PARTIAL EXTRACTS – NEWSPAPER RECORDS NEW NORTH CLUNES WORKINGS

Ballarat Star 16 January, 1865 New North Clunes Company Has resolved upon opening out the Pump Shaft at 590 feet. 4 June 1866 New North Clunes Company Cross-cut west at depth 590 feet, is at 447 feet from Pump shaft, and struck

reef (thought to be Robinson’s). 2 July, 1866 New North Clunes Company Into reef 6 or 7 feet : hard, wet. Specks of gold occasionally seen in the

stone. 6 July, 1866 State intent to sink the whim shaft further. 31 July, 1866 Reef first struck in cross-cut west at 477 (?) feet. Gold was readily seen in

first three feet, but the nature of the stone then changed to a hard solid body of white quartz. It took a month to penetrate 7 feet .....

7 August, 1866 Trial crushing 44 tons 16 cwt – yield 8 oz 15 dwt, or barely 3 dwt 23 gr. per

ton. “However, as out of the 7 feet taken, 4 feet was known to be good for

nothing, the local shareholders are not much alarmed at the result.” 13 August, 1866 Have driven through the reef, and found it to be between 9 and 10 feet thick. Tenders called for driving south along the reef. 20 August 1866 The whim shaft has been sunk to 240 feet, and struck a quartz vein or reef,

which is at present all over the shaft, and contains very good-looking stone, in which gold can be plainly seen.

3 September, 1866 Stone appears to contain a great deal of minerals. DMR Vol. 7 p.200. 25 September, 1866 The lode struck in the whim shaft has been proved by cross-cuts to the east

and west, for 14 feet, and not through : there has not been any stone crushed from this lode.

MSRR September, 1866 Lode struck at depth 235 feet confirmed (details given). 15 October, 1866 Trial – 162 tons 8 cwt of quartz crushed at the Port Philip Company’s works,

and the yield was 76 oz 18 dwt or 9½ dwt/ton. 31 October, 1866 The whim shaft was deepened, and at 235 feet from surface quartz was

struck quite unexpectedly, and found to be thickly studded with gold. The reef was sunk into 19 feet, and cross-drives were then opened, proving

the reef 20 feet wide, and still widening out in depth.

More gold having been seen on the west side leads to the opinion that the

shaft is on the poorer side of the reef.

The shaft is now 271 feet deep, 36 feet in quartz, and a level will shortly be

opened, and driving done.

2 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   It is proposed to haul up stone during 8 hours of each day, and sink the shaft

during 16 hours, by which the mine will become self-supporting. This depth has been attained, and a contract let for cutting a plat at 324 feet, etc.

26 February, 1867 The whim, which had been removed to allow the erection of poppets, is re-

erected, and enables driving north and south on the reef to resume, pending the completion of machinery.

4 March, 1867 Rising in quartz to prove the lode. (Rise on 324 ft level.)

MSRR March, 1867 Sunk whim shaft to 400 feet. At No. 2 (324 ft level) cross-cut in 35 ft west, and a rise put up 30 feet on

lode, which is small. The reef at that level appears to be broken up. A cross-cut has been opened at 400 feet, and driven 55 ft west and 45 ft

east, the lode however has not been cut in either. 30 April, 1867 No. 1 Level (240 ft) Driven 35 feet south, in quartz. The reef was

strong and rising towards the south. No. 2 Level (320 ft) Cross-cut put in 50 feet to west; at 30 feet from the

shafts the lode was struck, but was somewhat disordered.

No. 3 Level (400 ft) Cross-cuts 84 feet east, 82 feet west. In the

eastern cross-cut no reef was seen. In the west cross-cut, at 30 feet from shaft, indications of lode found, but in a very disturbed state.

30 April, 1867 Mr. John Lewis appointed as General Manager, Clunes. Plans being prepared for 10 head battery at site. 3 June, 1867 No. 1 Level Driving south.

No. 2 Level Driving north and south. 15 July, 1867 No. 1 Level The stone is improving in appearance and

apparently now dipping south. Men cross-cutting the lode about 60 feet from shaft, preparatory to stoping.

19 August, 1867 No. 1 Level The quartz in this level going south continues to

look favourable. The cross-cut is in 30 feet, but no indications of the other wall have yet been met with.

29 October, 1867 No. 1 Level (240 feet) Now 250 feet from shaft, the quartz being payable

for the whole distance.

A cross-cut at 60 feet from shaft proved the lode 38 feet wide. A rise had struck the cap of the lode 19 feet up – the dip of the cap being 1 in 4 northward.

A level had been driven north 11 feet on cap of lode, with good paying stone.

No. 2 Level (320 ft) Has been driven north a further 22 feet, the lode

being greatly disturbed and split up into branches.

3 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   12 November, 1867 Crushing stone from the whole width of reef (38 feet) – yields deteriorated :

only half the width will in future be taken out. 18 November, 1867 297 tons - yield 67 oz 17 dwt. or 4 dwt. 14 gr./ton.The same works are

being carried on, but only 12 feet of the reef to be taken. 2 December, 1867 An air shaft is being rapidly sunk near the boundary with the Victoria

Company. (270 feet south from Winding.Shaft.) 17 January, 1868 A lode has been struck in the No. 2 Level cross-cut (west) at about 28 feet

from the other one, and from the appearance of the quartz is good payable stone. (see notes, 28 January 1868)

28 January, 1868 No. 1 Level (240 feet) Drive to south proved in paying stone for 300 feet

and in opening out the ground to the north, the appearance and underlay of the reef led to the opinion that a portion of the lode, if not the main body, had gone further west, and had consequently not yet been met with in lower levels. The cross-cut at the 320 ft level was therefore resumed, and after driving a few feet further, a branch of the reef was cut 28 feet from the other, the quartz looking very well.

Total  quantity  of  quartz crushed  up  to  8  January,  2,417  tons,  yielding  660  oz 5  dwt  bar  gold,  or  average  5 dwt 11 gr./ton.   The yield paid  slightly  more  than expenses. 

Here there seems to be a squeeze in the reef, it

being only 3½ feet through. Present depth of winding shaft is 509 feet. 18 February, 1868 Battery Five heads of the battery are crushing quartz from stopes and five heads at

work on samples from the north end, No. 2 Level. 1½ tons per day per stamp. 28 April, 1868 Directors’ Report “The branch of quartz to the west, which, at the time of your last meeting,

had only just been struck at the 320 ft level, has proved to be a very valuable discovery and has opened out into a fine and very payable lode both north and south – the stone from which when trial crushing were made, yielded 13½ and 15 dwt per ton, and in the north drive stone of quality even very superior to the above was met with.”

A considerable length of reef has been opened up on the 320 ft level, and we

have every confidence of being able to keep the 20 heads of stamps in full work and with very profitable results.

Quartz  crushed,  14 weeks  to  16  April, 1868,  2,321  tons, yield  961  oz  12  dwt or an average 8 dwt 6 gr./ton. 

No. 2 Level Drive southin 230 ft from cross-cut. The lode here is from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 6

inches wide, payable gold being visible in quartz nearly the whole distance.

Drive north in 150 feet, lode 4 to 6 feet wide.

4 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   28 April, 1868 (continued) The trial crushing of 90 tons returned a yield of

13 dwt 11 gr. per ton. Estimate 20,000 tons in sight. The Chairman (Dr.Holthouse) said that the 20 head battery would crush all

the stone they could get out for some time to come, and when they found they could raise stone for 30 head (of stamps) they would get 10 more.

Increase from 10 head to 20 head in June, 1868.

The Mining Manager stated that they now had only sufficient water to supply 20 head of stamps.

The (mine) water did not permanently increase as they got deeper, and the

(mine water) supply kept about the same all year round.

If they had 30 head they would have to get water from the (Creswick’s)

creek, unless a Government scheme of water supply was carried out. (discussed)

11 May, 1868 The reef has been cut in a winze 29 feet south of the shaft, and is 5½ feet

wide, and good gold is visible. DMR V.10 p.167 11 May, 1868 The north winze between 1 and 2 Levels is completed. 39 tons of quartz

gave an average of 13 dwt per ton. The spur west of the previous workings in No. 2 Level, upon being opened up, has more than equalled expectations.

No. 2 Level Drive south in 230 feet from cross-cut. Drive north in 150 feet. Lode from 4 to 6 feet wide. A trial crushing gave an average of 13 dwts 11 gr. per

ton from 90 tons.

No. 3 Level Cross-cut continued west a further distance of 56 feet – nothing worthwhile discovered.

A considerable length of stone is opened up at the 320 feet level, and it

is expected no difficulty will be experienced in keeping the 20 heads fully employed.

Crushed for the Quarter : 2,321 tons Yield: 961 oz 12 dwts 12 gr. Average of 8 dwts 6 gr. The average of the previous Quarter was 5 dwts 11 gr. 23 May, 1868 Tenders invited – for the supply of fourteen bottles of the Best Spanish

Mercury. 16 June, 1868 Making preparations to connect the new 10 head battery. It is expected that

the 20 heads will start next Wednesday.

5 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   DMR V.10, p.213 New North Clunes Comprehensive Report The Company has at different times obtained three blocks of ground,

containing together 133 acres 2 roods 30 perches, which are now incorporated into a single lease from the Crown. Comprised –

800 yards along the reef.

the area of the original block, known as Esmond’s Grant, is 53 acres 0 roods 13 perches;

the parallel block on the west – 54 acres 2 roods 11 perches;

the third block, east side of Esmond’s, 31 acres 0 roods 6 perches. The ground is immediately north of the Victoria Company’s mine. Workings – the old, or present working shaft 7 feet by 2 was begun in March

1859 ..... (called the Winding Shaft, or originally Esmond’s shaft).

The plan of workings by J. Lewis dated 1875 records the position of the common boundary with the Victoria Co.

The date of the grant to James Esmond was 15 October, 1858. The ground was occupied (for mining purposes) in October 1858, the first

paying stone was passed through the New North Clunes own battery in October 1867, and the time will be fast verging on for October 1868 before the first dividend will be payable – nearly ten years from the beginning of mining operations, followed by –

By 27 October, 1871, New North Clunes property extended south to boundary of Port Phillip mine.

28 July, 1868 First dividend declared. History Shows – 9 December, 1886 Dividend No. 195 (18 profitable years) followed by 2 calls 6 April, 1888, 4 May, 1888 4 December, 1888 Advertised to wind up Company. Capital exhausted. 20 September, 1888 Final dividend.No. 196. Reformed as Dixon’s New North Clunes, in 1889. The DMR V.10, p. 213 Report provides a list of gold sales (16) from this

mine, from 7 October, 1867 to 2 June, 1868 as development took place. Total 2,211 oz. 7 July, 1868 Special Report in Ballarat Star newspaper. (brief extracts) No. 2 Level(320 ft.) A reef varying from 10 inches to 2 feet in width was

found at 27 feet west from the shaft, and a rise was put up on this lode – and from indications met with in it (the rise) the level was continued 30 feet further west and another reef – that now worked – was met with.

