Historic Mining Sites in the Maryborough and Avoca Mining Divisions

NORTH CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS PROJECT

HISTORIC MINING SITES IN THE MARYBOROUGH AND AVOCA MINING DIVISIONS

PART TWO: SITE GAZETTEER

David Bannear

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources North West Area

June 1994 INDEX Site No. Site Name 1:25,000 map reference Page No. 1.0 Chalks No. 3 (Nth Shaft) Carisbrook - 521.975 1 2.0 Chalks No. 3 (Sth shaft) Carisbrook - 513.965 10 3.0 Chalks Junction Co. Carisbrook - 506.956 14 4.0 Chalks No. 1 Co. Carisbrook - 508.948 17 5.0 Chalks Freehold Co. Carisbrook - 508.925 21 5.1 Young Chalks Co. Carisbrook - 516.919 6.0 Carisbrook United Carisbrook - 499.954 25 7.0 Woolbrook Co. Carisbrook - 498.948 29 8.0 Goldbrook Co. Carisbrook - 494.949 32 9.0 Whim shaft Carisbrook - 483.942 36 9.1 Cyanide works Carisbrook - 483.943 9.2 Alluvial workings Carisbrook - 482.939 10.0 Napier Freehold Co. Carsibrook - 495.911 38 11.0 Napier Extended Co. Carisbrook - 496.916 43 12.0 New Kong Meng Co. Carisbrook - 493.901 44 13.0 East Kong Meng Co. Carisbrook - 505.907 53 14.0 Majorca Lead workings Carisbrook - 485.892 (centre) 55 14.1 Cyanide works Carisbrook - 474.882 15.0 Victoria Park Carisbrook - 485.888 57 16.0 Gibraltar Alluvials Co. Carisbrook - 471.887 58 16.1 Whip shaft Carisbrook - 472.888 17.0 Duke of Edinburgh Mount Cameron - 460.874 60 18.0 Enterprise Co. Carisbrook - 466.877 62 19.0 Black Swan shaft Mount Cameron - 470.876 64 20.0 Deep lead mine site Carisbrook - 459.894 65 20.1 Whim shaft Carisbrook - 462.893 20.2 Deep lead mine site Carisbrook - 465.892 21.0 Kong Extended Carisbrook - 450.884 68 22.0 Deep lead mine site Maryborough - 439.880 70 22.1 Deep lead mine site Carisbrook - 446.883 22.2 Puddler and retreatment site Maryborough - 437.880 22.3 Bonney Jean Dam Talbot - 436.876 23.0 Puddler Maryborough - 431.879 73 24.0 Louisa Dam puddler Maryborough - 433.905 74 24.1 Puddler Maryborough - 434.907 25.0 Perseverence Co. Mount Cameron - 448.869 76 25.1 Forbes Freehold Co. Mount Cameron - 448.873 25.2 Deep lead mine Mount Cameron - 450.875 25.3 Deep lead mine Mount Cameron - 448.876 26.0 Eaglehawk Dam puddler Maryborough - 443.908 79 26.1 Western Dam puddler Maryborough - 441.912 26.2 Eaglehawk Gully adit Maryborough - 441.912 26.3 Eaglehawk Gully Reef workings Maryborough - 440.910 26.4 Eaglehawk Gully puddler Maryborough - 440.910 26.5 Eaglehawk Gully puddler Carisbrook - 444.899 27.0 Long Gully sluicing dam Maryborough - 442.917 81 27.1 Long Gully puddler Maryborough - 442.917 27.2 Long Gully Reef workings Maryborough - 440.915 28.0 Battery Dam crushing works Maryborough - 442.920 83 28.1 Battery Dam Eucy Distillery Maryborough - 442.920 28.2 Battery Dam Cyanide Works Maryborough - 442.920 28.3 Bull Gully puddler Maryborough - 442.920 28.4 House site Maryborough - 442.922 28.5 Bull Gully alluvial workings Carisbrook - 445.920 29.0 Conway’s Reef workings Maryborough - 424.965 86 29.1 Eastern Reef workings, Bristol Hill Maryborough - 425.963 29.2 Western of Main Engine shaft Maryborough - 424.962 29.3 Borelands Whim Shaft Maryborough - 424.962 29.4 Williams Shaft Maryborough - 424.961 29.5 Whim Shaft Maryborough - 424.961 30.0 Chinamans Flat puddler Maryborough - 421.973 90 30.1 Chinamans Flat puddler Maryborough - 421.972

1 31.0 Maryborough Leviathan Company Maryborough - 418.982 92 31.1 Cyanide Works Maryborough - 419.981 31.2 Battery site Maryborough - 416.984 32.0 New Leviathan mine Maryborough - 417.986 95 32.1 Cyanide Works Maryborough - 414.988 33.0 Old Leviathan mine Maryborough - 415.996 97 34.0 Deep Lead Mine Maryborough - 396.001 100 34.1 Cyanide Works Maryborough - 396.001 34.2 Puddler Maryborough - 395.002 34.3 Whim shaft Maryborough - 395.003 35.0 Adjoining Cyanide Works Maryborough - 394.010 103 35.1 Puddler Maryborough - 394.010 35.2 Deap Lead workings Maryborough - 393.011 to 391.014 35.3 Cyanide Works Maryborough - 394.012 35.4 Queen Co. Maryborough - 393.014 35.5 Cyanide Works Maryborough - 391.015 36.0 Gladstone Co. Maryborough - 397.011 107 37.0 New Magnum Bonum Co. Dunolly South - 388.018 37.1 Deep Lead workings Dunolly South - 391.019 38.0 Count Bismark Co. Dunolly South - 394.024 113 39.0 Alma & Timor Junction Dunolly South - 400.035 116 39.1 Deep lead workings Dunolly South - 398.033 40.0 Duke Consolidated Dunolly South - 406.034 119 40.1 Duke Consolidated Dunolly South - 407.038 41.0 Deep Lead mine Dunolly South - 408.032 121 41.1 Cyanide Works Maryborough - 411.010 41.2 Cyanide Works and Deep Lead Maryborough - 413.016 workings 41.3 Eucy Distillery Dunolly South - 412.021 42.0 Grand Duke No. 1 Dunolly South - 414.036 123 42.1 Grand Duke No. 2 Dunolly South - 413.040 42.2 Grand Duke No. 3 Dunolly South - 415.041 42.3 Cyanide Works Dunolly South - 414.043 43.0 Deep Lead mine Dunolly South - 410.043 133 44.0 Duke No. 1 Co. Dunolly South - 417.049 134 45.0 Seaham Co. Maryborough - 393.997 136 46.0 Alma Consolidated Maryborough - 388.993 139 46.1 Golden Gate Co. Maryborough - 386.991 47.0 Deep Lead mine Maryborough - 383.987 142 48.0 Adelaide Lead Maryborough - 389.978 145 49.0 Moonlight Dredge Dam Maryborough - 365.975 148 50.0 Tipperary Hill Maryborough - 394.977 149 51.0 Band of Hope Co. /John Bright Co. Dunolly South - 413.030 150 52.0 North Duke Co. Dunolly South - 427.061 152 53.0 Duke United Gold Mining Co. Dunolly South - 426.074 155 54.0 Alluvial workings Dunolly South - 448.107 158 54.1 Alluvial workings Laanecoorie South - 453.106 55.0 Duke Extended Co. Dunolly South - 447.082 159 56.0 Duke and Main Lead Consols Laanecoorie South - 486.095 161 57.0 North Main Leads Co. Laanecoorie South - 469.078 165 57.1 North Main Leads mine site Laanecoorie South - 472.076 57.2 Deep Lead mine Laanecoorie South - 467.072 57.3 Deep Lead mine Laanecoorie South - 466.070 58.0 Lord Clyde Co. Laanecoorie South - 472.064 167 59.0 New Havelock Co. Laanecoorie South - 468.054 169 60.0 Old Havelock Co. Laanecoorie South - 475.049 170 61.0 Talisman mine Carisbrook - 471.918 172 61.1 Reef workings Carisbrook - 471.918 to 471.916 62.0 White Horse Gully Carisbrook - 463.924 174 62.1 White Horse Gully Carisbrook - 461.924 62.2 White Horse Gully Carisbrook - 459.924 62.3 White Horse Gully Carisbrook - 464.924 62.4 White Horse Gully Carisbrook - 461.919 to 459.222

1 62.5 White Horse Gully Carisbrook - 463.928 63.0 Simpsons Diggings Laanecoorie South - 456.018 177 64.0 Alluvial workings Laanecoorie South - 462.017 179 65.0 Shaws Reef mine Laanecoorie South - 462.020 181 66.0 North Shaws Co. Laanecoorie South - 462.023 185 67.0 Quartz mine Laanecoorie South - 462.032 187 68.0 McFarlanes Reef mine Laanecoorie South - 461.040 188 69.0 Cyanide works Laanecoorie South - 464.038 190 69.1 For Mile Creek puddler Laanecoorie South - 464.038 69.2 Cyanide works Laanecoorie South - 463.041 70.0 Havelock Reef Laanecoorie South - 460.054 192 71.0 Puddler Laanecoorie South - 453.052 193 72.0 Duffys Gully puddlers Laanecoorie South - 484.055 195 73.0 Capron Gully workings Laanecoorie South - 483.046 197 74.0 Lucknow Lead puddler Laanecoorie South - 477.028 198 74.1 Dooleys Dam puddler Carisbrook - 477.012 74.2 Lucknow Lead puddler Carisbrook - 476.011 75.0 Simpsons Dam puddler Laanecoorie South - 488.024 200 76.0 Nolan Dam puddler Carisbrook - 488.009 202 77.0 Pegleg Gully puddler Carisbrook - 468.994 204 77.1 Pegleg Gully puddler Carisbrook - 467.999 77.2 Pegleg Gully puddler Carisbrook - 469.998 77.3 Pegleg Gully puddler Carisbrook - 471.003 78.0 Mariners Reef Maryborough - 431.942 206 78.1 Mariners Reef Cyanide works Maryborough - 433.944 79.0 Blackmans Lead Maryborough - 438.932 212 80.0 Cambrian mine Carisbrook - 459.931 215 80.1 Cambrian mine Carisbrook - 459.932 80.2 Cambrian mine Carisbrook - 459.931 81.0 Princess Royal mine Carisbrook - 455.933 218 82.0 Eucy Distillery Carisbrook - 448.941 219 82.1 Bluchers Gully puddler Carisbrook - 448.941 83.0 Bluchers Gully puddler Carisbrook - 464.943 220 83.1 Bluchers Gully puddler Carisbrook - 463.942 83.2 Bluchers Gully puddler Carisbrook - 458.945 83.3 Bluchers Gully puddler Carisbrook - 460.947 84.0 Bluchers Reef mine Carisbrook - 460.945 223 84.1 Cyanide works Carisbrook - 460.945 84.2 Bluchers Reef Whim shafts Carisbrook - 461.943 to 461.947 85.0 Flagstaff Reef workings Carisbrook - 460.955 227 86.0 Telegraph Reef workings Carisbrook - 455.974 229 87.0 Maryborough Main Lead Maryborough - 421.928 231 87.1 Maryborough Main Lead puddler Maryborough - 429.927 88.0 Waterloo Lead puddler Maryborough - 413.927 235 88.1 Waterloo Lead puddler Maryborough - 400.939 88.2 Fords Dam puddler Maryborough - 401.948 88.3 Waterloo Lead Maryborough - 420.950 88.4 Waterllo Lead Maryborough - 419.948 89.0 Trampfs Reef Battery site Maryborough - 402.934 238 89.1 Trampfs mine Maryborough - 402.940 90.0 Fiddlers Reef Co. Avoca North - 113.960 240 91.0 Perseverence Co. Avoca North - 110.970 243 92.0 Fiddlers Creek Battery site Avoca North - 120.972 246 93.0 Donkey Hill adit Avoca North - 105.975 248 94.0 Union Jack Reef Avoca North - 126.961 250 95.0 West of England Avoca North - 122.962 252 96.0 Halls/Rodwells reefs Avoca North - 130.955 254 96.1 Halls/Rodwells reefs Avoca North - 128.956 96.2 Cement workings Avoca North - 128.957 97.0 Fiddlers Creek Lead puddlers Avoca North - 122.962 256 97.1 Fiddlers Creek Lead puddler Avoca North - 123.969 97.2 Fiddlers Creek Lead puddler Avoca North - 125.971 97.3 Fiddlers Creek Lead puddler Avoca North - 126.972

1 98.0 Donkey Hill Lead Avoca North - 111.988 259 99.0 Sardine Lead puddler Avoca North - 092.981 260 99.1 Sardine Lead puddler Avoca North - 092.980 100.0 Raggedy Lead Diggings Avoca North - 088.977 262 100.1 Raggedy Lead puddlers Avoca North - 088.977 100.2 Raggedy Lead puddler Avoca North - 089.970 100.3 Raggedy Lead puddler Avoca North - 089.973 100.4 Raggedy Lead puddler Avoca North - 085.980 101.0 Hampshire Reef workings Avoca North - 146.921 265 102.0 No. 1 Lead Diggings Avoca North - 145.903 (centre) 103.0 New Madame Hopkins G M Co. Bung Bong - 280.951 268 104.0 Deep Lead mine site Bung Bong - 239.974 270 105.0 Homebush Main Lead Bung Bong - 246.970 271 105.1 Puddler Bung Bong - 239.974 106.0 Association lease Bung Bong - 238.978 273 107.0 Association lease Bung Bong - 237.980 274 108.0 Working Miners Co. Bung Bong - 243.989 275 109.0 Working Miners United Bung Bong - 238.995 281 110.0 Homebush Co. Bung Bong - 245.992 285 111.0 New North Homebush Co. Bung Bong - 244.005 287 112.0 Excelsior Reef Bung Bong - 261.992 289 113.0 New Homebush Consolidated Bung Bong - 258.012 291 114.0 Vales Reef Bung Bong - 228.972 292 115.0 Deep Lead mine site Avoca North - 218.976 295 115.1 Alluvial workings Avoca North - 220.968 116.0 Golden Stream Co. Avoca North - 189.938 296 116.1 Avoca Freehold Co. Avoca North - 192.936 117.0 Morning Star Co. Avoca North - 197.938 299 118.0 Avoca Lead Dredging Co. Avoca North - 213.930 300 119.0 Monte Christo Reef workings Avoca North - 212.904 301 120.0 Strip Me Naked Lead Avoca North - 196.894 304 121.0 Lamplough No. 1 Avoca North - 196.900 122.0 Lamplough No 2 Avoca North -179.914 307 123.0 Barnes Reef workings Avoca North -125.946 309 124.0 North German Gully puddlers Mount Cameron - 486.848 311 125.0 London Reef mine Avoca South - 143.786 313 126.0 Belfast Diggings puddler Avoca South - 139.817 315 126.1 Belfast Diggings puddler Avoca South - 143.813 127.0 Mountain Hut Diggings Avoca South - 137.842 316 127.1 Mountain Hut Diggings puddler Avoca South - 122.844 127.2 Mountain Hut Diggings puddler Avoca South - 122.847 128.0 Amphitheatre dredge Avoca Sth - 163.861 to 155.843 319 129.0 Lamplough Lead Lamplough -226.863 323 130.0 Whipstick Gully puddler Maryborough - 407.903 327 131.0 Percydale Slate Quarry Avoca North - 108.957 328 131.1 Donkey Slate Quarry Avoca North - 105.975 131.2 Sardine Slate Quarry Avoca North - 099.967

1 Chalks No. 3 (North shaft)

SITE NO. & NAME: 1.0 CHALKS NO. 3 (NORTH SHAFT)

LOCATION: CARISBROOK LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: H7623-0091

DIRECTIONS: 2.3 km north-east of Carisbrook. 0.8 km north-east of junction of Baringhup and Donavans Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold land

HISTORY:

1 1886. Chalks No. 3 Consolidated Gold Mining Company--Registered.

1887. Chalk’s number 3 mine opened in 1887. By 1888 the shaft was sunk to 280 feet and opened out at 270 feet. A powerful pump with two 20 inch lifts pumped 2 million gallons per day from the mine until 1900 when pumping was suspended because of excessive water pressure. The company combined with Stewart’s Freehold in 1895 and capital was reorganised in 1897. By 1901 £101,000 had been spent. By 1909 52,156 ounces of gold had been retrieved, but £5,000 advanced under the Mines Development Act had not been repaid. The huge gravel heaps from Chalks number 3 Consolidated (near the Newstead-Baringhup Road Junction at Carisbrook) were bought by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. A crushing plant was installed and the crushed material was carted by horse and dray to the railway siding and dumped into railway trucks. The men received 5 shillings per load and made 8 trips per day returning a reasonable wage. Men who worked on this carting of gravel included Messrs. Mold, 2 Alderson, Chivers and Ford.

September 1887. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION (Mr Charles Sainsbury, Mining Registrar). The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- 3 easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies.

4 1888. No. 1 shaft started and is down 280 feet. 2 x 20 inch lifts and powerful winding plant installed.

September 1896. No. 2 shaft (formerly Stewart’s Freehold Company) continued to 346 feet. Powerful beam engine 5 with 22 inch lifts erected.

December 1896. 75 inch x 10 foot beam engine (drawing prepared by George Richards, engineer, Ballarat on 4 May 6 1897) 2 x 22 inch lift pumps.

1 Chalks No. 3 (North shaft)

A curious instance of the uncertainties of mining is shown by the present workings of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated. The adjoining company (Chalk’s No. 1) had taken out all the known payable ground, and a meeting of shareholders was called to wind up the affairs of the company. An effort was made to have a prospecting drive put in to the east and test that slope of the lead, but it was defeated, and an instruction given to draw the pumps out of the shaft. meanwhile the drives of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated were daily drawing nearer, and demonstrating beyond doubt that a run of ground did exist to the east of any known workings in the No. 1 mine, and this became so clear that the order for withdrawing the pumps was countermanded, shares rose from a mere quotation to 2s 6d, and there is now an excellent chance of this company having a long stretch of payable ground on the eastern terraces. The trend of the Majorca-Carisbrook lead northwards through the property of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company has been accurately determined by drives and bores, and also the existence of tributary leads entering the main channel, both from the east and the west. The former is a channel yet untried, and nothing is known of it save that it carries a strong body of wash with gold, and, as its course is through a highly auriferous belt of country, it is reasonable to assume that it will contain payable gold. The western tributary, known as the Racecourse lead, has been tested in a small way, and proves to carry a heavy black wash, heavily charged with pyrites and coarse gold. Finding its property too large to handle with one company, the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated has decided to float the northern portion of the mine, containing about 1200 acres, on the London market. This will be known as the “Victorian Moolort Gold Estates”, and as there is a fine shaft sunk the required depth, and a magnificent pumping plant erected, there should not be much trouble in opening the lead here. Sweeping north-east, the lead enters the New Havilah, thence through the Charlotte Plains Proprietary to the Junction 7 Deep Leads of Victoria, to probably join the main trunk lead to the north-east of this property.

1899. VALUE OF GOLD YIELDS The following gives the records, so far as they have been preserved, of the value of gold returns, stated in figures of value, from the deep alluvial mines in the Maryborough division: MARYBOROUGH, CARISBROOK, ETC., LEADS £ Perseverance 7,433 Rip Van Winkle 7,527 Brunswick 7,929 Royal Standard 10,660 South Greenock 12,841 Mount Greenock Estate 16,400 Nicholls’ Freehold 26,650 Robert Nichol 2,500 Darling 16,400 Calley’s Tunnel 24,600 German Tunnel 32,800 Oriental 32,800 Perseverance 36,900 Talbot lease 41,000 Black Bull 41,000 All Nations 61,500 Hoffnung 102,500 Union 83,992 Sadowa 205,565 New Kong Meng 377,321 Napier Freehold 278,746 Chalk’s Freehold 216,352 Chalk’s No. 1 134,426 Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated 27,431 Chalk’s Junction 60,000 Carisbrook United 33,870 Woolbrook 10,832 Goldbrook 52,730 8 TOTAL £1,962,705

9 February 1903. Beam engine restarted at No. 2 shaft--2,187,000 gallons per day.

10 1905. Water heavy--high cost of pumping at No. 2 shaft.

11 1907. Pumping 1,540,000 gallons per day from No. 2 shaft.

12 1909. Mine to close; drawing pumps.

1 Chalks No. 3 (North shaft)

1938 to Second World War: Cyaniding of deep lead slum heaps by Gold Dumps Pty Ltd January 1938. Clutha Developments, Carisbrook (Gold Dumps Pty Ltd). Has completed the installation of an extensive and very efficient cyanide plant at the Napier Freehold Dumps, and is profitably treating 500 tons of slum 13 daily.

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 14 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 15 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Chalks No. 3 (north shaft). Formerly Stewart’s Freehold Company. Work at this shaft commenced in c.1896 and stoped in 1909. Mine workings. Partly quarried dump which is approximately 60 metres wide and 12 to 15 metres high. Shaft and machinery foundations are located on the north-east corner of the heap. Shaft. The shaft is open and still contains remains of pump rod. Pump arch. On the north side of the large open shaft is the base of a brick pump arch which measures 24 ft x 7 ft. Scattered around the area are the lumps of massive brick work (mixture of red and yellow machine-made bricks). On the north side of the pump arch is a rectangular brick-lined cockpit which measures 18 ft x 6 ft and is at least 11 ft deep. The base of cockpit is filled with brick rubble. Next to the cockpit is a large bluestone cylinder bed with 2-3/4 inch mounting bolts. The arrangement of the bolts suggests that the cylinder had a diameter of some 12 ft. Bob pit. On the east side of the open shaft is a 28 ft x 8 ft brick-lined bob pit. The bob pit still retains a section of the pivot for the bob arm. Unfortunately the bob pit has been used for rubbish dumping, including one car body. Mining machinery. A few metres east of the bob pit is an arrangement of large brick mounting beds. The first bed is U-shaped and measures 21-1/2 ft x 8-1/2 ft with 1-1/2 ft thick walls. The bed stands 5 ft high and has 1-1/2-inch mounting beds. On the southern side of the U-shaped bed are two solid rectangular beds: one measuring 15-1/2 ft x 1-1/2 ft and the other 14 ft x 3 ft. These beds are set 1-1/2 ft apart and have been demolished to ground level. At the rear of the U-shaped bed is a large rectangular tank-like bed which measures 23-1/2 ft x 11-1/2 ft and stands 8 ft high. The bed has 1-1/2 ft thick walls, is obscured by a large pepper tree and has 1-1/2 inch mounting bolts. On the northern side of the tank-like bed is a large solid rectangular bed which measures 33-1/2 ft x 4 ft and stands 8 ft. Both the latter beds are in good condition. Chimney stack. A few metres to the north of the last mentioned brick mounting bed is a 12 ft square blue stone stack base. Associated with the stack base is some concrete rubble, presumably the remains of a demolished concrete flue. High grass in the vicinity of the stack base made it impossible to determine where the boilers were located. Sand dump. On the west side of the mullock heap is an extensive low sand dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Brick pump arch has been demolished but other foundations are in good condition. The large pepper tree growing in the tank-like bed has not yet cracked the structure. Due to the survival of a range of features the site has high integrity. The mullock heap is also a prominent landscape feature from Baringhup Road.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific significance. The mine has an extensive range of deep lead mining relics including an intact pump rod and pivot mechanism.

Cumulative significance. The significance of the site is enhanced through its association with the Moolort network of sites (Maldon Sites 3, 4 , 5 and 6 and Maryborough Sites 1 and 2). The site also forms part of the Maryborough Cornish pump-arch network (Sites 1.0, 4.0, 42.0 and 52.0). The focal point of the latter network is Site 42.0 (Duke and Timor/Grand Duke).

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Chalks No. 3 (North shaft)

1 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 2 Barbara Willis, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp34-35, 1988 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 4 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 5 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 6 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 7 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 8 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 9 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 10 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 11 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 12 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 13 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 14 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 15 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

1 Chalks No. 3 (South shaft)

SITE NO. & NAME: 2.0 CHALKS NO. 3 (SOUTH SHAFT)

LOCATION: CARISBROOK LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: H7623-0092

DIRECTIONS: 1.3k m east of Carisbrook. Located on eastern edge of a small pine plantation, 400 metres north-east of the junction of Baringhup Road and Pyrenees Highway

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Public Purpose Reserve

HISTORY:

1 1886. Chalks No. 3 Consolidated Gold Mining Company--Registered.

4 1888. No. 1 shaft started and is down 280 feet. 2 x 20 inch lifts and powerful winding plant installed.

5 October 1892. Lifting over 2,000,000 gallons per day from No. 1 shaft until November 1900.

1892. Thompson 16 inch by 28 inch by 48 inch, 280 horsepower cross compound horizontal steam engine; 2 x 18 inch plunger pumps and draw lifts, 7 foot stroke, 10 strokes per minute; head 276 feet; 2 Galloway tube boilers, 26 6 feet 6 inch by 6 feet 6 inch, 100 pounds per square inch working pressure; Cost of plant--£1621-11-3.

10 Chalks No. 3 (South shaft)

A curious instance of the uncertainties of mining is shown by the present workings of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated. The adjoining company (Chalk’s No. 1) had taken out all the known payable ground, and a meeting of shareholders was called to wind up the affairs of the company. An effort was made to have a prospecting drive put in to the east and test that slope of the lead, but it was defeated, and an instruction given to draw the pumps out of the shaft. Meanwhile the drives of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated were daily drawing nearer, and demonstrating beyond doubt that a run of ground did exist to the east of any known workings in the No. 1 mine, and this became so clear that the order for withdrawing the pumps was countermanded, shares rose from a mere quotation to 2s 6d, and there is now an excellent chance of this company having a long stretch of payable ground on the eastern terraces. The trend of the Majorca-Carisbrook lead northwards through the property of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company has been accurately determined by drives and bores, and also the existence of tributary leads entering the main channel, both from the east and the west. The former is a channel yet untried, and nothing is known of it save that it carries a strong body of wash with gold, and, as its course is through a highly auriferous belt of country, it is reasonable to assume that it will contain payable gold. The western tributary, known as the Racecourse lead, has been tested in a small way, and proves to carry a heavy black wash, heavily charged with pyrites and coarse gold. Finding its property too large to handle with one company, the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated has decided to float the northern portion of the mine, containing about 1200 acres, on the London market. This will be known as the “Victorian Moolort Gold Estates”, and as there is a fine shaft sunk the required depth, and a magnificent pumping plant erected, there should not be much trouble in opening the lead here. Sweeping north-east, the lead enters the New Havilah, thence through the Charlotte Plains Proprietary to the Junction 7 Deep Leads of Victoria, to probably join the main trunk lead to the north-east of this property

1899. VALUE OF GOLD YIELDS. The following gives the records, so far as they have been preserved, of the value of gold returns, stated in figures of value, from the deep alluvial mines in the Maryborough division: MARYBOROUGH, CARISBROOK, ETC., LEADS £ Perseverance 7,433 Rip Van Winkle 7,527 Brunswick 7,929 Royal Standard 10,660 South Greenock 12,841 Mount Greenock Estate 16,400 Nicholls’ Freehold 26,650 Robert Nichol 2,500 Darling 16,400 Calley’s Tunnel 24,600 German Tunnel 32,800 Oriental 32,800 Perseverance 36,900 Talbot lease 41,000 Black Bull 41,000 All Nations 61,500 Hoffnung 102,500 Union 83,992 Sadowa 205,565 New Kong Meng 377,321 Napier Freehold 278,746 Chalk’s Freehold 216,352 Chalk’s No. 1 134,426 Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated 27,431 Chalk’s Junction 60,000 Carisbrook United 33,870 Woolbrook 10,832 Goldbrook 52,730 8 TOTAL £1,962,705

1901. 2 x 20 inch lifts at each end of a 4 compartment shaft (15 feet by 6 feet with 2 winding compartments 6 feet by 3 feet in the middle); horizontal condenser for steam engine; 3 Cornish boilers, 26 feet by 6 feet 6 inches, 110 pounds 9 per square inch working pressure; and No. 4 Roots blower.

10 December 1902. Pumping resumed at No. 1 shaft; 2,600,000 gallons per day.

11 October 1907. Pumping only 660,000 gallons per day; pumping stopped at No. 1 shaft.

12 1909. Mine to close; drawing pumps.

11 Chalks No. 3 (South shaft)

1938 to Second World War: Cyaniding of deep lead slum heaps by Gold Dumps Pty Ltd. January 1938. Clutha Developments, Carisbrook (Gold Dumps Pty Ltd). has completed the installation of an extensive and very efficient cyanide plant at the Napier Freehold Dumps, and is profitably treating 500 tons of slum 13 daily.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 15 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Chalks No. 3 (No. 1 or South shaft). Formerly Stewart Gold Mining Company. Mining commenced at the shaft in 1888 and stopped in 1907. Mine closed down in 1909. Mining machinery foundations. Arrangement of brick mounting beds totally obscured by wattle regrowth. All the beds have slightly stepped sides. The foundations are dominated by one massive bed which measures 60 ft x 10 ft and stands 8 ft high. This massive bed has three main section: the northern end is U-shaped with a 24 ft x 5 ft slot with 2-1/4 ft thick walls containing 1-1/2 inch mounting bolts; the middle section of the bed is solid and has a 11 ft x 2-3/4 ft wide slot surrounded by 2 inch mounting bolts; and the southern end has a 12 ft x 5 ft pit which is 3 ft deep and surrounded by 1-1/2 inch mounting bolts. There are brick mounting beds on either side of the northern end of the massive bed: the west bed measures 28 ft x 11 ft and has a narrow 14 ft x 3 ft extension. The top few courses of the bed have been removed along with all its mounting bolts. The eastern bed measures 26 ft x 4-1/2 ft and has 1-1/2 inch mounting bolts. Mine workings. Traces of mullock. Sand. Extensive spread of sand.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Foundations are in good condition, little else survives above ground level.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific significance. The site has an impressive arrangement of brick mounting beds. Cumulative significance. The significance of the site is enhanced through its association with the Moolort network of sites (Maldon Sites 3, 4 , 5 and 6 and Maryborough Sites 1 and 2).

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

12 Chalks Junction

SITE NO. & NAME: 3.0 CHALKS JUNCTION COMPANY

LOCATION: CARISBROOK LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: H7623-0092

DIRECTIONS: 0.7 km south-east of Carisbrook, north of Freehold Lane

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1887. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION (Mr Charles Sainsbury, Mining Registrar). The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- 1 easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies.

1899. THE MAJORCA AND CARISBROOK LEADS. On the western side of the Victorian Gold Estates, with an intervening gentle ridge of Silurian between the two channels, is the Majorca-Carisbrook lead. The Majorca Lead has its actual source at Daisy Hill or Talbot diggings, from whence it flows slightly north-east, picking up innumerable side-washes or tributaries in its course until at the Kong Meng mine, near Majorca, it forms an imposing stream 1000 to 1200 in width, and here water-difficulties were first encountered. The early struggles of this company are well-known, an how the gradual concentration of the shallower washes into the deep channel improved its quality to such an extent that the next 90 chains of the lead produced gold to the value of over £650,000 and paid about £210,000 in dividends and royalty. The lead swings east from the Napier Freehold into Chalk’s Freehold and when being worked ran poor, but on crossing a belt of quartz veins again improved and yielded fair profits. It then turned north, and has been worked with varying success through the Chalk’s No. 1 Company’ property to the southern boundary of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company, where it is now being successfully opened, and it is here joined by an important tributary, the Carisbrook lead. This lead was traced from the surface of the Silurian to the south-west, and was formed by the degradation of the Blucher’s and Mosquito lines of reefs. It proved exceptionally rich from its source and through the Goldbrook and Carisbrook United mines, but the run of gold being traced by the latter under private property, in the centre of the town, work was abandoned at that point. The lead, after having made a snake-like bend almost describing the letter S, was again picked up by the Chalk’s Junction Company. This company has had an exceedingly successful career, having returned to shareholders £25,000 on an outlay of £5000, and has apparently a good lease of life yet before it. The lead was traced to the boundary of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated, and by that company worked to its point of junction with the Majorca lead. There, as is usual, the wash was somewhat scattered, but the present workings reveal a well-defined run of gold, the width of which has not yet been determined. A curious instance of the uncertainties of mining is shown by the present workings of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated. The adjoining company (Chalk’s No. 1) had taken out all the known payable ground, and a meeting of shareholders was called to wind up the affairs of the company. An effort was made to have a prospecting drive put in to the east and test that slope of the lead, but it was defeated, and an instruction given to draw the pumps out of the shaft. Meanwhile the drives of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated were daily drawing nearer, and demonstrating beyond doubt that a run of ground did exist to the east of any known workings in the No. 1 mine, and this became so clear that the order for withdrawing the pumps was countermanded, shares rose from a mere quotation to 2s 6d, and there is now an excellent chance of this company having a long stretch of payable ground on the eastern terraces. The trend of the Majorca-Carisbrook lead northwards through the property of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company has been accurately determined by drives and bores, and also the existence of tributary leads entering the main channel, both from the east and the west. The former is a channel yet untried, and nothing is known of it save that it carries a strong body of wash with gold, and, as its course is through a highly auriferous belt of country, it is reasonable to assume that it will contain payable gold. The western tributary, known as the Racecourse lead, has been tested in a small way, and proves to carry a heavy black wash, heavily charged with pyrites and coarse gold. Finding its property too large to handle with one company, the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated has decided to float the northern portion of the mine, containing about 1200 acres, on the London market. This will be known as the “Victorian Moolort Gold Estates”, and as there is a fine shaft sunk the required depth, and a magnificent pumping plant erected, there should not be much trouble in opening the lead here. Sweeping north-east, the lead enters the New Havilah, thence through the Charlotte Plains Proprietary to the Junction 2 Deep Leads of Victoria, to probably join the main trunk lead to the north-east of this property

13 Chalks Junction

£ Perseverance 7,433 Rip Van Winkle 7,527 Brunswick 7,929 Royal Standard 10,660 South Greenock 12,841 Mount Greenock Estate 16,400 Nicholls’ Freehold 26,650 Robert Nichol 2,500 Darling 16,400 Calley’s Tunnel 24,600 German Tunnel 32,800 Oriental 32,800 Perseverance 36,900 Talbot lease 41,000 Black Bull 41,000 All Nations 61,500 Hoffnung 102,500 Union 83,992 Sadowa 205,565 New Kong Meng 377,321 Napier Freehold 278,746 Chalk’s Freehold 216,352 Chalk’s No. 1 134,426 Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated 27,431 Chalk’s Junction 60,000 Carisbrook United 33,870 Woolbrook 10,832 Goldbrook 52,730 3 TOTAL £1,962,705

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 5 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 6 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Chalks Junction Company. (Company worked during the mid to late 1890s). Mine workings. Large partly quarried mullock heap located north-west of farm house. No machinery foundations visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor condition and low integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but the mullock heap has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 2 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8

14 Chalks Junction

3 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 4 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 5 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 6 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

15 Chalks No. 1

SITE NO. & NAME: 4.0 CHALKS NO. 1

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: H7623-0094

DIRECTIONS: 1.5 km south-east of Carisbrook, west side of Freehold Lane

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold land

HISTORY:

June 1887. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The Chalk’s No. 1 Company, Carisbrook, is erecting pumping and winding engines, and are making fair progress 1 with the works at the mine.

September 1887. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION (Mr Charles Sainsbury, Mining Registrar). The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- 2 easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies.

December 1887. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The works at the Chalk’s No. 1, Carisbrook, are progressing satisfactorily. The main shaft has been sunk, through very hard country, to a depth of 161 feet. The walls of the pumping-engine house are completed, and the roof is now 3 fixed.

March 1888. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION At the Duke No. 1 the beam engine and the stone for the engine-house have been delivered, and the building of the 4 house will be begun forthwith.

December 1888. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The Chalk’s Number One Company (alluvial) are only using their winding machinery, the machinery is ready for use, 5 so soon as wash-dirt is reached.

June 1889. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION Chalk’s No. 1 Company, Carisbrook. The lower main level has been extended nearly 260 feet; total distance from 6 shaft, 1,295 feet … A Roots’ blower has been erected, and the ventilation of mine completed.

September 1888. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION 7 Chalk No. 1 Company has erected the mining plant, but at present the winding machinery only is in use.

8 1888. Machinery originally at Winter’s Freehold mine, Ballarat.

9 1896. No. 4 Roots’ blower delivered.

