper. This company likewise commenced the alluvial works in eating a reservoir. MDA 26.10.1859 The Prince of Wales Claim, Poverty Reef, has furnished as the result of eight days' work, another cake of 700 ounces and some pennyweights, to follow the one of 1,472 ounces sent from here about nine days ago. MDA 2.11.1859 Large quantities of machinery continue to arrive for Poverty Reef, for private claimholders as well as the Poverty Reef Mining Company, and I wonder that nevertheless the great demand for machinery in this place, no foundry has yet been established on Sandy Creek. MDA 9.11.1859 The Prince of Wales claim, Poverty Reef, has furnished yesterday another monster cake of 1522 ounces. The two large cakes of 1522 and 1472 ounces, respectively, obtained recently out of this claim, were named the one the Victoria, and the other the Prince of Wales Gold Cakes, and both of them will probably arrive in Melbourne on the day of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales attaining his age of majority. Mr Beynon, of the Prince of Wales claim, was requested to allow these cakes to be exhibited in Melbourne for a small charge, the proceeds to be divided among charitable institutions in Melbourne and the district, and I believe Mr Beynon is agreeable to accede to the proposal. MDA 18.11.1859 In No 4 Claim south, on Poverty Reef, about 20 yards from the boundary line of the Poverty Reef Mining Company's lease, and near their engine shaft, the reef was struck, and in the top stone now raised for crushing, gold can be freely seen. The Poverty Reef Company expect to strike the reef at a depth of 224 feet; their shaft is now sunk to a depth of 109 feet. MDA 25.11.1859 A person by the name of Walker found yesterday some rich surface stone on the Poverty Reef Mining Company's lease, on Havelock Reef, at a short distance from the company's shaft, where stone is now being raised for crushing, and he may have fancied his road to fortune disclosed when his illusions were dispelled on being told that the company will spare him any further trouble in working the reef. MDA 25.11.1859 The Age has the following concerning the Poverty Reef cakes recently sent to town:- Those who feel an interest in the produce of our goldfields, and who are also desirous of assisting our charitable institutions, will have an opportunity of gratifying both feelings today and tomorrow; during which time there will be exhibited at the Criterion Hotel, two cakes of gold, taken from the Prince of Wales claim, Poverty Reef, Sandy Creek; the one weighing 1389 ounces, and the other 1504 ounces. The proceeds of the exhibition are to be divided among the several charitable institutions of the city. MDA 14.12.1859 The works on Poverty Reef are carried on with unabated energy. The first crushing out of No 4 Claim, south, and within a few feet of the boundary line of the Poverty Reef Mining Company's lease, exceeded the expectation of those accustomed to the quartz raised of Poverty Reef. On the reef being struck in No 4 claim the proprietors were anxious to ascertain whether the whole of the huge reef disclosed by them, measuring from twelve to fourteen feet wide, was auriferous. They first raised 47 tons 10 cwt of top stone, which was considered comparitively worthless; on being crushed, however, it gave 45 ounces 18 dwts. Another portion of the reef a little further down was then broken up, and 19 tons raised for crushing, which gave 37 ounces 19 dwts 18 grains. The result of the trial crushing is highly gratifying, as it tends to prove that, like all other claims where the reef has been struck, the whole body of the immense lode is auriferous, and likewise that the stone becomes richer as the lode is followed and worked at a greater depth. The facts furnished by the gradual development and working of Poverty Reef during the last five years are interesting to science, and, in addition to the valuable data recorded in some foreign publications, bearing on the working of the quartz gold mines in Schermnitz and other places in Europe, for some generations past. And these facts are of some importance to serve as a guide to practical legislation. Indeed, if natural laws may be considered axiomatic at all, it is more than probable that Poverty Reef, as well as many other reefs in the colony, will be successfully worked for ages to come, and at depths equal to the mines referred to, where colossal steam engines are used on the surface, and tramways laid down, and horses used at a depth below 2,000 feet. Such changes in our quartz mining operations will, ere long, come to pass, and gigantic mining works will likely be carried on here, when our embryo township shall have become a city, teeming with its population. MDA 30.12.1859 Christmas week here is almost entirely devoted to pleasure and recreation. The works, even on Poverty Reef, are mostly confined to the indispensable operation of water bailing. ----- This data is part of the David Gordon Index and is provided for private use only. Copyright David Gordon 2012.