The (west) reef was at once found to be rich in gold.

It has been worked steadily since discovery, about six months ago.

Comprehensive history of events about Esmond’s Grant and New North Clunes set out in this Report.

Visitors – went north on Level 2, west lode – found in the face a strong reef

about 9 feet in width, and from it some good specimens were obtained in solid blocks of stone.

6 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   The gold, although fine, was right through several pieces of stone

a foot in diameter. About 20 feet (back) from the face an unusually good stone had

been broken out and was in view in the office of the claim.

– went south : at the southern extremity in 364 feet the reef is 4 feet thick.

Comment – it is almost impossible to give a good idea of the position of the

reefs without a diagram, and the operations have not yet proved what bodies of quartz are connected with each other.

In the 240 ft level, the quartz is in the shaft, and it seems to have

been split, for at the 320 ft level instead of being 40 feet wide two narrower reefs are found, and as one of those is almost perpendicular, there may be another to the east also connected with the larger body in No. 1 Level.

Prediction true, see notes 9 Sept., 1870.

The general underlay of the reefs is to the east : it is thought that

the reef to the west of the shaft now being worked at No. 2 Level will make and join that struck in the cross-cut from No. 1 shaft. (590 ft level)

The reefs as laid down in the Victoria and New North Clunes

have a main course of about 5 to 10°E of North. 28 July, 1868 No. 1 Level (240 ft) Lode nearly 40 feet wide, with paying quartz on the

western side for about 15 feet wide, which is being taken out at present.

No. 2 Level (320 ft) In 290 feet. Lode 6 ft wide. This lode North and South has been driven nearly

700 feet, all payable. No. 3 Level (400 ft) Drive south in 81 feet. Lode very small. It is however

gradually widening out, and the quartz improving in appearance.

Drive north in 26 feet, lode still small. No. 4 Level (500 ft) Plat completed. A buddle is at present in course of erection. Quantity of quartz crushed from

16 April to 9 July is 2,510 tons.

Buddle to recover “pyrites”.

Yield: 1,779 oz 19½ dwt of bar gold, being an average of 14 dwt 4 gr. per ton.

John Lewis Chairman informs meeting – a dividend of £3 per share declared, and a

Reserve Fund had been commenced. 28 July, 1868 Testimonial for valuable services to Dr.Holthouse. 150 sovereigns and a

piece of plate – value 50 sovereigns – for past 8 years of service to the Company.

7 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   Meeting held at Craig’s Hotel, Ballarat Clunes Gazette Date to be checked. Account of Quarterly Meeting, period to 14 October, 1868. Paid up Capital £37,008 Value of gold won £29,820

Confirmed in Report published in Ballarat Star 31 October, 1868.

Clunes Directors’ Report (included in this published account)

“The result of the crushings, coupled with the present high value of and demand for shares in your Company most effectually contradicts the absurd report circulated some time since that the quartz had been picked in order to pay the first dividend and rush up the price of shares.

(intent) Preparations for the erection of a further 10 heads of stamps

are in hand, tenders being now called for the material, and when this is completed your returns will doubtless increase and will also enable us to operate upon poorer material with greater advantage than at present.

(poorer in gold)

(to recover “pyrites”) The buddle (which is upon a plan introduced by your

manager) has been completed, and so far is working satisfactorily. It is our intention to have a few tons of the pyrites saved operated upon at the Port Phillip Company’s works. ..... (etc.)

Results  published 30 January, 1869. 

Quartz crushed for Quarter – 4,563 tons.Yielding 4,420 oz 8 dwt

of bar gold, or an average of 19 dwt 9 gr. per ton : this yield has been considerably in excess of our expectation .....”

New North Clunes Mining Company Pump Shaft Pyrites furnace being built 21 June, 1869

8 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   30 September, 1868 Dividend of £2 per share declared. 31 October, 1868 No 2 Level Total extent good quartz – 866 feet exposed. No. 3 Level South 29½ feet.7 to 8 feet wide, not very promising-

looking quartz;a trial has not been satisfactory. North drive on this level is in 300 feet – very much

disturbed appears not a continuation of the lode on No. 2 Level.

We were not fortunate enough to intersect the

western lode in No. 3 Level there being a break in it. Sinking a winze from No. 2 Level? 30 January, 1869 For the quarter – gold sold £47,574.9.9. No. 3 Level (400 ft) At the date of your last report, we were driving a

cross-cut west at 300 feet north of the winding shaft, to intersect the western lode. This has been accomplished, and the lode driven on for a distance of 150 feet.

The average width of lode here id 3 ft 6 inches, and

quartz payable. The south drive on this levelhas been driven 313 feet

from the winding shaft. At about 300 feet (south) from shaft we drove a cross-cut west 30 feet, and struck a lode or spur 3 feet thick, and it has continued about this thickness for the distance driven on it, which is 90 feet.

A trial crushing from this lode(or spur) returned an

average of 11 dwt 16 gr. per ton – must be considered highly satisfactory.

No. 4 Level (500 ft) Driven south – total 290 feet from shaft. Lode small. Driven north? no comment. A cross-cut is being driven west from the winding

shaft at this (No. 4) level, to intersect the lode struck in No. 3 Level – described above.

Quarterly crushed for Quarter – 4,832 tons. Yield: 4,559 oz bar gold Average: 18 dwt 21 gr. per ton Includes: 78 oz 18 dwt of gold from about 24 tons of pyrites treated at the Port Phillip Company’s works Average: 3 oz 5¾ dwt per ton of pyrites.

9 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   Ballarat Courier 2 February, 1869 Report of New North Clunes Quartz Co. (John Lewis) No. 1 Level (240 ft) Driven south – 447 feet total. We are sinking a winze between this and No. 2 Level,

and have struck the cap of the lode, 8 feet below the bottom of the (No. 1) level.

No. 2 Level On the western lode. South end driven to our boundary 517 feet from

cross-cut at WindingShaft. North end in 470 feet from cross-cut at Winding

Shaft. Ballarat Star 22 March, 1869 383 tons crushed. Yield: 397 oz 17 dwt Average: 1 oz 1 dwt 22 gr./ton. 35 tons pyrites – Yield: 121 oz 14 dwt, or 3 oz 9 dwt per ton of pyrites. 1 May, 1869 From Directors’ Reports – “For the Quarter ending 14 April, the perusal of which can but be the most

satisfactory and conclusive evidence of the immense value and permanency of your mine ...

– paid up capital £37,006. 0.0

– value of gold sold £70,521.17.2

– reserve fund increased to £3,500. 0.0

– incurred expense of second 10-head battery

– purchase land at Clunes for an office for the Company (a frontage of 40 feet, on Camp Street).

Quantity crushed: 5,636 tons Yield: 5,946 oz 2 dwt bar gold, average 21 dwt 1¼gr./ton Includes: 121 oz 14 dwt from 35 tons pyrites, Average: 3 oz9¼ dwt/ton of pyrites. Quartz crushed from 7 April to 21st April: 1,106 tons Yield: 1,270 oz retorted gold – nearly 23 dwt per ton. No. 1 Level (240 ft) Two winzes sunk, one north, one south, of winding

shaft. No. 2 Level (320 ft) Driven North, to 596 feet from shaft.

Total length of drive at this Level is 1,113 feet with paying quartz the whole distance.

MCR 8 to north?? The stopes on this level are supplying most quartz.

181 metres north - this is almost at

the North Air Shaft position.

No. 3 Level (400 ft) Present distance 547 feet to north.The lode here for

the last 30 feet not been so solid. South end is 465 feet from shaft. At 320 feet south

from shaft a winze has been sunk 100 feet, proving paying quartz the whole distance/depth.

10 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   No. 4 Level (500 ft) At the date of last report, a cross-cut was being

driven west to intersect the lode discovered in the level above. This lode has been struck – 40 feet to west – and driven on 404 feet North and 79 feet South – will average nearly 5 feet wide. The quartz is of good paying character, gold being seen in driving.

Splendid lode discovered.

1 May, 1869 An air shaft is being sunk 600 feet north of the winding shaft, and is down

199 feet. When sunk the required depth (320 feet) this shaft will thoroughly ventilate the northern part of your mine.

Present battery – 30-head of stamps, capable of reducing 600 tons per

week. Estimate quantity of quartz in sight – 4 years’ work. EXTRAORDINARY MEETING To consider proposition for a water supply to Clunes. 4 June, 1869 Copy: Ballarat CourierReport from Clunes Gazette Meeting details – water supply proposals. New North Clunes pumping shaft water inflow is 40 gallons per minute –

enough to operate 30 stamps. 9 June, 1869 Telegram “Struck a spur in the bottom level, looking first-class.” 10 June, 1869 Samples from the stone from the new spur struck in this Company’s claim

were brought into Ballarat on Wednesday night, and judging from appearances, this is by far the richest stone yet struck in the claim.

It was struck at a depth of 590 feet, and is supposed to be the same spur as

was previously struck at the 480 feet level. The stone is estimated to run from 12 oz to 14 oz to the ton.

21 June, 1869 A pyrites furnace is being built and tenders are about to be called for a

Chilian mill to operate on roasted pyrites. Two more stopes – one on 320 feet level and the other on the 400 feet level

– have been let, making 9 stopes now at work. The men are still driving south on the new spur to connect the winding shaft with the long cross-cut from pumping shaft, after which driving will begin north on the spur, which direction seems to be looking best.

24 June, 1869 Copy – Ballarat Courier

Quarterly meeting Ballarat & Clunes Alluvial Company .... quartz reefs of Clunes have attained great celebrity throughout every

nook and corner of Victoria .... ? same reefs traverse your claim? 28 June, 1869 Copy – Ballarat Courier

Clunes United Quartz & Alluvial Co. ? To take up an additional 30 acres adjoining the eastern boundary of their

claim.

11 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   28 June, 1869 Oriental Company, North Clunes Shaft down 170 feet and still in (basalt) rock. 27 July, 1869 Directors’ remarks –

It gives us much pleasure to state that in cutting the plat on the 500 feet level, a narrow but rich spur was cut ....

Managers’ Report – No. 1 Level No work, the lode having dipped below the level north

and south. No. 2 Level (320 ft) Stopes above this level still supplying the bulk of the

quartz. Driven north 117 feet, present north face 713 feet

from shaft. Lode very small for the Quarter. A cross-cut is being driven west on this (2) level, 600

feet north of winding shaft ...” and I have every reason to think we shall discover another lode here” .....

“713 ft” is almost to collar position hole CD18-02.