16 Chalks No. 1 having returned to shareholders £25,000 on an outlay of £5000, and has apparently a good lease of life yet before it. The lead was traced to the boundary of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated, and by that company worked to its point of junction with the Majorca lead. There, as is usual, the wash was somewhat scattered, but the present workings reveal a well-defined run of gold, the width of which has not yet been determined. A curious instance of the uncertainties of mining is shown by the present workings of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated. The adjoining company (Chalk’s No. 1) had taken out all the known payable ground, and a meeting of shareholders was called to wind up the affairs of the company. An effort was made to have a prospecting drive put in to the east and test that slope of the lead, but it was defeated, and an instruction given to draw the pumps out of the shaft. Meanwhile the drives of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated were daily drawing nearer, and demonstrating beyond doubt that a run of ground did exist to the east of any known workings in the No. 1 mine, and this became so clear that the order for withdrawing the pumps was countermanded, shares rose from a mere quotation to 2s 6d, and there is now an excellent chance of this company having a long stretch of payable ground on the eastern terraces. The trend of the Majorca-Carisbrook lead northwards through the property of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company has been accurately determined by drives and bores, and also the existence of tributary leads entering the main channel, both from the east and the west. The former is a channel yet untried, and nothing is known of it save that it carries a strong body of wash with gold, and, as its course is through a highly auriferous belt of country, it is reasonable to assume that it will contain payable gold. The western tributary, known as the Racecourse lead, has been tested in a small way, and proves to carry a heavy black wash, heavily charged with pyrites and coarse gold. Finding its property too large to handle with one company, the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated has decided to float the northern portion of the mine, containing about 1200 acres, on the London market. This will be known as the “Victorian Moolort Gold Estates”, and as there is a fine shaft sunk the required depth, and a magnificent pumping plant erected, there should not be much trouble in opening the lead here. Sweeping north-east, the lead enters the New Havilah, thence through the Charlotte Plains Proprietary to the Junction 10 Deep Leads of Victoria, to probably join the main trunk lead to the north-east of this property

17 Chalks No. 1

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 13 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 14 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Chalks No. 1 Company. (Commenced work in 1887 and mined until late 1890s). Mine workings. The heap is largely intact and comprises one long dumping line that measures approximately 100 metres and stand 12 to 15 metres high. Most of the associated washed pebble dump has been quarried. Shaft. The shaft is located on the north side of the mullock heap, western end. The shaft is now completely filled with farm-related rubbish including numerous dead sheep. Small brick foundations. On the western side of the shaft site are a set of small brick foundations measuring 6 ft x 1- 1/4 ft. The narrow beds are set 7-1/2 ft apart. Pump arch. On the northern side of the shaft is an intact brick pump arch which measures 26 ft x 8 ft and stands approximately 25 ft high. Both wings of the arch have largely been demolished. The cockpit on the north side of the pump arch has been completely filled and is now obscured by a large boxthorn bush. This bush also obscures part of a rough concrete 16 ft square, 3 ft high, cylinder bed. All the mounting bolts have been removed (or are buried) from the cylinder bed but a faint circular impression suggests that the cylinder was 10 ft in diameter. Mining machinery. To the east of the shaft are the remains of a large tank-like brick mounting bed which has an overall measurement of 38 ft x 9-1/2 ft and stands 5-1/2 ft high. The bed has three main sections: the western end has a 5-1/2 ft square pit surrounded by 2 ft thick walls which have 1-1/2 inch mounting bolts; the middle section has a pit measuring 10 ft x 5 ft surrounded by 2 inch mounting bolts; and the eastern end is U-shaped (not possible to measure due to boxthorns). The western end of the bed has been badly cracked by the growth of a large pepper tree. Boiler setting/flue. Approximately 14 metres north from the eastern end of the brick-like bed are some bluestone footings which may be a boiler setting. Cyaniding. On the eastern end of the mullock heap is a large 10 ft high platform of sand containing two rows of circular cyanide vat impressions. The vat impressions in one row have a diameter of 45 feet, the ones in the other row are somewhat smaller (approximately 36 ft diameter). Each row has three vat impressions, but there may have been others. Sand dump. To the west of the mullock heap is a large, partly quarried raised sand dump. Water dam. On the south side of the mullock heap is a large full dam.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Pump arch is in good condition apart from the demolition of its wings. The tank-like bed is not so well preserved having been badly cracked by the growth of a large pepper tree. The mullock heap and arch are a very significant landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific significance. The mine has an extensive range of deep lead mining relics including an intact Cornish pump arch.

Cumulative significance. The significance of the site is enhanced through being part of the Maryborough Cornish pump-arch network (Sites 1.0, 4.0, 42.0 and 52.0). The focal point of this network is Site 42.0 (Duke and Timor/Grand Duke).

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888

18 Chalks No. 1

8 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 9 P. Milner, Some Beam Engine Installations at Mines in Victoria, pp. 38-39, 1988 10 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 11 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 12 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 13 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 14 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

19 Chalks Freehold

SITE NO. & NAME: 5.0 CHALKS FREEHOLD COMPANY 5.1 YOUNG CHALKS COMPANY

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: 5.0 H7623-0095 5.1 H7623-0096

DIRECTIONS: Site 5.0. 3.6 km south of Carisbrook, east side of Freehold Lane Site 5.1. 4.4 km south-south-east of Carisbrook, east side of Freehold Lane

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 5.0. Owned by Road Construction Authority Site 5.1. Freehold land

HISTORY:

June 1886. MARYB0ROUGH DIVISION There is nothing of importance to report regarding the alluvial mines in this division. The machinery at Chalk’s Freehold Company’s mine, Carisbrook, is in course of erection. The shaft has been bottomed at 90 feet, and will be 1 sunk to a depth of 270 feet.

September 1886. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION ALLUVIAL MINING. A number of large claims have been taken up in the neighbourhood of Moolort, but nothing definite has yet been reported about them. Chalk’s Freehold Company, whose claim is situated near Carisbrook have purchased a 30-head power steam engine for puddling, and three puddling machines for their claim, and have entered 2 into a contract for their removal and re-erection on the ground.

March 1888. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: New Kong Meng, including Tributes, 4,443 oz; Napier Freehold Company, 3,441 oz; Chalk’s Freehold Company (from drives only), 103 oz; Majorca United Leads, 23 oz; Total, 8,011 oz. 4 Dividends: New Kong Meng Company, £4,000; Napier Freehold Company, £2,000.

June 1888. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION 5 The Chalk’s Freehold has been confined to prospecting and cutting up ground preparatory to blocking out.

September 1888. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION (Miss Constance Sainsbury, Mining Registrar). The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal mines of this subdivision, viz. New Kong Meng Company, Majorca, 4,488 oz; New Kong Meng Tributers Company, Majorca, 63 oz; Napier Freehold Company, 4,318 oz; Chalk’s Freehold Company, 525oz; United Leads Company, 163 oz; East Kong Meng, 27 oz; Total, 9,587 6 oz.

December 1888. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION The Napier Freehold mine is also maintaining its reputation, both in the output of gold and in declaring dividends, 7 whilst Chalk’s Freehold is showing a marked improvement.

June 1889. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION The Chalk’s Freehold has also a slight decrease, which is in a measure accounted for by the necessity for pushing on 8 leading drives.

September 1889. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION There is a slight falling off in the yields of gold … which is attributable in the first instance to all underground work having been suspended at the No. 1 Kong Meng shaft, and the abandonment of the Majorca United Company’s lease. There are at present no mines of a prospective character at work in this subdivision, operations being confined 9 entirely to the New Kong Meng, Napier Freehold, and Chalk’s Freehold mines.

20 Chalks Freehold

December 1889. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION Chalk’s Freehold Company. The operations at this mine have been confined to opening up and blocking on a very 10 wide spread of alluvial wash, with strong indications of improvement.

1899. THE MAJORCA AND CARISBROOK LEADS On the western side of the Victorian Gold Estates,with an intervening gentle ridge of Silurian between the two channels, is the Majorca-Carisbrook lead. The Majorca Lead has its actual source at Daisy Hill or Talbot diggings, from whence it flows slightly north-east, picking up innumerable side-washes or tributaries in its course until at the Kong Meng mine, near Majorca, it forms an imposing stream 1000 to 1200 in width, and here water-difficulties were first encountered. The early struggles of this company are well-known, an how the gradual concentration of the shallower washes into the deep channel improved its quality to such an extent that the next 90 chains of the lead produced gold to the value of over £650,000 and paid about £210,000 in dividends and royalty. The lead swings east from the Napier Freehold into Chalk’s Freehold and when being worked ran poor, but on crossing a belt of quartz veins again improved and yielded fair profits. It then turned north, and has been worked with varying success through the Chalk’s No. 1 Company’ property to the southern boundary of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company, where it is now being successfully opened, and it is here joined by an important tributary, the Carisbrook lead. This lead was traced from the surface of the Silurian to the south-west, and was formed by the degradation of the Blucher’s and Mosquito lines of reefs. It proved exceptionally rich from its source and through the Goldbrook and Carisbrook United mines, but the run of gold being traced by the latter under private property, in the centre of the town, work was abandoned at that point. The lead, after having made a snake-like bend almost describing the letter S, was again picked up by the Chalk’s Junction Company. This company has had an exceedingly successful career, having returned to shareholders £25,000 on an outlay of £5000, and has apparently a good lease of life yet before it. The lead was traced to the boundary of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated, and by that company worked to its point of junction with the Majorca lead. There, as is usual, the wash was somewhat scattered, but the present workings reveal a well-defined run of gold, the width of which has not yet been determined. A curious instance of the uncertainties of mining is shown by the present workings of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated. The adjoining company (Chalk’s No. 1) had taken out all the known payable ground, and a meeting of shareholders was called to wind up the affairs of the company. An effort was made to have a prospecting drive put in to the east and test that slope of the lead, but it was defeated, and an instruction given to draw the pumps out of the shaft. Meanwhile the drives of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated were daily drawing nearer, and demonstrating beyond doubt that a run of ground did exist to the east of any known workings in the No. 1 mine, and this became so clear that the order for withdrawing the pumps was countermanded, shares rose from a mere quotation to 2s 6d, and there is now an excellent chance of this company having a long stretch of payable ground on the eastern terraces. The trend of the Majorca-Carisbrook lead northwards through the property of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company has been accurately determined by drives and bores, and also the existence of tributary leads entering the main channel, both from the east and the west. The former is a channel yet untried, and nothing is known of it save that it carries a strong body of wash with gold, and, as its course is through a highly auriferous belt of country, it is reasonable to assume that it will contain payable gold. The western tributary, known as the Racecourse lead, has been tested in a small way, and proves to carry a heavy black wash, heavily charged with pyrites and coarse gold. Finding its property too large to handle with one company, the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated has decided to float the northern portion of the mine, containing about 1200 acres, on the London market. This will be known as the “Victorian Moolort Gold Estates”, and as there is a fine shaft sunk the required depth, and a magnificent pumping plant erected, there should not be much trouble in opening the lead here. Sweeping north-east, the lead enters the New Havilah, thence through the Charlotte Plains Proprietary to the Junction 11 Deep Leads of Victoria, to probably join the main trunk lead to the north-east of this property

21 Chalks Freehold

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 15 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 5.0. Chalks Freehold Company (Commenced operations in 1886 and mined until the late 1890s). Mine workings. Massive mullock heap that stretches along the east side of Freehold Lane for some 400 metres. Another shorter mullock heap runs in an easterly direction from the southern end of the massive dump. Mining machinery foundations. Below the southern end of the massive dump is a partly demolished large rectangular brick bed. What survives of the bed measures approximately 45 ft x 8 ft and stands 6 ft high. The northern end of the bed is U-shaped and has collapsed. No other foundations are visible.

Site 5.1. Young Chalks Company (Presumably worked during the time of Chalks Freehold, late 1880s). Mullock heap. 1.0 km south-east of Site 5.0 is a small mullock heap. No machinery foundations are visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Site 5.0. Machinery foundations are in poor condition and have low integrity. Mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature. Site 5.1 has low integrity.

22 Chalks Freehold

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 5.0 has little integrity. The mullock heap has some historical value as a landscape feature.

Site 5.0 has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1886 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1889 11 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 12 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 13 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 14 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 15 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

23 Carisbrook United

SITE NO. & NAME: 6.0 CARISBROOK UNITED

LOCATION: CARISBROOK LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: H7623-0097

DIRECTIONS: Carisbrook. East side of Carisbrook-Talbot Road. The heaps are located on a block of land situated between Tullaroop Leisure Centre and the Council Depot

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1878. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The Carisbrook Consols Company is making rapid progress. They have obtained, during the quarter, a yield of 50 oz. The levels in the old lead have been lost, so the company has decided to sink a new shaft. The company intends, as soon as possible, to erect steam machinery, and they hope in a short time to have the mine in full working order. 1 Shares in this property are being well held, and the proprietors are satisfied that the mine will soon pay dividends.

December 1878. The principal mines at Carisbrook—the Woolbrook, Goldbrook, and Carisbrook Consols—are progressing favourably. They employ a large number of men. The extensive operations carried on in those mines will doubtless result in developing the mineral resources of the district. The splendid nugget of solid gold, weighting 32 oz, which was found in the Carisbrook Consols, at a depth of 65 feet from the surface, has attracted much attention, and has afforded an additional stimulus to mining operations at Carisbrook. Should the country between Carisbrook and Craigie, and between Craigie and Majorca, prove auriferous, which I have no doubt it will, then an immense field of mining industry will be opened up in this district. I believe that mining here is as yet merely in its 2 infancy, and that already we are upon the threshold of a genuine revival of mining prosperity.

December 1879. The Carisbrook Consols have suspended mining operations, as the tributors failed of success, the 3 plant on the mine being now offered for sale.

March 1880. The Carisbrook Company have removed their machinery from the Woolbrook shaft, and have erected it 4 on another portion of their lease. They are now engaged in sinking the shaft.

December 1880. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION ALLUVIAL MINING. At Carisbrook the mines are still progressing. The underground operations of the Carisbrook United Company are being pushed forward with energy, and with every prospect of success. The Goldbrook Company has obtained excellent returns during the quarter, and have paid handsome dividends. Rankin’s party, in the Phoenix paddock, is obtaining good results from the mine, with a depth of sinking of 30 feet in dry ground. The Young Phoenix mine has been let on tribute to a party of Chinese. The Duke Company has had another unfortunate accident, which will probably cause some delay, through a breakage having occurred in one of the pipes of the 20- 5 inch lift; this will be repaired as soon as possible.

March 1881. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION ALLUVIAL MINING. The Carisbrook United is making good progress. The prospects recently obtained afford a good proof of the valuable character of the mine. Considerable delay in the operations of the mine has been caused through the water in the surface drifts leaking into the drives. The Goldbrook continues to maintain its character as a 6 first-class mine. Fair returns have been obtained from it, and also from the Young Phoenix Tribute.

June 1881. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The Carisbrook United are making rapid progress with their new shaft, and with the other necessary works of the mine. Excellent returns during the quarter have been obtained from the Goldbrook. The works on the Young 7 Phoenix Tribute have been stopped.

March 1882. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The Carisbrook United are pushing on their works vigorously, the bottom level has been extended 211 feet from the shaft, while the branch drive, at the intermediate level, has been extended 182 feet. The levels in the leading wash- dirt drives, from No. 2 and No. 3 rises were lost; this necessitated the putting up of another drive, and opening out at 8 a deeper level, from which the gutter was reached; the wash looks very well.

September 1882. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION 9 The yields from the mine of the Carisbrook United Company and the Duke Company are excellent.

24 Carisbrook United

December 1882. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION 10 The Carisbrook United Company has begun to pay dividends. The prospects of the mine are good.

March 1883. The Carisbrook United Company is engaged in cleaning up some old drives on the eastern reef, and in putting up a rise in that reef, from which payable prospects were formerly obtained. The work connected with the 11 reef drives will be continued without delay, so as to get rid of the decomposed rock..

June 1883. The Carisbrook United Company have extended the main reef drive; the ground is improving, and the 12 prospects of the mine are good.

September 1883. Since the 21st August, all the work in the wash-dirt of the Carisbrook United mine has been 13 stopped, and reef-driving only is at present being carried on.

December 1883. There is nothing of special importance to report regarding the progress of alluvial mining in this division during the quarter. The Carisbrook United Company has unfortunately lost the lead, and have done scarcely any reproductive work for several months. Every exertion is being made to find the lost lead, and at present the principal work that is being carried on is reef driving. The western side of the mine is being prospected, but so far 14 without payable results. The bulk of the men formerly employed at the mine have been discharged.

March 1884. The Carisbrook United mine is again coming to the front, as is shown by the yield therefrom (430 oz). 15

September 1884. Alluvial mining in this division has not been so prosperous as usual during the quarter. Work has been stopped at the Carisbrook United mine, as gold in payable quantity could not be obtained. This will throw a number of men temporarily out of the work. Every effort was made to make the mine pay, but without 16 success.

December 1884. The pumps have been drawn at the Carisbrook United mine, and work has been entirely 17 abandoned.

September 1887. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION (Mr Charles Sainsbury, Mining Registrar) The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- 18 easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies.

25 Carisbrook United

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 21 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 22 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Carisbrook United Company (formerly Carisbrook Consols which commenced working in 1878) Carisbrook United Company worked from 1880 to 1884. Mine workings. Two 50 metre long, 8 to 10 metre high mullock heaps. No machinery foundations, pebble or sand dumps.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878

26 Carisbrook United

2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1879 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1880 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1884 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1884 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1884 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 19 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 20 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 21 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 22 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

27 Woolbrook Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 7.0 WOOLBROOK COMPANY

LOCATION: CARISBROOK LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: H7623-0098

DIRECTIONS: Carisbrook. 1.4 km south of Carisbrook Post Office, east side of Carisbrook-Talbot Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1870. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The Enterprise Company, Battery Hill, is about to erect a heavier plant. The Dan O’Connell, Company, Harrison’s Hill, have sunk a new shaft, 90 feet deep, and have obtained gold. The Phoenix Company, Harrison’s Hill, have survived the severe and protracted litigation in which they were involved; have resumed work, sunk a new shaft, and 1 obtained splendid prospects. This mine is on private property, and is undoubtedly one of the richest in the division.

September 1870. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended (Chinaman’s Flat), 1,389 oz; Band of Hope Extended (Chinaman’s Flat), 1,295 oz; Alma Consols (Alma), 1,199 oz; Golden Gate (Timor Creek, Alma), 351 oz; Seaham Extended (Alma), 605 oz; Dan O’Connell (Carisbrook), 80 oz; Britannia (Four-mile Flat), 153 oz; Morning Star (Majorca), 2 127 oz; Hudson (Carisbrook), 113 oz; Fox’s (Majorca), 109 oz; Sundry whim claims, 251 oz; Total, 5,673 oz.

December 1870. The Dan O’Connell Company have been chiefly engaged in main driving; the lead has been found at a depth of 100 feet. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended (Chinaman’s Flat), 1,060 oz; Band of Hope Extended (Chinaman’s Flat), 3,082 oz; Alma Consols (Alma), 1,567 oz; Seaham Extended (Alma), 1,260; Golden Gate (Timor Creek, Alma), 306 oz; Dan O’Connell (Carisbrook), 148 oz; United Kingdom (Majorca), 60 oz; Kong Meng and Columbia (Majorca), 147 oz; Reform (Majorca), 342 oz; Morning Star (Majorca), 103 oz; Baron Clyde (Majorca), 64 oz; Sundry whim claims, 3 205 oz; Total, 8,346 oz.

March 1871. It will be seen that the Dan O’Connell Company, Carisbrook, have obtained 325 oz for the quarter. The Phoenix Company, Harrison’s Hill, recently begun to wash, and have obtained 30 oz. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Band of Hope (Chinaman’s Flat), 2,289; Alma Consols (Alma), 919 oz; Seaham (Alma), 880 oz; Golden Gate (Alma), 209 oz; Dan O’Connell (Carisbrook), 325 oz; United Kingdom (Majorca), 110 oz; Kong Meng and Columbia (Majorca), 168 oz; Reform (Majorca), 170 oz; Morning Star (Majorca), 40 oz; Evening Star (Majorca), 68 4 oz; Cosmopolitan (Majorca), 143 oz; Sundry whim claims, 125 oz; Total, 5,448 oz

September 1871. The Phoenix Company, Carisbrook, recently sold to a party of Chinese the sole right to their sludge, for a period of one year, for the sum of £1,000. The Dan O’Connell Company, Carisbrook, and the 5 Enterprise Company, Maiden Hill, have also each sold a similar right, on the same terms for £270 and £750.

March 1878. The principal event of the quarter has been the successful formation of the Woolbrook Company, whose mine is situate at Woolbrook, near Carisbrook, on the same ground as that which was formerly occupied by the Dan O’Connell Company. This company has purchased the whole of the machinery and plant which formerly belonged to the New Magnum Company, and is now busily engaged with its erection. The prospects of the company are considered to be very good, as the ground has already been proved to be rich. Should the company succeed with the enterprise it will be the probable means of opening up a large extent of new auriferous country between 6 Carisbrook and Majorca.

June 1878. The Woolbrook Company has purchased the plant formerly owned by the New Magnum Bonum Company, and have nearly completed its erection. The pumps have been connected, and pumping begun. The water 7 is heavy. They are now engaged in sinking the shaft.

28 Woolbrook Company

December 1878. The principal mines at Carisbrook--the Woolbrook, Goldbrook, and Carisbrook Consols--are progressing favourably. They employ a large number of men. The extensive operations carried on in those mines will doubtless result in developing the mineral resources of the district. The splendid nugget of solid gold, weighting 32 oz, which was found in the Carisbrook Consols, at a depth of 65 feet from the surface, has attracted much attention, and has afforded an additional stimulus to mining operations at Carisbrook. Should the country between Carisbrook and Craigie, and between Craigie and Majorca, prove auriferous, which I have no doubt it will, then an immense field of mining industry will be opened up in this district. I believe that mining here is as yet merely in its 8 infancy, and that already we are upon the threshold of a genuine revival of mining prosperity.

June 1879. The principal mines at Carisbrook are progressing. Excellent returns and dividends have been obtained 9 from the Woolbrook.

September 1879. The mines at Carisbrook are slowly progressing. The Goldbrook and Woolbrook have erected fair returns. The Young Phoenix Company have found the water so heavy that they will be compelled to erect steam 10 machinery. The hope shortly to be in payable wash-dirt.

December 1879. The Woolbrook have temporarily suspended mining operations; they are now engaged in removing 11 their plant to another part of the claim, where it is their intention to immediately sink a new shaft.

March 1880. The Carisbrook Company have removed their machinery from the Woolbrook shaft, and have erected it 12 on another portion of their lease. They are now engaged in sinking the shaft.

29 Woolbrook Company

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 15 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 16 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 7.0. Woolbrook Company (formerly Dan O’Connell Company which worked from 1870 to 1872). Woolbrook Company worked from 1878 to December 1879. Its plant was removed to Carisbrook United mine in 1880. Sand dump. Large spread of slum and sand. No machinery foundations or mullock visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1879 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1879 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1879 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 13 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 14 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 15 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 16 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

30 Goldbrook Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 8.0GOLDBROOK COMPANY

LOCATION: CARISBROOK LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: H7623-0099

DIRECTIONS: Carisbrook. 1.4 km south of Carisbrook Post Office, west side of Carisbrook-Talbot Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1870. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The Phoenix Company, Harrison’s Hill, have survived the severe and protracted litigation in which they were involved; have resumed work, sunk a new shaft, and obtained splendid prospects. This mine is on private property, 1 and is undoubtedly one of the richest in the division.

December 1870. The mines at Carisbrook are now beginning to look up, and to manifest signs of prosperous development. The Phoenix Company has just completed the erection of steam machinery, which will enable them to overcome the difficulties that formerly obstructed their progress. The Dan O’Connell Company has been chiefly 2 engaged in main driving; the lead has been found at a depth of 100 feet.

March 1871. It will be seen that the Dan O’Connell Company, Carisbrook, has obtained 325 oz for the quarter. The 3 Phoenix Company, Harrison’s Hill, recently begun to wash, and has obtained 30 oz.

June 1871. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Band of Hope Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,612 oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 863 oz; Golden Gate, Alma, 456 oz; Seaham Extended, Alma, 1,720 oz; Havelock, Havelock, 82 oz; Kong Meng, Majorca, 318 oz; Phoenix, Majorca, 70 oz; United Kingdom, Majorca, 113 oz; Dan O’Connell, Carisbrook, 107 oz; Morning Star, Majorca, 90 oz; Reform, Majorca, 168 oz; Kosmos, Majorca, 194 oz; Britannia, Battery Hill, 65 oz; Evening Star, Majorca, 87 4 oz; Phoenix, Harrison’s Hill, 132 oz; Total, 6,080 oz.

September 1871. A remarkable feature in the Carisbrook and Majorca leads, is the abundance of fine gold which is found in them. The value of this description of gold which is contained in the sludge, derived from several of the claims on those leads, may be partially estimated from the following facts: the Phoenix Company, Carisbrook, recently sold to a party of Chinese the sole right to their sludge, for a period of one year, for the sum of £1,000. The Dan O’Connell Company, Carisbrook, and the Enterprise Company, Maiden Hill, have also each sold a similar right, 5 on the same terms for £270 and £750.

December 1871. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Band of Hope, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,865oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 694 oz; Seaham, Alma, 1,164 oz; Gladstone, Alma, 276 oz; Golden Gate, Alma, 902 oz; Havelock, Havelock, 347 oz; Enterprise, Majorca, 133 oz; Morning Star, Majorca, 27 oz; Phoenix, Majorca, 53 oz; United Kingdom, Gibraltar, 154 oz; Phoenix, Carisbrook, 215 oz; Dan O’Connell, Carisbrook, 36 oz; Kosmos, Majorca, 164 oz; Reform, Majorca, 101 oz; Britannia, Four- 6 mile Flat, 16 oz; Eldorado, Majorca, 176 oz; Total, 6,329 oz.

June 1872. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Band of Hope, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,860 oz; John Bright, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,230 oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 1,546 oz; Queen, Alma, 553 oz; Seaham, Alma, 2,106 oz; Gladstone, Alma, 1,615 oz; Golden Gate, Alma, 659 oz; Havelock, 23 oz; Enterprise, Majorca, 296 oz; Reliance, Majorca, 293 oz; Morning Star, Majorca, 666 oz; Cosmopolitan, Majorca, 267 oz; Reform, Majorca, 166 oz; Eldorado, Majorca, 196 oz; Republic, Gibraltar, 78 oz; 7 Fox’s, View Point, 96 oz; Dan O’Connell, Carisbrook, 28 oz; Phoenix, Carisbrook, 718 oz; Total, 12,401 oz.

September 1872. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Band of Hope, Chinaman’s Flat, 3,282 oz; John Bright, Chinaman’s Flat, 2,272 oz; All Nations, Chinaman’s Flat, 46 oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 1,392 oz; Queen, Alma, 1,541 oz; Seaham, Alma, 2,030 oz; Gladstone, Alma, 1,443 oz; Golden Gate, Alma, 446 oz; Havelock, 94 oz; Enterprise, Majorca, 98 oz; Morning Star, Majorca, 659 oz; Cosmopolitan, Majorca, 336 oz; United Kingdom, Majorca, 43 oz; Reform, Majorca, 104 oz; 8 Fox’s, McCullum’s, 72 oz; Republic, Gibraltar, 55 oz; Phoenix, Carisbrook, 498 oz; Total, 14,414 oz.

31 Goldbrook Company

June 1878. The Goldbrook Company have made a good start. To enable them to work their mine efficiently, they have procured a 10-horse power portable engine, along with other necessary appliances. They hope soon to be in full 9 working order.

December 1878. The principal mines at Carisbrook--the Woolbrook, Goldbrook, and Carisbrook Consols--are progressing favourably. They employ a large number of men. The extensive operations carried on in those mines will doubtless result in developing the mineral resources of the district. The splendid nugget of solid gold, weighting 32 oz, which was found in the Carisbrook Consols, at a depth of 65 feet from the surface, has attracted much attention, and has afforded an additional stimulus to mining operations at Carisbrook. Should the country between Carisbrook and Craigie, and between Craigie and Majorca, prove auriferous, which I have no doubt it will, then an immense field of mining industry will be opened up in this district. I believe that mining here is as yet merely in its 10 infancy, and that already we are upon the threshold of a genuine revival of mining prosperity.

June 1879. The principal mines at Carisbrook are progressing. Excellent returns and dividends have been obtained from the Woolbrook. The Goldbrook have only washed three small machines during the quarter, each of which gave 11 a yield of nearly ten ounces.

December 1879. The Goldbrook have obtained 45 oz during the quarter. They have sunk their shaft to a depth of 12 123 feet, and employ 40 men.

December 1880. At Carisbrook the mines are still progressing. The underground operations of the Carisbrook United Company are being pushed forward with energy, and with every prospect of success. The Goldbrook Company have obtained excellent returns during the quarter, and have paid handsome dividends. Rankin’s party, in the Phoenix paddock, are obtaining good results from their mine, with a depth of sinking of 30 feet in dry ground. The Young Phoenix mine has been let on tribute to a party of Chinese. The Duke Company has had another unfortunate accident, which will probably cause some delay, through a breakage having occurred in one of the pipes 13 of the 20-inch lift; this will be repaired as soon as possible.

March 1881. The Carisbrook United are making good progress. The prospects recently obtained afford a good proof of the valuable character of the mine. Considerable delay in the operations of the mine has been caused through the water in the surface drifts leaking into the drives. The Goldbrook continues to maintain its character as a first-class 14 mine. Fair returns have been obtained from it, and also from the Young Phoenix Tribute.

June 1881. Excellent returns during the quarter have been obtained from the Goldbrook. The works on the Young 15 Phoenix Tribute have been stopped.

September 1887. The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north-westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook 16 lead) in a north-easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies.

32 Goldbrook Company

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 19 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 20 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 8.0. Goldbrook Company (formerly Phoenix Company which worked from 1870 to end of 1872). The Goldbrook Company worked from 1878 to 1882. Mine workings. Large mullock heap with one main dumping line. Flattened machinery site. Below the north end of the mullock heap is a filled shaft. On the east side of the shaft site is a large clump of blackberry bushes and a spread of brick rubble. Retreatment. 200 metres south-west of the shaft site is a large raised dump of sand which has two rows of poorly defined cyanide vat impressions.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

33 Goldbrook Company

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1879 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1879 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1880 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 17 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 18 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 19 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 20 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

34 Mosquito Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 9.0 WHIM SHAFT AND PUDDLER 9.1 CYANIDE WORKS 9.2 CARISBROOK BUSHLAND RESERVE

LOCATION: MOSQUITO LEAD, CARISBROOK

HI NO: 9.0 H7623-0100 9.1 H7623-0101 9.2 H7623-0102

DIRECTIONS: Sites are located approximately 2.7 km south-west of Carisbrook. Site 9.0 and Site 9.1 are located on the north side of Williams Road. Site 9.2 is on the south side of Williams Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 9.0 and 9.1. Freehold land Site 9.2. Gravel Reserve

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 9.0. Whim shaft and puddler. (The weathered nature of the site suggests it dates to the nineteenth century). Whim shaft and puddler. The site is located 90 metres north of the boundary fence and consists of a weathered puddler which abuts a raised circular platform. The puddler has a diameter of approximately 22 feet, no pivot post or trench slabbing survives and the majority of the wash from around the puddler has been quarried. The circular platform is situated two metres from the outer edge of the puddler and is raised approximately 1.5 metres above it. The circular feature has a diameter of 28 feet and there is a hint of a central post hole suggesting it is a whim platform. Shallow alluvial sinkings. Running north from Williams Road is a small band of largely disturbed shallow sinkings (filled shafts and small pipe clay heaps). The puddler and cyanide works are associated with these workings.

Site 9.1. Retreatment. (Cyaniding commenced c.1897). Cyanide works. 100 metres south of Site 9.0 the old workings are covered by a large raised dump of sand. Running along the western side of the sand dump are two rows of cyanide vat depressions. Some of the vat depressions still retain traces of rusty galvanised iron. There are four vats to each row and all have roughly the same diameter (26 ft). At the base of the dump, below the vats, are the remains of a galvanised iron drainage vat and a small water dam.

Site 9.2. Shallow alluvial workings. (Probably dates to the nineteenth century). The bushland reserve lies immediately east of the Municipal Tip. Cement cap. A small hill retains a portion of its conglomerate cap. Shallow workings. In the gully below the hill is a wide flat containing poorly preserved shallow sinkings. The old workings are obscured by thick scrub and have been disturbed by gravel quarrying and some recent re-mining. No puddlers or house sites were observed.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 9.0 has: Scientific Significance. The site has a relatively well preserved whim shaft. Once very common, this type of site is now relatively rare.

Site 9.1 has: Scientific Significance. The site has relatively well preserved cyanide vat impressions.

Site 9.2 has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

35 Napier Freehold

SITE NO. & NAME: 10.0 NAPIER FREEHOLD

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, MAJORCA

HI NO: H7623-0089

DIRECTIONS: 2.7 km north-north-east of Majorca, north of Rodborough Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1883. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION The Union Bank Company has suspended work on the mine. The machinery has been sold, and has passed into the hands of another company. The Napier Freehold Company is making progress with the works on the mine, and 1 prospects are good.

September 1883. The Napier freehold Company has let a contract to Wright and Mitchell for removing and erecting the whole of the pumping and winding machinery which they recently purchased. The contractors are making good 2 progress with the work. No mining has been done on the claim during the quarter.

December 1883. The Napier Freehold Company is bringing their extensive and valuable plant to completion. Good 3 prospects have been obtained from the bores, and the general prospects of the mine are satisfactory.

March 1884. The whole of the Napier Company’s machinery has been erected in a satisfactory manner. The plant is substantial and complete. Excellent prospects have been obtained from the bores, and there is good reason to believe 4 that the company has an excellent future before it.

5 December 1884. The Napier Freehold Company is engaged in deepening their shaft.

March 1885. The Napier Freehold Company is at present reef-driving. The contractors are busy, and are making 6 excellent progress with the erection of the puddling machines.

June 1885. The Napier Freehold Company are making satisfactory progress, but, in consequence of the ground being very heavy, it has been found necessary to stop the main drive, so as to allow it to drain. Payable wash has been 7 found in the mine.

September 1885. The Napier Freehold Company (Craigie) have only washed three machines of wash-dirt during the quarter, which gave a return of 27 oz 2 dwt, the wash being obtained at a depth of 170 feet from the surface. Preparations are being made to drop another set of pumps. The contractor has started to get the foundations ready for 8 a third boiler. The prospects of the mine are good.

December 1885. The Napier Freehold Company has raised no wash-dirt during the quarter in consequence of the occurrence of an accident to the pumps, which caused the mine to be flooded. The pumps have been repaired, and 9 the water removed. Active operations will be resumed in the mine immediately after the holidays.

March 1886. Steady and fair progress has been made with the works at the Napier Freehold, Craigie. The wash-dirt 10 obtained at this mine during the quarter was got at an average depth of 170 feet from the surface.

June 1886. All the works of the Napier Company are going on satisfactorily, and a considerable quantity of gold has 11 been obtained from the mine, whose prospects are very encouraging.

36 Napier Freehold

September 1886. The yields of gold obtained during the quarter from the New Kong Meng and the Napier Freehold mines have been far in excess of those which were obtained from them at any former period. The high value of those mines has now been soundly established, and public attention has been specially drawn to Majorca as one of the most promising and lucrative of our gold-fields. The natural result is that there has been no such stir and activity as there are now in mining business at Majorca since the place was discovered. There has been a considerable influx of mining population, both as representing labour and capital, and every inch of available ground in the subdivision that is likely to prove auriferous has been taken up, or applied for, under the leasing regulations and the local bye-laws. Time alone can tell whether these ventures will succeed, or whether even a fair proportion of them will pass beyond the initial, or speculative stage. But, whatever else may happen, one good result is sure to follow, namely, that a lot of new ground will be carefully prospected, so that what was before the subject of doubt will be placed on the basis of certainty, and thus lead directly to the extension and prosperity of bona fide mining in the subdivision. The Napier Freehold Company employs 168 men, and the New Kong Meng, 240. The men are paid the best current rates of wages. The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal alluvial mines in this subdivision: New Kong Meng (Majorca), 4,745 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 2 Tribute), 82 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 3 12 Tribute) 63 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 5 Tribute), 40 oz; Napier Freehold (Majorca), 2,794 oz.

December 1886. The yields of gold obtained during the quarter by the Napier Freehold (3,602 oz) and New Kong Meng (5,687 oz) Companies have been much larger than usual, and the splendid dividends which were paid by those companies within the same period fully prove the exceptionally high value of their properties. No such yields have ever before been obtained from any mine or mine in this subdivision. I may observe that the wash from the Napier has been taken, during the quarter, at an average depth of 67 feet from the surface. The owners of the several progressive mines in the subdivision are taking the necessary steps to bring them as speedily as possible into working order, with the view of developing their resources. Taking all things into consideration, I can with truth affirm that, as an important mining centre, the prospects of the subdivision were never 13 brighter or more hopeful than they are at present.