Cross-cut position is marked on J. Lewis plan.

No. 3 Level (400 ft) Driven north 104 feet. Total distance from shaft 650

feet. The quartz here is very irregular in width at present, the walls of the lode well-defined. ...” and I have not the least doubt that in continuing the drive north we shall come on another shute or make of quartz in the lode ....”

Spliced lode character understood.

No. 4 Level (500 ft) Driven for Quarter:121 feet north and 73 feet south, being a total of 375 feet of drives opened at this level.

The lode north is 4 feet 6 inches in width, and south 8

feet. No. 5 Level (590 ft) The plat, or chamber has been completed. In cutting

the chamber, a small spur about 14 inches wide, was driven through, from which some splendid quartz was obtained. We have just commenced driving on it, and it is still looking first-rate.

Quartz crushed for the Quarter 7,689 tons Yield: 8,110 oz 7 dwt bar gold Average: 21 dwt 2 gr. per ton, exclusive of pyrites (return not yet known). 13 August, 1869 in Rise and Progress of Quartz Mining at Clunes New North Clunes At the 320 ft level, 1,000 feet have been driven in

quartz without a break – to the boundary south 520 feet and to the north 480 feet – leaving 1,996 to be yet driven before the north boundary of the claim is reached.

Remember: all this gold in Esmond’s Grant.

The Manager is still driving north, the lode being

small, varying from 6 inches to 2 feet in thickness and looking poorer.

12 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   No. 3 Level Is 400 feet deep. Here a horizontal break was discovered : the

upper portion of the lode and its accompanying bedrock was heaved to the west By sinking a winze, and following a thin line of quartz not half an inch thick, a distance of thirty-four (34) feet brought the workers onto the top of the new make, or lower portion of the broken lode.

No. 4 Level (500 ft) Driven 225 feet north, in quartz.

The lode is from 4 to 6 feet wide north, and south, for 150 feet, it is 8 feet wide, and looking first-rate calculated to yield 1½ oz to the ton.

No. 5 Level (590 ft) The Company is just driving on it. The lode is about

eleven (11) feet wide. In getting at the reef, a spur was crossed 12 to 14

inches wide and very rich, calculated to yield eight or nine ounces of gold to the ton. This spur is being driven along, and looks well, and keeps same thickness.

In putting in the pump shaft drive to the west, three

quartz reefs were cut through that have not yet been proved, making five discovered in the claim, counting the so-called spur.

The Mining Manager, Mr. Lewis, thinks the New

North Clunes reef now being worked is a continuation of Robinson’s reef, which is said to have split in the Yankee and Victoria Company claims.

Between the 240 and 320 ft levels, the reef narrowed

to an average of 6 feet, and yielded one ounce to the ton, and this yield has been more than maintained ever since. The gold is just as coarse at the deep level as at the cap of the reef, but there is more mineral as the stone gets deeper .....

1 October, 1869 Quarterly Report 26June – 25 September, 1869 7,343 tons Yielding 7,223 oz 12 dwt bar gold Average 19 dwt 16 gr. per ton Also 24 tons pyrites treated – 101 oz 3 dwt gold.

160 men employed.

Gold plus mineral is lode character – compares with analyses, MCR 8.

Average 4 oz 4 dwt 7 gr. per ton of pyrites. No. 2 Level Driven north 208 feet, total 858 feet. A cross-cut has

been driven west 266 feet, and there is at present a cross-cut being driven east.

A winze has been sunk between Nos. 2 and 3 Levels. No 3 Level (400 ft) Distance from shaft 650 feet. At north end a cross-

cut has been driven east 100 feet in this Level.

13 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   No. 4 Level Driven north 115 feet, total 319 feet north. South end driven 81 feet, total 217 feet from shaft. No. 5 Level Driven north 82 feet, south 99 feet for Quarter. Spur struck on this level has been driven 82 feet. 30 October, 1869 Special Meeting : Decision to hold meetings on a Half Yearly basis. (Below are extracts of record.) No. 2 Level Driven 225 feet, now in 938 feet from shaft.

 

Lode still small – merely the walls to follow, which for the whole distance since losing the quartz, have been well-defined : from this circumstance I still believe we shall eventually strike the quartz making in the lode again.

Collar CD18-02 is 225 metres north of Winding Shaft, or 200 feet south of this position. NOTE

At the 600 feet north on this Level, a cross-cut has

been driven 266 feet west two or three leaders have been struck here, but neither permanent.

A cross-cut has also been driven east, near the

southern boundary, to intersect a spur the Victoria Company are working.

No. 3 Level (300 ft) Only work here for the Quarter has been at the north

end – 630 feet from shaft. A cross-cut has been driven 135 feet east, where water was struck, and on the completion of a winze between Nos. 3 and 4 Levels – to convey the water to the shaft – this cross-cut will be again resumed. (No record of resumption.)

GREAT FAULT

No. 4 Level (500 ft) Driven north 308 feet, south 248 feet. The lode at present in the south end is 6 feet wide,

and still continuing in good payable quartz. No. 5 Level (590 ft) South drive – in 140 feet from cross-cut. This lode is

small and much disturbed. North end is in 116 feet from cross-cut, with lode 6 to

8 feet wide of payable quartz, and I have much pleasure in having to report it is improving in appearance every fathom driven north. (fathom = 6 ft) 

The spur on this Level has been driven 100 feet north

from shaft, its width about the same, being narrow but good (value) in places.

Manager’s Quarterly Figures – Quartz crushed 7,342 tons Yield: 7,112 oz 7 dwt 12 gr. bar gold Average: 19 dwt 9 gr./ton Pyrites treated 37 tons 10 cwt Yield: 177 oz 9 dwt Average: 4 oz 14dwt 15 gr./ton

[24 tons of this total quantity were treated at Port Phillip Co.]

14 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS  

3 December, 1869 No. 4 Level Driven north 475 feet from winding shaft. Lode 4 feet wide and paying. The south end on this Level is in 299 feet from shaft. Lode 6 feet wide, quality first-rate. No. 5 Level North end driven 164 feet from shaft – lode still

looking well. South end is in 204 feet from shaft, and the lode is

making considerably larger. 15 January, 1870 Mining Manager recommends that the No. 4 (500 feet) Level be extended

north, as the quartz in that direction looks most promising. This Level has been driven north 560 feet. We are at present taking 3 feet of

the lode, which is payable.

The south end is in 347 feet, lode very well. No. 5 Level (590 ft) Driven north 211 feet from cross-cut, lode looking

very well, with gold frequently seen in it. South end n 246 feet from cross-cut, with a large

lode, a portion of which is payable. 28 January, 1870 No. 4 Level (500 ft) Driven 21 feet north for past fortnight. Lode same. South end is in 361 feet from cross-cut, looks well. No. 5 Level (590 ft) Level south driven 25 feet for the fortnight. Lode

same as last report. North end is driven 232 feet from cross-cut at shaft.

Lode about 4 feet wide and looking first-rate, gold frequently seen in it.

11 February, 1870 Quarterly Meeting Report No. 2Level (320 ft) The north end has been driven a further distance of

187 feet making a total length from shaft of 1,125 feet. The country driven through the last 300 feet has been very soft, and the drive difficult to keep abroad, necessitating re-timbering the level three different times.

I have no change to report in the character of the lode

there being only the walls to follow. Under these circumstances this drive has been discontinued.

No. 4 Level (500 ft) The south end has been driven or the Quarter

100 feet. Present distance from the (winding) shaft is 348 feet. The lode here is nearly 6 feet wide, with gold freely disseminated through the quartz.

15 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   The north drive at this level has been extended 168

feet, present distance from (winding) shaft 561 feet, with payable quartz, lode 5 feet wide.

Two winzes have also been sunk between this level

and No. 5

– one at 250 feet north of winding shaft is completed, proving the lode to be of first rate quality the whole depth;

– one at present sinking 300 feet south of the shaft,

which is down 40 feet. No. 5 Level (590 ft) South end driven 100 feet for this Quarter – whole

distance from cross-cut (at shaft) is 246 feet, with a hard strong lode, not, however, of very good quality.

North end is in 211 feet from cross-cut : present width

of lode 4 feet, with gold frequently seen in it. Quantity of quartz crushed last Quarter – 7,620 tons. Yield 6,301 oz 16 dwt of bar gold

Average: 17 dwt 13/5th g. per ton from quartz alone.

The pyrites treated for the same time has been 85 tons 3½ cwt. returning

420 oz 4½ dwt bar gold. being an average of 5 oz per ton of pyrites treated, which will give 1 dwt 24/5

thgr. per ton on the whole of the quartz crushed for the Quarter.

The actual cost to treat pyrites was £258.14.6, leaving the very handsome

profit to your Company of £1,480.6.6. (Intent is to double rate of pyrites treatment.)

11 February, 1870 No. 4 Level South end driven 366 feet from cross-cut (at shaft). Lode fully six feet wide, and gold freely seen in it. The north end on this Level is in 602 feet from cross-

cut, with a strong lode, of which about 2 feet is being taken, gold being seen in the quartz frequently – and the Manager has no doubt of its being a payable lode, though none of it has been tried separately. The stope just started at the back of this Level is looking first rate.

To north, between, old No. 4 Level and No. 5 Level, ? MCR 8 – and consider next two Reports.

No. 5 Level South – the lode here, from all appearances, is a very

large one. North end, this Level, in 245 ft from cross-cut; lode

about three feet six inches wide, and looking well. 2 February, 1870 No. 4 Level North end – driven 622 feet from cross-cut, the lode

being a little disturbed the last few feet.

16 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   1 March, 1870 No. 4 Level North end – in 651 feet from cross-cut, the lode much

disturbed. I would advise driving a cross-cut east and west at the end of this Level ....

25 March, 1870 No. 4 Level North end – in 663 feet driving north discontinued. The cross-cut (at north end) being driven west is in

9 feet, and the country has a very promising appearance.

No. 5 Level North – driven 327 feet from cross-cut. South end is in 345 feet, with the lode disturbed. The cross-cut being driven across the lode this south

end is in 16 feet, and not through it yet. 8 April, 1870 No. 4 Level The cross-cut being driven west at the north end on

this Level is in 44 feet, with the country pretty hard. No. 5 Level South – driven 371 feet from cross-cut, with a good-

sized lode in which gold has been seen several times.

The cross-cut south end is through the lode which is

20 feet 6 inches wide, having about 3 feet of fair-looking quartz on the western side.

23 April, 1870 No. 4 Level South – in 482 feet from shaft. North – the cross-cut being driven west at the north

end on this Level is in 81 feet. During the fortnight we crossed about 3 feet of rather broken quartz, which may improve in driving on it.

NB – north end. No cross-cut to east exists at No. 4 Level.

Note – “broken quartz”.

No. 5 Level North end – greatly improving. 14 May, 1870 Formal ceremony – additional 20 head battery named “Amelia Lewis” –

name of wife of Mr. John Lewis.(Intent to process 1,000 tons/week. 20 May, 1870 No. 4 Level South end driven 527 feet from shaft [to south

boundary], with a good payable lode the whole distance.

North – western cross-cut at the north end is in 145

feet, with the country considerably harder. No. 5 Level North – in 410 feet from cross-cut, lode fully 4 feet

wide. The quartz driven through for the past fortnight has been of first-class quality.

Pump shaft – sunk to 658 feet from surface, with very

soft sinking.

17 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   3 June, 1870 No. 4 Level North – western cross-cut extended to 151 feet from

main drive.

The leader being driven on here is still not very promising : the walls however are well-defined.

No. 5 Level North – in 429 feet. Lode 5 ftwide : first-rate quality.

Pump shaft – sunk to 667 feet. (6 ft per week.) 18 June, 1870 Describes Circular publishing funds purpose in detail includes ... “both batteries (NNC) will now operate on like stone until the reserve fund

shall have been brought to £20,000, and then the poorer stone will be crushed by the twenty heads (stamps) ..”

No. 4 Level North end cross-cut west in 167 feet, country hard. No. 5 Level North – in 448 feet. Lode between 3 and 4 feet wide,

still looking first-rate. 30 June, 1870 Bendigo Miners’ Association – reported comment A great deal of information relative to the sinking for reefs, the following of

lodes, and the breaks in lodes, of the utmost importance to reefers, might thus be obtained for the general good, whereas at present such knowledge is confined to the few.

15 July, 1870 No. 4 Level North end – west cross-cut in 190 feet, no change,

country still hard. North (end) drive is in 105 feet from (west) cross-cut,

but the lode has not made any larger during the fortnight.

South – there is a cross-cut being driven EAST about

60 feet from the southern boundary, and at 43 feet from the main level we have intersected our known poor lode – we are not through the quartz, but it has a better looking appearance here than at other places where we have seen it.

No. 5 Level North end is driven 492 feet from the (main) cross-

cut. There has been a squeeze in the lode : it is, however, opening out again and looking very well.

26 July, 1870 No. 4 Level South end – extended to boundary, and broken

through into workings of Victoria Company. (Winding shaft to end, 532 feet.) Eastern cross-cut is being driven near south boundary – see illustration.

North end - .... the spur or lode being driven on north

105 feet from the west cross-cut, and though carrying quartz with well-defined walls the whole distance, has not opened out to be of any consequence as yet.

Good paying quartz whole distance of 532 feet.

Quantity of quartz crushed for Quarter – 9,351 tons. Yielding 6,748 oz 15½ dwt bar gold. Also 76½ tons pyrites treated returning 375 oz 4½ dwt of gold. an average of

4 oz 18 dwt 10 gr. gold per ton of pyrites.

Total dividends even at this early date £127,472.

18 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS  

19 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   12 August, 1870 No. 4 Level North – the western cross-cut being driven at the

north end on this level is in 214 feet from the main drive, with no change to report.

The drive north is driven 162 feet from this west

cross-cut : the lode still disturbed, and very small. No. 5 Level North end in 528 feet.Lode near 3 feet wide, quartz

looking well. 26 August, 1870 No. 4 Level North – western cross-cut in 227 feet, no change,

very hard. North end on this Level - development is driven

189 feet from the west cross-cut, with no improvement.

This is the eastern of two development drives on strike off the west cross-cut.

No. 5 Level South – the south end is driven from (west) cross-cut 521 feet, the lode near 5 ft wide and payable. This lode at present is heading nearly due west.

North – end driven 541 ft from cross-cut, lode 3 ft

wide, payable.

See accompanying illustration.

5 September, 1870 Quantity crushed 970 tons. Yield 669 oz 4 dwt gold including 70 oz 1 dwt from 16½

tons pyrites. 9 September, 1870 With concurrence of Clunes resident Directors (Messrs Robson & Angove). No. 1 Level (240 ft) Cross-cut to be driven east for the purpose of

proving the existence or otherwise of another lode.

Intent to discover.

No 5 Level North end – in 556 feet : the lode for the past week

has been broken, but is again making solid in back of Level.

17 September, 1870 New reef discovered in the eastern cross-cut at the 240 ft level has now

been cut through, and is found to be 7 feet wide, of good-looking stone. At least 4 feet of the stone has gold visible in it.

23 September, 1870 No 1Level Lode intersected about 30 feet from the eastern wall

of original lode: new lode 7 to 8 ft wide. Cross-cut being continued.

4 October, 1870 Report to Ballarat Star for its Clunes correspondent: “I have just learned that the lode which was struck on Friday week is very

poor on the western side, but on the eastern side very rich indeed. Eighty feet has been driven already, and over forty feet is the quality alluded to ....appears first rate.”

7 October, 1870 Winding Shaft 53 feet below plat, No. 5 Level (or depth 643 feet).

20 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   21 October, 1870 No. 1 Level The cross-cut being driven east (at 60 feet south

from shaft) is in 115 feet – shown on mine plan. Second lode intersected at 82 ft, is 18 ft wide. Eastern side appears to be payable quartz (last

5 feet). No. 5 Level North – drive in 614 feet from cross-cut – lode 4 feet,

payable. This drive has been discontinued until the winze sinking from Level 4 is down, to give circulation of air.

Winding shaft sunk 61 feet below chamber, Level 5.

Some very good-looking quartz struck in the shaft. VG. Proved to be 18 inches thick – described as a spur.(Between depth 643 and 651 feet, in shaft.)

24 October, 1870 Announce purchase of Victoria Company; on 17/10/1870, both claim and

plant purchased for £4,325 cash. New North Clunes property thereby extended south, to the boundary with the Yankee claim.

2 November, 1870 Value of gold sold £248,449.17.6. Total of £25,000 paid over to Clunes Water Commission – see picture in

Illustrated Australian News, 17 June, 1873. 2 December, 1870 A party of men are at present on No. 1 Leveltaking out a trial crushing from

the last lode gone through in the eastern cross-cut (60 ft south of winding shaft).

This records the indirect means of making the North Air Shaft.

30 December, 1870 Trial crushing from new reef in No. 1 (240 ft) Level. Yielded the very

satisfactory result of 9½ dwt/ton. Quantity 180 tons – yield 85 oz 15 dwt melted gold. The whole of the quartz taken out in driving –

13 December, 1870, No. 5 Level north in 658 feet from cross-cut : lode feet payable quartz. the eastern cross-cut through the lode, plus

quartz obtained by driving 60 feet to south – see plan, page 22. all included in the trial crushing. This (south) drive is about 6 feet wide in the centre of the lode, but I should

estimate the whole of the quartz (19 feet wide) should give a return of between 7 and 8 dwts per ton.

9 January, 1871 The Company crushed 1,550 tons during the fortnight. Yield: 810 oz 18 dwt, inclusive of 63 oz 5 dwt from 18 tons pyrites. Average 10 dwt 11 31.775 gr. 16 January, 1871 954 tons crushed. Yield 488 oz gold, including 24 oz from 11 tons pyrites. 23 January, 1871 928 tons crushed. Yield 430 oz 12 dwt, inclusive of 26 oz from 16 tons of pyrites. Average: 9 dwt 6.21.29 gr.

21 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   30 January, 1871 960 tons crushed. Yield: 504oz 17 dwt, inclusive of 34 oz from 16 tons pyrites. Average: 10 dwt 12 51.120 gr. gold/ton treated. 30 January, 1871 Notice of dividend : £2 per share. 3 February, 1871 Telegram received from the Manager on Thursday – “Got lode again in No. 5 Level north, estimated position 754 feet north,

and also struck another lode in cross-cut section K, number 5 Level.”

CD 18-02

6 February, 1871 970 tons crushed. Yield: 501 oz 13 dwt, inclusive of 33 oz 12 dwt from 16½ tons pyrites. Average 10 dwt 12 gr. per ton. 10 February, 1871 No. 1 Level South cross-cut on this Level is driven 160 feet from

main drive. During the fortnight we have gone through a lode nearly 4 feet wide, but the quartz in it does not look very promising.

The main body of quartz driven through here is 160

feet wide. No. 2 Level Cross-cut being driven east on this Level is in 88 feet

from main drive, “with the country pretty stiff”. No. 5 Level The north end is driven 765 feet from cross-cut at

winding shaft. After driving through about 20 feet of dead ground the lode was again struck, and is at present about 4 feet wide. This is the furthest north we have yet obtained quartz in this mine.

The cross-cut being driven east on this Level is in 66

feet from the main drive. The lode mentioned in my last (telegram 3/2/1871.) as having been struck here has been gone through and proved to be 16 feet wide. About 7 feet to the eastward of this another has been gone through, and is 4 feet wide. From the appearance of the quartz, I should judge it to be payable, and will greatly enhance the value of the mine as it is an entirely new discovery.

765 feet or 233 metres is about 3 metres north of collar position hole CD 18-02 March/April 2018.

The cross-cut from the pump shaft is driven 31 feet,

in good country. The whole of the stopes are looking much as usual,

there being nothing much new to report of any of them.

13 February, 1871 972 tons crushed. Yield: 522 oz 19 dwt, inclusive of 29½ oz from 17 tons pyrites. Average: 10 dwt 18.20.81 gr.

22 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS  

23 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS  

24 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   20 February, 1871 980 tons crushed. Yield: 533 oz, inclusive of 37 oz from 7½ tons pyrites.(N.B. rich “pyrites”.)

Average: 10 dwt 21 3.08 gr. 24 February, 1871 No. 5 Level North end at 786 feetfrom main cross-cut: lode at

present disturbed. Cross-cut being driven east is 84 feet from main

drive. 10 March, 1871 No. 1 Level Rise on new lode (eastern) up 60 feet, the height

of cap of lode. No. 5 Level North end, driven 803 feet from cross-cut at

winding shaft – lode still broken up. Eastern cross-cut in 109 feet. No. 7 Level At pump shaft – cross-cut west driven 7 feet from

shaft – country hard. 24 March, 1871 No. 1 Level 60 feet south of Winding Shaft, into cross-cut to

east – second lode intersected there – rise up – at 60 feet above No. 1 Level finds cap of lode (10 March, 1871) and since then driving north on the course of the lode, in 9 feet – called “cap drive”.

No. 5 Level North end extended to 827 feet. The lode at

present in the face is 5 feet wide, but the quality of quartz is poor.

East cross-cut driven 137 feet – nothing new

discovered.

The cross-cut on No. 1 Level, Section C, stopped, as driven 220 feet from main drive, and is con-siderably further east than the course of the new lode should be.