March 1887. The New Kong Meng entered on some poor ground during the quarter, which materially affected the returns of gold. But now things have changed favourably, and the mine is regaining its former prosperity. The Napier Freehold has been prosperous, as is shown by the returns obtained and the dividends paid. The wash-dirt 14 from the mine is at present being obtained at a depth of 75 feet from the surface.

June 1887. The Napier Freehold Company are making steady and satisfactory progress. The average depth of the wash in the mine is 170 feet from the surface, but there is also payable gold at 155 feet from the surface. The amount paid in dividends by the New Kong Meng Company since June 1886 is £35,000, or 35s on each share held in the company. The total amount of dividends paid by the Napier Freehold Company is £22,500, or 22s 6d on 15 each share held in the company.

September 1887. The Napier Freehold mine still gives excellent yields, the output of gold during the quarter being a substantial increase on the previous one. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: New Kong Meng, Majorca, including Tributers, 5,246 oz; Napier Freehold, Majorca, 4,697 oz. Dividends: New Kong Meng Company, £7,000; Napier Freehold Company, £8,000. Mr Robert Allan, under instructions from the Mining Department, has furnished a report on the Majorca mines, accompanied by a plan. The latter show the whole of the mining properties to the north of Majorca. The positions of all bores, shafts, and worked-out gutters are from actual survey, and the levels on surface and underground have been carefully correlated. Commencing at the southern end of the plan, there is shown the old McCallum’s lead, which has been worked to the southern boundary of the Majorca United Company’s ground, where it runs under the basalt. It is for the continuation of this lead, and also that shown as Fox’s rush, that this company has been started, and there can be little doubt of the junction of these leads being found within the company’s boundary. The Kong Extended, South Kong Extended, and Majorca No. 2 Company’s have been started, with a view of working the continuation of the old leads known as the Emu, Cockatoo, and England’s Hill, and, from surface indications, Mr Allan thinks they will be found to continue as per dotted lines on plan, and, after forming a junction, will continue on through the western side of Battery Hill, and pick up the old Four-mile Flat lead, and go thence in a north-easterly direction towards the Napier Company’s shaft. The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies. A tributary lead has also been proved in the East Kong Meng, and in all probability another will be found coming in a north-westerly direction through the 16 Kong Meng No. 1, and joining the main channel near the northern boundary of the Kong Meng Company.

December 1887. The Napier Freehold is also maintaining its reputation for substantial yields, but in this mine also, 17 there is a slight decrease in the output of gold.

37 Napier Freehold

March 1888. Mining in this division during the past quarter was continued with satisfactory results. The Kong Meng Company is maintaining good yields. The Napier Freehold is still giving fair yields. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: New Kong Meng, including Tributes, 4,443 oz; Napier Freehold Company, 3,441 oz; Chalk’s Freehold Company (from drives only), 103 oz; Majorca United Leads, 23 oz; Total, 8,011 oz. 18 Dividends: New Kong Meng Company, £4,000; Napier Freehold Company, £2,000.

June 1888. There is a marked improvement in this subdivision as compared with the previous quarter, both the New 19 Kong Meng and Napier Freehold companies showing a substantial increase in the output of gold.

September 1888. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION (Miss Constance Sainsbury, Mining Registrar). The New Kong Meng and Napier Freehold mines continue to be prosperous, as shown by the returns obtained and dividends paid. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal mines of this subdivision, viz. New Kong Meng Company, Majorca, 4,488 oz; New Kong Meng Tributers Company, Majorca, 63 oz; Napier Freehold Company, 4,318 oz; Chalk’s Freehold Company, 525oz; United Leads Company, 163 oz; East Kong Meng, 27 oz; Total, 9,587 20 oz.

December 1888. The Napier Freehold mine is also maintaining its reputation, both in the output of gold and in 21 declaring dividends, whilst Chalk’s Freehold is showing a marked improvement.

June 1889. The New Kong Meng and Napier Freehold Companies are still giving satisfactory yields, the slight falling-off, as compared with the previous quarter, being attributable to the foul air met with in the deeper portions of 22 the underground workings, necessitating the stoppage of work in these parts for some time.

September 1889. There is a slight falling off in the yields of gold … which is attributable in the first instance to all underground work having been suspended at the No. 1 Kong Meng shaft, and the abandonment of the Majorca United Company’s lease. There are at present no mines of a prospective character at work in this subdivision, operations being confined 23 entirely to the New Kong Meng, Napier Freehold, and Chalk’s Freehold mines.

June 1891. A marked improvement has been shown during the quarter in this division. The Napier Freehold and Chalk’s Freehold Companies have done a considerable amount of work with a view of further testing the mines, and sinking and driving have been continued with success by the Prince Alfred Co-operative party. A nugget weighing 24 about 52 oz was also discovered by two miners near some old workings, and was sold in Maryborough.

September 1891. Operations at the Napier Freehold Company’s mine have been chiefly confined to the putting down 25 of a series of surface bores in the western part of the claim.

38 Napier Freehold

A curious instance of the uncertainties of mining is shown by the present workings of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated. The adjoining company (Chalk’s No. 1) had taken out all the known payable ground, and a meeting of shareholders was called to wind up the affairs of the company. An effort was made to have a prospecting drive put in to the east and test that slope of the lead, but it was defeated, and an instruction given to draw the pumps out of the shaft. Meanwhile the drives of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated were daily drawing nearer, and demonstrating beyond doubt that a run of ground did exist to the east of any known workings in the No. 1 mine, and this became so clear that the order for withdrawing the pumps was countermanded, shares rose from a mere quotation to 2s 6d, and there is now an excellent chance of this company having a long stretch of payable ground on the eastern terraces. The trend of the Majorca-Carisbrook lead northwards through the property of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company has been accurately determined by drives and bores, and also the existence of tributary leads entering the main channel, both from the east and the west. The former is a channel yet untried, and nothing is known of it save that it carries a strong body of wash with gold, and, as its course is through a highly auriferous belt of country, it is reasonable to assume that it will contain payable gold. The western tributary, known as the Racecourse lead, has been tested in a small way, and proves to carry a heavy black wash, heavily charged with pyrites and coarse gold. Finding its property too large to handle with one company, the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated has decided to float the northern portion of the mine, containing about 1200 acres, on the London market. This will be known as the “Victorian Moolort Gold Estates”, and as there is a fine shaft sunk the required depth, and a magnificent pumping plant erected, there should not be much trouble in opening the lead here. Sweeping north-east, the lead enters the New Havilah, thence through the Charlotte Plains Proprietary to the Junction 26 Deep Leads of Victoria, to probably join the main trunk lead to the north-east of this property.

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 29 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

39 Napier Freehold

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 30 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

40 Napier Freehold

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Napier Freehold Company (Company worked from 1883 to 1891). Mine workings. 200 metre long, 12 to 15 metre high mullock heap. The heap has been partly quarried on its north side. Despite the quarrying, the heap still has six well defined long dumping lines. The shaft has been filled and no machinery foundations or pebble dump survive. Sludge ponds. To the north of the mullock heap is a massive intact pond which has an embankment approximately 200 metres long and 15 metres high. Another sludge pond of equal size, but not as high, lies immediately north.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Despite the mine having a well preserved mullock heap and sludge ponds there are no traces of any machinery foundations. The site has low integrity, but it is a prominent landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. Site of one of Maryborough’s greatest deep lead mines and also is associated with the operations of one of Victoria’s principal cyaniding companies (Gold Dumps Pty Ltd).

Scientific Significance. The site has one of the largest and best preserved mullock heaps in the Maryborough Mining Division. The heap is also a prominent landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1884 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1884 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1885 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1885 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1886 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1886 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1891 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1891 26 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 27 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 28 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 29 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 30 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

41 Napier Extended

SITE NO. & NAME: 11.0 NAPIER EXTENDED

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, MAJORCA

HI NO: H7623-0090

DIRECTIONS: 3.3 km north-north-east of Majorca, north of Rodborough Road. Located 0.5 km north of Site 10.0 (Napier Freehold).

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

No references found. Name appears on plan in September 1887 Quarterly Report (Survey of Mines, Maryborough District).

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 11.0. Napier Extended Company. (Probably part of Napier Freehold, Site 10.0, and would date from the period 1883 to 1891). Mine workings. To the north of the two sludge ponds recorded in Site 10.0 is another massive mullock heap. No machinery foundations visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Despite the mine having a well preserved mullock heap there are no traces of any machinery foundations. The site has low integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some scientific significance due to its large intact mullock heap and slum pond.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

42 New Kong Meng Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 12.0: NEW KONG MENG COMPANY

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, MAJORCA, KONG MENG HISTORIC RESERVE

HI NO: H7623-0103

DIRECTIONS: 1.7 km north-north-east of Majorca. Mullock heaps and massive sand dump are located between Rodborough and Majorca-Rodborough Roads.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

March 1868. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION Many of the alluvial mining companies at Majorca have had great difficulties to contend against during the quarter. It has been found that the rich leads of gold in that place have gone down below the water level, and the machinery on the ground is not powerful enough to drain the water efficiently, or to permit of successful mining operations. The Kong Meng* and Robin Hood companies had to suspend work for a time during the quarter. Several claims in the dry sinking have been abandoned altogether, and the machinery sold and removed. The following is a statement of gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division for the past quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, 864 oz; Cossey Company, 360 oz; United Kingdom Company, 240 oz; Robin Hood Gold Mining Company, 200 oz; Queen of the Isles, 160 oz; Kong Meng Company, 160; Prince of Wales, 150 oz; 1 Northumberland Gold Mining Company, 140; Sundry (15) Whim Claims, 1,285 oz; Total, 3,559 oz.

*Lowe Kong Meng: He was born in Penang, the son of a British Chinese merchant. They sent him to school in Penang, then to Mauritius to study English and French under private tutors. He mastered both languages, then worked as a supercargo on ships trading between Mauritius, Calcutta, Singapore, and through the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. In 1853 at the age of twenty-two he bought his own ship, sailed to Australia, and set up as an importer in Little Bourke Street. He went into mining, especially in a deeper mine at Majorca, north of Clunes, and soon had six ships in his fleet. Some worked Trepang, some traded between Melbourne and Hong Kong where he 2 established other businesses.

June 1868. The following is a statement of gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division for the past quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, Chinaman’s flat, 1,362 oz; Band of Hope Company, Chinaman’s Flat, 11 oz; Cossey Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 510 oz; Kong Meng Company, Majorca, 120 oz; United Kingdom Company, Gibraltar, 216 oz; Prince of Wales Company, Four-mile Flat, 300 oz; Hope Company, Battery Hill, 16 oz; 3 Sundry (15) Whim Claims, 1,148 oz; Total, 3,916 oz.

September 1868. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division for the last quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,980 oz; Cossey Gold Mining Co., Majorca, 625 oz; Kong Meng Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 90 oz; Robin Hood Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 323 oz; Prince of Wales Gold Mining Company, Four-mile Flat, 200 oz; United Kingdom Gold Mining Company, Gibraltar, 4 511 oz; Phoenix Company, Harrison’s Lead (private property), 900 oz; Sundry (14) Whim Claims, 1,259 oz.

December 1868. The Kong Meng Company has been pumping for the last six months: they only commenced to get out wash-dirt last month; the value of their plant is £3,000. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division for the past quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 2,410 oz; Band of Hope Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 67 oz; Kong Meng Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 210 oz; Robin Hood Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 190 oz; Cossey Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 356 oz; United Kingdom Gold Mining Company, Gibraltar, 279 oz; Prince of Wales Gold Mining Company, Four-mile Flat, 369 oz; Phoenix Company, Harrison’s Lead (private property), 960 5 oz; Hudson’s company, Pott’s Paddock, Carisbrook, 512 oz; Sundry (15) whim claims, 1,383 oz; Total, 6,736 oz.

March 1869. The Kong Meng Company are engaged upon the shallow ground of the claim, the deep ground being still too wet, although the most valuable; their returns are 363 oz. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,710 oz; Band of Hope Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 147 oz; Kong Meng Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 363 oz; Robin Hood Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 381 oz; Cossey Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 225 oz; United Kingdom Gold Mining Company, Gibraltar, 192 oz; Prince of Wales Gold Mining Company, Four-mile Flat, 258 oz; Phoenix Company, Harrison’s Lead (private property), 461 oz; Hudson’s Company, Pott’s Paddock, Carisbrook, 132 oz; Sunburst Gold Mining Company, Gibraltar, 55 oz; 6 Columbia Gold Mining Company, Majorca, 121 oz; Sundry (13) whim claims, 777 oz.

43 New Kong Meng Company

June 1869. The Columbia, Robin Hood, and Kong Meng Companies are now following the Hanoverian Lead towards the same point. The latter company has struck splendid gold in much deeper ground than any hitherto worked at Majorca. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in the division during the quarter:- Magnum Bonum Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,532 oz; Band of Hope Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 780 oz; Kong Meng, Majorca, 276 oz; Robin Hood, Majorca, 337 oz; Cossey, Majorca, 126 oz; Prince of Wales, Four-mile Flat, 211 oz; Phoenix, Harrison’s Lead (private property), 382 oz; Esperance, Pott’s Paddock, Carisbrook, 60 oz; Columbia, Majorca, 233 oz; Britannia, Four-mile Flat, 142 oz; Try-again, Four-mile Flat, 94 oz; Golden Gate, Timor 7 Creek, Alma, 164 oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 477 oz; Sundry (9) whim claims, 515 oz; total, 5,335 oz.

December 1869. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 2,173 oz; Kong Meng, Majorca, 200 oz; Robin Hood, Majorca, 620 oz; Prince of Wales, Four-mile Flat, 281 oz; Britannia, Four-mile Flat, 97; Try-again, Four-mile Flat, 72 oz; Morning Star, Majorca, 92 oz; Columbia, Majorca, 107 oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 679 oz; Golden Gate, 8 Alma, 221 oz; Sundry (11) whim claims, 650 oz; total, 5,194 oz.

9 March 1870. A strong tribute party has been formed to work the Kong Meng and Columbia mines conjointly.

December 1870. At Majorca, the newly organised Kong Meng and Columbia Company have only managed four 10 washings since they begun operations, and these have given a return of 147 oz 10 dwts.

June 1871. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Band of Hope Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 1,612 oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 863 oz; Golden Gate, Alma, 456 oz; Seaham Extended, Alma, 1,720 oz; Havelock, 82 oz; Kong Meng, Majorca, 318 oz; Phoenix, Majorca, 70 oz; United Kingdom, Majorca, 113 oz; Dan O’Connell, Carisbrook, 107 oz; Morning Star, Majorca, 90 oz; Reform, Majorca, 168 oz; Kosmos, Majorca, 194 oz; Britannia, Battery Hill, 65 oz; Evening Star, Majorca, 87 oz; Phoenix, Harrison’s Hill, 132 oz; Total, 6,080 oz. Dividends paid during the quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, £1,000; Band of Hope, £2,700; Golden Gate, £182; 11 Seaham Extended, £2,850; Kong Meng, £158; Reform, £426; Kosmos, £504.

March 1872. The claim of the Kong Meng Company is now flooded out ,and much heavier machinery is required to cope with the water, which has now risen 30 feet in the shaft, and cannot possibly be kept down with 12-inch pumps and tanks baling at the same time. This heavy body of water seems for several reasons to point to a subsidiary lead, 12 or heavy gutter, adjoining the Hanoverian Lead, and trending in the direction of Sandy Creek Flat.

Deember 1872. At Majorca mining matters generally have been depressed during the quarter; but a fresh and early start will be made at the mine of the Kong Meng Company with a new engine and two pumps; and I understand that 13 there is no doubt but that the Reliance Company will soon resume work at their mine.

March 1873. The Kong Meng Company is now attracting great attention. A new engine of 35 horse power has recently been added to their plant, and is nearly ready to start. The deep ground in this mine has already proved to be very valuable, as much as 3 oz 5 dwts to the set having been obtained.14

September 1873. The Reliance Tribute Company (late Robin Hood Company), north of the Kong Meng Company, are about erecting a new boiler in addition to the present plant, and will probably commence operations in two or 15 three weeks’ time.

December 1873. I have the honour to report that mining has been in a very depressed state in this division during the past quarter. The Kong Meng and Columbia Tribute Company, on the Hanoverian Lead, had to suspend operations, owing to an accident to the pumps. This has been an unfortunate occurrence, as the Reliance Tribute Company, to the north of them, cannot commence operations, their machinery not being sufficiently powerful to cope with the 16 water pending the suspension of the Kong Meng Company.

June 1874. The Kong Meng and Columbia Tribute and the Reliance Companies, Hanoverian Lead, are still idle, though it is well known that both companies possess payable ground. Outside capital is urgently required to develop 17 the deep mines in this locality.

September 1876. There seems no present prospect of the deep mines (the Kong Meng Company and the Reliance 18 Company) on the Hanoverian Lead, north of Majorca, being worked.

June 1877. There is an endeavour being made to form a company, to be called the Golden Valley Company, to embrace the leased of the Columbia and Kong Meng Company, and also that of the Reliance Company, all on the Hanoverian Lead. The promoters seem sanguine of success; if so, a great impetus will be given to mining in this 19 portion of the subdivision.

44 New Kong Meng Company

December 1877. The Reliance and Kong Meng mines, Hanoverian Lead, still remain unworked for the want of capital to start them, although it is an accepted fact that there is plenty of gold in either claim to reimburse any parties 20 that could start them afresh.

June 1878. There is very little mining news of importance to report. The Kong Meng and Columbia and the Reliance Companies, having been promised £500 out of the Government prospecting vote, are about to be started 21 again with every prospect of success.

September 1879. The new Kong Meng Company have successfully floated their venture. I regard the property as being a very valuable one. The ground covered by their lease has already been proved to be very rich, and there is no 22 question but that the company, with prudent management, has an exceedingly prosperous career before them.

June 1880. The contractors who have engaged to erect the puddling machines at the New Kong Meng mine have begun work, and are making rapid progress. The chamber has been extended nearly 30 feet, and driving is going forward. The Forbes’ Freehold Company have sunk their shaft 50 feet deeper. They have put in a lower level and a 23 jump-up, and are now driving to test the deep lead. The Perseverance obtained 175 oz 4 dwts during the quarter.

September 1880. The New Kong Meng Company has completed the erection of the additions to their plant, and have commenced underground operations. The water in the mine is heavy, but the engines are sufficiently powerful to drain it. The shaft has been sunk to the required depth. The deep ground has been satisfactorily proved to be auriferous by the putting down of bores in several directions. At present there seems a fair prospect of the mine yielding valuable returns in the course of a few months; and there can be no doubt that the labour employed, and the 24 capital expended on it, will materially benefit Majorca.

March 1881. The New Kong Meng Company is making excellent progress; they now employ 70 men, and have extended the area of their claim, by purchasing from Messrs Rich and party the Minorca Extended Claim of eight 25 acres which adjoins it.

June 1881. The returns form the Perseverance are excellent. The New Kong Meng have erected during the quarter a water-wheel of four-horse power. This wheel works seven cradles, for the purpose of extracting gold from the slum. The company employs one hundred men. Tenders have been called by the Forbes Union, for the purpose of letting their mine on tribute, but no satisfactory arrangement has yet been made. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this subdivision during the 26 quarter: New Kong Meng, Majorca, 811 oz; Perseverance, Narrigal, 230 oz.

December 1881. The prospects of the New Kong Meng Company are improving. A portion of the mine has been let on tribute. The rise at the north end broke into shallow ground at 96 feet from the lower level. The men are now driving through a ridge of reef between the two leads. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this subdivision during the 27 quarter: New Kong Meng, Majorca, 835 oz; Perseverance, Narrigal, 160 oz.

September 1882. The New Kong Meng Company is making progress. In the eastern drive the wash continues about the same as usual. The yield of gold from the mine includes that obtained from the tribute holdings. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial and quartz mines in this subdivision during the quarter: ALLUVIAL. New Kong Meng Company, Majorca, 366 oz; Perseverance, Narrigal, 83 oz; 28 QUARTZ. Union Bank, Majorca, 26 oz.

December 1882. The New Kong Meng Company have had much better success during the quarter, as is shown by their returns, which include the gold obtained from the several tribute holdings; the main drive is being extended; there is nothing of importance to report regarding the wash-dirt drives, and all the appointments of the mine are in good order. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this subdivision during the 29 quarter: Perseverance Company, Narrigal, 89 oz; New Kong Meng Company, Majorca, 1,135 oz.

March 1883. There is nothing of importance to report regarding the alluvial mines in this subdivision. From a ton of sand, treated at the Cambrian battery, the New Kong Meng Company obtained a yield of 13 oz 15 dwts of gold. ALLUVIAL. New Kong Meng Company, Majorca, 355 oz; New Kong Meng, Tributors. QUARTZ. Union Bank 30 Quartz Company, Majorca, 170 oz.

45 New Kong Meng Company

September 1883. The prospects of the New Kong Meng Company’s claim have much improved during the quarter, as is shown by the yield of gold from the mine. All the appointments of the mine are in good working order. The blocking faces look as usual, and show good gold. The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal mines in this subdivision: New Kong Meng, Majorca, 1,938 oz; New Kong Meng No. 1 Tribute, 192 oz; New Kong Meng No. 2 Tribute, 207 31 oz.

December 1883. The New Kong Meng Company continue to make satisfactory progress. There is no change to report in the condition of the leading drives, which are very wet. The reef drive is being extended, and promising round is being opened up on the reef wash. The Bucknall’s Estate Company are carefully testing their ground by putting down bores. The Napier Freehold Company is bringing their extensive and valuable plant to completion. Good prospects have been obtained from the bores, and the general prospects of the mine are satisfactory. 32 Dividend: New Kong Meng Company, £1,000.

June 1884. Nothing of importance has occurred in this subdivision during the quarter. Prospecting and other work is being still carried on at the progressive mines, but no gold has yet been obtained from any of them. The yield of gold from the New Kong Meng Company has been considerably more this quarter than last, and the mine is, just at present, showing signs of improvement. A load of sand from this mine, which was treated at the Cambrian battery, 33 gave 15 oz of gold.

December 1884. There is nothing of importance to report regarding mining matters in this subdivision. The Joint Stock mine has been let on tribute. The Napier Freehold Company are engaged in deepening their shaft. The New Kong Meng Company is still making excellent progress, and the yields from the mine have been unusually good. It will be seen that a ton of sand from this mine, which was treated at the Cambrian battery, gave a return of 17 oz 18 34 dwt of gold.

March 1885. The New Kong Meng Company have had a very successful quarter, as is amply shown by their returns, and by the dividends they have paid. The main drive at the mine has been further extended, but no change worthy of remark has taken place in the other workings. A ton of sand from this mine, which was treated at the Cambrian battery, gave a return of 23-1/2 oz of gold. The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal alluvial mines in this subdivision: New Kong Meng (Majorca), 3,029 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 1 Tribute Party), 92 oz; New Kong Meng 35 (No. 2 Tribute Party), 94 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 4 Tribute Party), 32 oz.

June 1885. The New Kong Meng Company has met with very fair success during the quarter, as the yield of gold and dividends have been good. The manager informs me that wash has just been struck about 650 feet from the main shaft, but he has not washed any dirt yet. A sudden dip in the eastern ground has rendered it necessary to open out 36 deeper. The main reef drive has been considerably extended.

December 1885. Two tons of sand from the New Kong Meng gave a return of 41 oz 11 dwt. The sand was treated at the Cambrian battery. The only dividend paid during the quarter was one by the New Kong Meng Company, Majorca, amounting to 37 £6,000.

June 1886. A great improvement has taken place during the quarter in the prospects of the New Kong Meng Company. This improvement has given a great impetus to mining in general throughout the subdivision. The yields 38 of gold from this mine have been unusually large, and the value of its stock has materially advanced in the market.

September 1886. The yields of gold obtained during the quarter from the New Kong Meng and the Napier Freehold mines have been far in excess of those which were obtained from them at any former period. The high value of those mines has now been soundly established, and public attention has been specially drawn to Majorca as one of the most promising and lucrative of our gold-fields. The natural result is that there has been no such stir and activity as there are now in mining business at Majorca since the place was discovered. There has been a considerable influx of mining population, both as representing labour and capital, and every inch of available ground in the subdivision that is likely to prove auriferous has been taken up, or applied for, under the leasing regulations and the local bye-laws. Time alone can tell whether these ventures will succeed, or whether even a fair proportion of them will pass beyond the initial, or speculative stage. But, whatever else may happen, one good result is sure to follow, namely, that a lot of new ground will be carefully prospected, so that what was before the subject of doubt will be placed on the basis of certainty, and thus lead directly to the extension and prosperity of bona fide mining in the subdivision. The Napier Freehold Company employs 168 men, and the New Kong Meng, 240. The men are paid the best current rates of wages. Four tons of sand from the New Kong Meng, which were treated at the Cambrian battery, gave a yield of 168 oz 18 dwt of gold, or an average of 42 oz 4 dwt 18 gr per ton.

46 New Kong Meng Company

The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal alluvial mines in this subdivision: New Kong Meng (Majorca), 4,745 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 2 Tribute), 82 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 3 39 Tribute) 63 oz; New Kong Meng (No. 5 Tribute), 40 oz; Napier Freehold (Majorca), 2,794 oz.

December 1886. The yields of gold obtained during the quarter by the Napier Freehold (3,602 oz) and New Kong Meng (5,687 oz) Companies have been much larger than usual, and the splendid dividends which were paid by those companies within the same period fully prove the exceptionally high value of their properties. No such yields have ever before been obtained from any mine or mine in this subdivision. I may observe that the wash from the Napier has been taken, during the quarter, at an average depth of 67 feet from the surface. The owners of the several progressive mines in the subdivision are taking the necessary steps to bring them as speedily as possible into working order, with the view of developing their resources. Taking all things into consideration, I can with truth affirm that, as an important mining centre, the prospects of the subdivision were never 40 brighter or more hopeful than they are at present.

March 1887. The New Kong Meng entered on some poor ground during the quarter, which materially affected the 41 returns of gold. But now things have changed favourably, and the mine is regaining its former prosperity.

June 1887. The gold returns from the New Kong Meng mine have materially improved during the quarter (5,182 oz) and the prospects of the mine are excellent. The East Kong Company have purchased a powerful plant to work their mine, and immediate arrangements will be made for its erection. The contractors are making good progress with the sinking of the shaft. The Kong Extended Company is now busily engaged with the works at their mine, and are erecting a new engine and boiler. Three tons of cement from the New Kong Meng gave a yield of 70 oz 12 dwts, or an average of 23 oz 10 dwt 16 gr to the ton. The amount paid in dividends by the New Kong Meng Company since June 1886 is £35,000, or 35s on each share held in the company. The total amount of dividends paid by the Napier Freehold Company is £22,500, or 22s 6d on 42 each share held in the company.

September 1887. There is nothing very special to report regarding mining in this division during the last quarter. The Kong Meng mine is still maintaining its yields of gold, and has even shown an improvement as compared with the previous quarter’s returns. The Napier Freehold mine still gives excellent yields, the output of gold during the quarter being a substantial increase on the previous one. The East Kong Company has bottomed the shaft at a depth of 118 feet, with prospects indicating that the mine will be a valuable one. The contractors are making fair progress with the erection of machinery, but the further sinking of the shaft has been suspended in the meantime. Three tons of sand from the New Kong Meng were treated at the Cambrian Battery, and gave a return of 49 oz 5 dwt of gold, or an average of 16 oz 8 dwt to the ton. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: New Kong Meng, Majorca, including Tributers, 5,246 oz; Napier Freehold, Majorca, 4,697 oz. Dividends. New Kong Meng Company, £7,000; Napier Freehold Company, £8,000. Mr Robert Allan, under instructions from the Mining Department, has furnished a report on the Majorca mines, accompanied by a plan. The latter show the whole of the mining properties to the north of Majorca. The positions of all bores, shafts, and worked-out gutters are from actual survey, and the levels on surface and underground have been carefully correlated. Commencing at the southern end of the plan, there is shown the old McCallum’s lead, which has been worked to the southern boundary of the Majorca United Company’s ground, where it runs under the basalt. It is for the continuation of this lead, and also that shown as Fox’s rush, that this company has been started, and there can be little doubt of the junction of these leads being found within the company’s boundary. The Kong Extended, South Kong Extended, and Majorca No. 2 Company’s have been started, with a view of working the continuation of the old leads known as the Emu, Cockatoo, and England’s Hill, and, from surface indications, Mr Allan thinks they will be found to continue as per dotted lines on plan, and, after forming a junction, will continue on through the western side of Battery Hill, and pick up the old Four-mile Flat lead, and go thence in a north-easterly direction towards the Napier Company’s shaft. The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies. A tributary lead has also been proved in the East Kong Meng, and in all probability another will be found coming in a north-westerly direction through the 43 Kong Meng No. 1, and joining the main channel near the northern boundary of the Kong Meng Company.

47 New Kong Meng Company

December 1887. The New Kong Meng Company are still giving excellent yields. There is, however, a slight decrease as compared with the previous quarter. The East Kong Meng. The erection of machinery is now completed; the further sinking of shaft will be resumed with the commencement of the year. The West Kong Meng are putting down a number of bores in their lease. The Kong Meng No. 1. No report received from the manager relative to the progressive nature of the work, but I believe they have bottomed a shaft, and are driving, the ground being dry. The Kong Meng No. 2 have been employed putting down a number of bores. 44 The South Kong Meng have just completed the erection of machinery, and will immediately commence operations.

March 1888. The Kong Meng Company is maintaining good yields. The Napier Freehold is still giving fair yields. The East Kong Company is pushing on main levels. The South Kong Company is also doing similar work. The Majorca United Leads are extending main level and intermediate levels. Two tons of sand from the New Kong Meng were treated at the Cambrian battery, and gave a return of 25 oz 8 dwt The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: New Kong Meng, including Tributes, 4,443 oz; Napier Freehold Company, 3,441 oz; Chalk’s Freehold Company (from drives only), 103 oz; Majorca United Leads, 23 oz; Total, 8,011 oz. 45 Dividends: New Kong Meng Company, £4,000; Napier Freehold Company, £2,000.

June 1888. There is a marked improvement in this subdivision as compared with the previous quarter, both the New Kong Meng and Napier Freehold companies showing a substantial increase in the output of gold. The East Kong Meng pushing on main and leading drives. 46 South Kong Meng similarly employed.

September 1888. The New Kong Meng and Napier Freehold mines continue to be prosperous, as shown by the returns obtained and dividends paid. The following is a statement of the gold obtained form the principal mines of this subdivision, viz. New Kong Meng Company, Majorca, 4,488 oz; New Kong Meng Tributers Company, Majorca, 63 oz; Napier Freehold Company, 4,318 oz; Chalk’s Freehold Company, 525oz; United Leads Company, 163 oz; East Kong Meng, 27 oz; Total, 9,587 47 oz.

June 1889. The New Kong Meng and Napier Freehold Companies are still giving satisfactory yields, the slight falling-off, as compared with the previous quarter, being attributable to the foul air met with in the deeper portions of 48 the underground workings, necessitating the stoppage of work in these parts for some time.

September 1889. There is a slight falling off in the yields of gold … which is attributable in the first instance to all underground work having been suspended at the No. 1 Kong Meng shaft, and the abandonment of the Majorca United Company’s lease. There are at present no mines of a prospective character at work in this subdivision, operations being confined 49 entirely to the New Kong Meng, Napier Freehold, and Chalk’s Freehold mines.

December 1889. New Kong Meng Company. Blocking and driving on the eastern side of the lead has been carried on during the past quarter, the ground on the whole rather poor. A large amount of money has been expended in 50 prospecting for new leads without any good results. The western lead will be tried at an early date.

48 New Kong Meng Company junction with the Majorca lead. There, as is usual, the wash was somewhat scattered, but the present workings reveal a well-defined run of gold, the width of which has not yet been determined.

49 New Kong Meng Company

A curious instance of the uncertainties of mining is shown by the present workings of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated. The adjoining company (Chalk’s No. 1) had taken out all the known payable ground, and a meeting of shareholders was called to wind up the affairs of the company. An effort was made to have a prospecting drive put in to the east and test that slope of the lead, but it was defeated, and an instruction given to draw the pumps out of the shaft. Meanwhile the drives of Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated were daily drawing nearer, and demonstrating beyond doubt that a run of ground did exist to the east of any known workings in the No. 1 mine, and this became so clear that the order for withdrawing the pumps was countermanded, shares rose from a mere quotation to 2s 6d, and there is now an excellent chance of this company having a long stretch of payable ground on the eastern terraces. The trend of the Majorca-Carisbrook lead northwards through the property of the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated Company has been accurately determined by drives and bores, and also the existence of tributary leads entering the main channel, both from the east and the west. The former is a channel yet untried, and nothing is known of it save that it carries a strong body of wash with gold, and, as its course is through a highly auriferous belt of country, it is reasonable to assume that it will contain payable gold. The western tributary, known as the Racecourse lead, has been tested in a small way, and proves to carry a heavy black wash, heavily charged with pyrites and coarse gold. Finding its property too large to handle with one company, the Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated has decided to float the northern portion of the mine, containing about 1200 acres, on the London market. This will be known as the “Victorian Moolort Gold Estates”, and as there is a fine shaft sunk the required depth, and a magnificent pumping plant erected, there should not be much trouble in opening the lead here. Sweeping north-east, the lead enters the New Havilah, thence through the Charlotte Plains Proprietary to the Junction 51 Deep Leads of Victoria, to probably join the main trunk lead to the north-east of this property.

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 54 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

50 New Kong Meng Company

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 55 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

May 1994. Pers. Comm with George Edson (Mr. George Edson worked for Gold Dumps Pty Ltd at Carisbrook). The slums from New Kong Meng were sluiced and pumped to the Napier Freehold treatment site.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 12.0. New Kong Meng Company (formerly Kong Meng Company and Kong Meng and Columbian Tribute Company). The mine had a long history of working from c.1868 to early 1890s and was Majorca’s most successful deep lead mine. c.1868 to December 1869 Kong Meng Company 1870 to December 1873 Kong Meng and Columbian Tribute Company 1874 to 1878 Mine idle 1879 to early 1890s New Kong Meng Company The last period of mining (1879 to early 1890s) was the mine’s most successful.

Mine workings. Large partly quarried heap with three main dumping lines. The heap is mainly comprised of clay and soft rock which is weathering badly. The heap is approximately 100 metres long and 12 to 15 metres high. No machinery foundations survive. Sand dump. To the north-east of the dump is 400 metre long spread of sand. Mine workings. One small heap lies to the south of the large dump, and another lies 300 metres to the north of the large dump. There are also several small dumps located on Freehold land to the south-west of the Historic Reserve. No machinery foundations survive at any of the sites.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor. The large mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. Reputedly the only large scale deep lead mine in Victoria to be owned and operated by a Chinese man. Lowe Kong Meng became a successful merchant and business man. The mine’s last major mining period, by the New Kong Meng Company, was its most successful. The Kong Meng was Majorca’s greatest deep lead mine. The site has poor integrity but its mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1868 2 Eric Rolls, Sojourners, University of Queensland Press, 1992, p. 105 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1869 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1873 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1877

51 New Kong Meng Company

21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1879 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1880 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 33 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884 34 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1884 35 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 36 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1885 37 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 38 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1886 39 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 40 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1886 41 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 42 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887 43 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 44 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 45 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 46 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 47 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 48 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 49 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 50 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1889 51 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 52 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 53 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 54 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 55 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

52 East Kong Meng

SITE NO. & NAME: 13.0 EAST KONG MENG COMPANY

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, MAJORCA

HI NO: H7623-0104

DIRECTIONS: 2.95 km north-east of Majorca, east side of the junction of Freehold Land and Rodborough Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold land

HISTORY:

June 1887. The East Kong Company has purchased a powerful plant to work the mine, and immediate arrangements 1 will be made for its erection. The contractors are making good progress with the sinking of the shaft.