– J. Lewis.

7 April, 1871 No. 1 Level Up rise : driving north on cap of “new” lode in 26

feet. Quartz is looking very fair. No. 5 Level North end is in 844 feet. Lode driven through

last week is all broken up. Eastern cross-cut not been driven. 21 April, 1871 No. 1 Level Cap on the new lode is driven north 36 feet.

Quartz very hard and payable. No. 5 Level Driven north to 865 feet. No improvement. Winding shaft is sunk to 114 feet below No. 5

Level. The stopes back of No. 2 Level are getting worked

near the cap of the lode, where the quartz has not been so productive as lower down.

25 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   27 April, 1871 No. 1 Level Cap drive in 40 feet. Quartz having every

appearance of returning a profitable result. No. 2 Level The four stopes being worked at the back of

this Level include two stopes – being from 15 to 20 feet wide – will take a considerable time to work out.

No. 5 Level North drive – extended 130 feet for quarter,

making total distance 833 feet. The lode here for the past 3 months has been very irregular – improved appearance last few days.

In the eastern cross-cut (600 feet north of the

shaft) another lode has been gone through, and is about 4 feet wide and the quartz to all appearances payable.

Quarter crushed 11,774 tons. Yield: 5,017 oz 17 dwt bar gold

Total value of gold sold £299,097.

Average: 10 dwt 1.25 gr per ton Includes: 431 oz 7 dwt gold from 205½ tons pyrites Average 2 oz 2 dwt 1 gr. per ton of pyrites. 5 May, 1871 No. 5 Level North end is driven 895 feet, without improvement

in appearance since last report, with theexception of a few feet of fair-looking quartz.

19 May, 1871 No. 1 Level Up rise – drive going north (on cap?) is in 71 feet.

Quartz here is looking very well, gold being frequently seen. The stope on this lode is also turning out well.

No. 5 Level North end driven 905 feet from cross-cut. The

lode at present is 2 feet wide – no improvement to report in the quality of the quartz.

2 June, 1871 No. 1 Level Up rise, drive going north on “new” lode is in 96

feet. Quartz for last fortnight has been first-class : stope on this lode also looking very well.

Winze between this and No. 2 Level is down 42

feet. No. 5 Level North end – in 915 feet. Lode 3 feet wide. No

improvement in quality of quartz. 5 June, 1871 Crushed 987 tons. Yield: 686 oz 18 dwt, inclusive of 45½ oz from 17 tons pyrites. Average: 13 dwt 22 18.329 gr. 12 June, 1871 Crushed 988 tons. Yield: 692 oz 1 dwt, inclusive of 60 oz 5 dwt from 17 tons pyrites. Average: 14 dwt 0.54.247 gr.

26 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   16 June 1871 No. 5 Level North end – in 923 feet from cross-cut. The lode here

is broken up. The spur at the north end is still small. The boring machine was started last week – in cross-cut No 7 Level from

pump shaft. 26 June, 1871 Crushed 960 tons. Yield: 639 oz, inclusive of 37½ oz from 15 tons pyrites. Average: 13 dwt 7.112.160 gr. MSRR June 1871 The New North Clunes Company pay £20 per week for the water pumped

from the Consols, the London & Australian, and Oriental Companies. 14 July, 1871 No. 1 Level At north end (of older drive north) – a cross-cut driven

east has intersected the “new lode”, thus proving an additional distance of 90 feet, the quality appearing about the same.

No. 5 Level North end is driven 952 feet from cross-cut, lode still

very small. The spur is improving as it is driven on north.

No. 7 Level Pump shaft. The cross-cut west is in 287 feet from

shaft. 2 August, 1871 Half Yearly Meeting Report, New North Clunes Paid up capital £ 37,008.0.0. Value of gold sold £329,333.5.0. Clunes Directors retiring by rotation: Messrs. Robson and Angove Thomas Le Gay Holthouse : Chairman

The mine has continued to yield steady and good returns. The whole of

(now) 50-head of stampers in full work. Crushing for half year: 23,681 tons of quartz. Yield, inclusive of pyrites: 12,930 oz 18 dwt bar gold. During the last 6 weeks, the average yield per ton has increased to

13 dwt 184/5 gr. per ton, consequent, in great measure, on the good quality of the stone crushed from the “new reef” at No. 1 Level.

Its proved great size, together with the excellent quality of the stone/quartz

make it a very welcome addition to our stock of quartz.

This new reef results from request by Clunes Directors – see 9 September, 1870

At the battery there are 10 buddles, to recover pyrites. Manager’s Report – No. 1 Level (240 ft) New lode, or eastern lode, driven north (north of

cross-cut 60 feet south of Winding Shaft) 143 feet – the quartz for the whole distance of first-rate paying character.

There has been a stope commenced south of the

cross-cut, on this “new” lode which is producing a great quantity of quartz, being fully 20 feet wide.

No. 1 Level – There has also been a cross-cut put in 90 feet north of the end of this drive which has intersected the same lode (V.G.) makes total 233 feet.

27 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   No. 5 Level The north end extended 87 feet for past Quarter,

making a total length from (winding shaft) cross-cut of 925 feet. No improvement, still of irregular character.

Describes work in eastern cross-cut, 600 feet north of

winding shaft. Winding shaft present depth 754 feet.

62 ft to north – being continued 30 ft to south – small.

No. 7 Level Pump shaft – west cross-cut now in 315 feet.

Considerably more progress made using Ford’s rock boring machine, in comparison with hand labour.

Quartz rushed for Quarter: 11,907 tons. Yield: 7,013 oz 1 dwt bar gold. Average: 11 dwt 187/10 gr./ton

Included is 477 oz 12 dwt obtained from treatment of 189¼ tons pyrites treated or an average of 19¼ gr. per ton of quartz crushed.

Past 12 months: 48,688 tons crushed.

2 August, 1871 Note: 66¾ tons pyrites obtained from the re-working of tailings from the previous work of this mine, and from the (purchased) late Victoria Company’s batteries. These pyrites have returned a value of £1,625.18.0, at a cost for collection and treatment of £512.16.2 (or an average cost per ton of £7.13.2) leaving a profit on the twelve months operation of £513.1.10.

Extended report – explanations about water supply decision. 11 August, 1871 No. 1 Level The cross-cut at (90 feet) north end (“new” lode)

has gone through the lode which is showing 14 feet wide of quartz, estimated at 8 or 9 dwt per ton.

At the south cross-cut on this No. 1 Level a rise is

being put up on quartz, which is not very promising as yet.

No. 5 Level North end, in 975 feet. The lode at present is very small. No. 7 Level Pump shaft.Cross-cut in 345 feet, very hard country.

There is 35 feet to drive to Winding Shaft location. 14 August, 1871 No. 7 Level Pump shaft – quartz struck in cross-cut from pump to

winding shaft – stone looking well, gold plainly seen. 15 August, 1871 No. 7 Level Reef three feet thick, opening out, going upwards.

Paying gold seen through it. 17 August 1871 “We are through the lode at the 790 feet Level, which proved to be about

three feet thick, and is opening out wider going upwards. It appears we have driven through it just at the bottom of a splice, as the main part of the quartz is dipping north, and the lode is not so thick at the bottom, or at the south side of the cross-cut (near shaft).

The quartz in the lode is, I believe, good payable stone but should not

estimate it at more than 8 dwt per ton.

28 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   25 August, 1871 No. 1 Level Cross-cut 90 feet north. A rise has been put up 27

feet in “new” lode in north cross-cut : the quartz is looking first-class, a great deal better than it did going through the lode.

In south cross-cut – rise up 23 feet, quartz looking

poor. No. 5 Level North end – in 934 feet from cross-cut. There is no

quartz in the face, but the walls are still well-defined. No. 7 Level Pump shaft.Driven 373 feet : lode has been gone

through which at the back of the level showed 3 feet wide, but a few shots opened it out over 6 feet wide, payable.

3 September, 1871 No. 1 Level Cross-cut 90 feet north. The rise on the “new” lode

is up 55½ feet. The quartz for the whole distance looking first-class, gold being seen in nearly every stone taken out.

The rise at the south cross-cut is up 29 feet – no improvement to report here.

“A cross-cut which is being driven from the north mullock shaft (= north Air Shaft) at the same depth as No. 1 Level, to cut the new lode, is in 25 feet. The fact of quartz being proved so high in the rise (of the “90 feet” cross-cut) gives me every hope of striking this same lode (“new”) in this cross-cut.”

J. Lewis. No. 5 Level The north end is in 999 feet – no improvement. The drive on lode at the south end of mine, in last

cross-cut, has broken into the Victoria old workings : quartz about 4 feet wide, and payable.

No. 7 Level Pump shaft. Drive 389 feet, country now hard. A bore has been put up under the winding shaft,

which though not through, has reduced the water (there) and the sinking of the winding shaft resumed today.

13 September, 1871 Struck leader in sinking winding shaft : two feet thick : gold seen in it This

shaft is now nearly 800 feet deep. 21 September, 1871 Telegram – to Ballarat Star “Reef struck in No. 7 (Level) cross-cut 2½ feet thick, supposed same as

recently struck in winding shaft. Quartz payable : gold seen in it.” 22 September, 1871 No. 1 Level North cross-cut – rise on “new” lode is up 80 feet

above No. 1 Level, the quartz still looking well. South cross-cut – rise up 36 feet, lode fully 2 feet

wide, quartz not very promising ....

29 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   No. 5 Level North end – driven to 1,003 feet. Nothing new. No. 7 Level From pump shaft in 398½ feet from shaft, country

very hard (as at 18 September). Winding shaft – sunk 78 feet below No. 6 Level. [Shaft is 7 x 2 ft] During the last week a lode has been gone through, which on the eastern

side is 9 inches wide, but opens out to near 3 feet on the western side of the shaft.

Since writing the above, we have struck a lode in No. 7 cross-cut west of the

winding shaft. This lode I believe to be the same as was discovered in the winding shaft last week. It is about 2½ feet wide, of very fair-looking quartz, with gold plainly visible therein.

6 October, 1871 No. 1 Level The rise in the south cross-cut is up 46 feet, without

improvement in the quality of the quartz. No. 5 Level North end – in 1,024 feet from cross-cut. No quartz

in face. No. 7 Level Pump shaft west cross-cut in 415 feet. Winding shaft is broken through into No. 7 west cross-cut. The country here

is very hard. 20 October, 1871 No. 1 Level The rise south on the old lode has been discontinued,

in consequence of the cap of the lode dipping. The cross-cut being driven from the north mullock

shaft (Air Shaft) is 91 feet east of that shaft. Nothing struck here yet.

On plan this cross-cut is above No. 1 Level – but see Notes, 15 November, 1872.

No. 5 Level North end – in 1,033 feet. No improvement. 27 October, 1871 For Quarter ended 14 October – Total value of gold sold now £361,733.19.2. “We beg to congratulate you on late good yields .... We purchased the Yankee Company’s claim for the sum of £590.0.0.” 3 November, 1871 No. 1 Level The drive on lode north from the rise (off the “90 feet”

north cross-cut east) has just been started. The cross-cut going east from the north air shaft is in

114 feet. No. 5 Level No driving done. No. 7 Level West cross-cut from pump shaft – driven 77 feet west

of the winding shaft, or 451 feet from pump shaft. 13 November, 1871 Crushed (7 days) 1,140 tons average 12 dwt 191/95 g/ton.

30 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS  

31 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   17 November, 1871 No. 1 Level Rise : the drive going north from rise (see 3

November, 1871) is in 20 feet – lode appears to be good width and payable.

The cross-cut being driven east from north air shaft is

in 137 feet. No appearance of any lode. Discontinued for the present.

No. 7 Level The lode at the west side of the winding shaft has

been driven on 10 feet, and looks very well. 20 November, 1871 Case settled. This is the case where Black & Party sought to compel Mr. Stevenson, the

Mining Surveyor, to survey the claim of the New North Clunes Company. 18 December, 1871 At 390 feet level – we have got the eastern wall of the lode – thickness 51

feet, the last 9 feet looking very fair stone. We expect breaking through with the end going north at the 244 feet level in a few days from this, which will shorten the route for bringing the quartz from the north part of the mine, and enable us to drive north to communicate with the north engine shaft.

29 December, 1871 (Report of 26 December, 1871) No. 1 Level The north drive on the “new” reef is 71 feet from the

cross-cut, the quartz looking very well.

We are taking about 2 feet of quartz in the drive – the lode appears to be of good width.

No driving is being done at Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 Levels.

No. 6 Level The eastern cross-cut is 10 feet into the lode. The quartz is very hard and does not look well.

Ballarat Star 2 January, 1872 Gives price of shares, New North Clunes. Variations over the previous year.

The mine differs from perhaps every other mine in the colony by having an immense quantity of good stone in sight, and the Mine Manager can undertake to prove that he has many years’ quartz – good stone – in sight. Prospecting has always been kept on steadily ...

2 January, 1872 New North Clunes – Price of Shares “New lode” trial crushing 30

December, 1870. Quartz 19 ft wide, est. 7 to 8 dwt/ton)

At the end of 1870, they were at £62 and in January rose to £70

2 August, 1871 reporting increased yield.

“new” lode development first-class.

Report of 21 April says working near cap of lode known then (original)

22 February, 1871 £76 26 April, 1871, about £56 1 May, 1871 £44 5 June, 1871 £58 6 June, 1871 (one day later) £65 14 August, 1871 £70 4 September, 1871 £77.15.0. 11 September, 1871 £88 8 October, 1871 £98

They afterwards went over £100, and closed at £98.

Remarkable, in the list of 32 companies reported in Ballarat Star 2/1/872.

Sales reported – 1 March, 1872 £108, £109, £109.10.0, £109. 13 July, 1872 £91 19 October, 1872 £87.10.0, £88, £89.

32 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   6 January, 1872 No. 7 Level (790 ft) This lode tested is 3 feet wide, and was presumed to

be a continuation of the lode known in the higher level as the “poor lode”. But this lode, which was discovered in the process of searching for the main lode, so well known, turns out to be as good as the general body worked. From 163 tons crushed this week an average of 13 dwt/ton has been obtained.

This lode is west of the winding shaft, has been

driven on ten fathoms south (60 ft) and five fathoms north. If this 3 feet body be that tested in the 400 feet level, its underlay has now changed from east to west, which is another favourable feature, as it has been found that the western underlay has generally been the most profitable.

8 January, 1872 No. 7 Level Trial crushing details. 163 tons crushed Yield: 105 oz 6 dwt Average : 12 dwt 22 gr/ton This is the greatest depth at which any quantity of

paying quartz has been obtained at Clunes. The reef, driven 130 feet, is from 3 to 4 feet thick, and

the underlie is west. It is a curious fact, well worthy of attention – that from

No. 2 to No. 6, a distance of about 410 feet, while the underlie was east, the reef was very poor, but when from No. 6 to No. 7 the declination began to alter to the west, a gradual improvement was noticed in the stone.

This discovery has created an increased confidence in the future of Clunes.

12 January, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive on “new” lode in 86 feet, the quartz

looking first-class and the lode a good size – the width not known as we are not taking the whole of it in driving.

No. 2 Level The rise is up 20 feet towards No. 1 Level. No. 7 Level West cross-cut driven 169 feet from winding shaft –

country very fair. 30 January, 1872 New North Clunes – Report of Half Yearly Meeting Capital £ 37,008.0.0 Value of all gold sold £394,894.6.1 Dividends paid £194,292.0.0 Amounts paid as dividends or bonuses in past Quarter £ 18,504.0.0 Amount voted to reserve for Clunes water supply £ 40,000.0.0 Congratulations all round on being able to set aside the contribution for a

water supply as well as payment of dividends.

33 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   Clunes Director Mr. Coundon Ballarat Directors Holthouse, Sleep, Caselli, and Dowling. Past Quarter 13 weeks. Crushed 12,348 tons Yield: 7,639 oz 3 dwt bar gold Average: 12 dwt 819/20 gr/ton, includes: 491 oz 5 dwt from 177 tons pyrites Average: 2 oz 15 dwt 12 1.5 gr. per ton of pyrites. Manager’s Report – No. 1 Level (240 ft) Two stopes – one 28 feet wide, one 21 feet wide – the whole of the quartz being put through the mill. There has been a drive extended from the north

cross-cut, 100 feet north on “new” lode, the quartz for the whole distance being very good. This “new” lode has now been proved for a length of 400 feet, a width of 15 feet (narrowest part), and a height of 60 to 80 feet above the back of No. 1 Level.

No. 2 Level (320 ft) Rise being put up south of the winding shaft to No. 1

Level, for the purpose of stoping the lower position of “new” lode. ( See sketch)

No. 6 Level (690 ft) The eastern cross-cut has been driven 69 feet from

shaft. The poor lode has been struck in this cross-cut so far does not look very promising :it may however improve near the eastern wall. We are at present 1 foot into this (poor) lode, and not through it.

Western cross-cut extended 116 feet from shaft – two

small bunches of quartz have been gone through in this cross-cut, one of them containing a fair show of gold.

No. 7 Level (790 ft) Western cross-cut driven 122 feet for last Quarter, in

from winding shaft 182 feet. At 120 feet from shaft a lode about 2 feet wide was

gone through, quartz looking fair, but no gold seen in it.

9 February, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive on new lode is in 121 feet from cross-cut.

Lode continues a good width, and quartz looks very well, gold being frequently seen in it.

The south drive on the same lode is in 135 feet from

cross-cut. The lode here is 2 feet wide, and looks better.

No. 6 Level East cross-cut still in lode.

34 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   8 March, 1872 No. 1 Level Drive north in 162 feet from cross-cut, quartz still

looking well with gold frequently seen. South drive – in 165 feet – lode at present broken up. No. 2 Level The rise at the back of this level is up 75 feet in

disturbed country and underlying very flat. No. 6 Level Underlay of lode in winze from No. 5 Level is much to

the west. No. 7 Level North drive in 126 feet. The lode has been very flat

during this past fortnight. South drive in 142 feet. Lode fair, about 2 feet wide. 22 March, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive in 183 feet from cross-cut, quartz still

good. South drive in 177 feet, lode still broken up. No. 7 Level North drive in 143 feet.Lode still flat. 19 April, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive is in 222 feet. The lode here has not

looked quite so well as last week, but still payable. South drive extended 200 feet, quartz improving, gold

seen in it. No 7 Level West cross-cut in 246 feet from winding shaft. Hard

country. North drive in 168 feet. Lode nearly 3 feet wide, fair

quartz. South drive in 169 feet.Lode about 3 feet, payable. 27 April, 1872 No. 1 Level We are at present driving across the lode at 200 feet

north of the cross-cut, and there appears to be a large body of quartz, as we are in 12 feet and not across the lode.

No. 6 Level Eastern cross-cut has been driven through the poor

lode which is about 17 feet wide. 3 May, 1872 No. 1 Level The drive north is in 239 feet, lode payable, not so

good. The cross-cut (200 feet north) is driven across the

lode, which is 16 feet thick of fair looking quartz. The south drive is extended 211 feet, quartz not

looking so well. Winze on eastern side of lode is sunk 14 feet in good quartz.

35 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   17 May, 1872 No. 1 Level North end in 257 feet – much the same. No. 2 Level A rise is being put up from the back of this Level, to

strike the cross-cut driven through the new lode (No. 1 Level). Rise up 35 feet.

 

31 May, 1872 No. 1 Level Drive north on new lode is in 278 feet. The lode has

got small, and does not look quite so well. The south end is in 230 feet. A prospecting drive is being put in to the west. No. 2 Level Rise up 54 feet. No. 7 Level Cross-cut west in 272 feet from shaft, country (still)

hard.

Found 14 November 1873 (THIS POSITION IS 170 FEET VERTICALLY ABOVE

WEST DEEP ORE SHOOT.) 14 June, 1872 No 1 Level North driven 292 feet from cross-cut. Lode still

broken. South end is in 240 feet – large lode, does not look

promising. Western cross-cut driven 37 feet. No. 2 Level Rise up 70 feet. 28 June, 1872 No. 1 Level North in 300 feet north of cross-cut. No change, still

broken. South end in 252 feet from cross-cut – not very

promising. Western cross-cut in 55 feet. No. 7 Level West cross-cut in 289 feet – country still hard. 12 July, 1872 No. 1 Level North in 310 feet.Lode still broken. South in 261 feet.Lode still poor. West cross-cut in 72 feet – nothing struck here yet. 30 July, 1872 Half Yearly Meeting Quantity crushed for past Quarter 12,324 tons. Yield: 6,612 oz 12 dwt bar gold Average 10 dwt 17.55 gr./ton Includes 491 oz 17 dwt from treatment of 215 tons pyrites, being average of 2 oz5 dwt 13 gr./ton pyrites treated (or an addition of 19.16

gr./ton on total quantity quartz crushed). For the past 12 months – 50,614 tons quartz crushed

36 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   Yielding 31,542 oz gold. 30 July, 1872 (Cont’d) No. 1 Level (240 ft) North end driven 323 feet north of cross-cut – the

lode here at present is much disturbed – but about 100 feet back from present face the lode has been driven across and is 19 feet wide, the whole of which is payable quartz.