September 1887. The East Kong Company have bottomed their shaft at a depth of 118 feet, with prospects indicating that the mine will be a valuable one. The contractors are making fair progress with the erection of machinery, but the further sinking of the shaft has been suspended in the meantime. Mr Robert Allan, under instructions from the Mining Department, has furnished a report on the Majorca mines, accompanied by a plan. The latter show the whole of the mining properties to the north of Majorca. The positions of all bores, shafts, and worked-out gutters are from actual survey, and the levels on surface and underground have been carefully correlated. Commencing at the southern end of the plan, there is shown the old McCallum’s lead, which has been worked to the southern boundary of the Majorca United Company’s ground, where it runs under the basalt. It is for the continuation of this lead, and also that shown as Fox’s rush, that this company has been started, and there can be little doubt of the junction of these leads being found within the company’s boundary. The Kong Extended, South Kong Extended, and Majorca No. 2 Company’s have been started, with a view of working the continuation of the old leads known as the Emu, Cockatoo, and England’s Hill, and, from surface indications, Mr Allan thinks they will be found to continue as per dotted lines on plan, and, after forming a junction, will continue on through the western side of Battery Hill, and pick up the old Four-mile Flat lead, and go thence in a north-easterly direction towards the Napier Company’s shaft. The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies. A tributary lead has also been proved in the East Kong Meng, and in all probability another will be found coming in a north-westerly direction through the 2 Kong Meng No. 1, and joining the main channel near the northern boundary of the Kong Meng Company.

December 1887. The East Kong Meng. The erection of machinery is now completed; the further sinking of shaft 3 will be resumed with the commencement of the year.

4 March 1888. The East Kong Company are pushing on main levels.

5 June 1888. The East Kong Meng pushing on main and leading drives.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 13.0. East Kong Meng Company (could also be East Napier Company). The mine was one of a number of unsuccessful ventures spawned by the late 1880s New Kong Meng mining boom. Mine workings. Small mullock heap. No machinery foundations, pebble or sand dumps.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

53 East Kong Meng

54 Majorca Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 14.0 MAJORCA LEAD 14.1 CYANIDE WORKS

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, MAJORCA

HI NO: 14.0 H7623-0105 14.1 H7623-0106

DIRECTIONS: Site 14.0. Line of workings that run south-west from Kong Meng mine (Site 12.0) to Majorca and Site 19.0. Site 14.1. 1.2kms west of Majorca, south of Gibraltar Alluvials (Site 16.0).

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land. Small section of lead may be in the Majorca Historic Reserve.

HISTORY:

The Majorca Lead was opened in 1863 and was traced north to Carisbrook, Moolort and Charlotte Plains. The principal mines on the lead were: £ New Kong Meng 377,321 Napier Freehold 278,746 Chalk’s Freehold 216,352 1 Chalk’s No. 1 134,426

The main period of cyaniding on the Majorca Lead was from 1938 to mid 1940s. The bulk of the work was carried by Gold Dumps Pty Ltd.

1906. Cyaniders had been working at Majorca from 1906 when Mr. Gower Williams employed Mr. James Wight as manager and Mr Bill Ying as assistant assayer. Industrial unrest resulted in a strike of cyanide workers at Majorca in 1911 when they struck for higher pay. The going rate was 11 shillings per day for a man with a horse and dray, 7 shillings per day for a shoveller. Rates of pay at Majorca were just below those ruling in other areas, hence the strike. But eventually a settlement was reached and cyaniding continued there until 1915. Charges to the operators were particularly high at Majorca; when Mr. Williams offered two pence per load for slum the Borough Council decided to offer the slum for tender. Mr. Wight’s tender of 3/7 per cubic yard was accepted and insisted upon, even for the sand from which Mr. Wight wanted to pay only 6 pence per yard ... Cyanide plants closed as supplies of 2 cyanide dried up and men found work in other areas.

July 1938. Gold Dumps Ltd., Carisbrook. This modern filter-press cyanidation plant [photograph included] is achieving excellent results. With a rated capacity of 500 tons per day, the plant actually handles tonnages of over 900 tons per day in favourable ground. From 1st January to 21st May, 62,225 short tons were treated for 1,716 fine oz of gold. A hold-up occurred on 21st May, when the cylinder head of the engine driving the agitators, pumps, and 4 alternator was damaged. An initial dividend of 1s per share was paid in June.

March 1942. Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Carisbrook. Operations were delayed for 39 working days during the change- 5 over from the Chalk’s Freehold to the Chalk’s No. 1 dump.

May 1994. Pers. Comm. with Mr George Edson (Mr. Edsom worked for Gold Dumps Pty Ltd at Majorca and Carisbrook). According to Mr Edson the puddler and bore holes are to do with the operations of the Majorca Development Syndicate NL. This was a local syndicate which was set up in November 1937. The syndicate opened up some of the old workings and obtained good gold. After Mr. Edson left the syndicate, he heard that a tribute party had been formed. The bore holes were put down by the Department of Mines for the tributers during the early years of the Second World War. One of the bore holes struck very rich gold. Mr Edson cannot remember any cyaniding works being there in his time.

55 Majorca Lead

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 14.0. Majorca Lead (The lead was opened in 1863 and was traced north to Carisbrook, Moolort and Charlotte Plains. The last period of intensive deep lead mining was in the late 1880s. Gibraltar Alluvial, in the early 1940s (Site 16.0) was the last mine to work on the lead. Mine workings. Line of small mullock heaps and sand dumps running through cleared pastoral land. No machinery foundations associated with any of the heaps. There is a concentration of heaps at the south-western end of the lead.

Site 14.1. Majorca Lead cyanide works (According to Mr. George Edson the cyanide works was not there when he worked for Gold Dumps Pty Ltd. This would suggest that the site dates to the first period of cyanding at Majorca Cyanide works. 24 circular cyanide vat impressions surrounded by an extensive dump of sand. Two main arrangements of vats: two rows of 23 ft diameter vat impressions (eight vats to a row) which are separated by a wide baulk and two rows of adjoining vat impressions (four vats to a row). Puddler. To the south-west of the cyanide works is a very weathered puddler, small dam and some wash. Bore holes. To the south of the cyanide works is a line of deep lead bore holes (pers. comm. Garry Leitch, Ballarat Office, Department of Conservation and Natural Resource).

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Site 14.0. Poor, some merit as a landscape feature. Site 14.1. Largest concentration of vats yet found in Central Victoria. Some of the vat impressions are poorly defined.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 14.0 has little integrity except for some value as a landscape feature.

Site 14.1 has: Scientific Significance. The site has an extraordinarily large number of cyanide vat impressions.

Cumulative Value. The site is part of a network of relatively unique twentieth century deep lead mining relics [Site 16.0, wooden poppet head, tramway and treatment plant; 16.1, whip pole; and 14.1, large cyanide works].

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 2 Barbara Willis, Footprints: Ahistory of the Shire of Tullaroop, p.39, 1988 3 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 4 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 5 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

56 Victoria Park, Majorca

SITE NO. & NAME: 15.0 VICTORIA PARK

LOCATION: MAJORCA

HI NO: H7623-0107

DIRECTIONS: Majorca, north-east of junction of Majorca-Talbot and Majorca-Galloways Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Public Purpose Reserve

HISTORY:

1922. The township, like many others, in Victoria, came into being through a gold rush. The rush occurred in the year 1863, and founded the Majorca goldfield ... Majorca was now ... [mid 1864] ... laid out as a town. Applications for parks and gardens, also a reserve of 130 acres were granted. The park (consisting of 6 acres and known as Victoria Park) was originally the site of a Chinese puddling machine and dam. It was tastefully laid out with gardens which were a great pride and boast with the townspeople. The reserve, already mentioned, was fenced and planted 1 with pine trees and was used as a racecourse and football ground.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 15.0. Victoria Park (Established c.1864). Dam. Historic Reserve contains a First World War memorial and a large full dam. There is a well preserved bluestone by-pass on the north end of the dam’s embankment. An open bluestone culvert runs from the by-pass to the Majorca-Talbot Road.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The dam and by-pass/culvert are in good condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site is associated with the establishment of the Majorca Township in 1864.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mr. G.E Tilley, History of Majorca, 1922

57 Gibraltar Alluvials

SITE NO. & NAME: 16.0 GIBRALTAR ALLUVIALS COMPANY 16.1 WHIP SHAFT

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, MAJORCA

HI NO: 16.0 H7623-0108 16.1 H7623-0109

DIRECTIONS: 1.2 km west of Majorca, 0.5 km east of Craigie-Clunes Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1940. Gibraltar Alluvial, Majorca. The shaft has been sunk to 80 feet, where driving has revealed 4 feet 1 of wash with payable values. Treatment and haulage plant about to be erected.

March 1941. Gibralter [sic] Alluvial, Majorca. A considerable amount of wash has been treated by cyaniding, but 2 with unprofitable results.

September 1941. Electrically driven haulage and treatment plant has been installed at the Gibraltar Alluvial mine, Majorca, and the company is now in a position to treat about 100 tons of wash per day, including cyanidation. Gibralter Alluvial, Majorca (Mine Manager, W. Ying). Erection of plant is almost completed, and power lines will 3 be linked in the near future.

March 1942. Gibraltar Alluvial, Majorca. Work has been chiefly confined to the opening up of the alluvial lead 4 preparatory to extracting increased quantities of payable wash. New plant has been recently installed to handle this.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 16.0. Gibraltar Alluvials Company (Company operated during the early 1940s, presumably the whip dates to this time). Poppet head. Remains of small wooden poppet head, approximately 25 ft high, with no haulage wheels. The poppet legs rest on 4 ft square concrete pads which are set 25 feet apart. Most of the internal framework of the poppet head has collapsed into the shaft. Mine workings. A small 20 metre long mullock heap runs west from the poppet head. Tramway. Continuing west from the base of the small mullock heap is a 120 metre long tramway embankment which gives way to a series of 5 ft high wooden horses or trestles. The wooden trestles are set approximately 15 feet apart and terminate at a 60 ft x 15 ft concrete slab. Treatment plant foundations. Tramway ends at the above mentioned concrete slab which is located on a ridge overlooking a steep gully. There are four 10 ft x 1-1/2 ft, 2 ft deep channels running east from the western side of the slab. Iron pipes run under the slab from the rear (eastern ends) of the channels. Between each channel is a wooden trestle. Water dam. A small dam lies uphill (north-east) of the concrete slab. Pebble dump. On the slope below the concrete slab is a partly quarried small dump of washed pebbles. Cyanide works. To the south-west of the pebble heap is a raised circular galvanised iron vat with a concrete floor. The vat has a diameter of 12 feet and stands 2 feet high. Next to the vat is a concrete floor below which is another larger (21 ft diameter and 4 ft high) galvanised vat. The inner surfaces of both vats bear traces of tar.

Site 16.1. Whip shaft. Whip. 120 metres north of the poppet head is a forked 12 ft long bush-timber whip pole. The pole is positioned over a shaft which still has its wooden collar and mullock paddock. The only metal work on the whip pole is a short section of iron rod.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Site 16.0 has three rare features (poppet head, tramway and treatment plant foundations) All these features are in relatively good condition though the wooden relics are being to show their age. Site 16.1. The whip pole is in good condition and looks exactly like those recorded in historic photographs.

58 Gibraltar Alluvials

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 16.0 has: Historical Significance. The site is associated with the last deep lead mining venture to take place in the Maryborough Mining Division.

Scientific Significance. The site has a range of deep lead mining relics including one of the last surviving wooden poppet heads in Central Victoria.

Site 16.1 has: Scientific Significance. The site has one of the last surviving whip poles in Central Victoria. Whips were once extremely common on all goldfields but few have survived the ravages of time and fire.

Sites 16.1 and 16.2 have: Cumulative Value. The sites are part of a network of relatively unique twentieth century deep lead mining relics [Site 16.0, wooden poppet head, tramway and treatment plant; 16.1, whip pole; and 14.1, large cyanide works].

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining and Geological Journal, September 1940 2 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1941 3 Mining and Geological Journal, September 1941 4 Mining and Geological Journal, March 1942

59 McCullums Creek

SITE NO. & NAME: 17.0 DUKE OF EDINBURGH

LOCATION: MCCULLUMS CREEK, MAJORCA

HI NO: H7623-0110

DIRECTIONS: 2.5 km south of Craigie. Located west side of McCallums Creek Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

Creswick Deep Leads Map, Geological Survey of Victoria 1:100,000, 1983. Location of the mullock heap matches the shaft marked Duke of Edinburgh.

June 1874. MAJORCA SUBDIVISION Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s paddock (private). Shaft sunk 82 feet; at about 30 feet a layer of cement was passed through, and a small piece of gold weighing 1 dwt was found in sinking. As heavy water in a very fine drift 1 was struck at 80 feet, work is suspended at present, for the erection of machinery.

September 1874. The Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s paddock (private), have ceased operations for the erection of machinery. They have purchased an engine (16-1/2 inch cylinder) and plant, which is now in the course 2 of removal; it is expected that the company will commence operations in about two months.

December 1874. Mining affairs in this subdivision have been very dull during the past quarter. The Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s paddock (private), have erected their engine, and have sunk the shaft and obtained a 3 payable prospect at 107 feet.

March 1875. During the past quarter there has been very little doing in mining in this subdivision; in fact, mining matters could hardly be at a lower ebb, for, with the exception of the Perseverance Company, Martell’s paddock, Cockatoo, which have been paying good dividends during the past month, and a fair prospect obtained by the Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s paddock, McCallum's Creek, there is nothing of a cheering nature to report from 4 this locality.

September 1875. The Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s Paddock (private), have been ore successful during the past quarter than heretofore, and they are in hopes that the run of gold that they are now on will continue. On the 5 whole, mining is very quiet in this locality at the present time.

December 1875. The Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s Paddock (private) have obtained considerably more gold than heretofore, and have added a winding engine to their plant. It is thought that the company is now on a very 6 good run of gold. I regret to say that the principal claims here remain still unworked owing to want of capital.

March 1876. The Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s Paddock (private), McCallum’s Creek, is the only claim 7 getting gold of any consequence. I am informed that they are now working some very good ground.

June 1876. The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Mining Company, McCallum’s Creek (Walker’s paddock), are at present 8 on a very good run of gold, and they anticipate having large returns to report very shortly.

September 1876. The Duke of Edinburgh Company (Walker’s paddock), McCallum’s Creek, have had very good returns for the past quarter; and the company feels so much confidence in the lead now being worked that they have 9 purchased thirty acres of private property (Forbes’ Freehold) adjoining their present claim.

March 1877. The Duke of Edinburgh Company, Walker’s Paddock, McCallum’s Creek, has been let on tribute, and 10 are now driving for another run of alluvial ground.

June 1877. The tributers of the Duke of Edinburgh Company (Walker’s Paddock) relinquished their contract, 11 therefore the company has remained unworked during the whole quarter.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 17.0. Duke of Edinburgh Company (This company worked during the mid 1870s). Mine workings. Small mullock heap. No machinery foundations, pebble or sand dumps.

60 McCullums Creek

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor integrity. Some value as a landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but the mullock heap has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1874 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1875 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1876 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877

61 Enterprise Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 18.0 ENTERPRISE COMPANY

LOCATION: MCCULLUMS CREEK, MAJORCA

HI NO: H7623-0111

DIRECTIONS: 2.0 km south-west of Majorca. Located between Craigie-Clunes and Majorca-Talbot Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

Creswick Deep Leads Map, Geological Survey of Victoria 1:100,000, 1983. Location of the mullock heap matches the shaft marked Enterprise.

June 1870. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION 1 The Enterprise Company, Battery Hill, is about to erect a heavier plant.

March 1871. The Enterprise Company has just finished the erection of their new and splendid steam machinery, and 2 are quite ready to begin mining operations.

June 1871. At Majorca, the Reliance company has put in their main drive 500 feet; they expect to wash this month; their prospects are good. The Kong Meng Company are main and cross driving. The Enterprise Company has 3 bottomed on payable gold.

March 1872. At Majorca all mining interests have greatly improved during the quarter. Several new claims have been taken up on Maiden Hill, near the claim of the Enterprise Company, in the hope of getting into ground easily 5 workable without engine power.

June 1874. Mining in this subdivision still continues in a very depressed state, but it is anticipated that in a few weeks there will be an improvement. The Enterprise Company, Maiden Hill, has been let on tribute, and at present 6 are actively employed pumping; operations in the mine will commence in about a month.

December 1874. The Maiden Hill (late Enterprise) Company, have pumped the mine and opened out; they have had 7 one washing which gave 6 oz to the machine; they anticipate good results very soon.

March 1877. The Reliance Company, the Kong Meng and Columbia Company, and the Enterprise Company, are still idle for the want of capital, although it is an accepted fact that there is good payable rich ground in each of the 8 claims.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION: Site 18.0. Enterprise Company (also Maiden Hill). Company worked from early to mid 1870s. Mine workings. Large partly quarried mullock heap. No machinery foundations, pebble or sand dumps.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor integrity. Mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The site has little integrity but some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

62 Enterprise Company

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1874 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877

63 Black Swan

SITE NO. & NAME: 19.0 BLACK SWAN

LOCATION: MAJORCA LEAD, MAJORCA

HI NO: H7623-0112

DIRECTIONS: 1.8 km from Majorca, west side of Majorca-Talbot Road, opposite Wheens Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1983. Creswick Deep Lead map. Location marked as Black Swan shaft.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 19.0. Black Swan shaft (Could also be North Majorca United Leads). Probably one of the many mines spawned by the New Kong Meng mining boom in the 1880s. Mine workings. Large mullock heap located on top of a low ridge. No machinery footings, but small dump of sand on the flat below the heap.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor but is a landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

64 Four Mile Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 20.0 DEEP LEAD MINE 20.1 WHIM SHAFT 20.2 DEEP LEAD MINE

LOCATION: FOUR MILE LEAD, BACK CREEK, CRAIGIE

HI NO: 20.0 H7623-0113 20.1 H7623-0114 20.2 H7623-0115

DIRECTIONS: This group of sites is located 0.5 km south of Craigie, east side of Talbot-Carisbrook Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

December 1867. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION (Mr P. Virtue, jun., Mining Registrar [Mr E.P. Virtue was the At Majorca, the Craigie Company has obtained good prospects, but are yet unable to open out; probably during the 1 current quarter good yields will be obtained from this claim.

December 1868. Craigie. The Britannia Company has been prosperous this quarter; their returns are 230 ounces. The Victoria Company has bottomed since last report; they have discovered a new lead running towards the north side of Maiden Hill; their returns are 159 ounces. The Happy-go-Lucky Company is working the reef ground of the Four-mile Lead; the returns are 72 ounces. The Try-again Company struck good gold six weeks since; the returns are 2 114 ounces.

March 1869. Craigie. The Britannia Company is now occupied in tracing through, under the creek, the Four-mile Lead, in the direction of Majorca; their returns are 121 oz. The Victory Company is drowned out; they badly want machinery; their returns are 63 oz. The Happy-go-Lucky Company is working what is supposed to be a feeder of the Four-mile Lead; the returns are 60 oz. The Try-again Company were drowned out during the late flood, and required 3 a period of three weeks to bale out and repair; the returns are 76 oz.

June 1869. Craigie. The Britannia Company is working the continuation of Four-mile Lead in private property. The Try-again Company is flooded out with surface water from the old lead. The Prince of Wales Company has been 4 working poor ground during the quarter, and have lost much time through being heavily flooded with water.

June 1869. Craigie. The Britannia Company is working the continuation of Four-mile Lead in private property. The Try-again Company is flooded out with surface water from the old lead. The Prince of Wales Company has been 5 working poor ground during the quarter, and has lost much time through being heavily flooded with water.

March 1870. The Craigie Estate Company, of Majorca, is supposed to have struck the run of deep ground which appears to form the outlet of the Rocky Flat and Mount Greenock Leads. Of course no positive opinion can yet be expressed on the subject; but the presence in their claim of a deep gutter containing gold proves that a new run of payable ground has been opened, and leads to the conclusion that miles of country between Rocky Flat and Carisbrook will soon become exceedingly valuable as a field for prospecting. A strong tribute party has been formed 6 to work the Kong Meng and Columbia mines conjointly.

September 1870. The Gladstone Company has purchased the plant which belonged to the late Craigie Estate 7 Company, and is now busily engaged in removing the same to their claim. .

Deember 1872. QUARTZ MINING. The Ironstone Reef, Craigie, is one of the richest in the division. This is shown by the following statement of quartz crushed from this reef, and gold obtained during the last four years. The return for the last quarter of 1872 is omitted. The quartz was raised from levels varying from 150 to 250 feet from the surface. 1869, 892 tons yielded 877 oz; 1870, 642 tons yielded 943 oz; 1871, 818 tons yielded 1,162 oz; 1872, 8 302 tons yielded 924 oz. quartz crushed at Johnstone and Son’s machine, Craigie.

1912. The Talisman Company has been engaged unwatering the old shaft with a view of opening up the old workings, where it is said prospects are good. The undertaking has so far proved an expensive one. After several 9 months bailing, the water is lowered to 150 feet only.

1913. Williams and Rewell, of Maldon, have been pushing on prospecting work in the Talisman mine against big 10 water difficulties, which to their credit they have about beat.

65 Four Mile Lead

11 1937. Gold and Tin Development Company has re-opened the old Talisman mine at Craigie.

July 1938. Talisman, Craigie. Engaged in cleaning out and reconditioning the old shaft, which is now repaired to 294 feet. A Pomona pump, driven by a Diesel engine, is delivering 20,000 gallons of water per hour from the old workings. The temporary poppet legs are arranged so that a permanent set can be built around them without 12 interrupting the hauling. [Photograph]

13 January 1939. Talisman, Craigie. Ceased operations and plant sold.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Main period of deep lead mining at Craigie was late 1860s to early 1870s. Presumably all the sites below date to this period.

Site 20.0. Deep Lead mine. Mine workings. Small intact mullock heap located on the west bank of a tributary to Back Creek. No machinery footings, pebble or sand dumps.

Site 20.1. Whim shaft. Whim and puddler. 300 metres east of Site 20.0 is a circular raised 40 ft diameter whim platform. The platform still retains traces of a stone retaining wall. On the east side of the whim platform is a filled shaft, small mullock heap and a very weathered and partly buried puddling machine site.

Site 20.2. Deep Lead mine. Mine workings. Two small weathered mullock heap are located at the junction of the above tributary and Back Creek. No machinery footings, pebble or sand dumps.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Site 20.0 has little integrity, but is a landscape feature. Site 20.1 is a fine example of the layout small scale deep lead mine. Site 20.2 has little integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 20.0 has little integrity but some historical value as a landscape feature.

Site 20.1 has: Scientific Significance. The site has well preserved relics (whim platform, mullock heap and puddler) which document the operation of a small-scale deep lead mine.

Site 20.2 has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1867 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 9 Mines Department Annual Report, 1912 10 Mines Department Annual Report, 1913 11 Mines Department Annual Report, 1937 12 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 13 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1939

66 Kong Extended

SITE NO. & NAME: 21.0 KONG EXTENDED LEASE

LOCATION: EMU LEAD, BACK CREEK, NEAR CRAIGIE

HI NO: H7623-0116

DIRECTIONS: 2.4 km south-west of Craigie, east side of Talbot-Carisbrook Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1887. Name of lease covering the location shown on plan produced by Victorian Water Supply and Chief Mining Surveyor in June 1877, Quarterly Reports, September 1887.

December 1886. The yields of gold obtained during the quarter by the Napier Freehold (3,602 oz) and New Kong Meng (5,687 oz) Companies have been much larger than usual, and the splendid dividends which were paid by those companies within the same period fully prove the exceptionally high value of their properties. No such yields have ever before been obtained from any mine or mine in this subdivision. I may observe that the wash from the Napier has been taken, during the quarter, at an average depth of 67 feet from the surface. The owners of the several progressive mines in the subdivision are taking the necessary steps to bring them as speedily as possible into working order, with the view of developing their resources. Taking all things into consideration, I can with truth affirm that, as an important mining centre, the prospects of the subdivision were never 1 brighter or more hopeful than they are at present.

June 1887. The Kong Extended Company is now busily engaged with the works at their mine, and is erecting a new 2 engine and boiler.

September 1887. Mr Robert Allan, under instructions from the Mining Department, has furnished a report on the Majorca mines, accompanied by a plan. The latter show the whole of the mining properties to the north of Majorca. The positions of all bores, shafts, and worked-out gutters are from actual survey, and the levels on surface and underground have been carefully correlated. Commencing at the southern end of the plan, there is shown the old McCallum’s lead, which has been worked to the southern boundary of the Majorca United Company’s ground, where it runs under the basalt. It is for the continuation of this lead, and also that shown as Fox’s rush, that this company has been started, and there can be little doubt of the junction of these leads being found within the company’s boundary. The Kong Extended, South Kong Extended, and Majorca No. 2 Company’s have been started, with a view of working the continuation of the old leads known as the Emu, Cockatoo, and England’s Hill, and, from surface indications, Mr Allan thinks they will be found to continue as per dotted lines on plan, and, after forming a junction, will continue on through the western side of Battery Hill, and pick up the old Four-mile Flat lead, and go thence in a north-easterly direction towards the Napier Company’s shaft. The course of the main channel (at present being worked by the Kong Meng and Napier Companies), has been proved by boring operations, and the dotted line shows it probable trend through the Chalk’s Freehold in a north- westerly direction, thence (after picking up the old lead known as the Goldbrook or Carisbrook lead) in a north- easterly direction through the Stewart’s and Stewart’s Extended Companies. A tributary lead has also been proved in the East Kong Meng, and in all probability another will be found coming in a north-westerly direction through the 3 Kong Meng No. 1, and joining the main channel near the northern boundary of the Kong Meng Company.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 21.0. Kong Extended lease (One of many mines spawned by the New Kong Meng mining boom in the late 1880s). Mine workings. Small mullock heap and sand dump. There is also a dam near the heaps. No machinery footings visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

67 Kong Extended

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1886 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887

68 Cockatoo Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 22.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS AND LARGE HEAP 22.1 DEEP LEAD MINE 22.2 PUDDLER AND CYANIDE WORKS 22.3 PUDDLER AND CYANIDE WORKS, BONNEY JEAN DAM

LOCATION: COCKATOO/EMU LEAD, BACK CREEK, NEAR CRAIGIE

HI NO: 22.0 H7623-0117 22.1 H7623-0118 22.2 H7623-0119 22.3 H7623-0120

DIRECTIONS: Cockatoo/Emu Lead is located 3.3 km south-west of Craigie, south side of Carisbrook-Talbot Road, opposite Dennerts Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 22.0 and 22.1--Freehold Land Sites 22.2 and 22.3--State Forest

HISTORY:

August 1859. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION (D. O’Leary, Mining Surveyor). On England’s Hill (Cockatoo) a new reef has been discovered, and in the prospectors’ claim there are five distinct lodes visible on the surface within a breadth of 300 yards, running parallel to each other. The surface quartz realises 3oz per ton … In the engine-shaft (for instance of Messrs Costick and Co., White Horse Reef, near Amherst, now 1 sunk to a depth of 230 feet, there are three separate leaders.

September 1865. At Cockatoo, Wanlace and Co., with a small engine, have been profitably employed in their lease 2 of 10 acres, they find good returns in a width of 300 feet.

March 1866. Quartz tailings and cement crushed: Greenaway and Wallace, from Majorca and Cockatoo, 400 tons of cement yielded 320 ounces, 450 tons of tailings yielded 45 ounces; Johnston and Sons, from Majorca and Cockatoo, 3 300 tons of cement yielded 180 oz, 150 tons of tailings yielded 45 oz.

December 1867. About Cockatoo, mining prospects are healthy. The Northumberland Company is paying well, 4 while many of the adjoining claim proprietors are pushing forward their works with spirit and energy.

December 1868. The Enterprise Company is tracing gold southward towards Mount Greenock; while the Robin Hood and Columbian Companies are taking the lead northward in the direction of Moolort Hill. On Fox’s Plain a large quantity of land has been taken up, with the view of connecting the Sadowa Lead at Rocky Flat with the run at 5 Cockatoo.

March 1869. ALLUVIAL MINING. Majorca. The Grand Junction and Minorca shafts are making progress. The latter is down 90 feet, but not bottomed. These shafts will develop a supposed new lead at Majorca, which can only be a junction of the Four-mile Flat and Cockatoo Leads, and probably the Rocky Flat Lead also. No other outlet exists for all the Amherst and Talbot Leads, except through the basalt formation at Majorca. The Gibraltar diggings are too shallow and dry to carry such deep and wet leads as these. Should this supposition prove correct, then a new stretch of miles of country will be opened from Cockatoo to Chalk’s Plains, Carisbrook. The Enterprise Company is developing the lead from Maiden Hill backwards towards its source, which is probably the McCallum’s old lead, German Gully. Sinking is now going on in advance of the Hanoverian Lead, in a 42nd section paddock, and all the available land near is held under lease. The Kong Meng Company are engaged upon the shallow ground of their claim, the deep ground being still too wet, although the most valuable; their returns are 363 oz. The Robin Hood Company has only thirty men at work on the claim, which is too small a force to work it efficiently; their returns are 381-1/2 oz. The United Kingdom Company has disposed of their claim and plant to the New Band of Hope Company; the returns are 192-1/2 oz. The Homeward-bound Company is at present unable to work the deep gutter 6 because of the water; their returns are 70 oz.

1909. Several of these parties have erected small cyanide plants in connection with their mines for the purpose of treating the slum from the puddling machines, which is carefully stacked, and which was formerly lost into the creeks or scattered over the surface. The value of the slum varies from 3 to 10 dwts per ton. A good deal of the old alluvial and poor ground is being reworked over, in some cases, third and fourth working. A little free gold is got in the machines, but the chief revenue is the fine gold won from the slum. The surface, old holes, shafts, and creeks, in and around old diggings, are being fossicked and cleaned up wherever the sand and slum can be found in payable quantities. In this way a large number of men are profitably employed. The cyanide process, within the last few years, has been simplified, and with a little training the knowledge of its working has become general, which, in

69 Cockatoo Lead many ways, is good for the miner, as throughout the year they have the advantage of dividing their working time between underground and surface work, so that if working conditions below are not good, through bad air or increase 7 of water, the time can be spent on a cyanide plant.

70 Cockatoo Lead

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 8 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Cockatoo/Emu Lead (This lead appears to have been mainly worked in the 1860s. Cyaniding of shallow alluvial workings commenced in 1909). Wide band of partly bulldozed small mullock heaps/filled shafts that run in a north-east/south-westerly direction from the continuation of Dennerts Road.

Site 22.0. Deep Lead mine (Probably part of South Kong Extended lease). Mullock heap. The workings on the east side of the road are on grazed Freehold Land and terminate at a large mullock heap. There are no machinery footings associated with the mullock heap.

Site 22.1. Deep Lead mine. Mullock heap. Small intact mullock heap located to the south of Talbot-Carisbrook Road. No machinery foundations, pebble or sand dumps.

Site 22.2. Puddler and cyanide works. Puddler. Associated with the workings on the west side of the road is a well defined 22 ft diameter puddling machine. The puddler has no pivot post or trench slabbing and has been partly quarried by gold fossickers. A section of a small dam survives on the east side of the puddler. Cyanide works. To the north of the puddler are several badly preserved circular cyanide vat impressions and drainage channels. Associated with the vats are small mounds or “dobs” of treated material.

Site 22.3. Bonney Jean Dam. Puddler. On the northern end of the dam’s embankment is a two metre high, partly quarried flattened mound of wash. On the mound is a 18 ft diameter, 3 ft deep, hole which has a concrete base. This feature is probably a puddling machine which has had its inner mound removed. Cyanide works. 30 metres from the puddling machine site on another flattened working area are four circular cyanide vat impressions. The vats have a diameter of 16 feet and are located approximately one metre below the height of the puddler. There is a large spread of treated material (small mounds or dobs) on the north-western side of the dam.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All sites are in poor condition and have low integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 22.0 has little integrity but some historical value as a landscape feature.

Site 22.1 has little integrity.

Sites 22.2 and 22.3 have: Scientific Significance. Both sites have the remains of puddlers and associated cyanide works. This type of site, which documents the cyaniding of shallow alluvial wash-dirt, is rare in Central Victoria. Both sites have poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

71 Cockatoo Lead

7 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 8 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

72 Cockatoo Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 23.0 PUDDLER

LOCATION: CONTINUATION OF EMU AND COCKATOO LEADS, BACK CREEK, NEAR CRAIGIE

HI NO: H7623-0121

DIRECTIONS: 3.9 km south-west of Craigie, south of Carisbrook-Talbot Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

See Site 22.0 for historical information.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 23. Puddler (Main period of working the lead was 1860s. The condition of the puddler suggests it operated during the late nineteenth century). Puddler. On the embankment of a large silted dam is a very weathered puddling machine. The dam is surrounded by large banks of wash. Running south from the dam, through very scrubby country, is a wide band of poorly defined shallow sinkings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

73 Four Mile Flat

SITE NO. & NAME: 24.0 PUDDLER, LOUISA DAM 24.1 FOUR MILE FLAT PUDDLER

LOCATION: FOUR MILE FLAT

HI NO: 24.0 H7623-0122 24.1 H7623-0123

DIRECTIONS: The puddlers are associated with a band of alluvial sinkings that run north-east from Centenary Track. The alluvial sinkings are located 3.4 km north-west of Craigie.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

No references found. Presumably the flat was opened during the mid to late 1850s, during the great Maryborough Rush.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Band of alluvial workings (Gully most probably opened during the great Maryborough Rush. It would have then been taken over by the puddlers. The condition of the puddlers suggest that they operated during the nineteenth century). A narrow band of well defined shallow sinkings run north-east from Centenary Track to Wells Track. The sinkings are relatively intact (distinct holes and small mounds) but ran through very scrubby country (regrowth from recent bushfire). The head of the gully has been extensively surfaced or puddled.

Site 24.0. Louisa Dam. Puddler. On the eastern end of the dam’s embankment is a partly buried, fairly weathered, 20 ft diameter puddler. No pivot post or trench slabbing are visible and most of the puddler’s wash has been quarried.

Site 24.1. Puddler. Puddler. 200 metres north of Louisa Dam, east side of the track, is a large dam. On the western end of the dam’s embankment is a relatively well defined 20 ft diameter puddling machine. The puddler has a pronounced inner mound and the puddling trench is deep with sheer sides. There are traces of a pivot post but no slabbing survives in the trench. Most of the puddler’s wash has been quarried. The puddler and dam are hidden by thick scrub. Alluvial sinkings. The puddler is associated with a well defined band of shallow sinkings which run parallel to the track. The sinkings are relatively intact but obscured by thick scrub.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The alluvial sinkings associated with the two puddlers are relatively well preserved and hence have good integrity. Puddler (Site 24.0) is in poor condition but the other puddler (Site 24.1) is relatively well preserved and thus has good integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Both site have: Scientific Significance. The puddling machine sites are associated with extensive gully surfacing.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

74 Perseverence/Forbes Freehold

SITE NO. & NAME: 25.0 PERSEVERENCE COMPANY 25.1 FORBES FREEHOLD 25.2 DEEP LEAD MINE NO.1 25.3 DEEP LEAD MINE NO.2

LOCATION: COCKATOO LEAD, BACK CREEK, NEAR CRAIGIE

HI NO: 25.0 H7623-0124 25.1 H7623-0125 25.2 H7623-0126 25.3 H7623-0127

DIRECTIONS: The group of sites are located 3.1 km south-west of Craigie, both sides of Back Creek, west of Craigie-Clunes Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1865. At Cockatoo, Wanlace and Co., with a small engine, have been profitably employed in their lease 2 of 10 acres, they find good returns in a width of 300 feet.

December 1868. The Enterprise Company are tracing gold southward towards Mount Greenock; while the Robin Hood and Columbian Companies are taking the lead northward in the direction of Moolort Hill. On Fox’s Plain a large quantity of land has been taken up, with the view of connecting the Sadowa Lead at Rocky Flat with the run at 5 Cockatoo.

March 1869. Majorca. The Grand Junction and Minorca shafts are making progress. The latter is down 90 feet, but not bottomed. These shafts will develop a supposed new lead at Majorca, which can only be a junction of the Four- mile Flat and Cockatoo Leads, and probably the Rocky Flat Lead also. No other outlet exists for all the Amherst and Talbot Leads, except through the basalt formation at Majorca. The Gibraltar diggings are too shallow and dry to carry such deep and wet leads as these. Should this supposition prove correct, then a new stretch of miles of country will be opened from Cockatoo to Chalk’s Plains, Carisbrook. The Enterprise Company are developing the lead from Maiden Hill backwards towards its source, which is probably the McCallum’s old lead, German Gully. Sinking is now going on in advance of the Hanoverian Lead, in a 42nd section paddock, and all the available land near is held under lease. The Kong Meng Company are engaged upon the shallow ground of their claim, the deep ground being still too wet, although the most valuable; their returns are 363 oz. The Robin Hood Company has only thirty men at work on their claim, which is too small a force to work it efficiently; their returns are 381-1/2 oz. The United Kingdom Company has disposed of the claim and plant to the New Band of Hope Company; their returns are 192-1/2 oz. The Homeward-bound Company are at present unable to work the deep gutter because of the water; their returns 6 are 70 oz.