South end – in 272 feet from south cross-cut. No. 7 Level Western ross-cut at 300 feet from shaft – hardest

country seen, hence small amount driven (54 feet). 9 August, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive338 feet from cross-cut – lode still broken.

A rise has been put up on “new” lode north – up 28 feet.

23 August, 1872 No 1 Level North end in 358 feet – no improvement. West cross-cut driven 141 feet. Rise north is up 50 feet, with good payable quartz. 6 September, 1872 No. 1 Level North end in 378 feet from cross-cut. Lode here still

broken. Rise north up 74 feet, and the quartz has continued

up 65 feet. No. 2 Level East cross-cut driven 111 feet. 20 September, 1872 Rise north is up to the old “No. 1” Level. 4 October, 1872 No. 1 Level North end is driven 408 feet from cross-cut – no

change. West cross-cut driven 198 feet from main drive –

nothing found. 26 October, 1872 Quarterly Report distributed among shareholders No. 1 Level (240 ft) The “new” or eastern lode has been driven north

431 feet from cross-cut. Lode narrow and irregular during the Quarter.

South end in 314 feet. Still a large body of quartz in this drive, but it is of poor quality.

Western cross-cut driven 222 feet from main drive.

Eastern cross-cut extended 25 feet from pump shaft. No. 6 Level (690 ft) North end 206 feet from cross-cut. The lode here is

getting more solid on back of level, the quartz is gradually coming down, and I believe we shall have a solid lode in face shortly.  

37 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   26 October, 1872 (Cont’d) Quartz crushed 17,784 tons Yield: 6,222 oz 11¼ dwt bar gold Average 9 dwt 17.6 gr./ton Includes 407 oz from treatment of 207 tons pyrites Average 1 oz 19 dwt 7.77 gr./ton. 11 November, 1872 New North Clunes Company have sent to the Exhibition specimens of

stone, pyrites (raw and burnt) and tailings, and an example of country at depth 1,005 feet.

Statistics: First dividend paid August 1868. Total quantity quartz crushed to 19 October, 1872 – 173,994 tons Yield: 119,865 oz 8 dwt 14 gr. gold Value: £484,290. Average yield: 13 dwt 16.45 gr. Total sum paid in dividends to date:£240,552 (50 months) 15 November, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive extended to 467 feet from cross-cut. The

lode is still irregular. We have broken into the eastern cross-cut from north

air shaft. See plan.

South drive in 336 feet – looks considerably better. West cross-cut in 259 feet from main drive – nothing

struck. 29 November, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive extended 38 feet – lode still irregular. 13 December, 1872 No. 1 Level North drive is driven 87 feet north of north air shaft.

The lode continues broken. 27 December, 1872 No. 1 Level North end is driven 108 feet north of the north air

shaft without change in the lode. South end in 203 feet. The lode here is broken up.

The men are stripping the side of the level to see how far the payable quartz, which is looking very well, extends back north.

Western cross-cut is driven 308 feet, nothing found. 10 January, 1873 No. 1 Level North end – driven 129 feet from north air shaft. The

lode here is still broken. The quartz which is being taken out from the side of the level is looking payable.

South end – the quartz being taken out from the side

of the level looks payable.

38 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   Western cross-cut in 319 feet from main

drive.Nothing.

39 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   28 January, 1873 Half Yearly Meeting Value of gold sold: £508,911.4.8. Dividends: £252,888.0.0. (paid out almost 50% of gold value) No. 1 Level (240 ft) The north end in the “new” lode has been driven

587 feet from the cross-cut, or 147 feet north of the north air shaft – the lode being very small and irregular during the Quarter.

240 ft Level is in deeply oxidised ground).

South end driven 380 feet from south cross-cut. The

lode is small at present face, but some good payable quartz is being obtained by stripping back the side of the level, the gold making (here) on the western side of the lode, which is about 7 feet thick.

For rise to cap at south end see 1 March, 1873.

Western cross-cut is 334 feet west of main drive.

Nothing. Quartz crushed past Quarter: 12,479 tons Yield: 6,603 oz 17 dwt bar gold Average 10 dwt 14 gr./ton Included 505 oz 7 dwt Average from 192 tons pyrites 2 oz 12 dwt 14½ gr./ton of pyrites treated or 19.44 gr./ton of total quartz crushed. The re-working of old tailings, for conserving pyrites, is proving remunerative. From pump shaft : cross-cut being driven east at 240 feet level, in 166

feet east of shaft. Discussion on stopes at work. No. 5 Level (590 ft) A winze has been sunk 200 feet north of winding

shaft which is through to No. 6 Level. Another winze is being sunk at the south end of mine

which is down 56 feet in a lode 3 feet wide, fair payable quartz.

No. 6 Level(690 ft) North end driven 297 feet from winding shaft cross-

cut. The lode being of considerable size – 2 feet of it is being taken out (in driving) but it is not looking very promising. A spur or small lode (struck in the cross-cut has been driven on 40 feet to north. Not promising.

No. 7 Level (790 ft) The south end driven 411 feet from cross-cut. The

quartz driven through for past Quarter has been poor, the lode being apparently a very large mass of irregular quartz having no defined walls.

Drive north in 422 feet from cross-cut. The lode here

is greatly disturbed.

Previous Quarter 26/10/1872) in 324 ft – wide lode quartz 

40 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   28 January, 1873 (Cont’d) No. 9 Level (1005 ft) Cross-cut is extended to 255 feet west of pump shaft.

Hard. Winding shaft sunk 75 feet below No. 7 Level

chamber, or 865 feet from surface. A leader was cut in the bottom of the shaft, which

completely flooded out the shaftmen, and the sinking is discontinued until the lower cross-cut (No. 9 Level, from pump shaft) is driven underneath the winding shaft (to enable drainage).

21 February, 1873 No. 1 Level South – The rise being put up at the back of this

level, south, is up 18 feet – quartz looking very well. 1 March, 1873 No. 1 Level Pump shaft cross-cut to east in 226 feet – nothing

found. South end, rise is up 25 feet, and has reached the

cap of the new (eastern) lode, which is nearly 4 feet wide, and payable.

No. 6 Level North end in 338 feet. Lode here better defined,

payable. No. 7 Level Drive south in 465 feet from cross-cut. Lode very

large, but broke up and quartz poor. No. 9 Level Cross-cut west in 328 feet. On Saturday 180 oz of amalgam were obtained under the false bottom of

the Chilian mill, which had to be broken up, being worn out. This amalgam yielded 40 oz gold.

A bonus of £3 per share has been declared.

21 March, 173 No. 6 Level North end is in 351 feet from cross-cut. Lode

continues to improve. South end, as at 7 March, in 98 feet, lode broken up.

Now in 120 feet. The lode is getting better defined, and is nearly 2 feet wide. Quartz looks favourable.

No. 9 Level West cross-cut in 352 feet.Hard country.

41 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   2 April, 1873 Brief summary of facts connected with this mine. Commenced work January 1859 Commenced crushing operations 30 September, 1867 First dividend paid 3 August, 1868 Total quartz crushed to 1 March, 1873 193,379 tons Yield: 130,252 oz 19 dwt 11 gr. bar gold Value: £526,755.4.11. Average yield per ton quartz 13 dwt 11.3 gr./ton Pyrites treated: 2,380 tons 3 cwt Yield: 7,022 oz 16 dwt Average per ton of pyrites 2 oz. 19 dwt

No. 7 Level 790 ft Present depth of – Winding Shaft 800 ft Pump Shaft 1,012 ft

No. 6 Level 690 ft

No. 5 Level 590 ft

No. 4 Level 500 ft

No. 3 Level 400 ft

No. 2 Level 320 ft

No. 1 Level 240 ft

Depth of Levels – Old No. 1 Level 150 ft

Quartz obtained from depth 180 feet to 790 feet. The shoot of payable quartz extends about 1,100 feet on course of lode. The width of lode varies from 2 to 40 feet. Labour on mine: 240 men 16 boys. 63 dividends paid up to 19 March, 1873 Total: £269,336 – being £131 per share.

1 May, 1873 FromQuarterly Report to Shareholders Payment to Water Commission £40,000. During past Quarter paid 3 dividends £ 6,168 plus 2 bonuses £12,336 Total paid to shareholders for Quarter £18,504 No. 1 Level Pump shaft cross-cutto east in 251 feet. Nothing

found. West cross-cut in 334 feet west of main drive – no

new discovery. Five stopes on/above this level, all look well. No. 6 Level (690 ft) North end 368 feet from cross-cut. Lode about 3 feet

wide.Quartz here barely remunerative. South drive extended 160 feet. Lode small and

irregular. No. 7 Level South end in 509 feet from cross-cut at winding shaft,

and is still in large mass of poor looking quartz. No. 9 Level (1005 ft) Cross-cut west from pump shaft in 400 feet (hard).

Provision is at present being made for putting down a bore from bottom of winding shaft to No. 9 Level cross-cut for purpose of draining water to allow sinking to resume.

42 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   1 May, 1873 (Cont’d) Quartz crushed past Quarter: 12,793 tons Yield: 7,896 oz 5 dwt Average: 12 dwt 8¼ gr. per ton. Included in the above: 675 oz 4 dwt from 178½ tons pyrites, or 1 dwt 1⅓ gr./ton of quartz crushed. 2 May, 1873 Quote – “We are at present making preparations for boring down from within the

winding shaft, to (No. 9 Level) cross-cut, permission having been obtained from the Directors, London & Oriental Company to allow their men to bore same for us.”

During the past 13 weeks, 29 tons of pyrites have been collected from the

flat – the tailings on the flat below the battery. Cost of collecting, roasting, grinding £16.10.0. Yield: 97 oz 16 dwt gold. Profit: £249.11.0., or nearly £20 per week. 16 May, 1873 No. 6 Level North end driven 392 feet from cross-cut at winding

shaft. Lode 3 feet wide, looking better – gold seen in it during last week.

No. 7 Level South end in 526 feet – same. No. 9 Level Western cross-cut from pump shaft in 439 feet – hard

country intermixed with quartz. 19 May, 1873 Have treated stuff from foundations late Victoria Co. battery, gold from which

is not yet cleaned. (Result : in Notes, 2 June, 1873.) 30 May, 1873 No. 1 Level The mullock drive is extended 6 feet east of air

(which?) shaft. No. 6 Level North end extended to 404 feet. Lode here at

present small, being not more than 20 inches wide, but gold is frequently seen in it.

No. 7 Level South – in 543 feet – mass quartz. No. 9 Level From pump shaft, cross-cut west in 452 feet. Bore in winding shaft is down 35 feet below the

bottom of shaft, or 110 feet below No. 7 Level. 2 June, 1873 Yield from foundations, Victoria Co. battery 155 oz 6 dwt 14 gr. gold. 14 June, 1873 No. 6 Level North end driven 414 feet from cross-cut. The lode

here is broken and small, but gold is seen in it.