March 1880. The Perseverance Company obtained 132 oz during the quarter. The Forbes’ Freehold obtained, up to the 10th March, 268 oz; but since that date the company have not obtained any gold, because they are fully engaged in sinking their shaft 50 feet deeper, in order to test the value of the deep ground in their mine. The Kong Meng are making satisfactory progress with all their operations. 7 A quartz claim of 1,200 x 600 feet, situate at Cockatoo, was registered during the quarter by a party of twelve men.

June 1880. The Forbes’ Freehold Company have sunk their shaft 50 feet deeper. They have put in a lower level and 8 a jump-up, and are now driving to test the deep lead. The Perseverance obtained 175 oz 4 dwts during the quarter.

75 Perseverence/Forbes Freehold

September 1880. The Perseverance obtained 195 oz 3 dwts, and the Forbes’ Freehold 15 oz 3 dwts during the 9 quarter.

December 1880. The Perseverance Company have been working some poor ground during the quarter; their returns 10 are 152 oz.

March 1881. The Forbes Freehold mine has been relet on tribute, with every prospect of success. Statement of gold 11 obtained for the quarter includes returns from: Forbes Freehold Tribute, Narrigal; and Perseverance, Narrigal.

June 1881. Tenders have been called by the Forbes Union, for the purpose of letting their mine on tribute, but no satisfactory arrangement has yet been made. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this subdivision during the 12 quarter: New Kong Meng, Majorca, 811 oz; Perseverance, Narrigal, 230 oz.

September 1881. In consequence of the machinery of the Perseverance claim getting out of order, work was suspended for several weeks to allow necessary repairs to be made. The Forbes Union has wholly suspended work, 13 and their machinery has been advertised for sale.

March 1882. The Perseverance Company has washed less stuff than usual during the quarter. They have been 14 engaged in putting in a lower level, and expect to get payable wash in a few days.

15 September 1882. The Perseverance Company has been working very poor ground during the quarter.

16 December 1882. The Perseverance Company have worked out the mine, and have placed their plant in the market.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 25.0. Perseverence Company (The company worked in the early 1880s). Mullock heap. Small intact mullock heap located on the east bank above Back Creek. Shaft. The shaft has been filled but has collapsed slightly and is now fenced. Mining machinery. On the eastern side of the shaft is a largely buried bluestone boiler setting. The boiler setting, measuring approximately 21 ft x 8 ft is covered by high grass and red brick rubble.

Site 25.1. Forbes Freehold Company (The company worked in the early 1880s). Mullock heap. Small intact heap mainly made up of washed pebbles. The heap has eight short dumping lines. No machinery foundations are visible but 40 metres to the north of the heap are the remains of a two-roomed blue stone building.

Site 25.2. Deep Lead mine (Presumably contemporary to Forbes Freehold and Perseverance). Mullock heap. 300 metres north-east of Site 25.1 is a small intact mullock heap. Puddler. Associated with the mullock heap is a very weathered 18 ft diameter puddler. The puddler’s inner mound and puddling trench have nearly merged as one and are now almost completely hidden by high grass. There are still traces of the puddler’s pivot post but no trench slabbing. There is a small bank of wash on the slope below the puddler’s outlet channel.

Site 25.3. Deep Lead mine. Presumably contemporary to Forbes Freehold and Perseverance). Mine workings. On the opposite bank of Back Creek to Site 25.2 is a small mullock and pebble heap. No machinery foundations visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Site 25.0 has some integrity due to the survival of the mine’s boiler setting. Site 25.2 has some integrity due to the survival of the mine’s puddling machine. Sites 25.1 and 25.3 have low integrity as mine sites.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 25.0 and 25.2 have: Scientific Significance. Early small-scale deep lead mines which still have some machinery foundations.

Sites 25.0 to 25.3 have: Cumulative value. An interesting relatively undisturbed early deep lead mining landscape.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

76 Perseverence/Forbes Freehold

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, August 1859 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1866 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1867 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1880 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1880 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882

77 Eaglehawk Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 26.0 EAGLEHAWK DAM PUDDLER 26.1 WESTERN DAM PUDDLER 26.2 ADIT NO. 1 26.3 ADIT NO. 2 26.4 PUDDLER NO. 2 26.5 PUDDLER NO. 3

LOCATION: EAGLEHAWK GULLY

HI NO: 26.0 H7623-0128 26.1 H7623-0129 26.2 H7623-0130 26.3 H7623-0131 26.4 H7623-0132 26.5 H7623-0133

DIRECTIONS: Eaglehawk Gully is located 5.4 km south of Maryborough, between Wells and Graves Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

Eaglehawk Gully would have been opened during the great Maryborough Rush in the mid 1850s. After the gully was worked-out it would have been taken over by the puddlers.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Eaglehawk Gully would have been opened during the mid 1850s. Puddling would have commenced once the gully had been worked-out by the rushing miners. The weathered puddlers would most probably date to the nineteenth century while the two well defined puddlers (Sites 26.1 and 26.5) would be twentieth century.

Site 26.0. Eaglehawk Gully Dam. Puddler. A poorly preserved 18 ft diameter puddler is located in the middle of the dam’s embankment. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound and puddling trench. Approximately one quarter of the puddler has been quarried by gold fossickers. The quarrying has exposed the previously buried pivot post. No slabbing survives and most of the puddler’s wash has been quarried. The puddler is hidden by thick scrub. Alluvial workings. A relatively undisturbed band of shallow sinkings run south-east from the dam to Graves Track. The well defined holes and small mounds are hidden by thick scrub. The gully above the dam has been extensively surfaced or “puddled-out”.

Site 26.1. Western Dam. Puddler. On the western end of the dam’s embankment is a well defined, but partly quarried 22 ft diameter puddler. The puddler’s inner mound is pronounced and the puddling trench is deep with sheer sides. Like the previous puddler, quarrying by gold fossickers has exposed the pivot post. Alluvial workings. The gully below the dam, the most easterly of the three gullies that make up the head of Eaglehawk Gully, has been extensively surfaced or “puddled-out”.

Site 26.2. Adit. Adit. On the west side of the gully, 30 metres from Western Dam, is an open adit. The narrow cutting leading from the adit has four sets of collapsed legs. The cutting runs for approximately 27 metres before terminating at a small intact mullock heap. Mullock heap. The heap is approximately 20 metres wide and has several short dumping lines.

Site 26.3. Adit. Adit. 300 metres to the south of Western Dam the gully joins with the main course of Eaglehawk Gully. At 100 metres south of this junction a line of relatively large mullock heaps cross the gully. On the north side of the gully, associated with the largest of the heaps, is an open adit.

Site 26.4. Puddler. Puddler. On the opposite side of the gully to the adit (Site 26.3) is a very weathered puddler. The puddler is located on the south side of a breached embankment and appears to be of an unusually large size (26 ft diameter). It is only just possible to distinguish the puddler’s inner mound from the puddling trench. A section of the pivot post survives but there is no trace of any slabbing. The outer mound of the puddler is five metres wide and there is one large bank of wash which is some 20 metres long and 3 metres high. The surrounding country is very scrubby.

78 Eaglehawk Gully

Site 26.5. Puddler. Puddler. 50 metres east from the junction of Centenary and Graves Tracks is a small partly silted dam. On the dam’s embankment is a well defined 20 ft diameter puddling machine. The puddler’s inner mound is pronounced and the puddling trench is deep, has sheer sides and a concrete base. There is no sign of any pivot post or trench slabbing. The north-east side of the puddler’s outer mound has been quarried but on the other side of the puddler is an intact bank of wash which is some 20 metres long and 2 metres high.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Eaglehawk Gully contains a range of relatively undisturbed features that together help document aspects of alluvial and quartz mining.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have: Cumulative Scientific Value. An interesting network of relatively well preserved mining sites which document the nature of puddling and aspects of small scale quartz reefing.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

79 Long Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 27.0 SLUICING DAM 27.1 PUDDLER AND DAM 27.2 LINE OF SHALLOW REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: LONG GULLY

HI NO: 27.0 H7623-0134 27.1 H7623-0135 27.2 H7623-0136

DIRECTIONS: Long Gully is located 4.7 km south-south-east of Maryborough. The gully runs bewteen Graves and Wells Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

Long Gully would have been opened during the great Maryborough Rush in the mid 1850s. After the gully was worked-out it would have been taken over by the puddlers.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Long Gully would have been opened during the great Maryborough Rush in the mid 1850s. After the gully was worked-out it would have been taken over by the puddlers and quartz miners. Relics recorded would most probably date to the mid to late nineteenth century.

Site 27.0. Sluicing dam. Sluicing dam. 230 metres west along Long Gully from Graves Track is a 100 metre long, 4 metre high breached embankment. The gully above and below the dam has been sluiced to a depth of two to three metres. The section of gully between the dam and line of reef workings (Site 27.2) has 1-1/2 metre high, 3 metre wide banks of shovelled overburden running along both of its sides.

Site 27.1. Puddler. Puddler. Near the southern end of the sluicing dam’s embankment is a small silted dam. On the northern end of the dam’s embankment is a weathered 22 ft diameter puddler. It is just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. The pivot post has been burnt out, no trench slabbing survives and there is a massive bank of wash measuring approximately 25 metres long and 3 metres high.

Site 27.2. Reef workings. Reef workings. A line of shallow reef workings crosses Long Gully 150 metres west of the sluicing dam (Site 27.0) The reef workings running south from the gully go up the side of a steep hill. The workings (small mullock heaps, some trenching and one adit) have been bulldozed. The entrance to the adit has been closed off but it has collapsed in several places on the hill-slope. The workings running north from the gully also have been badly bulldozed. The northerly extension terminates at a relatively large mullock heap (25 metres diameter, 3 to 5 metres high). No machinery foundations survive at the large heap. There are, however battery foundations (Site 28.0), at Battery Dam approximately 200 metres to the north-east.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Long Gully contains a range of relatively undisturbed features that together help document many aspects of alluvial and quartz mining.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 27.0 and 27.1 have: Cumulative Scientific Significance. Adjoining sites which document developments in shallow alluvial mining.

Site 27.2 has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

80 Battery Dam

SITE NO. & NAME: 28.0 BATTERY 28.1 EUCALYPTUS DISTILLERY 28.2 CYANIDE WORKS 28.3 PUDDLER 28.4 HOUSE SITE 28.5 BULLY GULLY ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: BATTERY DAM, BULL GULLY

HI NO: 28.0 H7623-0137 28.1 H7623-0138 28.2 H7623-0139 28.3 H7623-0140 28.4 H7623-0141 28.5 H7623-0142

DIRECTIONS: Bull Gully is located 4.3 south-south-east of Maryborough. The gully runs between Graves and Wells Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

1916. State batteries. One at Koetong is in the course of construction, and another at Mariners Reef, Maryborough, 1 is being overhauled with a view to being put in commission.

Exploring Maryborough and District: extract from book re ruins of house. Looking carefully, you will see some low stone and mud walls. These ruins are all that remain of the family dwelling of Thomas Rice. The name Thomas Rice is synonymous with the discovery of gold in Maryborough. Brothers Thomas and William Rice were in transit from Avoca to Yandoit in June 1854, when they found 24 ounces of gold in a short time, in an area off the Avoca Road, starting a minor rush. Because of their itinerant ways they did not see any newspapers for some time, and consequently they did not learn that a reward had been offered for the discovery of the Maryborough goldfield until a month after the date applications had expired. Records show that no reward was paid for the Maryborough discovery. It was not all bad luck for Thomas, however; he unearthed a gold nugget weighing 537 ounces approximately a mile 2 from here at Blachmans Lead. A simple cairn commemorates the find.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 28.0. Battery. (Local information suggests this may have been the site of private battery. The above information, taken from the 1916 Annual Report, shows that a government battery was also erected in the area in 1916. The Mines Department report gives the battery’s location as Mariners Reef. More historical research required [on the battery]. Ramp. On the south side of Battery Dam are the remains of an earth ramp measuring 60 ft x 30 ft and standing 5 ft high. Battery foundations. At the base of the ramp is a single row of narrow slots which would have once housed the wooden mortar stumps for 15-head of stamps. The stumps had been set in clay rather than the usual rough concrete. Running parallel to the slots is another narrow depression which would have contained a thick wooden bed-plate or bearer. 1-1/2 inch tie bolt survives at each end of the bed-plate depression. Below the stamper foundations is a lower floor which contains an arrangement of wooden bearers and iron tie bolts. There is also an up-rooted ship’s tank lying on this lower floor. Boiler setting, flue and stack base--5 metres to the east of the stamper foundations is a relatively intact above-ground stone boiler setting. The walls of the boiler setting stand to a height of 5 ft and are 30 ft long and 2-1/2 ft thick. The rear wall of the boiler setting has been demolished and rubble has partly covered an iron damper plate. A short 6 ft long flue, indicated by a line of stone rubble, runs to the site of a stack base (mound of stone rubble). In-situ stone work suggests that the stack base was approximately 12 ft square. A line of brick rubble runs south from the base showing where the brick stack had fallen. Cornish Boiler. The boiler setting still contains the shell of a 28 ft long, 6-1/2 ft diameter Cornish Boiler. The boiler has only one inspection mark--BIA 5465, TP120,WP180, 25/9/22. Sections of the red brick lining between the boiler and the stone walls still survive. In front of the boiler setting is a partly buried 12 ft square concrete slab. Tubular Boiler--Near the in-situ boiler is an intact Tubular Boiler. According to local information this boiler was a recent introduction to the site. Battery Dam. Large full dam lies to the north of the battery site.

81 Battery Dam

Site 28.1. Eucalyptus Distillery (Local information suggests the plant operated c.1930s/1940s). Eucalyptus distillery. A few metres to the north of the boiler setting are four circular vats. Three of the vats are open, the fourth is still covered by its concrete lid. The vats, set one foot apart, have an internal diameter of 6-1/2 ft and their walls appear to be made up of three components: an outer lining (two courses of red bricks), middle lining (shell of an iron boiler) and an inner lining (one course of red brick). Running parallel to the eastern side of the vats is a 35 ft long, 3 ft wide concrete strip. Given there is no crane post, this narrow slab is probably part of a gantry system. On the western side of the vats is a T-shaped condensing pit which is 2-3/4 ft wide with 13 inch wide concrete rendered brick walls. The west arm of the condensing pit is 33 ft long and 3-1/4 ft deep and the south arm is 18 ft long and 6 ft deep.

Site 28.2. Cyanide works [Cyaniding commenced c.1987 and continued to First World War. Recommenced in the 1930s when the price of gold rose dramatically). Cyanide works. 18 metres to the south of the battery is an extensive spread of tailings. On the tailing heap is a single row of six 20 ft diameter cyanide vats. Each of the vats have a well defined narrow trench running around their perimeters indicating that they were once brick-lined. This interpretation is supported by scatter of red bricks around the vicinity of the vats. At the base of the tailings dump are two circular drainage vats: the eastern vat has a diameter of 16-1/2 ft and has had its bricks removed, the eastern vat is somewhat smaller (13-1/2 ft diameter) and still retains its concrete-rendered brickwork. Between the two drainage vats are the remains of two small circular brick/concrete rendered structures. One has been demolished to ground-level, the other is intact and is 4 ft wide and stands 1-1/2 ft high. These two small structures mare probably sumps.

Site 28.3. Puddler. (The state of preservation suggests the puddler operated in the twentieth century). Puddler. 50 metres from the cyanide works is a large dam. On the southern end of the dam’s embankment is a well defined and relatively intact 22 ft diameter puddler. The puddler’s inner mound is pronounced and the puddling trench is deep with sheer sides. There are no traces of any pivot post or slabbing. Most of the puddler’s wash has been quarried.

Site 28.4. House site. House site. Near the south-west corner of Battery Dam are the stone footings of a L-shaped two or three- roomed house. The stone and mud walls are 1 ft thick, approximately 30 ft long and in some places still stand to a height of 2 ft. There is no sign of any fireplace. The house site is completely obscured by wattle regrowth (from recent bushfire).

Site 28.5. Bull Gully. Alluvial workings. Band of shallow sinkings runs in a south-easterly direction from Battery Dam. The holes are well defined (in some places still open for a depth of 2 to 5 metres) and regularly spaced. The country is very scrubby.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The place contains a remarkable range of well preserved features which document a sequence of different uses through time.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 28.4 has: Historical Significance. According to locals, the house site is associated with one of Maryborough’s pioneering gold miners.

The sites have: Cumulative Significance. The place has relics which illustrate four different industries--puddling, quartz crushing, cyaniding and Eucalyptus distilling. The place also has some social significance as it has been identified as a tourist attraction.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mines Department Annual Report, 1916, p.12 2 Exploring Maryborough and District, Maryborough Field Naturalists Club Inc

82 Bristol Hill

SITE NO. & NAME: 29.0 CONWAY’S WORKINGS AND DAM 29.1 EASTERN REEF OPEN CUT 29.2 WESTERN OR MAIN ENGINE SHAFT AND DAM 29.3 BORELAND’S WHIM SHAFT 29.4 WILLIAMS SHAFT 29.5 WHIM SHAFT

LOCATION: BRISTOL HILL, MARYBOROUGH

HI NO: 29.0 H7623-0143 29.1 H7623-0144 29.2 H7623-0145 29.3 H7623-0146 29.4 H7623-0147 29.5 H7623-0148

DIRECTIONS: Maryborough. The hill is bounded by Elgin Road, Kars Street and Gladstone Street.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Public Purpose Reserve

HISTORY:

September 1868. Ellery and Passmore have lately turned out some good stone from their claim on Bristol Hill. From their last crushing of 11 tons they obtained an average of nearly 3-1/4 oz. Depth of sinking, 212 feet … The attention 1 of speculators is being now drawn to Bristol Hill, on which there is a splendid opening for mining enterprise.

June 1869. The Bristol Hill Company is at present actively engaged in making preparations for the efficient working 2 of their claim.

March 1870. The Bristol Hill Extended Company have sunk two shafts on their claim—one on the western reef to a depth of 235 feet, and one on the eastern reef to a depth of 245 feet; the distance between the shafts is 660 feet … It is the intention of the company, so soon as the driving is finished, to erect powerful crushing and winding steam machinery. From Deed’s Reef, the returns this quarter are 131 oz from 47 tons; the Hit-or-Miss Reef gave 46 oz from 17 tons; and one of the many reefs on Bristol Hill gave 125 oz from 100 tons. These are among the highest returns obtained 3 during the quarter.

June 1870. The Bristol Hill Company is well pleased with the trial crushing of 129 tons, which gave 74 oz 15 dwts 4 12 grs. Two reefs on their claim are still untried.

September 1870. The Bristol Hill Company has crushed 417 tons, which gave 135 oz 13 dwts 6 grs; they are still driving at the 252-foot level, in order to reach the western shaft; the ground is extremely hard, and the progress 5 slow.

December 1870. The Bristol Hill Company has 30 men at work on their claim, but no steam machinery has yet been erected. Several claims on the hill are now idle, water having been reached at a depth of 250 feet, and at present 6 there is no available means of drainage.

7 March 1871. The Bristol Hill Company is now fairly in the market for the purchase of steam machinery.

September 1871. The Bristol Hill Company has sunk the eastern shaft to a depth of 284 feet. Two reefs were 8 discovered in the cross-cut from east to west, averaging in thickness 8 feet.

March 1872. Most of the larger claims have been nearly unproductive during the quarter, the owners having been engaged in making extensive alterations on them, with a view to more successful future operations. This remark particularly applies to the claims of the North German Company, the Mariner’s Reef Company, and the Bristol Hill 9 Company.

September 1872. The Bristol Hill Company has now got their fine plant in order, and will soon have a crushing 10 ready.

March 1873. The Bristol Hill Company has crushed no stone during the quarter. This company do not crush for the public; and I may remark that many quartz miners have frequently reported to me that their interests are greatly

83 Bristol Hill injured and obstructed from the undoubted difficulty they experience in getting their quartz conveniently crushed, and at a moderate cost. Since the accident sustained by the North German Company there are now only two engines in the whole of the division which crush for the public—one of these is situate at Mosquito and the other at 11 Craigie.

June 1874. The shaft on the western reef of the Bristol Hill Company’s claim has been stopped, in consequence of 12 the water being too heavy for winding; the depth of the shaft is 410 feet.

December 1875. The Bristol Hill Company have lately sold their plant and claim, on Bristol Hill, to Messrs 13 Anderson Brothers, of Smeaton, who are now making suitable arrangements to resume work on the mine.

September 1876. The Bristol Hill Company have now got their machinery all in order, and are engaged in cutting 14 down the western main shaft to a greater depth.

June 1877. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION QUARTZ MINING. This class of mining has rapidly improved and increased in importance during the quarter. Hitherto, in this division, alluvial mining has been in the ascendant, and by far the greater portion of the mining industry and capital expended in the division have been directly applied to the opening out and development of its alluvial mines. But as the alluvial mines are gradually becoming less productive, special attention is now being directed by practical miners and mining speculators to the well known and payable quartz reefs in the division. In consequence of the want of capital and suitable appliances on the part of those who discovered these reefs, the real character of the majority of them has only partially been tested. Of course this remark does not apply to the Leviathan, Bristol Hill, and Mariner’s Reefs, which have all along received an unusual degree of attention, and the expensive operations on which have absorbed, without yielding a profitable return, an enormous amount of labour and capital. As a rule the reefs which are now being worked are paying well, and in course of time new reefs, of a productive character, will surely be discovered. So that the success and prosperity of this class of mining throughout the district may soon be expected to be quite removed from that kind of distrust and uncertainty which have, in the past surrounded and depressed it, and that it will be permanently established upon a sure, solid, and prosperous 15 basis.

December 1877. The Bristol Hill Mine is still progressing favourably. It is situated close to the town of Maryborough, and affords steady employment to a number of men. During the quarter 1,194 tons of stone from this 16 mine were crushed.

June 1878. The Bristol Hill Company is raising stone, but will not crush before a month. The proprietors employ two tribute parties on the mine to prospect the ground. Some of the stone now being raised is very rich. The deepest 17 shaft in the mine is 509 feet. The plant is valuable and efficient.

December 1878. The Bristol Hill mine is still looking well, and Messrs Anderson Brothers, the enterprising proprietors, are sparing neither labour nor expense to make it a thorough success. From 1,150 tons of stone 536 oz 9 dwts of gold were obtained, or an average of nearly half an ounce per ton. Over seventy hands are regularly employed in and about the mine, and the amount paid in wages exceeds £150 a week. The mine lies close to the 18 town, and most of the men employed in it live in the town.

March 1879. QUARTZ MINING. This class of mining still continues to make favourable progress. Excellent returns have been obtained from the mines at Bristol Hill, Telegraph, Blucher’s, and Leviathan Reefs. Messrs Anderson Brothers are still making valuable improvements on their mine. They have recently accepted a contract from Conway and party for sinking the main shaft to a further depth of 120 feet, which, when completed, will make the total depth of the shaft 620 feet. The cost of sinking the 120 feet will be £6 10s a foot. The reef at Bristol Hill has been found to increase in thickness and in quality as it descends. The pyrites obtained from the mine is sent by 19 rail to Clunes for treatment, with excellent results. Before long pyrites works will be erected on the spot.

June 1880. The Bristol Hill Company has connected the eastern and western shafts by a cross-cut at a depth of 500 20 feet. They have let the mine on tribute.

June 1881. No returns have been received from Bristol Hill. The works are stopped, and the pumps drawn. Messrs 21 Anderson Brothers, the owners, have experienced a heavy loss by the mine, which has never paid expenses.

December 1885. Worsley and party, owners of the Keep-it-Dark claim, Bristol Hill, crushed a small parcel of stone, which gave an excellent yield. Messrs Seebach and McKeone, owners of the Lord Shaftesbury claim, Bristol Hill, 22 crushed 18 tons, which gave a return of 23 oz 14 dwt, or an average of 1 oz 6 dwt 8 gr per ton.

June 1887. An effort is also being made to form a company to work the reef at Bristol Hill, from which, during the 23 last 20 years, a large amount of gold has been obtained.

84 Bristol Hill

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Bristol Hill reefs were being worked in 1868. The peak mining period was the 1870s.

Site 29.0. Bristol Hill. Water dam. Large silted water dam. Open cut. To the south-east of the large dam is a line of reef workings. The shafts have been filled and most of the mullock has gone. The most visible feature is a small partly filled open cut. Flattened battery site. Between the open cut and the dam is a spread of red bricks.

Site 29.1. To the south of Site 29.1 is a better preserved stretch of reef workings. Again the most visible feature is open cutting. There are two large open cuts, both of which are partly filled: one is 80 metres long, 5 to 10 metres wide and 4 metres deep, the other, near the look-out tower, s approximately 50 metres long and 8 metres wide.

Site 29.2. Large dam. 250 metres north-west of the Look-out Tower is another large dam. Mullock heap. Near the middle of the dam’s embankment is a partly quarried large mullock heap. The surviving part of the heap is approximately 50 metres long and 8 metres high. No machinery foundations survive.

Site 29.3. Borelands Whim shaft. Whim platform. To the south of the eastern end of the above dam are the remains of a raised circular whim platform. The whim platform is approximately 30 ft wide. A 20 metre long, 2 metre high dumping line runs south from the whim platform.

Site 29.4. Williams shaft. Mullock heap. 60 metres south of Site 29.3 are two adjoining, partly quarried, small mullock heaps. The most northern heap has a 15 metre long, 2 metre high, dumping line.

Site 29.5. Whim shaft below Ellery and Passmores Reef. Whim. 10 metres to the south-west of Site 29.3 is a largely intact, 30 ft diameter, raised whim platform. A small mullock heap with five short dumping lines runs from the western side of the whim platform.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Reef workings surviving on Bristol Hill have low integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have little integrity as most of the mining relics have been either removed from the hill or flattened. The hill has strong social value and is signposted, and is currently being developed, as a tourist destination. The focal point on Bristol Hill is now the look-out tower.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1875 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1877

85 Bristol Hill

17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1879 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887

86 Upper Chinamans Flat

SITE NO. & NAME: 30.0 PUDDLER 30.1 PUDDLER

LOCATION: UPPER CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD

HI NO: 30.0 & 30.1 H7623-0149

DIRECTIONS: Chinamans Flat Lead runs in a northerly direction from Bristol Hill to Timor. The lead runs along the west side of Pekin and Timor Roads, and crosses Leviathan, Thompsons and Andersons Road. Puddlers are located 1.4 km north-west of Maryborough Post Office.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. 1856: After the lapse of two years, during which period many rushes had occurred, Maryborough was almost deserted; but another new and valuable discovery was made at Chinaman’s Flat, about one mile and a half from the spot where gold was first found at Maryborough. The locality was on the Bet-Bet or east side of the Dividing Range. Thousands again flocked to the spot. The large flat was found to extend towards the Bet-Bet for a distance of eight miles, and the country was discovered to be rich in quartz reefs as well as alluviums. The famous Leviathan Reef is now [1869) worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballaarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of keeping down the flow 1 of water, and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

January 1860. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The little that has been doing in alluvial mining by those who have not, or perhaps could not follow the rushes, is mostly in the shallow sinking in the old leads and gullies scattered throughout the division, and which have been tried a dozen times over. In the face of this fact it might appear astonishing why the miners do not sum up courage enough to try the deep ground in several of those old leads which they know full well contain gold in no small quantities. There are the Alma, Chinaman, and Havelock Flat, wet leads, all proved highly auriferous, and which require only some efficient system of working to prove highly remunerative; but it is to be regretted the diggers cannot, without the assistance of some capital, embrace those opportunities, it being well known that seven-eighths of the mining population here have been struggling for a mere subsistence, nevertheless some attempts have been made by a few persevering diggers to discover those lost leads, attempts which have as yet proved ineffectual, no doubt on 2 account of the limited means employed.

August 1860. With respect to the plan of Chinaman’s Flat Lead just forwarded, some explanation might not be deemed unnecessary. From (a), the top of the lead, to (c), the lead is shallow and altogether occupied by Chinese. At (l), two separate and distinct leads had been discovered. The one called the Red Lead, varying in depth from 60 to 80 feet, lost at (m) … The other called the White Lead, varying in depth from 40 to 128 feet, lost at (s) … Engine Claim. This portion of he lead is 115 feet deep, all old ground, except some occasional blocks. The company consists of fifteen men. Engine (old) 10 horse-power. Wash from 3 to 5 feet high of the headings, which average (per secretary’s statement) 3 dwt per load. Weekly washing = 100 loads = 300 dwt = 15 oz = one ounce per week per man. At (s) the lead has been abandoned, the miners having been unable to work it without the aid of machinery. A 3 pumping engine 20 horse-power would be sufficient to meet the emergency.

February 1861. Havelock and Chinaman’s Flats. In these two places, where the wet leads have been lost, claims have been secured by actual miners, who have already commenced to work, and by whom strong hopes are 4 entertained that the lost leads will again be shortly discovered.

87 Upper Chinamans Flat

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Head of Chinamans Flat (The flat was opened in 1856 and witnessed a huge rush. After the shallow ground of the lead was worked-out was taken over by the puddlers. Peak puddling period would have been the late 1850s/early 1860s. The weathered nature of the puddlers suggests they operated during the nineteenth century).

Alluvial workings. The two puddlers are associated with a 100 metre wide band of well defined workings (shaft depressions and small mounds) that run south from Leviathan Road. The old relatively undisturbed workings are very visible due to the ground cover having been burnt during a recent fire. The shallow sinkings peter out at the head of the gully giving way to extensive surfacing. The band of alluvial workings continues north from Leviathan Road but because the sinking was through softer ground they are not well preserved. The country is also very scrubby to the north of the road.

Site 30.0. Chinamans Flat Lead. Puddler. The puddling machine site is located 300 metres south-west of the junction of Leviathan and Pekin Roads. The puddler is badly preserved with only a small section of the inner mound and puddling trench still surviving. The puddler has a diameter of 22 ft, no pivot post or slabbing and is associated with a 50 metre long low embankment. Most of the wash associated with the puddler has been quarried.

Site 30.1. Chinamans Flat Lead. Puddler. 130 metres south of Site 30.0 is a another badly preserved 22 ft diameter puddler. It is just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. There is no sign of any pivot post of slabbing. Most of the wash associated with the puddler has been quarried. Rubbish dump. 200 metres further south is an old rubbish dump (circa. 1930s/1950s).

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The shallow alluvial workings (shaft sinking and surfacing) south of Leviathan are relatively undisturbed and thus have high integrity. Both puddlers associated with the old workings are in poor condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have: Cumulative Value. The place documents the extensive nature of the surfacing (quarrying of wash dirt) which was part of the puddling industry.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

88 Upper Chinamans Flat

89 Leviathan Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 31.0 MARYBOROUGH LEVIATHAN COMPANY 31.1 TEN MAN DAM CYANIDE WORKS 31.2 BATTERY SITE

LOCATION: LEVIATHAN REEF, CHINAMANS FLAT

HI NO: 31.0 H7623-0150 31.1 H7623-0151 31.2 H7623-0152

DIRECTIONS: 2.4 km north-west of Maryborough, immediately east of Maryborough Aerodrome, west of Pekin Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Public Purpose Reserve

HISTORY:

September 1889. A new reef was discovered during the quarter in the Caledonian Quartz Prospecting claim, situated on the Caledonian Reef, near Leviathan Reef, about 1-1/2 miles from Maryborough. The reef is a new one, bearing one point west of north, with a dip of 9 feet in 40, and was discovered on the surface by mere chance. The discoverers, Messrs Alfred and Thomas Snowden, were passing the locality with a dray, when one of the wheels of the dray turned up a good specimen of quartz showing good gold. The above claim was pegged out and registered on 10th July last, and the reef taken out to a depth of 20 feet, amounting to 13 tons of quartz, which was treated at the Duke Battery, Timor, and gave a yield of 16 oz 10 dwt, or an average of 1 oz 5 dwt per ton. A second shaft has been sunk near the first one to a depth of 40 feet, at which depth the reef has been struck. The owners have about 6 tons at grass from this reef … They obtained £4 2s 6d for their gold, and have divided £8 per week between them since commencing work. There is plenty of new country in the neighbourhood. A man named Wm. Dark has a claim south of Snowden’s, from which he has got the colour, but he has suspended work for the present, as he expects some assistance from the prospecting board. The reef north of Snowden’s has been prospected by a party, but with no 1 satisfactory results.

December 1890. From the alluvial and quartz mines the returns are much in excess of those of the preceding quarter, and the mining prosperity of this division is gradually undergoing a revival. A large number of claims have been secured on the line of the Leviathan reef, situated about two miles from Maryborough. Messrs Barry and Judd and 2 Sharpe and Dark have obtained good yields from this reef during the quarter.

September 1891. In quartz mining another co-operative party on the Great Western Reef, adjoining Judd and Barry’s claim, have struck the reef, and have a crushing of 90 tons ,which yielded 30 dwt of gold to the ton. Laurie and party have also struck the same reef, but the stone taken out is not so promising as in the former claim. The whole of this line of reef for a distance of two miles has been pegged out, and the various parties are actively engaged in searching for the reef on their respective blocks. Mr D. Beckett has furnished the following report on quartz reefing at Maryborough: “There is a revival of quartz mining at Maryborough, due in a great measure to the valuable discovery of Messrs Dark and Sharp at the head of Chinaman’s Flat, about two miles north-west of Maryborough. This reef, which is supposed to be a continuation of the Leviathan line, was opened in April of last year by assistance received from the Prospecting Vote. The lode was struck at a depth of 84 feet from the surface, and followed to the water-level, 146 feet, where the stone improved. The average width of the reef is 4 feet. Since opening the mine in May 1890, the party has crushed 1,900 tons of quartz for a yield of 21,50 oz of gold. This was obtained by eight men. The claim, 600 feet in length, is held under the mining by-laws. The next one south, held by Judd and party, comprising four shareholders, is equally rich. During the year they have been at work they have crushed 2,244 tons of quartz, yielding 2,600 oz of gold. No. 2 south, Snowdon and party, have lately struck the reef, and obtained from 96 tons a yield of 153 oz of gold. No. 3 south has also found the lode, but have not yet had a crushing. The length of the reef already traced is about 1,200 feet. There are nine leases granted on the line, and four others applied for, besides ten claims held under the by-laws. As instancing the value of the discovery, it may be stated that Dark and Sharp and Judd and 3 party have lately been offered £20,000 for the two claims”.

June 1899. THE LEVIATHAN GROUP Following the line above described in its northerly extension we pass the Arrah-na-Pogue mine (the returns from this portion of the line having been very rich), and going to the north reach the well-known Leviathan group of mines. The

92 Leviathan Reef

Leviathan line was worked in the early days, and yielded gold to the value of half a million, obtained from three or four mines adjoining each other. Immediately to the west was discovered in 1890 a lode which has since been proved to be a continuation of the great line of the Maryborough district, and has given handsome returns. The lode was discovered through the aid given by the Government Prospecting Board. Two prospectors obtained a small grant, which enabled them to sink a shaft, and the lode was encountered; since that gold to the value of £113,000 has been obtained from the reef. The whole of the ground in the neighbourhood was taken up by co-operative parties, and the reef has yielded well. At a depth of 350 feet, finding the water too strong for the available appliances, a disagreement occurred between the various parties as to drainage costs, and the result was the amalgamation of all the mines, forming a leasehold now known as the Leviathan United Company, with an area of 153 acres, and a length along the line of lode of 5,750 feet. The result of the co-operative parties’ operations is as follows: Sharp and Barry, 38,000 tons yielded 22,992 oz; Snowden’s, 11,000 tons yielded 5,260 oz. The lode known as the Great Western has a strike of north 29 deg. west, an easy underlay west, and the shoots of payable stone pitch south. Its size varies from 3 to 5 feet, and in places up to 15 feet in width. The stone is kindly in appearance, and the gold well distributed through the body of it. It has been worked in places to a depth of 355 feet, and maintains its character. The payable shoot has been sufficiently developed to prove that the lode is a “master” one, and no doubts can be entertained as to its persistency … The Leviathan United property has been sent to London for flotation, and in a few months should be in full working order. We know of no other venture 4 possessing such exceptional potentialities, and predict a good future for shareholders.

1903. Within the boundaries of my portion of the Maryborough gold-field quartz mining is, with one exception, confined to working small tonnage reefs, by a few co-operative parties, the majority of which get their stone crushed at the local public crushing batteries. The Maryborough Leviathan mine is situated at the extreme source of Chinaman’s Flat lead, which was one of the two rich tributaries that fed the present Duke United lead system. The company holds about 108 acres under lease, embracing nearly 1 mile on the line of reef. Active work, including sinking to greater depth, has been carried on during the year. The stone milled aggregated 20,513 tons, yielding 6,117 ounces. A total of 170 men are employed, of whom 140 are working in the stopes between the 360 and 560 feet levels, and in the cross-cut at the 700 feet level. The old battery of 30 head of stampers has just been reinforced with new up-to-date one of 20 heads, which equipment comprises a high-pressure boiler, and tandem compound engine, fitted with Corlis’s valve gear. The stampers weigh 1,250 lbs each; and the other modern improvements include a rock breaker, a belt ore conveyer, and automatic feeders; also 3 Wilfley tables. The ordinary crushing capacity of the new stampers is about 4-1/2 tons per head per day, as 5 against only 2-1/4 with the old ones. The fifty heads are now milling about 3,000 tons monthly.

1904. At the Maryborough Leviathan Company’s mine, steady work has been carried on throughout the year on a large body of low-grade stone … In comparing the old mill of 30 head of stampers with that of the new one of 20 head a striking disparity is shown in the quantity treated and its cost. The old battery averaged only 2.11 tons per stamp per day of 24 hours, at a cost of 2s 3’4d per ton, whilst the crushing capacity of the new battery averaged 4.41 tons per head of stamps per 24 hours, at a cost of 1s 10’2d per ton, all tonnages being 27 cubic feet per ton. An average of 6 142 men were employed, of whom 113 worked underground.

1905. The Maryborough Leviathan Company (English) has done a large amount of prospecting in shaft-sinking and cross-cutting, but the results … have been very unsatisfactory. There are several co-operative parties at work, and 7 the results with them have been rather disappointing.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 31.0. Maryborough Leviathan Company (Reef opened in late 1890s, Maryborough Leviathan Company operated successfully at the turn of the century). Mining machinery. Located 20 metres east of the clearing for the runway for Maryborough’s Aerodrome is a tank- like brick mounting bed which measures 23-1/2 ft x 8 ft and stands 7 ft high. he walls of the bed are 2 ft thick, have 2 inch mounting bolts and the red bricks are set in a hard concrete mortar. The north wall of the bed has been demolished to ground level, the other three walls are in good condition. Shaft/bob pit. Located 8 metres to the east of the front of the tank-like bed is a filled but slightly collapsed shaft. A section of a brick bob-pit wall is visible on the west face of the collapsed shaft. Battery. 15 metres north of the west end of the tank-like bed are some bulldozed and partly buried concrete foundations which probably marks the site of the battery. Tailings adit. Running east from the flattened battery site is a tailings drainage adit. The adit has mainly collapsed and drains towards a massive sludge pond. Sludge pond. The pond has a 350 metre long, 2 metre high, embankment that runs north from Ten Man Dam to another large water dam. The pond has been quarried and tailings treated at Ten Man Dam.

93 Leviathan Reef

Site 31.1. Ten Man Dam cyanide works (Cyaniding commenced c.1897). Cyanide works. Immediately north of Ten Man Dam is a tailings dump which has an intact 19 ft diameter cyanide vat. The wall of the vat has two components: an outer lining of galvanised iron and an inner concrete rendered brick wall. The rest of the vats have been quarried. Below the vat is a 9 ft diameter galvanised iron drainage vat.

Site 31.2. Battery site? Sludge pond/raised sand dump. Immediately north of the boundary fence between Crown and Freehold Land is a long sludge pond embankment. The pond has been quarried and the treated tailings have been dumped in a heap that straddles the boundary fence. Battery site. Below the south-east corner of the tailings dump is a 9 metre wide mound of brick and stone rubble. Amongst the rubble is what appears to be the outline of a stone boiler setting. To the east of the rubble are the remains of some narrow concrete footings whose appearance suggests that they mark the site of a stamping battery.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All the sites have been disturbed but together they do tell a bit of the story of what went on at the site.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 31.0 has: Scientific Significance. The site is the location of one of Maryborough’s largest quartz mines.

Sites 31.0 to 31.2 have some: Cumulative Value. Although the sites have poor integrity they do document some of the activities that took place.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1890 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1891 4 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 5 Mines Department Annual Report, 1903 6 Mines Department Annual Report, 1904 7 Mines Department Annual Report, 1905

94 New Leviathan Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 32.0 NEW LEVIATHAN MINE 32.1 PUDDLER AND CYANIDE WORKS

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT

HI NO: 32.0 H7623-0153 32.1 H7623-0154

DIRECTIONS: 2.9 km north-west of Maryborough, south-west of the junction of Pekin and Timor Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

See history of Site 31.0.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Mining commenced in late 1890s and continued to c.1905. The puddler would date to c.1909/1910 when cyaniding of alluvial slum took off.

Site 32.0. New Leviathan mine. Mullock heap. Large mullock heap which has been partly bulldozed to fill shaft. On the south side, western end, is a shallow shaft and a mullock heap which has two short dumping lines. Machinery site. 15 metres south-west of the filled main shaft is a flattened machinery site (spread of brick rubble).

Site 32.1. Puddler. Puddler. 300 metres north-west of Site 32.0 is a small dam. On the eastern end of the dam’s embankment is a very weathered puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. Cyanide works. Immediately north of the puddler are three 18 ft diameter cyanide vat impressions. The narrow trench around the perimeters of each of the vats indicates that they were once lined with bricks. The vats are associated with a small dump of treated tailings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 32.0 has low integrity but some historical value as a landscape feature.

Site 32.1 has some: Scientific Significance. The site has relics relating to the cyaniding of alluvial wash dirt and slum. Once quite common, sites of this type are now quite rare in the Maryborough Division.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

95 Old Leviathan

SITE NO. & NAME: 33.0 OLD LEVIATHAN MINE

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT

HI NO: H7623-0155

DIRECTIONS: 3.8 km north-west of Maryborough, located between Logan, Denyers and Timor Roads.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY: The famous Leviathan Reef is now [1869] worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballaarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of 1 keeping down the flow of water, and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

April 1861. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION Amongst these is the Leviathan Reef, situate immediately on the east side of Chinaman’s Flat Old Lead. There are twelve claims being worked which vary in depth from 60 to 150 feet. In claims Nos. 5, 6, and 7, at a depth of from 60 to 115 feet, the reef is from 3 to 8 feet thick; average yield 25 dwt per ton. From claim No. 6 five men can raise six 2 tons per day.

September 1864. Amongst those well-paying reefs the Leviathan deserves special mention, five claims on which keep the crushing machine of the Ballarat Company constantly at work. This reef, at the present level of 120 feet, is 25 3 feet thick. Average yield, 15 dwts, 4 grs per ton.

4 December 1864. Ballarat Company, from Leviathan Reef, 1,741 tons yielded 1,120 oz

September 1865. Some of the claims on the Leviathan Reef have been yielding good returns, though in working this reef the primitive method of whip and whim is still in use. From the prospecting claim, extending northerly, the reef is rich, but as far as it has been traced southerly it is very indifferent. The increase of water has enabled the puddlers 5 throughout the shallow workings to carry on their business more extensively.

March 1867. Quartz crushed during the quarter. Mariner’s Reef Company, from Arrah-na-Pogue and Prussian Reefs, 92 tons yielded 124 oz; Ballarat, from Leviathan Reef and Co., 1,620 tons yielded 364 oz; Penny and Co., from Alexander and White Horse Reefs, 1,132 tons yielded 866 oz; Johnston and Sons, from Frenchman, Dorset and Co., 1,090 tons yielded 405 oz; Perseverance Co. from Leviathan and Victoria Reefs, 1,795 tons yielded 403 oz; Williams 6 and Co. from Blucher, Morgan and Co., 1,046 tons yielded 255 oz.

December 1867. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Leviathan Reef Co. from Leviathan Reef, 3,600 tons yielded 1,080 oz. The Leviathan Reef Company is stopped for repairs. This company has recently been made co-operative, since which it has paid well, and with every prospect of continuance. There is any quantity of quartz to be obtained from 7 the reef, and the stone looks exceedingly well.

March 1868. As regards quartz mining, I have to report that several prospecting reefs have been registered during the quarter. The Leviathan Reef Gold Mining Company was stopped for general repairs to machinery during two months 8 of the quarter; they have not got to work, and are sinking the No. 6 shaft while the reef is being drained.

96 Old Leviathan

June 1868. It is worthy of mention that a party of seven Chinamen have a quicksilver cradle at work upon the tailings of the Leviathan Reef Gold Mining Company, and it has been reported to me that they are deriving an income from 9 their operations of £35 a week.

September 1869. The Leviathan and North German Companies have amalgamated their claims. The latter company 10 had, before the amalgamation, just completed the erection of an entirely new plant, of the value of £2,000.

September 1871. There has been a considerable falling off in the returns of gold from quartz during the quarter, mainly in consequence of the stoppage of several of the crushing machines. The North German Company are about 11 to be reorganised. They propose to sink the shaft on the Leviathan Reef 100 feet beyond the present depth.

June 1872. The Leviathan Tribute Company have also been similarly engaged; they have sunk their shaft to a depth of 287 feet, and they intend to drive a level at 300 feet. The deepest ground already worked on the Leviathan Reef is 12 200 feet.

13 June 1873. The Bristol Hill Company and the Leviathan Company have been idle during the quarter.

June 1875. The Maryborough Consuls mine, at Leviathan Reef, Chinaman’s Flat, after having been idle two years, is now being worked by efficient steam machinery; the water in the mine has now been reduced to the cap-piece of the 14 drive at the 300-foot level.

December 1878. Wardley and party, of Leviathan Reef, Chinaman’s Flat, crushed 38 tons for a yield of 38 oz 10 15 dwts.

March 1879. QUARTZ MINING. This class of mining still continues to make favourable progress. Excellent 16 returns have been obtained from the mines at Bristol Hill, Telegraph, Blucher’s, and Leviathan Reefs.

September 1879. The Leviathan Reef is turning out well. From 352 tons a yield of 222 oz 10 dwts was obtained by 17 Messrs Wardley and party.

September 1881. The Telegraph Extended have closed their mine. The works at Mariner’s Reef are idle, and the same 18 remark applies to the works at Leviathan Reef.

June 1883. The operations at the Leviathan Reef mine are progressing favourably. The drives have reached the Warrior shaft, and a rise at the 120-foot level has been put up 25 feet. The third battery is being placed in order. All the machinery is in excellent condition. The prospects of the mine are good, and it has begun to yield satisfactory 19 returns of gold.

September 1883. The Leviathan Reef Company has done a lot of good and substantial work during the quarter. The prospects of the mine are excellent, and it is probable that before long several additional batteries will be erected. All 20 the appointments of the mine are in good order, and all the works in hand are being vigorously prosecuted.

December 1884. All work, except pumping, has been abandoned at the Leviathan Reef claim. The pumping will be 21 continued while boring with the diamond drill is being carried on.

March 1885. Boring with the diamond drill still continues at the Leviathan Reef, but all other work has in the 22 meantime been abandoned.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 33.0. Old Leviathan mine (also site of North German Reef). Most productive mining period was from mid 1860s to late 1870s. Tailings dump. Massive raised dump of sand which has the faint outlines of six circular cyanide vats. Machinery site. Between the south end of the heap and the Timor road are the remains of some quarried mullock heaps, lots of pepper trees and a flattened machinery site (spread of brick and stone rubble).

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

97 Old Leviathan

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1867 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1868 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1869 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1875 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1879 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1879 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1884 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885

98 Alma Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 34.0 DEEP LEAD MINE 34.1 CYANIDE WORKS 34.2 PUDDLER 34.3 WHIM SHAFT AND PUDDLER

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, ALMA

HI NO: 34.0 & 34.1 H7623-0156 34.2 H7623-0157 34.3 H7623-0158

DIRECTIONS: 1.8 km north-east of Alma, between Logan, Gladstone and Andersons Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

January 1860. The little that has been doing in alluvial mining by those who have not, or perhaps could not follow the rushes, is mostly in the shallow sinking in the old leads and gullies scattered throughout the division, and which have been tried a dozen times over. In the face of this fact it might appear astonishing why the miners do not sum up courage enough to try the deep ground in several of those old leads which they know full well contain gold in no small quantities. There are the Alma, Chinaman, and Havelock Flat, wet leads, all proved highly auriferous, and which require only some efficient system of working to prove highly remunerative; but it is to be regretted the diggers cannot, without the assistance of some capital, embrace those opportunities, it being well known that seven-eighths of the mining population here have been struggling for a mere subsistence, nevertheless some attempts have been made by a few persevering diggers to discover those lost leads, attempts which have as yet proved ineffectual, no doubt on 2 account of the limited means employed.

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 3 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

September 1860. Alma and Balaclava have been the scenes of two small rushes, shallow at the former--only 3 or 4 feet deep, and yet from this surfacing small nuggets varying from 1 to 4oz have been found. At the latter place the sinking is deeper--28 feet, and one claim has presented a prospect of 3 dwt to a dish, which, it is needless to add, is 4 creating a lively little rush.

September 1864. Alma. For the last three years, workings of any magnitude have ceased on the Alma; the miners after having, as in other places, traced the leads into the deep and wet flat, had to abandon the ground. There are three of those leads, the Alma, the Balaclava, and the Grave Yard Lead, which appear to converge so rapidly that a junction in the Alma Flat may be expected. To test this supposed junction ground, a strong company is now being formed, having secured a lease of 58 acres; and with the assistance of efficient machinery will, doubtless, be enabled to 5 discover the lost leads of the Alma. Two other leases of 30 acres each have been applied for.

99 Alma Lead

December 1864. On the Alma, at the supposed junction of the old leads, operations are commenced in earnest. A shaft 8 x 3-1/4 feet in the clear is already sunk to a depth of 70 feet; about 115 feet will reach the bottom. An engine of 25 horse-power is being erected, and no doubt exists as to success. At all events, after some cross driving the party 6 must ultimately succeed in discovering those lost leads or their junction.

March 1865. The shaft of the United Leads Company, Alma, is bottomed, but as yet without any favourable result. Cross drives have been opened, which are sure to intersect the deep ground. There is no change in alluvial mining in 7 the rest of the division.

September 1865. There is no improvement on the Alma, it appears the course of the deep ground has yet to be 8 discovered, which no doubt will be rendered less difficult now that the system of boring has been introduced.

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 9 of life and activity.

10 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 11 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

June 1869. Alma. One extended alluvial claim of ten acres, situate at Moonlight Flat, has been registered during the quarter. The Seaham Company are busily engaged in erecting a 16-inch cylinder steam-engine of 25 horse-power; they have put down a bore of 93 feet deep on their claim, and have obtained a splendid prospect. The Alma Consols 12 Company is now making excellent progress.

Cyaniding of alluvial slum commenced in 1909. 1909. Several of these parties have erected small cyanide plants in connection with their mines for the purpose of treating the slum from the puddling machines, which is carefully stacked, and which was formerly lost into the creeks or scattered over the surface. The value of the slum varies from 3 to 10 dwts per ton. A good deal of the old alluvial and poor ground is being reworked over, in some cases, third and fourth working. A little free gold is got in the machines, but the chief revenue is the fine gold won from the slum. The surface, old holes, shafts, and creeks, in and around old diggings, are being fossicked and cleaned up wherever the sand and slum can be found in payable quantities. In this way a large number of men are profitably employed. The cyanide process, within the last few years, has been simplified, and with a little training the knowledge of its working has become general, which, in many ways, is good for the miner, as throughout the year they have the advantage of dividing their working time between underground and surface work, so that if working conditions below are not good, through bad air or increase of water, 13 the time can be spent on a cyanide plant.

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 14 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Alma Lead was opened in 1855 and witnessed a huge rush. The lead was lost and it was not until 1869 that successful deep lead mining commenced on the lead. After the initial rush the shallow sections of the lead would have been worked by puddlers. Cyaniding of slum commenced c.1897 and also was extensively carried out after the price of gold rose during the 1930s Great Depression.

Site 34.0. Deep Lead mine (Name unknown, possibility that Seaham Company worked two shafts in the early 1870s. See Site 45.0). Mullock heap. Quarried remains of once large mullock heap. No machinery foundations or pebble dump.

100 Alma Lead

Site 34.1. Cyanide works (Probably dates to turn of century). Cyanide works. To the north-east of the mullock heap is a large raised dump of sand. On the heap, which has been partly quarried, are two rows of circular cyanide vat impressions. The vats have a diameter of 18 to 20 ft and each row has three vats.

Site 34.2. Puddler and dam (State of preservation suggests nineteenth century). Puddler. To the north-west of the large mullock heap is a small dam. There is a very weathered puddler located at the rear of the dam. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. No pivot post or slabbing is visible and there is little wash.

Site 34.3. Whim shaft and puddler (State of preservation suggests nineteenth century). Whim shaft. To the north of Site 34.2 is a small mullock heap. Associated with the mullock is a 32 ft diameter whim platform and a very weathered 20 ft diameter puddler. On the north side of the puddler is an intact 15 metre wide, 1 metre high, bank of wash.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have: Cumulative Significance. The sites contain a range of relatively well preserved relics which illustrate some of the activities and technology associated with deep lead mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1860 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 13 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 14 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

101 Queen Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 35.0 CYANIDE WORKS 35.1 PUDDLER AND DAM 35.2 ALMA LEAD WORKINGS 35.3 CYANIDE WORKS 35.4 QUEEN COMPANY 35.5 SAND DUMP

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, GLADSTONE BUSHLAND RESERVE

HI NO: 35.0 & 35.1 H7623-0159 35.2 H7623-0160 35.3 H7623-0161 35.4 H7623-0162 35.5 H7623-0163

DIRECTIONS: Gladston Bushland Reserve is located 2.5 km north-east of Alma, west side of Gladstone Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

June 1869. Alma. One extended alluvial claim of ten acres, situated at Moonlight Flat, has been registered during the quarter. The Seaham Company are busily engaged in erecting a 16-inch cylinder steam-engine of 25 horse-power; they have put down a bore of 93 feet deep on their claim, and have obtained a splendid prospect. The Alma Consols 4 Company is now making excellent progress.

September 1870. The Prince of Wales Company intends fully to test the value of their ground by boring; and the same remark also applies to the Queen and Count Bismark Companies, both of whose claims are situate on the Alma 5 Deep Lead.

December 1870. The Queen Company, as the result of boring, has found ground at a depth of 115 feet, from which 6 obtained a prospect of gold; they have purchased machinery, and will at once proceed with its erection.

7 March 1871. The Queen and Count Bismarck Companies are erecting steam machinery.

8 December 1871. The Queen Company is down 133 feet, and have obtained capital prospects.

June 1872. The erection of the large pumping engine of the Queen Company is completed. The plant of this 9 company is now a most complete one.

March 1873. The Queen Company has struck deeper ground; this has compelled them to put in new levels, and they are now just getting into full work.10

September 1873. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,050; Alma Consols, £7,500; John Bright, 11 £4,500; Queen, £600; Seaham, £5,700.

March 1874. The Seaham, Gladstone, and All Nations mines are now satisfactorily let on tribute.

102 Queen Company

12 Dividends paid during the quarter: John Bright, £900; Alma Consols, £3,000; Queen, £600.

June 1874. The Queen Company has ceased to work their mine, and, as soon as the underground material is taken up, the pumps will be drawn; several blocks of ground on the claim have been let on tribute, and a portion of the mine will 13 yet be worked by separate machinery.

14 September 1875. Dividends paid during the quarter: New Magnum, £2,700; Gladstone, £600; Queen, £300.

March 1877. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Band of Hope, Chinaman’s, 387 oz; Duke and Timor, Timor, 1,992; Count Bismarck, Alma, 110 oz; Seaham, Alma, 133 oz; Gladstone, Alma, 114 oz; New Magnum Bonum, Alma, 244 oz; Queen, Alma, 561 oz; St 15 Osyth, Chinaman’s, 43 oz; Total, 3,587 oz.

September 1877. Nearly all the gold obtained in the Queen Company’s mine has been got by the No. 7 tribute party, and their success is due to their having erected machinery. The ground of this mine is far too wet to be successfully 16 worked by horse-power.

June 1889. The principal claims which have paid dividends along the Alma Lead, all of which are now worked out and abandoned, are: The Golden Gate, south-west of Alma; the Alma Consols, north of Alma; the Seaham Company, Gladstone Company, Queen Company, the New Magnum Bonum, and the Bismarck Companies; all having paid well, four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above 17 seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims.

1898. Mr Watson requested the council grant him water from Seaham dam for cyanide treatment and a six-month trial was allowed. This area was still yielding gold in 1911 when Messrs Williams and Rewell sought 2,500 gallons per 18 day from Seaham Dam; permission was given provided sufficient water was retained for stock in dry periods.

1899. THE MAJORCA AND CARISBROOK LEADS VALUE OF GOLD YIELDS The following gives the records, so far as they have been preserved, of the value of gold returns, stated in figures of value, from the deep alluvial mines in the Maryborough division: ALMA FLAT LEADS Alma Consols £118,422 Seaham 121,433 New Seaham 1,389 Gladstone 57,585 Queen 43,042 New Magnum Bonum 51,785 19 Bismarck 117,083

1910. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies

103 Queen Company it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide outside the machines, 21 and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

104 Queen Company

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 35.0. Cyanide Works. Two main periods of cyaniding c. 1897 to First World War and c. 1937 to 1950s. Cyanide works. Near the south-east corner of the Bushland Reserve, east side of a small creek, is a large raised sand dump which has four, poorly preserved 23 ft diameter cyanide vat depressions. Cyanide works. On opposite side of the creek is another large raised dump which has a better preserved and more substantial cyanide works. Running through an arrangement of cyanide vats is a T-shaped open drain. There are two 22 ft diameter vats at the end of the T-junction. The vats originally had galvanised iron walls retained by clay but the iron has rotted leaving only corrugated impression in the clay. On either side of an open culvert leading to the T- junction are sets of two cyanide vats. The two 21 ft diameter vats on the western side of the culvert originally had 6 inch thick concrete walls retained on both sides by galvanised iron. The iron has now rotted away leaving only corrugated impressions in the concrete. The vats on the east side of the culvert are of similar size and construction. but are in better nick, still retaining some of their galvanised iron. At the base of the heap, below the end of the open culvert is a 14 ft diameter concrete and galvainsed iron drainge vat. Near the vat is a small concrete mounting bed with 1/4 inch mounting bolts. Water dam. West of the tailings/cyanide works is a large silted water dam.

Site 35.1. Cyanide Works (Two main periods of cyaniding c. 1897 to First World War and c. 1937 to 1950s). Puddler. Between the above dam and cyanide works is a very weathered 22 ft diameter puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. There is no pivot post or slabbing.

Site 35.2. Alma Lead workings (Nineteenth century). Mullock heaps/puddlers. 100 metres north of the above dam a line of eight small mullock heaps/filled shafts commences. The line of heaps runs for some 400 metres and terminates on Freehold pastoral land. Each of the mullock heaps has the remains of a very weathered 20 ft diameter puddler and two, the most southerly heaps also have circular whim platforms. It is likely that all the heaps once had whims but some where bulldozed during the shaft filling program. The two southern most heaps/puddlers are on Freehold Land.

Site 35.3. Cyanide Works (Two main periods of cyaniding c. 1897 to First World War and c. 1937 to 1950s). Cyanide works. To the east of the line of small mullock heaps/puddlers is a massive raised dump of sand. On this heap are some poorly preserved cyanide vat impressions and some small concrete mounting beds.

Site 35.4. Queen Company (Mine worked in 1870s). Mullock heap. To the north of Site 35.3 is a massive mullock heap. On the southern end of the heap are the remains of a pebble dump and several high wooden posts (remains of wooden superstructure for the above-ground puddling machines). Machinery site. Near the pebble dump is a mound of brick and stone rubble (flattened machinery site).

Site 35.5. Sand dump. Sand dump. 150 metres to the north-west of the deep lead mine is a relatively small raised sand dump. No cyanide vat or vat impressions are visible on the heap. This site is located on Freehold Land.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The cyanide works near the large dam is in relatively good condition. Although the rest of the sites are not well preserved they do form an interesting mining landscape.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 35.0 to 35.4 have: Cumulative Significance. The sites contain a range of relatively well preserved relics which illustrate some of the activities and technology which were associated with deep lead mining. Of particular significance are the long line of whim shafts and the well preserved cyanide works.

Site 35.5 has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

105 Queen Company

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1877 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 18 Barbara Willies, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp38-39, 1988 19 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 20 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 21 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

106 Gladstone Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 36.0 GLADSTONE COMPANY

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, ALMA

HI NO: H7623-0164

DIRECTIONS: 2.8 km north-east of Alma. Opposite side of road to Gladstone Bushland Reserve.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

June 1869. Alma. One extended alluvial claim of ten acres, situate at Moonlight Flat, has been registered during the quarter. The Seaham Company is busily engaged in erecting a 16-inch cylinder steam-engine of 25 horse-power; they have put down a bore of 93 feet deep on their claim, and have obtained a splendid prospect. The Alma Consols 4 Company is now making excellent progress.

June 1870. The Gladstone Company, Alma, is now in the market for a suitable mining plant to enable them to begin 5 work at once. The Seaham Company, Alma, obtained 30 oz 6 dwts as the result of their first fortnight’s work.

September 1870. The Gladstone Company has purchased the plant which belonged to the late Craigie Estate 6 Company, and are now busily engaged in removing the same to their claim.

December 1870. The Gladstone Company has erected two engines of 25 horse-power each, and have begun 7 operations.

March 1871. At the Alma, the Gladstone Company have opened the main drive to a depth of 150 feet. The run of gold in this claim is at a depth of 106 feet from the surface, but this run has not yet been reached from the lower 8 workings.

June 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,200; Alma Consols, £2,400; Seaham, £5,250; 9 Gladstone, £3,150; John Bright, £1,800; Golden Gate, £461.

September 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £5,550; Alma Consols, £1,200; Queen, £900; 10 Seaham, £3,600; Gladstone, £1,500; John Bright, £4,500; Golden Gate, £198.

Deember 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,350; John Bright, £3,000; Alma Consols, 11 £2,400; Queen, £1,200; Seaham, £3,000; Gladstone, £900.

12 June 1873. The Gladstone Company has been main-driving during the quarter in the direction of the Seaham claim.

September 1873. The Gladstone Company has scarcely done anything beyond prospecting their claim during the 13 quarter.

September 1874. Dividends paid during the quarter: John Bright, £900; Band of Hope, £300; Seaham, £300; 14 Gladstone, £300; Eastern, £30.

107 Gladstone Company

15 September 1875. Dividends paid during the quarter: New Magnum, £2,700; Gladstone, £600; Queen, £300.

March 1876. Dividends paid during the quarter: New magnum, £4,500; Gladstone, £300; Eastern, £90; Count 16 Bismarck, £2,250.

June 1876. I should state the return of gold obtained by the Gladstone Company is exclusive of that obtained from the slum. The slum has been sold to Chinamen for the sum of £53 per week. The claim of the New Magnum Bonum Company has been let on tribute at from 13 to 19-1/2 per cent on the gross yield of gold. Very fair yields have been obtained by the tributers. Dividends paid during the quarter: New Magnum, £300; Gladstone, £300; Count Bismarck, £3,250; Koh-i-noor, 17 £35.

June 1889. The principal claims which have paid dividends along the Alma Lead, all of which are now worked out and abandoned, are: The Golden Gate, south-west of Alma; the Alma Consols, north of Alma; the Seaham Company, Gladstone Company, Queen Company, the New Magnum Bonum, and the Bismarck Companies; all having paid well, four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above 18 seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims.

1898. Mr Watson requested the council grant him water from Seaham dam for cyanide treatment and a six-month trial was allowed. This area was still yielding gold in 1911 when Messrs Williams and Rewell sought 2,500 gallons per 19 day from Seaham Dam; permission was given provided sufficient water was retained for stock in dry periods.

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 22 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 36.0. Gladstone Company (Mine operated during the first half of the 1870s; cyaniding of alluvial slum commenced c.1897).

108 Gladstone Company

Mine workings. Massive mullock heap located in the middle of a grazed paddock. There are no in-situ machinery footings or pebble dumps. Cyanide works/sand dump. To the north of the mullock heap is an extensive raised dump of sand. On the south-east corner of the sand heap are two rows of 21 ft diameter brick and galvanised iron cyanide vats. Two vats survive in each row, the rest of the vats have been quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor but mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

109 Gladstone Company

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site has poor integrity but does have a well preserved large mullock heap and cyanide works. The mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1876 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 19 Barbara Willies, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp38-39, 1988 20 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 21 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 22 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

110 New Magnum Bonum

SITE NO. & NAME: 37.0 NEW MAGNUM BONUM 37.1 WHIM SHAFT WITH PUDDLER

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, ALMA

HI NO: 37.0 H7624-0228 37.1 H7624-0229

DIRECTIONS: 2.6 km south-west of Timor (Bowenvale). Deep Lead mine is on south side of Smalls Road, the whim shaft on the north side.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

5 September 1873. The New Magnum Bonum Company has also completed their plant.

6 March 1875. The faces of the claim of the New Magnum Company are looking very well.

September 1875. The New Magnum Company is at present harassed and delayed with the work, through litigation, which has also had a serious effect upon a large number of men who were employed about the mine. 7 Dividends paid during the quarter: New Magnum, £2,700; Gladstone, £600; Queen, £300.

March 1876. The New Magnum Company still continues to pay excellent dividends, and the mine is looking well. 8 Dividends paid during the quarter: New magnum, £4,500; Gladstone, £300; Eastern, £90; Count Bismarck, £2,250.

June 1875. ALLUVIAL MINING. There is nothing of importance to report in this class of mining; but it will be seen that excellent returns have been obtained from the Duke and Timor (2,107 oz), the New Magnum (2,301 oz), and 9 Count Bismarck (1,681 oz) claims.

111 New Magnum Bonum

June 1889. The principal claims which have paid dividends along the Alma Lead, all of which are now worked out and abandoned, are: The Golden Gate, south-west of Alma; the Alma Consols, north of Alma; the Seaham Company, Gladstone Company, Queen Company, the New Magnum Bonum, and the Bismarck Companies; all having paid well, four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above 12 seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims.

1898. Mr Watson requested the council grant him water from Seaham dam for cyanide treatment and a six-month trial was allowed. This area was still yielding gold in 1911 when Messrs Williams and Rewell sought 2,500 gallons per 13 day from Seaham Dam; permission was given provided sufficient water was retained for stock in dry periods.

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 16 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

New Magnum Company worked in the 1870s; cyaniding of alluvial slum commenced c.1897.

Site 37.0. New Magnum Bonum Company. Mullock heap. Large mullock heap and partly quarried pebble dump. Battery site. In the gap between the mullock heap and pebble dump quarrying has exposed a large bedlog, several iron tie bolts and the remains of one stamper mortar block. 20 metres to the west of the battery site is a stone boiler setting. Sand dump and cyanide works. To the east of the mullock heap is an extensive low sand dump which has several faint cyanide vat impressions.

Site 37.1. Whim shaft with puddler. Whim shaft. Near the junction of Smalls and Hickeys Roads is a small scrubby triangle of land. In the middle of the scrub is a breached dam. Near the dam is a small mullock heap which has a well defined circular whim platform and a very weathered puddler. The puddler has no pivot post or slabbing.

112 New Magnum Bonum

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, but large mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 37.0 has little integrity but does have some historical value as a landscape feature.

Site 37.1 has: Scientific Significance. The site has some relatively well preserved relics relating to the operation of a small-scale deep lead mine.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

113 Count Bismark

SITE NO. & NAME: 38.0 COUNT BISMARK

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, TIMOR CREEK

HI NO: H7624-0230

DIRECTIONS: 1.7 km south-west of Timor (Bowenvale), south-east of corner of Hickeys and Blakes Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

December 1870. The Count Bismarck Company has also found ground at a depth of 138 feet, from which they have 6 obtained excellent prospects.

March 1871. The Queen and Count Bismarck Companies are erecting steam machinery. The latter company has 7 sunk the shaft to a depth of 50 feet.

December 1871. The Queen Company is down 133 feet, and have obtained capital prospects. The Count Bismarck Company has removed the machinery which they originally placed on their claim, as they found it too light for their 8 purpose; they have now purchased a 24-inch cylinder engine.

June 1872. The plant of this company is now a most complete one. The plant of the Count Bismarck Company is 9 rapidly approaching completion, but no wash-dirt has been struck.

March 1873. The Count Bismarck Company is gradually opening up the mine; they will not be in full work for some 10 months to come.

September 1874. No blocking has been done in the Count Bismarck mine, nor will there be until the mine has been 11 drained.

March 1875. All the gold returned this quarter by the Count Bismarck Company is being obtained from the ground situate at the north end of the shaft of their mine, while the ground at the south end is being opened out; but in about 12 six weeks more both parts of the mine will be fully worked, although the water is very heavy.

114 Count Bismark

March 1876. Dividends paid during the quarter: New magnum, £4,500; Gladstone, £300; Eastern, £90; Count 14 Bismarck, £2,250.

June 1876. Dividends paid during the quarter: New Magnum, £300; Gladstone, £300; Count Bismarck, £3,250; Koh- 15 i-noor, £35.

September 1877. A fine yield has been obtained by the Bismarck Company. In addition to declaring dividends during the quarter to the value of £5,850, this company has paid off £400 of a current liability and 100 guineas as a bonus to 17 their mining manager, Mr G.F. Beaven.

18 December 1877. The Count Bismarck mine continues to give capital returns.

March 1878. The Count Bismarck Company has been less fortunate than usual during the quarter. It has experienced no accident of any kind, but the ground has been found to be variable and uncertain; hence the decline in the yield of gold from its mine. I hope to be able in my next report to send you better tidings regarding this mine, which has all 19 along been managed with great ability.

December 1878. The operations of the Bismarck Company, at the Lower Alma, and of the Duke, at Timor, are upon a very costly and extensive scale, and prove conclusively that a large measure of confidence is still reposed in our principal alluvial mines. The Bismarck mine will soon be in full working order; the chief difficulty against which the 20 company has now to contend is the water, which of late has become unusually heavy.

June 1889. The principal claims which have paid dividends along the Alma Lead, all of which are now worked out and abandoned, are: The Golden Gate, south-west of Alma; the Alma Consols, north of Alma; the Seaham Company, Gladstone Company, Queen Company, the New Magnum Bonum, and the Bismarck Companies; all having paid well, four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above 21 seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims.

1898. Mr Watson requested the council grant him water from Seaham dam for cyanide treatment and a six-month trial was allowed. This area was still yielding gold in 1911 when Messrs Williams and Rewell sought 2,500 gallons per 22 day from Seaham Dam; permission was given provided sufficient water was retained for stock in dry periods.

115 Count Bismark around old diggings, are being fossicked and cleaned up wherever the sand and slum can be found in payable quantities. In this way a large number of men are profitably employed. The cyanide process, within the last few years, has been simplified, and with a little training the knowledge of its working has become general, which, in many ways, is good for the miner, as throughout the year they have the advantage of dividing their working time between underground and surface work, so that if working conditions below are not good, through bad air or increase of water, 24 the time can be spent on a cyanide plant.

116 Count Bismark

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 25 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 38.0. Count Bismark Company (Company worked through most of the 1870s). Mullock heap. Massive mullock heap with three 100 metre long dumping lines radiating from a filled shaft. On the other side of the shaft is a high but extensively quarried pebble dump. Protruding from the pebble dump is an arrangement of 15 to 20 ft high wooden posts (the remains of the wooden superstructure which once supported the above-ground puddling machines). Scattered around the pebble dump are up-rooted bedlogs.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but does have some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1875 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1876 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1877 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1877 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 22 Barbara Willies, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp38-39, 1988 23 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 24 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 25 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

117 Alma Timor United

SITE NO. & NAME: 39.0 ALMA TIMOR UNITED 39.1 SAND DUMP AND MULLOCK HEAPS

LOCATION: JUNCTION OF ALMA AND CHINAMANS FLAT LEADS, TIMOR

HI NO: 39.0 H7624-0231 39.1 H7624-0232

DIRECTIONS: 1.0 km west of Timor (Bowenvale). Deep Lead mine is on north side of Bet Bet Creek Road; sand dump and small mullock heaps on opposite side of road.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

March 1871. The Alma and Timor Junction Company, Havelock, have put down seven bores on their claim; these have been bottomed at depths varying from 96 to 112 feet. In the last bore a splendid prospect was obtained. The 5 company will at once proceed to purchase and erect steam machinery.

June 1871. The Alma and Timor Junction Company have at length succeeded in proving the reef, on each side of the 6 Alma Lead, at an average depth of from 130 to 200 feet.

September 1872. The Alma and Timor Junction Company have attained to a depth of 240 feet with their shaft; the water is light and the sinking easy. The company are about to purchase a second engine, which, when erected, will 7 complete their plant.

March 1873. The Alma and Timor Junction Company has begun the erection of their steam machinery, which consists of one 24-inch and one 16-1/2-inch cylinder engine and a double set of lifts. The Heavy timber for the 8 engine-beds is on the ground, and it is expected that the plant will be completed about the end of July.