No. 9 Level From pump shaft in 466 feet to west. During the past fortnight the quartz has become more

solid. The water also has considerably increased, and has entirely disappeared from No. 7 Level – proving this mass of quartz to be the same as being driven on (south) on that level.

43 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   17 June, 1873 ILLUSTRATED AUSTRALIAN NEWS Engravings – New North Clunes Quartz Mining Company Subject of engraving one of the richest mines in Victoria. Esmond’s Grant 900 yards by 300 yards. Pyrites furnace details 42 feet long 5 feet wide (like a baker’s oven). Flue continues underground for 50 feet, to terminate in the (which?) shaft.

“The yield has been so valuable and so continuous that at present time there are no less than 50 stampers continuously at work”...

Reef entirely taken out and replaced by mullock. In published section shows where sketch taken – see copy. Engraving includes sketches of Clunes Water Supply reservoir – describes

on p.98, this issue of “News”. 20 June, 1873 From Melbourne press The Argus “We understand the negotiations for the sale of the (Clunes) waterworks is

on the eve of being satisfactorily settled, and that the sum to be received from Government, together with the reserve the Company have in hand, will enable Directors (New North Clunes) to declare a bonus of about £30 per share next month, which will be by far the largest amount ever distributed by a mining company in one sum.”

We presume this statement (in press) is substantially correct .... (??) 11 July, 1873 No. 6 Level The north end is driven 446½ feet, the lode being

about 12 inches wide and broken. 29 July, 1873 New North Clunes – Half Yearly Meeting Dividends aggregate £ 283,728 Loan to Clunes Water Commission £ 40,000 Portion of Reserve fund to credit of water supply purposes £4,554. 4.0 Mine reserve fund £6,067.12.0 No. 1 Level Pump shaft cross-cut to east extended to 398 feet. Winding shaft cross-cut to west out 349 feet to west,

makes a total of 1,127 feet driven east and west without discovery of anything additional to previously known lodes.

No. 6 Level (690 ft) In 285 feet. Lode here is very irregular, sometimes 3

feet wide, at others merely a thread. Gold sometimes seen in it, and if better average width it would be payable.

North end extended to 462 feet. The lode at present

is 3 feet wide and payable. No. 7 Level (790 ft) South drive in 589 feet from winding shaft – for the

whole of the last quarter, this drive has been in a large mass of irregular quartz – this mass is very poor (in gold). This drive will be continued to the Victoria shaft for the purposes of securing good ventilation.

44 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   29 July, 1873 (Cont’d) No. 9 Level (1000 ft) Western cross-cut driven 488 feet from pump shaft. During this Quarter 75 feet of irregular lode has been

driven through, apparently the continuation of the same mass of quartz we have in No. 7 Level (south) ... (water transfer).

The bore at the bottom of the winding shaft is through

to No. 9 cross-cut, and tenders called for sinking. Quartz crushed for Quarter 12,413 tons Yield: 5,915 oz. 2 dwt bar gold Average: 9 dwt 1278/100 gr./ton Includes: 508 oz 8 dwt from treatment of 194 tons pyrites Average: 2 oz 12 dwt 99/10 gr./ton treated,

Fall in yield begins

or an additional 1966/100 gr. per ton total quartz. Past 12 months: Treated 50,469 tons quartz Yield: 26,637 oz 15 dwt 6 gr. bar gold. Comment – quote – “Mr. Lalor stated that communications with the Government with respect to

the water were similar to what had appeared in the papers. There was a probability of a settlement now, by the payment of about £65,000 to the Clunes Water Commission.”

8 August, 1873 No. 6 Level South end in 298 feet, country hard, lode small. North drive is in 472 feet. Lode 2½ feet wide, with

gold freely seen in it at times. 16 August, 1873 No. 6 Level North drive fully 2½ feet wide, gold freely seen. 22 August, 1873 No. 6 Level North end in 491 feet, gold being freely seen in the

quartz for the past fortnight, and it is at present looking very well.

South end in 306 feet, lode 9 inches wide. No. 9 Level from pump shaft. Western cross-cut in 523 feet.One

vein 1 foot wide and another 1½ feet wide gone through in last fortnight – not promising.

2 September, 1873 No. 6 Level North end, lode has narrowed, quality not so

good. 5 September, 1873 No. 6 Level North end driven 511 feet from winding shaft cross-

cut. Lode being one foot wide, quartz payable, quality not so good.

No. 7 Level South end in 612 feet – still driving in large irregular

mass. Winding shaft is sunk 97 feet below No. 7 Level

chamber.

45 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   19 September, 1873 No. 1 Level Pump shaft – cross-cut to east in 435 feet. No

change. No. 6 Level (690 ft) The north end is in 530 feet. The lode has spliced

out, but it is again making in the back of the level, being at present 18 inches wide of fair quality quartz.

A new stope has commenced at the north side of

cross-cut. (See Report 29 October, 1873.) No. 7 Level South end driven 619 feet. Still in large mass of

quartz.Country very hard. North end driven 420 feet, lode broken and irregular. No. 9 Level Western cross-cut in 552 feet from pump shaft. 3 October, 1873 No. 5 Level Drive south on the poor lode is in 134 feet. Lode

about 2 feet wide – looking better, having more mineral in it.

No. 6 Level North end.Driven 549 feet from cross-cut at winding

shaft. Lode barely 2 feet wide, but has been considerably disturbed during past fortnight (530 to 549 ft.).

No. 7 Level North end.Driven 433 feet.Lode irregular, 3 feet wide,

poor and hard. 6 October, 1873 Wire ropes in winding shaft fall into shaft – accident, no one hurt. 17 October, 1873 No. 6 Level South end driven 350 feet. Lode here is about 2 feet

wide, with gold visible, but the country on each side of the lode is hard.

North end in 569 feet. Lode at present 18 inches

wide – not so much mineral in it, and it has been considerably disturbed. (?539-569 fault?)

No. 7 Level North end in 448 feet.Lode about 1 foot wide. South end in 633 feet in same hard mass of quartz. 29 October, 1873 Quartz crushed for Quarter 12,758 tons Yield: 5,221 oz 3 dwt 9 gr. gold Average: 8 dwt 4.43 gr./ton Includes: 460 oz 2 dwt obtained from treatment of 181 tons pyrites Average: 2 oz 10 dwt 20 gr./ton pyrites.

Fall in yield continues.

No. 6 Level South end in 355 feet.Lode 2 feet wide, gold

occasionally seen.Country each side of lode is, however, hard. (therefore no “alteration”?)

North end is driven 575 feet from cross-cut at winding

shaft. The lode at present is small and disturbed. Two stopes are being worked about 200 feet north of

cross-cut.

46 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS  29 October, 1873 (Cont’d) No. 7 Level South end in 636 feet from shaft, being still in a large

mass of quartz. North end in 430 feet from cross-cut.Lode small and

irregular. No. 9 Level From pump shaft – Western cross-cut driven 595 feet

– there has not been anything discovered here during the Quarter.

Winding shaft – sunk 120 feet below No. 7 Level

chamber. Shaftmen cutting chamber for No. 8 Level, on completion of which sinking will be resumed.

Discovery comes at 1 November, 1873 at 610 feet, see 9 January, 1874.

30 October, 1873 No. 6 Level South end extended 353 feet. Lode barely 12 inches

wide, and poor. North end in 584 feet.The lode being broken up,

with scarcely any quartz in sight at present. No. 7 Level North end in 465 feet. The lode here is making in the

back of the level, being 3 feet wide but poor. No. 9 Level Extended 240 feet west of winding shaft (location).

There is a small flat leader in the face at present. The gone country through being much the same.

1 November, 1873 During the past week two flat leaders of quartz were struck in the western

face of the cross-cut in the 1,000 feet level (No. 9 Level), and on Wednesday the men struck what appears to be a solid quartz lode. No gold has been seen in the stone – not yet taken any stone down.

3 November, 1873 Report (telegraph) 1st November, 1873 “Gold has been seen in the quartz in No. 9 cross-cut at one o’clock today,

looking fair.” 4 November, 1873 Quote – “In the reef about 2 feet. The stone has the same appearance as the 13 dwt

quartz at No. 7 (level).” 5 November, 1873 “Three feet into it, not through.” 6 November, 1873 “In 4 feet, not yet through, reef solid.” 7 November, 1873 With reference to the quartz at the 1,000 feet level, the Manager reports – Alteration “Through the lode, which is fully 6 feet thick soft country on footwall.Quartz

still looking favourable.” 14 November, 1873 No. 6 Level North end in 596 feet. Lode about 9 inches wide. South end in 359 feet.Lode 3 feet wide, good-looking

quartz. No. 7 Level North end in 473 ft.Lode 3 feet wide, poor. South end in 642½ feet – same hard mass.

47 NEW NORTH CLUNES – PARTIAL EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS   14 November, 1873 (Cont’d) No. 9 Level West cross-cut is in 251½ feet from position of

winding shaft, this being the distance to the west side of the lode discovered during the (past) fortnight.

The lode is 6½ feet wide, the quartz is similar in

appearance to the lode in No. 7 Level, which averaged 13½ dwt per ton. Gold was frequently seen in the quartz in driving through this lode, and I believe from the character of the quartz it is good payable lode, which will greatly enhance the value of the mine.

Discovery of this Western vein structure. Levels later driven on contour across this lode, give appearance of strike N30W, not true strike. See R. Allan plan – September, 1891.

Driving north and south on the lode will be

commenced as soon as possible. BRIEF EXTRACTS 28 November, 1873 No. 6 Level North end is driven to 604 feet from cross-cut at

Winding Shaft. The lode is 18 inches wide but not payable.

12 December, 1873 No. 6 Level North drive is in 617 feet, lode from 20 inches to 2

feet wide, and looking slightly better. 25 December, 1873 No. 6 Level North end – very little done; two work contracts given

up. 9 January, 1874 No. 6 Level No comment. 20 January, 1874 Special Meeting, New North Clunes – to devise some method of celebrating

the settlement of the Clunes Water Supply question. Followed by – Half Yearly meeting. No. 6 Level North end extended to 655 feet from cross-cut with

“lode” small and irregular, with occasionally very fair-looking quartz in it.

6 February, 1874 No. 6 Level North end in 645 feet. Lode about 1 foot wide;

quartznot looking promising. 20 February, 1874 No. 6 Level North end in 658 feet : lode small. 20 March, 1874 No. 6 Level North end in 675 feet : lode about 12 inches wide. 3 April, 1874 No. 6 Level North – driven to 681 feet north and discontinued

for present (actually, final). The end point of No. 6

Level drive north is vertically below cross-cut W on No. 4 Level.

END OF SEQUENCE OF EXTRACTS