September 1873. The Alma and Timor Junction Company has finished the erection of their fine plant, consisting of a 9 24-inch and a 16-1/2-inch cylinder engine; also winding and pumping gear, with two 15-inch lifts.

September 1874. The Junction Company, at Timor, has been engaged during the quarter in driving for the lead, and 10 the distance driven in 550 feet.

11 March 1875. The Junction Company is engaged in main driving.

March 1876. The Junction Company has at last struck payable gold, and I hope soon to be able to report favourably of the progress of their mining operations. The plant of this company’s mine has absorbed an immense amount of 12 capital and labour to bring it to its present state of efficiency.

118 Alma Timor United

March 1877. The quantity of water pumped per minute is 1,640 gallons. The claim of the Junction Company was recently sold at the instance of one of the banks. This property is now in the hands of a new company, which havs named the claim the “Try Again”. I believe this claim is rich, and that before long good yields will be obtained from 13 it.

119 Alma Timor United

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 16 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 39.0. Alma and Timor Junction (also Junction Company, Try Again Company and Victoria Company). Company worked during the 1870s. Mullock heap. Small mullock heap and pebble dump associated with a partly quarried sand dump. No ground-level machinery foundations or wooden posts.

Site 39.1. Deep lead workings. Mine workings. Several small mullock heaps and one large sand dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 39.0 has low integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

Site 39.1 has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868

120 Alma Timor United

2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 14 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 15 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 16 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

121 Duke Consolidated

SITE NO. & NAME: 40.0 DUKE CONSOLIDATED 40.1 DUKE CONSOLIDATED

LOCATION: TIMOR CREEK, TIMOR

HI NO: 40.0 H7624-0233 40.1 H7624-0234

DIRECTIONS: 0.5 km north-west of Timor, between Bet Bet Creek and Timor Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1 June 1882. The Duke Consols company are making important additions to their plant.

June 1883. The Duke Consols Company has sunk the main shaft to a depth of 205 feet. The water, which is heavy, is being easily kept under. A suitable site has been selected on which a winding shaft is to be sunk; this work will 2 soon be begun.

September 1883. The various works now in hand on the Duke Consols Company are making satisfactory progress, 3 and the future of the mine is apparently excellent.

December 1883. The lead of gold now being worked is directly trending towards the leases of the Duke Consols Company, which company are also making satisfactory progressing. All the works and the machinery of the mine are in good order. Forty men are employed. The following is a statement of gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Duke Company, Timor, 3,044 oz; Duke Consols Company, Timor, 160 oz; John Bright Company, Lower Alma, 196 4 oz; Comet Company, Alma, 33 oz; Carisbrook United Company, Carisbrook, 15 oz.

March 1884. The Duke Company has decided on letting their mine on tribute. The Duke Consols Company has 5 extended the main drive and the wash continues to look well.

June 1884. The Duke Consols Company has been driving at the north end of their mine, and they expect soon to be in a position to block. The wash at the south end is opening up well, and is yielding payable returns. The tributers 6 have not yet got into payable wash. The returns obtained from this mine are much better than those of last quarter.

September 1884. The Duke Consols Company has resolved to let their mine on tribute. Good prospects are being obtained at the north drive, but there is no change to report at the south end of the mine. There has been a great 7 improvement during the quarter in yield of gold from this mine.

March 1885. The Duke Consols Company have extended their main drive, and have opened two cross-cuts, going north and south from it. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal mines in this division during the quarter: Duke Company (Timor), 296 oz; Duke Company (Tributers), 404 oz; Duke Consols Company (Tributers, Timor), 519 oz; 8 John Bright Co. (Lower Alma), 110 oz.

June 1885. The Duke Consols Company have considerably extended the south drive. They have done, and are doing, 9 careful and good work, with satisfactory prospects.

September 1885. The Duke Consols Company has started a new drive, to go south from the main level, at which 10 place the best prospects have hitherto been obtained.

December 1885. The Duke Consols Tributers are making steady progress, and have obtained an increase in their 11 returns of gold.

122 Duke Consolidated

December 1886. The yield obtained by the Duke Consols Tributers (495 oz) shows a substantial increase on the 12 amount which they got during the preceding quarter.

March 1887. The mines at Timor have been fairly successful during the quarter. The returns of gold from the Duke 13 and the Duke Consols are good.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 40.0. Duke Consolidated Company (Mine operated during the 1880s). Mullock heap. Small mullock heap located north of Bet Bet Creek Road, near Parkers Bridge. No machinery foundations or pebble dump.

Site 40.1. Duke Consolidated. Mullock heap. Small mullock heap west of Timor Road, near Cliffords Bridge. No machinery foundations or pebble dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but does have some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1884 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1884 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1885 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1885 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1886 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887

123 Chinamans Flat

SITE NO. & NAME: 41.0 DEEP LEAD MINE 41.1 LOWER CHINAMAN’S SAND DUMPS (1) 41.2 LOWER CHINAMAN’S SAND DUMPS (2) 41.3 EUCALYPTUS DISTILLERY

LOCATION: LOWER CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD

HI NO: 41.0 H7624-0235 41.1 H7624-0165 41.2 H7624-0166 41.3 H7624-0236

DIRECTIONS: Timor. Lead runs along west side of Timor Road between Andersons and Bet Bet Creek Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 41.1 and 41.2--Freehold Land Site 41.0--Unreserved Crown Land Site 41.3 appears to be on Crown Land

HISTORY:

Chinamans Flat Lead was opened in 1856 and witnessed a huge rush. Deep lead mining commenced on the lead in 1864 with the operations of the Hit and Miss, United and Magnum Bonum companies. The main period of for deep lead mining for this section of the lead was the 1870s when there were several large companies in full production, including John Bright, Band of Hope and Prince of Wales.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Main period of deep lead mining for this section of Chinamans Flat Lead was the 1870s.

Site 41.0. Deep Lead mine. Mullock heap. Small mullock heap. No machinery foundations or pebble /sand dumps.

Site 41.1. Sand dumps. Sand dumps. Two small raised sand dumps. The dumps are located where Anderson’s Road crosses Chinaman’s Flat Creek.

Site 41.2. Sand dumps. Sand dumps. Immediately south of Alma-Timor (Bowenvale) Road are two large raised dumps of sand. To the north of the road is a landscape of small mullock heaps and sand dumps.

Site 41.3. Eucalyptus distillery. Eucalyptus distillery. To the west of Timor-Maryborough Road, opposite Reservoir Road, is a small intact Eucy distilling plant. A small galvanised iron lean-to contains a portable steam boiler. Near the shed are a crane, vats and dam.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Mine sites are all in poor condition. Eucalyptus distillery appears to be in working condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 41.0 to 41.2 have little integrity but do have some historical value as landscape features.

Site 41.3 has: Scientific Significance. Intact small-scale Eucalyptus distilling plant.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

124 Chinamans Flat

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

125 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

SITE NO. & NAME: 42.0 GRAND DUKE NO. 1 SHAFT (FORMERLY DUKE AND TIMOR) 42.1 GRAND DUKE NO. 2 SHAFT 42.2 GRAND DUKE NO. 3 SHAFT 42.3 CYANIDE WORKS

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD, BET BET CREEK, TIMOR

HI NO: 42.0 H7624-0203 42.1 H7624-0204 42.2 H7624-0205 42.3 H7624-0206

DIRECTIONS: Timor, 0.5 km north-east from junction of Bet Bet Creek and Timor Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 42.0 and 42.1--Unreserved Crown Land Sites 42.2 and 42.3--Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1869 to 1908. The Timor area was dominated by the Duke and Timor Gold Mining Company which installed 1 massive machinery in 1874. Over its working life 1869 to 1896 216,000 oz. of gold were obtained.

1869 to 1896. The most important deep alluvial mine was that belonging to the Duke and Timor Gold Mining 2 Company

March 1869. The Duke and Timor Company is now pushing forward new and extensive works to completion with 3 celerity.

June 1869. The Duke and Timor Company met with a most severe accident a few weeks ago, which will delay the progress of their mine for several months. Having sunk the shaft to a depth of 125 feet, they no sooner struck the bottom than it violently burst up, and a conglomerate of drift, sand, mud, and water, rushed with surprising velocity up the shaft, to a distance of 40 feet. The men at work in the shaft had to fly instantly before the surging and ascending mass. The shaft was completely choked, and the water ascended to a level of within 40 feet from the surface. The company is now engaged in putting down a new set of lifts, for the purpose of overcoming the water; 4 they have erected an 18-inch cylinder engine of 30 horse-power.

December 1870. The Duke and Timor Company, Chinaman’s Flat, has sunk the shaft to a depth of 350 feet, and will 5 at once proceed with the chambers and main drives.

6 March 1871. The Duke and Timor Company is driving for the lead.

7 June 1871. The Duke and Timor Company has reached the wash-dirt at a depth of 250 feet from the surface.

March 1872. The Duke and Timor company, whose claim adjoins that of the Band of Hope Company, has had fresh difficulties to meet during the quarter, in consequence of the water in the claim proving more than a match for the machinery. More powerful machinery is required; but a second plant is ready completed, and a second shaft is now 8 being sunk on the claim.

June 1872. The Duke and Timor Company are down to 350 feet with their shaft; they have invited tenders for their construction, on their claim, of a 72-inch cylinder Cornish beam engine, which will be the first of the kind made in this 9 colony; the estimated cost of this engine is £3000.

Deember 1872. At Chinaman’s Flat the Band of Hope Company have lost much time, and have had their mining operations obstructed during the quarter, through an unexpected and extremely heavy flow of water into their mine from the Duke and Timor shaft. So far the pumps have just been able to subdue the water; but the matter may possibly assume a more serious aspect, and compel the company to suspend all further work until such time as the

126 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke new machinery of the Duke and Timor company has been erected which will probably not be sooner than a year from 10 now.

127 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

March 1873. The Duke and Timor Company is now erecting a suitable engine-house on the claim. They are looking forward to the speedy arrival from England of the fine new engine which they ordered some time ago. Very sanguine hopes are entertained by the shareholders as to the ultimate success of this mine; in fact, its success is looked upon as certain. The money already spent upon it is simply enormous. The claim lies close to that of the Band of Hope Company, and will, in my opinion, when the splendid machinery to arrive has been erected, and when everything connected with it is in full working order, prove one of the most valuable mining properties in the division.11

June 1873. At Chinaman’s Flat the Band of Hope Company still experiences great difficulty in working the mine, owing to the stoppage of the pumps of the Duke and Timor Company. The engine-house of the Duke and Timor 12 Company is rapidly approaching completion.

September 1873. The splendid beam engine, 80 inch cylinder and 10 feet stroke, ordered in England by the Duke and Timor Company is now nearly all on the ground. The engine-house, a massive building, has been erected at a cost of 13 over £2,000. The 22-inch pumps will now be fixed in the shaft, and the engine erected forthwith.

December 1873. But I am credibly informed that the splendid steam engine of the Duke and Timor Company will begin the work of pumping their mine some time during January next, and should nothing occur to mar its operations, there can be but little doubt that it will have the effect of thoroughly draining the ground of all the surrounding 14 mines.

1874. The Advertiser of 22 April 1874 described the pumping engine house. The beam walls were six feet wide and 26.5 feet long on foundations sixteen feet deep. John James of Ballarat built it for £1030. The pumping engine was made by Harvey and Co. in Cornwall--a “truly Cornish beam engine”. It was a vertical engine with an eighty inch cylinder, piston rod eight inches in diameter, a ten-foot stroke, seventeen feet long and generating 270 hp. The beam was the most massive in the state being made of iron and weighing 30 tons. The engine was erected by John Ward ... He claimed that the Duke machinery occupied a leading place in the world, there being one 100-inch cylinder and one 105-inch cylinder in Cornwall. The plant could raise 200 gallons of water per stroke or 15 2000 gallons per minute or 20,160,000 gallons per week.

March 1874. At last the Duke and Timor Company has got the large pumping engine at work, and it is confidently 16 expected that their own mine, and the adjacent deep alluvial mines, will in a short time be thoroughly drained.

June 1874. The Duke and Timor Company are now opening up the mine from north to south, in order to effect its drainage as speedily as possible. The water in the mine is being raised at the rate of 750 gallons per minute. The Band of Hope Company has again begun operations in the mine, it having been satisfactorily ascertained by them that 17 the drainage effected by the Duke and Timor engine was sufficient to enable them to do so with safety.

September 1874. The Duke and Timor Company have just struck excellent wash-dirt, which has yielded half an 18 ounce of gold to the truck. The future prospects of this mine are in the highest degree satisfactory.

March 1875. The Duke and Timor Company struck the Chinaman’s Flat deep lead during the quarter, and in six 19 weeks obtained 1,045 oz 6 dwts of gold; the water in the mine is very heavy.

September 1875. The Duke and Timor Company is now upon a splendid run of gold in the deepest part of their 20 mine, and their future prospects seem at present to be excellent.

March 1876. The mine of the Duke and Timor Company has not yet answered the sanguine expectations which were formed respecting it, and which led the shareholders to purchase one of the finest and most expensive plants in the colony to work it efficiently. The water in the mine is very heavy, and the weekly yield of gold, during the past 21 operations has barely been sufficient to cover working expenses.

September 1876. But the principal event of the quarter has been the temporary stoppage of the works on the claim of the Duke and Timor Company, which had the effect of throwing a large number of men out of employment. This temporary stoppage was caused by the very heavy expense attendant upon working the mine efficiently, and the insufficiency of the return of gold from it to meet that expense. At present the mine is let on tribute for one month, and I think that there is every prospect that the tributers will make their arrangement with the company pay. The mine is unquestionably the richest in the division, and the whole of the appointments in connection with it are

128 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke complete, and of a high-class order. It is earnestly to be hoped that the pluck, energy, and patience displayed by the 22 company will yet meet with an adequate reward.

December 1876. In my last report it was stated that the mine of the Duke and Timor Company had been let on tribute for one month. I now regret to state the tributers were obliged to suspend operations at the close of their term, in consequence of the return of gold now proving sufficiently remunerative. The mine, under the new name of the Duchess of Timor, has been again let on tribute to a new party, on favourable terms. This party is now in possession; they have made a good start, and are likely to make their enterprise a success. The other alluvial mines in 23 the division call for no special remarks.

March 1877. The new tribute party of the Duchess of Timor claim is now doing exceedingly well; the average weekly yield of gold obtained from the claim reaches from 250 to 300 oz, and there is every prospect of this fine yield 24 continuing for a long time to come. The quantity of water pumped per minute is 1,640 gallons.

June 1877. I would call special attention to the excellent yields obtained from the Duchess of Timor Tribute (3,841 oz) and Count Bismarck (1,731 oz) mines. The slum of the Duchess of Timor Tribute Company was recently sold to a party of Chinese for £1,200, the right to 25 wash the same being confined to a period of twelve months.

September 1877. The Duchess of Timor Tribute mine has not been so prosperous as usual during the quarter. There was lately a slight hitch in the machinery, which caused delay, but only for a short time. The water is still very heavy in this mine, and all the operations in connection with it are attended with great expense; but, in spite of all 26 drawbacks, this is a first-class property.

December 1877. The Duchess of Timor mine has again changed hands. The sale was effected by the London Chartered Bank, and the purchaser is Mr Martin Loughlin, of Ballarat. The purchase-money was £12,500. Mr Loughlin means to form a company in order to work the mine. The pumping machinery connected with the mine will 27 be made powerful and efficient.

March 1878. The operations in the Duke and Timor (late the Duchess of Timor) mine have received more than one serious check during the quarter. A breakage occurred to a portion of the machinery, which led to a temporary suspension of work and other serious consequences. The shaft and damaged machinery have been repaired, and 28 everything about the mine is now in good working order.

June 1878. The Duke is maintaining its prestige. It has produced, during the quarter, 1,515 oz. Of late its prospects 29 are greatly improved. The mine is let on tribute.

September 1878. On the whole there has been a considerable improvement in alluvial mining in this division during the quarter. This is shown by the returns. The large yield of 1,984 oz 16 dwts from the “Duke” is encouraging, and proves beyond doubt the valuable character of the mine. It has also had the effect of strengthening confidence in the 30 adjacent mining properties.

32 March 1879. At Timor, the Duke is making good progress, but the Victoria is still idle.

June 1879. The usual prosperity of mining affairs in this division has been retarded in consequence of a serious accident which occurred to the pumping machinery of the Duke mine. The accident has caused a temporary but prolonged stoppage of all operations in the mine, which has been flooded out; and it has thrown a large number of men out of work. A great number and variety of interests are closely connected with this mine, and its stoppage has 33 inflicted severe injury, not only on Timor, but on the whole district.

September 1879. Concerning the alluvial mines in this division, nothing of special importance has occurred during the quarter. They are progressing in the usual manner. Unfortunately the stoppage of the Duke still continues, and is likely to continue for a good many months to come. But active preparations are now being made by the proprietors 34 to place another lift of pumps in the mine.

129 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

35 March 1880. The principal mines at Lower Alma and Timor are still idle.

June 1880. Nothing of special importance in either class of mining has occurred during the quarter. Unfortunately, the mine of the Duke and Timor Company still remains idle, a circumstance which has injuriously affected the general prosperity of the division. The mines in the immediate neighbourhood have more particularly been injured by the stoppage. How much longer the mine of the Duke and Timor Company is likely to remain idle is, at all events, problematical. Energetic measures are being used to bring the necessary repairs in connection with the plant to 36 completion; but I fear that a start will not be made before the close of the year.

September 1880. The pumping at the Duke mine, Timor, still continues, and the water is gradually going down in the 37 main shaft.

130 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

December 1880. The Duke Company has had another unfortunate accident, which will probably cause some delay, through a breakage having occurred in one of the pipes of the 20-inch lift; this will be repaired as soon as possible. The water in the mine is being steadily reduced, and the company hope to have it quite drained in about a month. One 38 extended claim of six acres, situate at Chinaman’s Flat, has been registered during the quarter.

March 1881. The Duke has at last been drained of water in the shaft. The repairs to the damaged clack will soon be finished, and mining operations renewed with vigour. Proper precautions will now be taken to prevent a similar accident from occurring as that which has caused so much labour and expense, and which has for so long a time 39 stopped operations in one of the finest mines in the division.

September 1881. The Duke Company has made an excellent start, and that payable gold is being obtained. The pumps are working satisfactorily, and everything about the mine indicates a prosperous future. The right to wash the slum and tailings from the mine, for a period of one year, was recently sold for £3,240. This, I believe, is the highest 40 price yet obtained in this division for a similar right in connection with any of our alluvial mines.

December 1881. The works in connection with the Duke Company are progressing satisfactorily, and the machinery is in good working order. The rise near No. 3 shaft, for the purpose of draining the ground, has been put up 26 feet. The contractors have completed the winding plant at No. 3 shaft, and the erection of puddling machines is also 41 progressing.

42 September 1882. Three tons of sand from the Duke, treated at the Cambrian battery, gave 141 oz of gold.

December 1882. The Duke Company has begun to pay dividends. The main reef drive of the mine has been extended; a new puddling machine has been erected, and all the works of the mine are in good order. Boring operations 43 are being proceeded with at the Duke No. 1 mine, with a view of proving the ground.

March 1883. The Duke Company is making satisfactory progress, and the yield from the mine continues good. All the machinery is in excellent order. The heading drives, in the north end of the mine, show promising prospects. From one and a half tons of cement, taken from the mine, and treated at the Cambrian battery, a yield was obtained from 46 oz 16 dwts of gold. 44 Dividends: Duke Company, Timor, £3,740; Keep-it-Dark Company, Chinaman’s, £193.

June 1883. The prospects of the Duke mine are improving, and the yield of gold obtained during the quarter is heavier than usual. At the north end of the mine the lead is looking well. All the works in connection with the mine are 45 progressing favourably, and the machinery is in good order.

December 1883. The Duke Company is making satisfactory progress. The leading drives of the mine are in excellent wash. One load of sand from the mine gave a yield of 37 oz of gold. The number of men regularly employed at the 46 mine is 285.

47 March 1884. The Duke Company has decided on letting their mine on tribute.

December 1884. The Duke Company has proved every part of their mine, except the west, without satisfactory results; but it is believed that there is payable gold in the western part, and operations are now being carried on there 48 to test the matter.

March 1885. The Duke Company has met with better success this quarter than last, and every effort is being made to make the mine recover its former prestige. Payable ground continues to be opened up, and all the machinery is in 49 good order.

September 1885. The Duke Company and Tributers have made very good progress during the quarter, as is shown by their returns of gold. A ton of sand from the Duke mine, which was treated at the Cambrian battery, gave a return 50 of 27 oz 10 dwt of gold.

December 1886. There is nothing of importance to report regarding this class of mining. The Duke Tributers have 51 had a successful quarter, through the yield obtained by the company (1,332 oz) is smaller than usual.

131 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

September 1887. By the great improvement which has taken place in the prospects of the Duke mine, at Timor; and, more especially, by the firm confidence which is now being reposed in the place as an important and permanent mining centre. As is usual in cases where prosperity attends the principal mining ventures in a district, speculators and capitalists from all parts of the colony have been attracted to Maryborough, and a large number of ventures have 52 recently been floated on the market. It is to be hoped that a fair proportion of these will prove successful.

December 1887. The Duke Company has again come well to the front, as the returns from that mine will show. Several men employed at the mine were recently discharged. Their services will be dispensed with until the hose- 53 drive is carried further.

December 1888. The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal alluvial mines 54 in the division: Duke Company, Timor, 1,188 oz; Duke Tributers, Timor, 261 oz; Total, 1,449 oz.

March 1889. In alluvial mining there is also but little to report. The prospects of the Duke Company were so low during the quarter, that the directors called a meeting to consider the advisability of letting the whole of the mine on tribute; but the opportune grant of £2,000 to the company by the Mining Department will, it is hoped, enable it to 55 overcome its difficulties.

June 1889. Duke Company, Timor. This company has undergone a series of ups and downs during the quarter. The forfeiture of a large number of shares in the company threatened, at one time, the complete stoppage of the mine. However, several residents succeeded in placing all the forfeited shares locally, and the mine is on a good footing again. Mr A. Lowenstein is now the legal manager. 56 Duke Company, Timor, and Tributers, 653 oz. HISTORY OF THE DUKE COMPANY’S MINE, TIMOR (By Mr Clarence Smith, Mining Surveyor). This company has been engaged for the last 20 years in working the auriferous alluviums of Lower Chinaman’s Flat and portion of the Bet Bet Valley, the latter being also fed by the Alma Lead, which traverses the valley of Timor Creek to its source (a distance of about eight miles), the said Timor Creek having for its tributaries the rich alluvial gold workings of Adelaide Lead, Moonlight, and a number of other gullies, all more or less auriferous. The Duke Company is the only one which has attempted to work the Bet Bet Valley, although there is sufficient ground to employ a dozen other plants with first-class machinery similar to the Duke Company’s. The ground at present blocked out on the Bet Bet does not exceed 700 feet in width by about 2,500 feet in length, so that there is plenty of room for mining operations for generations to come. The best wash was struck in the year 1884, when £15,250 was paid in dividends during the year. On referring to the manager’s book, I find the yield of gold for the month of March, 1884, to be 1,273 oz 14 dwt from 200 machines, or 6 oz 7 dwt 9 gr to the machine. This was one of the moderately good months; but the gold has fallen off considerably since that time, the yield for the month of June last being only 223 oz 15 dwt for 35 machines, or 6 oz 7 dwt 20 gr to the machine. It will be seen by this that the yield per machine is actually more now than it was in 1884, notwithstanding that the wash-dirt is about the same thickness as then (from 1 to 2 feet); and it seems to me that if more men were put on the mine would pay better, as the same expense would be incurred for pumping whether 100 men were employed or 400, so that the average cost per miner, or per ounce of gold, would decrease, s the number of miners were increased. The expense for timber and fuel, &c., at present amounts to about £10,000 per annum, and it appears to me that the number of men employed cutting wood is out of all proportion to the number of miners employed below; this question, however, is for the company only to consider. I have no doubt, at the same time, that the falling off in the yields is brought about by the shareholders not responding to the calls, and the general depression in the mining exchange, thereby crippling the hands of the directors as to employing more miners. There are three shafts in use, the first being the pumping shaft, which is 90 feet to the bed-rock, and 360 feet to the bottom of the well. No. 2 shaft, used for winding, about 200 feet to the north of pump shaft, is 350 feet to the working level, and 360 feet to the bottom of well. No. 3 shaft is the one now in general use for winding, and is situated about 1,000 feet north of No. 2. Underground work was stopped during the year 1872 while powerful machinery was being obtained from England. The ground has been blocked out for a distance of 1,500 feet north of No. 3 shaft. The number of men now employed is about 200 all told, including about 100 on wages, tributers, and woodcutters. The principal claims which have paid dividends along the Alma Lead, all of which are now worked out and abandoned, are: The Golden Gate, south-west of Alma; the Alma Consols, north of Alma; the Seaham Company, Gladstone Company, Queen Company, the New Magnum Bonum, and the Bismarck Companies; all having paid well, four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims. The claims of note along the Chinaman’s Flat Lead are the old Magnum Bonum, which was let on tribute, being considered at the time too poor to operate upon with wages men, but subsequently four of the tributers cleared

132 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

£10,000 each; the Band of Hope and John Bright Companies leading on to the Duke, also paid remarkably well. With such encouragement from the tributary streams, the Duke Company undertook the task of testing the main Bet Bet Valley; some idea of the extent of the work in hand may be gathered from the fact that 2,000 gallons of water have to be discharged per minute to keep the drives in working order. Balance shafts are employed to send down the trucks from the intermediate levels, and they are then conveyed along the main drives by horse power. At No. 1 shaft the pumping machinery consists of one beam engine with 80-inch cylinder, 10-foot stroke, and two sets of 22-inch lifts; the housing is of granite and brick from 3 to 5 feet in thickness. At No. 2 shaft there is one winding engine, 18-inch cylinder, 3-foot stroke; one puddling engine of the same size driving two machines; one battery engine, 14-inch cylinder, 30-inch stroke, and twenty head of stampers; one Tangye engine, 12-inch cylinder and 24-inch stroke. The whole of the above are supplied with steam from six boilers, each 6ft 6in. by 27 feet. At No. 3 shaft there is one winding engine, 18-inch cylinder, 36-inch stroke; one puddling engine, 14-inch cylinder, 28-inch stroke, driving three machines; one blowing engine, 12-inch cylinder, 24-inch stroke; one Tangye engine, 12- inch cylinder, 24-inch stroke; one portable engine with circular saw, 10-inch cylinder, 20-inch stroke. The above engines are supplied with steam from three boilers, 6ft 6in. by 27 feet each, with the exception of the portable engine. The cost of the entire plant is estimated at £25,121. Most of the ground is worked on tribute, that is, so far as the wash-dirt drives and blocking out are concerned. The company puts in all the prospecting drives, supplies all the material, timber, &c., and keeps the mine free of water; the gold is then divided equally between the company and tributers. There are five tribute parties at work at present, some being worked from No. 3 shaft, and others from balance shafts, worked by water power supplied by the company. Nearly the whole of the inhabitants of the towns of Timor and Bowenvale depend upon the Duke Company’s mine for support, and Maryborough also derives some benefits therefrom. Lines of coaches run nearly every hour of the day to and from Maryborough. A powerful plant has also been erected by the Duke No. 1 Company within the last two years, about a mile and a quarter lower down the Bet Bet. Several bores were first put down to discover the deep ground, after which a shaft was sunk, but nothing further has been done to develop the ground for want of capital; in fact, the plant really belongs to the Duke Company, who hold a mortgage on the same. A large amount of money spent in bubble companies in the district has, in my opinion, considerable injured legitimate mining. In conclusion, I have much pleasure in stating that the Duke Company is carried on in a business-like manner, both skill and energy being employed to overcome difficulties which, to some, would appear insurmountable. The task of keep this company afloat appears to be a rather difficult one at present, but, under the present management, new 57 ground is to be opened out, which, it is expected, will repay the shareholders for all former losses.

September 1889. Duke Company, Timor. The gold from the mine has all been obtained by tribute parties, who work separate blocks on tributes varying from 15 per cent to 50 per cent on the gross yield … The company’s operations are at present confined to reef driving and prospecting at intermediate levels, to secure, if possible, the continuation of the Chinaman’s Flat lead. The company is assisted by the tribute parties, who do valuable prospecting work, besides giving aid in the cost of pumping. 58 Duke Company (tributers), Timor, 782 oz.

December 1890. The Duke Company has been voluntarily wound up, and a new company organised under the title of the Grand Duke Company, who will continue the operations of the former company. In the neighbourhood of this 59 claim a large area of ground has been applied for.

March 1891. In the Maryborough division the Grand Duke Company have produced very good results. A fourth shaft has been sunk in the northern portion of the mine, and a winding and pumping plant is being erected. When the 60 machinery is in full working order a much larger output of gold is anticipated.

June 1891. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION In alluvial, the Grand Duke Company continues to get fair yields, and the adjoining claims on the Duke line are doing 61 progressive work.

133 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

MARYBOROUGH, CARISBROOK, ETC., LEADS £ Perseverance 7,433 Rip Van Winkle 7,527 Brunswick 7,929 Royal Standard 10,660 South Greenock 12,841 Mount Greenock Estate 16,400 Nicholls’ Freehold 26,650 Robert Nichol 2,500 Darling 16,400 Calley’s Tunnel 24,600 German Tunnel 32,800 Oriental 32,800 Perseverance 36,900 Talbot lease 41,000 Black Bull 41,000 All Nations 61,500 Hoffnung 102,500 Union 83,992 Sadowa 205,565 New Kong Meng 377,321 Napier Freehold 278,746 Chalk’s Freehold 216,352 Chalk’s No. 1 134,426 Chalk’s No. 3 Consolidated 27,431 Chalk’s Junction 60,000 Carisbrook United 33,870 Woolbrook 10,832 Goldbrook 52,730 TOTAL £1,962,705 HOMEBUSH LEAD Working Miners’ ) Working Miners’ United ) Working Miners’ Homebush ) £410,000

ALMA AND CHINAMAN’S FLAT LEADS Alma Consols £118,422 Seaham 121,433 New Seaham 1,389 Gladstone 57,585 Queen 43,042 New Magnum Bonum 51,785 Bismarck 117,083 Try Again) South Duke) 2,247 Old Magnum Bonum 25,615 John Bright 69,013 Band of Hope 128,319 Mammoth) Duchess of Timor Tribute) Old Duke) Duke and Timor) 495,752 Duke 284,724 Grand Duke 105,345 Young Duke 4,890 Central Duke 7,915 North Duke 130,000 TOTAL £1,764,559 62 GRAND TOTAL £4,137,284

134 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Maryborough’s greatest deep lead mine. The mine was worked by: Duke and Timor March 1869 to December 1876 (This company erected the Cornish beam engine). Duchess of Timor 1877. Duke Company 1878 to 1890. Grand Duke Early 1890s.

Site 42.0. Grand Duke No 1 shaft. Pump arch. On the eastern side of a filled shaft is an intact granite pump arch which measures 25 ft x 6-1/2 ft and stands approximately 25 ft high. The pump arch has thirteen courses of granite blocks. The arch itself is 7 ft wide and 12-1/2 ft high. Both wings of the pump arch are of red brick and have largely been demolished. The cockpit on the east side of the pump arch measures 16-1/2 ft x 6-1/2 ft and is at least 10 feet deep. The cockpit has granite walls and is partly filled with rubble. Next to the cockpit is a cracked, but intact, granite cylinder bed which is 12 ft square and has 3 inch mounting bolts. There is a considerable build-up of rubble around the pump arch. Set of mounting beds or bob pit. A few metres to the north of the cylinder bed is an arrangement of three small ground-level brick and concrete beds. The southern most bed is constructed of red brick and measures 8 ft x 3-1/2 ft and has 1/2 inch mounting bolts. The other two beds are made of concrete and are much smaller. Mounting beds. On the north side of the shaft are a set of partly buried red brick mounting beds which are both capped by 2 ft thick granite blocks. The beds are set 4 foot apart and are 7 ft wide and at least 11 ft long. The less buried of the two has several 3 inch mounting bolts and some thick iron pins. Battery. Five metres to the north of the buried mounting beds, obscured by a large pepper tree, are some concrete stamper foundations. Three well preserved stamper stumps (or mortar blocks) still survive. Mullock heap. 50 metres to the north of the shaft is a partly quarried, 100 metre long, 10 metre high, mullock heap which has two separate dumping lines. Between the dump and the pump arch is a largely quarried pebble dump which still has several wooden posts (remains of superstructure that once held the aerial puddling machines).

42.1. Grand Duke No. 2 shaft. Mullock heap. 300 metres north of Grand Duke No 1 shaft is a large, partly quarried mullock heap (approximately 100 metres long and 10 metres high) which has two separate dumping lines. The heap is on the east side of Bet Bet Creek. Machinery site. At the base of the north-east corner of the heap is a flattened machinery site (spread of red brick and fragments of granite blocks). Sand dump/cyanide vats. Immediately south-east of the mullock heap is a spread of sand which has several faint cyanide vat impressions.

Site 42.2. Grand Duke No. 3 shaft. Mullock heap. 200 metres north-east of the above mullock heap, on Freehold Land, are the remains of a mullock heap and pebble dump. No machinery foundations visible. Sand dump. Immediately west of the pebble dump is a large, but partly quarried sand dump.

Site 42.3. Cyanide works. Vat impressions. To the north of the above site, on the eastern bank of Bet Bet Creek, is a low dump of sand which has a row of three 17 ft diameter intact galvanised iron cyanide vats. At the base of the dump, below the vats, is an intact 11 ft diameter galvanised iron drainage vat.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Pump arch is in reasonable condition except for some undermining of its southern wing.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 42.0 has already been placed on the Register of the National Estate due to its historical importance (being Maryborough’s greatest deep lead mine) and Cornish pump arch.

Site 42.0 also has: Scientific Significance. The site has some archaeological potential, especially for the uncovering of foundations associated with the pumping arch. Social Value. The site forms part of the Goldfields Tourist Route. Cumulative significance. The site is the focal point for the Maryborough Cornish pump-arch network (Sites 1.0, 4.0, 42.0 and 52.0).

Site 42.3 has:

135 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

Scientific Significance. The site has one of the best preserved cyanide works (albeit small scale) in the Maryborough Mining Division.

Sites 42.0 to 42.3 have Cumulative significance. The sites help document the extensive scale of the operations of Maryborough’s greatest deep lead mine.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Barbara Willis, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, p.32, 1988 2 Osborn. B and DuBourg. T, Maryborough: A Social History 1854-1904, p.209, 1985 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, Decemb er 1873 15 Osborn. B and DuBourg. T, Maryborough: A Social History 1854-1904, p.209, 1985 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1876 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1877 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1877 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1878 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1879 33 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1879 34 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1879 35 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 36 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 37 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1880 38 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1880 39 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 40 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881 41 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 42 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 43 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882 44 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 45 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883

136 Duke and Timor/Grand Duke

46 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 47 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1884 48 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1884 49 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 50 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1885 51 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1886 52 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 53 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 54 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 55 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1889 56 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 57 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 58 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 59 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1890 60 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1891 61 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1891 62 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8

137 Bet Bet Creek

SITE NO. & NAME: 43.0 MULLOCK HEAP

LOCATION: BET BET CREEK, TIMOR

HI NO: H7624-0237

DIRECTIONS: 1.0 km north-west of Timor, 100 metres west of junction of Dunolly and Bet Bet Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

No references found concerning this mine.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 43.0. Deep Lead mine (No references found, but would most probably be contemporary to the main production period for the Duke and Timor-Duchess of Timor-Duke companies--1870s to mid 1880s). Mullock heap. Small mullock heap. No machinery foundations or pebble dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

138 Duke No. 1

SITE NO. & NAME: 44.0 DUKE NO. 1 COMPANY

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD, BET BET CREEK, TIMOR

HI NO: H7624-0238

DIRECTIONS: 1.9 km north-east of Timor, east side of Bet Bet-Bromley Road, west side of Bet Bet Creek

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1 June 1882. The Duke No. 1 Company is engaged prospecting their ground.

December 1882. Boring operations are being proceeded with at the Duke No. 1 mine, with a view of proving the 2 ground.

3 March 1883. The Duke No. 1 Company has put down their No. 2 bore 210 feet in hard cement.

March 1885. Nothing has been done during the quarter at the Duke No. 1 mine, and there is nothing of special 4 importance to remark regarding the other mines in the division.

March 1888. At the Duke No. 1 the beam engine and the stone for the engine-house have been delivered, and the 5 building of the house will be begun forthwith.

June 1889. A powerful plant has also been erected by the Duke No. 1 Company within the last two years, about a mile and a quarter lower down the Bet Bet. Several bores were first put down to discover the deep ground, after which a shaft was sunk, but nothing further has been done to develop the ground for want of capital; in fact, the plant really belongs to the Duke Company, who hold a mortgage on the same. A large amount of money spent in bubble companies in the district has, in my opinion, considerable injured legitimate mining. In conclusion, I have much pleasure in stating that the Duke Company is carried on in a business-like manner, both skill and energy being employed to overcome difficulties which, to some, would appear insurmountable. The task of keep this company afloat appears to be a rather difficult one at present, but, under the present management, new 6 ground is to be opened out, which, it is expected, will repay the shareholders for all former losses.

139 Duke No. 1

MARYBOROUGH, CARISBROOK, ETC., LEADS £ ALMA AND CHINAMAN’S FLAT LEADS Alma Consols £118,422 Seaham 121,433 New Seaham 1,389 Gladstone 57,585 Queen 43,042 New Magnum Bonum 51,785 Bismarck 117,083 Try Again) South Duke) 2,247 Old Magnum Bonum 25,615 John Bright 69,013 Band of Hope 128,319 Mammoth) Duchess of Timor Tribute) Old Duke) Duke and Timor) 495,752 Duke 284,724 Grand Duke 105,345 Young Duke 4,890 Central Duke 7,915 North Duke 130,000 TOTAL £1,764,559 7 GRAND TOTAL £4,137,284

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 44.0. Duke No. 1 Company (Cornish engine erected in 1888/1889). Mullock heap. Large partly quarried heap with two dumping lines. No machinery foundations and the bulk of pebble dump has been taken away. Sand dump. Extensive dump of sand, no cyanide vats visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, also not much of a landscape feature because it is hidden by trees.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has low integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1882 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 7 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8

140 Seaham Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 45.0 SEAHAM COMPANY

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, SEAHAM MINE BUSHLAND RESERVE

HI NO: H7623-0167

DIRECTIONS: 1.4 km north-east of Alma, west side of Alma-Bowenvale Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Bushland Reserve

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

5 June 1870. The Seaham Company, Alma, obtained 30 oz 6 dwts as the result of the first fortnight’s work.

September 1870. The Seaham, Band of Hope, Alma consols, and Magnum Bonum Companies are now obtaining large 6 and steady returns, and paying excellent dividends.

September 1871. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £2,550; Alma Consols, £2,400; Seaham, £1,200; 7 Golden Gate, £943 oz.

March 1872: Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £6,150; Alma Consols, £1,200; Seaham, £4,050; 8 Golden Gate, £1,551.

September 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £5,550; Alma Consols, £1,200; Queen, £900; 9 Seaham, £3,600; Gladstone, £1,500; John Bright, £4,500; Golden Gate, £198.

December 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,350; John Bright, £3,000; Alma Consols, 10 £2,400; Queen, £1,200; Seaham, £3,000; Gladstone, £900.

March 1873. At the Alma, the Seaham Company have just erected a powerful battery with twenty stamp-heads, for crushing the plentiful and valuable cement which is found on their claim. Hitherto they have had this cement crushed 11 by the Leviathan Tribute Company.

June 1873. At the Alma the Seaham Company are chiefly engaged in raising cement, to crush which a twenty-head battery is kept at work on the claim. The cement is very rich, and it is now proposed by the company to erect 12 immediately an additional ten-head battery.

September 1873. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,050; Alma Consols, £7,500; John Bright, 13 £4,500; Queen, £600; Seaham, £5,700.

March 1874. The Seaham, Gladstone, and All Nations mines are now satisfactorily let on tribute. 14 Dividends paid during the quarter: John Bright, £900; Alma Consols, £3,000; Queen, £600.

141 Seaham Company

September 1874. Dividends paid during the quarter: John Bright, £900; Band of Hope, £300; Seaham, £300; 15 Gladstone, £300; Eastern, £30.

June 1889. The principal claims which have paid dividends along the Alma Lead, all of which are now worked out and abandoned, are: The Golden Gate, south-west of Alma; the Alma Consols, north of Alma; the Seaham Company, Gladstone Company, Queen Company, the New Magnum Bonum, and the Bismarck Companies; all having paid well, four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above 16 seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims.

1898. Mr Watson requested the council grant him water from Seaham dam for cyanide treatment and a six-month trial was allowed. This area was still yielding gold in 1911 when Messrs Williams and Rewell sought 2,500 gallons per 17 day from Seaham Dam; permission was given provided sufficient water was retained for stock in dry periods.

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 20 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 45.0. Seaham mine (Company mined successfully through the early 1870s; cyaniding of alluvial slum commenced at the mine in 1898). Large dam. The Bushland Reserve has a large full water dam. Sand dump. Massive sand dump (covers and area approximately 300 m x 200 m, 5 m high) which has two distinct heaps. Between the two heaps are two small dams. The westerly dump spreads out over Freehold Land. Mullock heap. On the north-west corner of the sand dump is a large mullock heap which has four long dumping lines. Shaft and machinery site would be covered by sand. Pebble dump. At the base of the western corner of the sand dump is a largely quarried pebble dump.

142 Seaham Company

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, not even much of a landscape feature because it is hidden by trees. Possibility of buried machinery foundations under the sand dump.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site of one of the most successful deep lead mine on the Alma Lead. The site has poor integrity but has some value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 17 Barbara Willies, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp38-39, 1988 18 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 19 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 20 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

143 Alma Consolidated

SITE NO. & NAME: 46.0 ALAMA CONSOLIDATED

LOCATION: TIMOR CREEK, ALMA

HI NO: H7623-0168

DIRECTIONS: Alma, between Dempsters and Thompsons Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

March 1870. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal alluvial mines in this division during the quarter: Magnum Bonum Extended, Chinaman’s flat, 1,190 oz; Band of Hope Extended, Chinaman’s Flat, 675 oz; Alma Consols, Alma, 1,079 oz; Golden Gate, Timor Creek, Alma, 266 oz; Robin Hood, Majorca, 354 oz; Prince of Wales, Four-mile Flat, 218 oz; Britannia, Four-mile Flat, 182 oz; Morning Star, Majorca, 126; Sundry (9) whim 5 claims, 592 oz, Total, 4,683 oz.

September 1870. The Seaham, Band of Hope, Alma consols, and Magnum Bonum Companies are now obtaining large 6 and steady returns, and paying excellent dividends.

September 1871. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £2,550; Alma Consols, £2,400; Seaham, £1,200; 7 Golden Gate, £943 oz.

December 1871. At the Alma the Alma Consols Company are bout to sink another shaft; they have purchased a 8 second plant.

March 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £6,150; Alma Consols, £1,200; Seaham, £4,050; 9 Golden Gate, £1,551.

June 1872. No gold has yet been obtained from the No. 2 shaft of the Alma Consols Company. The drives are being proceeded with, but the wash-dirt has not been struck. .Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,200; Alma Consols, £2,400; Seaham, £5,250; Gladstone, 10 £3,150; John Bright, £1,800; Golden Gate, £461.

September 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £5,550; Alma Consols, £1,200; Queen, £900; 11 Seaham, £3,600; Gladstone, £1,500; John Bright, £4,500; Golden Gate, £198.

December 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,350; John Bright, £3,000; Alma Consols, 12 £2,400; Queen, £1,200; Seaham, £3,000; Gladstone, £900.

144 Alma Consolidated

March 1873. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £900; John Bright, £2,100; Alma Consols, £1,200; 13 Queen, £600; Seaham, £1,200; Gladstone, £900.

145 Alma Consolidated

June 1873. The yields of gold from the Alma Consols, the Seaham, and the John Bright mines are, I think, as far as this division is concerned, unprecedented. The prospects of this mine are good. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope £1,350; Alma Consols, 14 £12,000; John Bright, £6,000; Queen, £650; Seaham, £3,350.

September 1873. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,050; Alma Consols, £7,500; John Bright, 15 £4,500; Queen, £600; Seaham, £5,700.

March 1874. The Seaham, Gladstone, and All Nations mines are now satisfactorily let on tribute. 16 Dividends paid during the quarter: John Bright, £900; Alma Consols, £3,000; Queen, £600.

September 1874. The Alma Consols Company has now stopped work, and have drawn the pumps, and let a portion 17 of the mine on tribute.

June 1889. The principal claims which have paid dividends along the Alma Lead, all of which are now worked out and abandoned, are: The Golden Gate, south-west of Alma; the Alma Consols, north of Alma; the Seaham Company, Gladstone Company, Queen Company, the New Magnum Bonum, and the Bismarck Companies; all having paid well, four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above 18 seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims.

1898. Mr Watson requested the council grant him water from Seaham dam for cyanide treatment and a six-month trial was allowed. This area was still yielding gold in 1911 when Messrs Williams and Rewell sought 2,500 gallons per 19 day from Seaham Dam; permission was given provided sufficient water was retained for stock in dry periods.

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 22 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

146 Alma Consolidated

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 46.0. Alma Consolidated Company (This company operated during the early 1870s). Mullock heap. Large mullock heap with one long dumping line. No machinery foundations visible from Dempsters Road. Sand dump. To the west of the mullock heap is a massive raised sand dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, but prominent landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site of one of the most successful deep lead mine on the Alma Lead. The site has poor integrity but has some value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 19 Barbara Willies, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp38-39, 1988 20 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 21 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 22 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910

147 Golden Gate

SITE NO. & NAME: 46.1 GOLDEN GATE COMPANY

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, TIMOR CREEK

HI NO: H7623-0169

DIRECTIONS: Alma, between Dempsters and Thompsons Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1868. At the Alma and Chinaman’s Flat mining matters have greatly revived, and are now showing signs 1 of life and activity.

2 December 1868. Alma. The whole of the Alma Flat has been taken up to its junction with Chinaman’s Flat Lead.

March 1869. Alma. Four extended alluvial claims, comprising an area of 138 acres, have been registered during the quarter. The depth of sinking in three of these claims will exceed 100 feet, and, so soon as the ground has been 3 satisfactorily prospected, powerful steam machinery will at once be procured by their respective owners.

December 1870. At the Alma, the Golden Gate Company is about to erect an additional steam-engine and a 12-head 6 battery.

September 1871. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £2,550; Alma Consols, £2,400; Seaham, £1,200; 7 Golden Gate, £943 oz.

December 1871. With respect to the operations of the Golden Gate Tribute Company, Mr Harvey, the manager, informs me that the whole of the wash-dirt obtained from the claim is now put through a crushing mill, and, as the result of this process, the yield of gold is found to be quite thirty per cent. more than could be got from the usual 8 method of puddling.

March 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £6,150; Alma Consols, £1,200; Seaham, £4,050; 9 Golden Gate, £1,551.

June 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £1,200; Alma Consols, £2,400; Seaham, £5,250; 10 Gladstone, £3,150; John Bright, £1,800; Golden Gate, £461.

September 1872. Dividends paid during the quarter: Band of Hope, £5,550; Alma Consols, £1,200; Queen, £900; 11 Seaham, £3,600; Gladstone, £1,500; John Bright, £4,500; Golden Gate, £198.

12 December 1872. At the Alma the Golden Gate Company have been idle during the quarter.

148 Golden Gate four companies having paid very handsome dividends. About five miles of country have been worked by the above 13 seven companies, and smaller intermediate claims.

1898. Mr Watson requested the council grant him water from Seaham dam for cyanide treatment and a six-month trial was allowed. This area was still yielding gold in 1911 when Messrs Williams and Rewell sought 2,500 gallons per 14 day from Seaham Dam; permission was given provided sufficient water was retained for stock in dry periods.

1910. MARYBOROUGH. Five of these parties have cyanide plants for treating the slum, which is carefully stacked by all the men working in the district. The parties who have not cyanide works on their mines sell the slum in lots of 10 to 100 tons. The wash won by several of the parties would barely pay were it not for the fine gold contained in the slum, and in some cases the soft reef bottoms are worked for the fine gold. This may be almost termed a new branch of mining, as all material, such as soft reef country and old creek beds and workings are paid a good deal of attention to in this district. It has developed into an important industry, and is a big support to alluvial mining, for even with companies it will pay to work ground poor in free gold, but carrying fine gold that can be got by cyanide 17 outside the machines, and is the means of large areas being worked that would otherwise be left untouched.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 46.1. Golden Gate Company (Mine operated during the early 1870s). Mullock heap. Near Dempsters Road is a large mullock heap with seven distinct dumping lines. No machinery foundations or pebble dump. Sand dump. To the south-east of the mullock heap is an extensive spread of sand.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, but prominent landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

149 Golden Gate

150 Alma Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 47.0 DEEP LEAD MINE

LOCATION: ALMA LEAD, TIMOR CREEK

HI NO: H7623-0170

DIRECTIONS: Alma, corner of Alma-Moonlight and Maryborough-Natte Yallock Roads, west bank of Timor Creek

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 47.0. Deep Lead mine (Not possible to name but most probably contemporary to Alma Lead 1870’s mining boom). Mullock heap. Small intact mullock heap. No machinery foundations or pebble dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor. The site is hidden by trees and is not much of a landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

151 Adelaide Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 48.0 ADELAIDE LEAD

LOCATION: TIMOR CREEK, ALMA

HI NO: H7623-0171

DIRECTIONS: Lead runs south-east from Alma along Timor Creek, between Maryborough-Natte Yallock and Adelaide Lead Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1854-6:. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead. The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves 1 into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek.

June 1860. Quartz mining continues as usual, and appears to have considerably engaged the attention of some of the miners. Three new payable reefs have been discovered—two near the Adelaide Lead, and one between Maryborough and Carisbrook. Out of one of the former, 12 tons recently crushed realised 56oz, while the first crushing out of the 2 latter is equally favourable.

April 1861. The Dundee Reef also deserves some notice, from the fact of its being forfeited leased ground. This reef, situate at the south end of Adelaide Lead, and recently leased by a Mr Lindsay and Company, had been pronounced not payable; but as soon as it was open to the miners, a party of four had not been long discovering a payable reef, which at a depth of 25 feet is 3 feet chick; average yield 1-1/2oz per ton. The party is now increased to twelve, who 3 have secured an extended claim of 600 feet.

March 1864. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION. The population is as follows: Alluvial miners: 3,240 Europeans; 1,160 Chinese. Quartz miners: 62-Europeans. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Maryborough, 1,200; Majorca, 1,550; Chinaman’s, 700; Mosquito, &c., 550; Adelaide Lead, 200; Havelock, 160; Alma and Balaclava, 160; 4 Different gullies, 500; Total, 5,020.

September 1864. The total number of miners is as follows: Alluvial miners, 3,300 Europeans, 1,250 Chinese; Quartz miners, 480 Europeans. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Maryborough, Main Lead, and Blackman’s, 150; Cuddy’s Flat, 120; Waterloo Flat and Bell’s Gully, 70; Mosquito Flat and adjacent reefs, 500; Old Man’s Gully and adjacent reefs, 250; Golden Point and Four-mile Flat, 150; McKenzie’s Gully, 80; Havelock and adjacent reefs, 350; Chinaman’s and adjacent reefs, 550; Majorca, including Gibraltar, 2,300; Adelaide Lead and adjacent reefs, 390; Alma and Balaclava, 5 120; Total, 5,030.

September 1865. The population is as follows: Alluvial miners, 2,585 Europeans, 1,470 Chinese; Quartz miners, 650 Europeans. The population is of a settled character. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Maryborough, Main Lead, and Blackman’s, 160; Waterloo and bullies adjoining, 85; Mosquito Flat and adjacent reefs, 570; Old man’s Gully and reefs adjoining, 240; Golden Point and reefs adjacent, 190; Havelock Flat and adjoining reefs, 220; Majorca, including Gibraltar, 1,700; Chinaman’s and

152 Adelaide Lead adjacent reefs, 580; Adelaide Lead and reefs adjoining, 340; Alma and Balaclava, 170; In different gullies, 450; Total, 6 4,705.

September 1866. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Maryborough, Main Lead, and Blackman’s, 140; Waterloo and gullies adjoining, 70; Mosquito Flat and adjacent reefs, 600; Old Man’s Gully and reefs adjoining, 200; Golden Point and adjacent reefs, 215; Havelock Flat and reefs adjoining, 350; Majorca, including Gibraltar, 1,750; Chinaman’s Flat and adjacent reefs, 550; Adelaide Lead and reefs adjoining, 280; Alma and Balaclava, 170; In different 7 gullies, 325; Total, 4,650.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 48.0. Adelaide Lead (Main period of mining was from late 1850s through 1860s). Alluvial workings. Reworked alluvial landscape, which is obscured by thick vegetation. Western side of the lead has been recently subdivided for housing.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1866

153 Moonlight Dredge

SITE NO. & NAME: 49.0 MOONLIGHT GULLY DREDGE DAM

LOCATION: MOONLIGHT GULLY

HI NO: H7623-0172

DIRECTIONS: 2.2 km south-west of Alma, between Crofts and Alma-Moonlight Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Recreation Reserve

HISTORY:

1899. In June 1899 the Maryborough council on a 5-4 vote granted permission to dredge on Blackman’s Lead. The councillors of the Shire of Tullaroop determined to see for themselves the effect of dredging so arranged a visit to the dredge operating at Campbelltown ... They watched the dredge working, the giant nozzle breaking down the material which was lifted by suction pipe to the elevated sluice boxes fitted with ripples and amalgamation surfaces. The dredge was covering 3/4 of an acre per month digging to a depth of 12 feet; the slum left after treatment was deposited at the back of the machine to fill up the excavation. The company worked 3 shifts per day with another 20 men cutting races, while a party of Chinese fossickers was working near the plant … In June 1905, 88 ratepayers in the Shire petitioned against dredging leases being given on the main lead between Havelock and Maryborough. Council supported the petition and forwarded the same to the Minister of Mines. But dredging did go ahead anyway, and in October 1905 the ratepayers protested against the pollution of the creek by the slum from the dredging operations. An Ant-Dredging Association with James McLay as secretary was formed and sent a delegation to Melbourne, but dredging ceased more because of poor returns than because of this representation. A dredging company was formed and machinery installed to work the old shallow leads around Maryborough; 1 Blackmans, Schicer, Golden Point and Moonlight. All operations were short lived because of poor returns.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 49.0. Moonlight Gully Dredge pond (Operated c.1905). Dredge pond--300 x 200 metre pond enclosed by a 3 metre high embankment. The pond is now a swampy environment inhabited by water birds. To the east are two smaller (dry) dams and to the north is another long embankment.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity and is now a habitat for water birds.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Barbara Willies, Footprints: a History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp. 30-40, 1988

154 Tipperary Hill

SITE NO. & NAME: 50.0 TIPPERARY HILL

LOCATION: TIPPERARY HILL HIS TORIC RESERVE

HI NO: H7623-0173

DIRECTIONS: 1.5 km south-east of Alma, east side of Maryborough-Natte Yallock Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Gravel Reserve

HISTORY:

Land Conservation Council, Victoria, February 1981, Final Recommendations, North Central Area: J13, Tipperary Hill, the site of the Tipperary Riots between a party of Irishmen (Tipperaries) and 3000 other diggers over a disputed claim in 1855.

1988. If more than one claim was being shepherded other miners felt they had the right to “jump” or take over the claim. When a Canadian, John McCrae, disputed a claim shepherded by some Irish diggers on Tipperary Hill he was awarded the claim by the mining court. However, when McCrae and a mate went to work the claim they were beaten up by a mob of Irish men and removed from the claim. John McCrae fired his pistol at his attackers wounding one and inflaming the mob to such a degree that they were preparing to lynch him from a nearby tree. The fortunate intervention of Dr. Laidman pursuaded the mob to take McCrae to the police camp. A mob of 3,000 “Allies”, English miners, gathered the next day and marched six of McCrae’s assailants off to the police camp also. McCrae was released on bail but the disturbance was not over. The “Tips” called in reinforcements from Ballarat and Bendigo when they felt threatened by the heavily armed 2,000 strong mob of Allies. When marching, perhaps provocatively, the Allies fired at and wounded a Tipperary man Jack Tieney. The trails of the chief protagonists were adjourned for 1 a week while Warden Smith addressed the men from both sides in an attempt ot prevent more violence.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 50.0. Tipperary Hill. Hill. Scrubby hill which has no visible historic mining features.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site was considered significant by the Lands Conservation Council (LCC) due to its association with a colourful goldfields riot.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Barbara Willies, Footprints: a History of the Shire of Tullaroop, pp. 40-41, 1988

155 Band of Hope/John Bright

SITE NO. & NAME: 51.0 BAND OF HOPE AND JOHN BRIGHT COMPANIES

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD, TIMOR

HI NO: H7624-0239

DIRECTIONS: Timor, opposite side of Bet Bet Creek Road to Timor School

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

March 1871. The John Bright Company is making arrangements for throwing their shares into scrip, and also for the purchase of steam machinery. They had a trial washing from four sets of timber, which gave a return of 5 oz 2 dwts, 1 but no further progress can be made without steam machinery. The depth of sinking is 140 feet.

December 1871. At Chinaman’s Flat the John Bright Company has bottomed at a depth of about 150 feet, and 2 obtained a prospect of 3 oz 5 dwts. This claim adjoins the Band of Hope, and is likely to turn out exceedingly well.

Deember 1872. The mine of the John Bright Company stands exactly in a similar position to that of the Band of Hope Company in respect o the water, although they have not yet been troubled with it. These two companies 3 employ two hundred and fifty men.

June 1873. The yields of gold from the Alma Consols, the Seaham, and the John Bright mines are, I think, as far as this division is concerned, unprecedented. At Chinaman’s Flat the Band of Hope Company still experience great difficulty in working the mine, owing to the stoppage of the pumps of the Duke and Timor Company. The engine-house of the Duke and Timor Company is rapidly approaching completion. The ground now being opened by the John Bright Company is looking exceedingly well, and there is every prospect of their mine continuing to maintain its characters as one of the best paying mines in 4 the division.

March 1874. The John Bright Company has been working a large amount of outside poor ground during the quarter, 5 which explains the falling off in their return of gold obtained.

December 1874. The John Bright Company was obliged to stop the underground works on their claim for a period of six weeks, in order to enable them to remove the plant to a fresh site. This accounts for the comparatively small yield 6 of gold obtained.

March 1875. The claim of the John Bright Company has been worked out, and steps are now being taken to wind up the company. The claim of the Band of Hope Company, included machinery, has been let on tribute, on an agreement 7 which binds the tributers to pay the company 13 per cent of the gross yield of gold obtained from the mine.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 51.0. Band of Hope and John Bright companies (Main production period for these two mines was in the early 1870s). Mullock heaps/sand dumps. Line of dumps runs south from Bet Bet Creek Road along Quarry Road. The heaps opposite the Timor school were rehabilitated during a local bicentennial project and are now part of the Timor School and Community Environmental Reserve. Quarry. At the south end of the heaps are the remains of a modern crushing works.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

156 Band of Hope/John Bright

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1874 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875

157 North Duke

SITE NO. & NAME: 52.0 NORTH DUKE

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD, BET BET CREEK, TIMOR

HI NO: H7624-0202

DIRECTIONS: 3.4 km north-east of Timor, east side of Bet Bet-Bromley Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1890. In 1890 the North Duke Company was floated--one mile north of the No. 4 shaft of the Duke (now Grand Duke) with Benjamin Fink and W. L. Baillieu involved in its management. But yields in the district in the early 1 nineties were down to about sixty per cent of those achieved in the late 1880s.

1899. CHINAMAN’S FLAT LEAD A low range of Silurian hills divides the Maryborough and Carisbrook leads, and through this range a well defined line of lode strikes, and contains the Mosquito, Blucher’s, Flagstaff, and Shaw’s reefs, which have yielded handsome returns, and this has undoubtedly been the source of much of the alluvial richness of the district. To the west of the town of Maryborough we find the great “master” lode of the field, which outcrops boldly in Mariner’s Reef and Bristol Hill, and has been worked with great success at Leviathan Reef. From this lode springs the famous Chinaman’s Flat lead, gold having been traced from the grass roots to where it is now being mined by the North Duke Co. It trends, roughly speaking, north, with some sinnosities, for about five miles, and then swings north-east to join the main trunk lead, apparently in the neighbourhood of Eddington. This channel of wash proved highly payable in the old Duke Co.’s lease, when very deep ground was found and the water became exceedingly strong. This deep ground, which yielded well and carried wide stretches of wash, for a long time hindered the development of the lead, but by boring further along the channel it was clearly proved that it was a crabhole, and that the bedrock was resuming its normal level, and led to the conclusion that the deep ground was the result of a junction of two or more leads. As was expected the Alma lead, a rich tributary, joined the Chinaman’s Flat lead at this point, the deep ground being the result of the scour of the meeting of the two streams. In its northerly flow, long stretches of rich ground have been obtained, but there has been a very strong flow of water, with occasional rich patches of gold, from the western side of the Bet Bet Valley, and this has led to much speculation as to the probable entrance of the Homebush and Madame Hopkins leads. The Bet Bet Valley is so geologically confined by the granite hills to the west and by the Silurian ranges immediately adjoining that the outlet for such a large system as the Homebush-Madame Hopkins lead is exceedingly narrow, and has not yet been satisfactorily proved. The great flow of water in the Duke mine warrants the assumption that an additional channel draining a large area has joined the main channel at this point. Boring in the Bet Bet Valley to the south-west proved the existence of well-defined channels of wash, carrying gold, for many miles, and the future may prove that this is the connection between the Chinaman’s Flat and Homebush channels. The lead is now being worked by the North Duke Company in its north-easterly extension, and will shortly be opened by the Duke United Company. The present operations point to a strong flow of water having come in from the south-west or the Bet Bet Valley, and swept the original channel of wash-dirt towards the eastern slope of the lead. The North Duke is working a western run of wash to the south-west, but finds there is a gradual concentration of the golden dirt towards the eastern reef, and this augurs well for the future of the Duke United. This company, after having much difficulty with its shaft, is now driving towards the gutter, and should in a very short time be in a position to test the wash-dirt. Bores have clearly defined the course of the lead almost to its confluence with the Maryborough main lead, and further on to the [illegible] of the Burnt Creek lead, the whole of the territory to the township of Eddington having been secured. VALUE OF GOLD YIELDS The following gives the records, so far as they have been preserved, of the value of gold returns, stated in figures of value, from the deep alluvial mines in the Maryborough division:

158 North Duke

1903. At the North Duke Company, which mine is about worked out, 10,629 fathoms of wash were treated, yielding 6,761 ounces of gold. The number of men employed is 140, of whom 112 are working below ground. Up to the present £179,996 has been disburses in wages, firewood, and timber, and £32,750 in dividends. Had the mine been equipped with the present up-to-date high-pressure boilers, compound engines, electric motor haulage, and improved 3 ventilating appliances, the profits would certainly have been much greater.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 52.0. North Duke Company (This company worked from 1895 to c.1903. There is a strong possibility that the company re-used the Duke No. 1 company’s Cornish pumping arch). Pump arch. On the eastern side of a filled shaft is an intact bluestone pump arch which measures approximately 20 ft x 4-1/2 ft and stands 23 ft high. The pump arch has thirteen courses of bluestone blocks. Each block bears a faint engraved number denoting its course. The arch itself is 3-3/4 ft wide and 10-1/2 ft high. Both wings (which have largely been demolished) of the pump arch are constructed of bluestone blocks with red brick infills. The cockpit on the east side is completely buried. Next to the cockpit is a largely buried cylinder bed. There is a considerable build- up of rubble around the pump arch and part of a mullock heap covers the cylinder bed. Brick engine beds. 5 metres to the north-east of the pump arch is a set of large brick mounting beds. The beds are set 4-1/2 ft apart and all their mounting bolts have been removed. The largest of the beds measures 45 ft x 8 ft and stands 6 ft high, and the other bed is 33 ft x 6 ft and 5 ft high. Mullock heap. The pump arch sits in a gap between two large mullock heaps. Battery site. To the north of the pump arch are some bulldozed battery foundations (rubble and uprooted battery stumps). Sand dump. A large partly quarried sand dump encloses most of the eastern mullock heap.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The brick infill of the northern wing of the pump arch has been removed undermining the overlying courses of bluestone blocks. No subsidence yet, but will certainly occur in the future.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site has a well preserved Cornish pumping arch, winding engine bed and mullock heaps. There is a high probability that archaeological excavation would expose more of the pumping foundations.

Social Significance. The site is a publicised tourist attraction.

159 North Duke

Cumulative significance. The site forms part of the Maryborough Cornish pump-arch network (Sites 1.0, 4.0, 42.0 and 52.0). The focal point of the network is Site 42.0 (Duke and Timor/Grand Duke).

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Osborn. B and DuBourg. T, Maryborough: A Social History 1854-1904, p.215, 1985 2 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 3 Mines Department Annual Report, 1903

160 Duke United

SITE NO. & NAME: 53.0 DUKE UNITED GOLD MINING COMPANY

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD, BET BET CREEK, TIMOR

HI NO: H7624-0201

DIRECTIONS: 4.6 km north-east of Timor, west of Bet Bet-Bromely Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1894. To the north of the Grand Duke the Duke United Company was formed in 1894 by the merging of the Royal Duke and the Duke of York mining companies. Bores were put down to locate the wash and a suitable shaft site. A main shaft was sunk and a smaller shaft to drain the water from the drift. In July 1899 the main shaft was complete and 700 feet levels put in. With several reconstructions, the mine stopped working in 1908 after recovering 55,000 1 ounces of gold and paying £45,000 in dividends.

161 Duke United

1903. At the Duke United Mines Limited steady, profitable work on a substantial scale has been carried on. During the year 14,941 fathoms of wash have been panelled out, yielding 12,809 ounces of gold. The number of men employed is 239, of which 190 are working underground … During the latter part of the year an electric lighting and haulage plant has been installed, also new machinery, and an additional blower, in connection with ventilation. The dynamo is 22-1/2K, driven by an “Atlas” self-contained automatic engine, and the locomotive, which weighs 5,400 lbs, is 10-1/2 feet long by 2-1/4 feet high, and 2 feet 10 inches in width, and is of the two-motor type, having two sets of wheels, with a motor mounted on each set. The extra power of the motor locomotive admits of the dirt being conveyed to the shaft by a very lengthy train of trucks, travelling at the low rate of about 6 miles per hour, thus reducing the wear and tear on the permanent way rails to a minimum. The ventilation plant comprises a “Tangye” high-pressure, high-speed engine, and two No. 4 “Roots” blowers the beaters of which may be driven up to 300 revolutions per minute if required. The old air pipe service of 11-1/2 inches in diameter has been replaced by one of 17-1/4 inches diameter, from the blower to the plat, and along the greater portion of the main level. This substantial improvement in the ventilating appliance has not yet had sufficient trial to determine whether good ventilation will be 3 maintained under adverse atmospheric conditions.

1904. The Duke United Mines Limited treated 13,959-1/2 fathoms, or 122,483 tons, for a yield of 12,120 ounces of 4 gold. The average number of men employed is 198, of which number 160 wrought underground.

1905. At the Duke United and Main Leads North mines the companies are at present passing through a poor zone of 5 wash, but they are both confident that in the near future success will again attend their efforts.

1906. In the Duke United mine, owned principally by English investors, work has been confined principally to developmental work to the north … It is the intention of the company, should a payable lead be developed in the northern ground, to sink a new shaft, so as to facilitate working, besides providing better ventilation. The advantage of this can be seen when it is known that to reach their work after having been lowered by the cage to the plat, the men have to travel very nearly 10,000 feet, taking nearly three-quarters of an hour. As regards handling the wash and debris, an electric motor is employed below to draw the trucks, which is a great economy as compared to horse or 6 men trucking.

1907. The Duke United Company has not, unfortunately, succeeded in striking the payable wash anticipated, but it 7 is believed, if persevered with, payable ground will be met with.

162 Duke United

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 53.0. Duke United Gold Mining Company (Mine worked from 1898 to c.1907). Slum pond. Massive intact 350 metre long slum pond runs along the southern side of McKenzie Road. Mullock heap. A large mullock heap runs south from the western end of the slum pond. The eastern side of the heap has been extensively quarried. Despite the quarrying there are still some intact dumping lines. Machinery foundations. At the base of the mullock heap’s south-west corner is an well preserved arrangement of brick mounting beds. The bricks used in the construction of the mounting beds are machine made and have a single frog containing the word CLIFTON. All mounting bolts have been removed. The largest of the beds measures 70 ft x 11 ft and stands 7 ft. This bed has three sections: the western end is tank-like and measures 34 ft x 7 ft with 2 ft thick walls, the middle section is a solid mass measuring 14 ft x 11 ft, and the east end, which has been partly demolished, is U-shaped. On the north side of the massive bed, western end, is a narrow bed measuring 18 ft x 3 ft. On the other side of the massive bed is a smaller solid bed which measures 31 ft x 14 ft. This bed has three 1-1/2 ft wide strengthening archways. To the west of this bed is a set of differently sized beds. The northern-most bed measures 20-1/2 ft x 4 ft. Its neighbour is smaller and has been demolished. Boiler house. To the west of the brick mounting beds is an extensive spread of rubble (concrete and bluestone) amongst which can be seen the footings of a rectangular building.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Brick machinery foundations are in good condition and are still associated with an intact section of the mullock heap.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site has a well preserved arrangement of brick mounting beds. There is also the possibility of buried foundations. Historical Significance. The mine’s mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Barbara Willis, Footprints: A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, p.33, 1988 2 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 3 Mines Department Annual Report, 1903 4 Mines Department Annual Report, 1904 5 Mines Department Annual Report, 1905 6 Mines Department Annual Report, 1906 7 Mines Department Annual Report, 1907

163 Bet Bet Creek

SITE NO. & NAME: 54.0 SHALLOW ALLUVIAL WORKINGS (1) 54.1 SHALLOW ALLUVIAL WORKINGS (2)

LOCATION: BET BET CREEK, BET BET

HI NO: 54.0 H7624-0240 54.1 H7624-0241

DIRECTIONS: Bet Bet, Maryborough-Dunolly Road, west of Bet Bet Bridge

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Both sites probably date to nineteenth century.

Site 54.0. Shallow alluvial. Alluvial workings. On the west side of the Castlemaine-Dunolly railway line is a small patch of shallow sinkings which occur in a block of scrubby land. The mounds are small and shafts have been filled.

Site 54.1. Shallow alluvial. Alluvial workings. Small patch of shallow sinkings running along the western bank of Bet Bet Creek.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

164 Duke Extended

SITE NO. & NAME: 55.0 DUKE EXTENDED COMPANY

LOCATION: CHINAMANS FLAT LEAD, BET BET CREEK

HI NO: H7624-0242

DIRECTIONS: 1.7 km south-south-west of Bet Bet, east side of Bet Bet Creek Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1910. The Duke Extended Company sunk the main shaft to 241 feet … and is now erecting a pumping plant 1 preparatory to boring up and draining the wash.

1911. The Duke Extended Company completed the erection of pumping plant, consisting of one 26-in. cylinder 2 compound condensing engine and second boiler, 29 feet by 6 ft 6 in.

1912. The Duke Extended Company has made good progress … The additions made to plant were one high pressure 3 boiler, one No. 4 Roots blower, with 11-inch air-pipes in shaft.

4 1913. The Duke Extended Company … 624 fathoms were treated for 683 oz of gold.

1914. The Duke Extended Company has not met with the success that was expected early in the year … fathoms of 5 wash treated, 2,892; yield of gold, 2,582 oz; number of men employed, 80.

1915. The Duke Extended Company … treated 4,708 fathoms for a return of 2,967 oz of gold; number of men 6 employed, 97.

1916. The Duke Extended Company, Bet Bet … fathoms treated, 3,302; yielding 2,501 oz of gold; men employed, 7 59.

8 1917. The Duke Extended Company; obtained 691 oz of gold … Number of men employed, 34.

9 1918. The Duke Extended Company … At present the gold being won is sufficient to meet working expenses.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 55.0. Duke Extended Company (Operated from 1910 to c.1917). Mullock heap. Large 20 metre high intact mullock heap with three dumping lines. Shaft and bob pit. At the base of the southern end of the mullock heap is a filled shaft. On the western side of the shaft is a well preserved brick bob pit which is approximately 30 ft long, 7 ft wide with 1-1/2 ft thick walls. The bob pit still has some large wooden bearers. Machinery foundations. At the rear of the bob pit (western end) is an arrangement of three brick mounting beds. The most southerly bed measures approximately 36 ft x 5 ft and stands 6 ft high. The middle bed measures approximately 27 ft x 12 ft and has one strengthening archway. The northern bed is tank-like and has an external measurement of 16 ft x 10 ft with 1-1/4 ft thick walls. This bed is in poor condition. Sand dump. Most of the sand has been quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All the machinery foundations except the tank-like one are in reasonable condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site has an extensive range of relics which documents the operation of a late nineteenth century deep lead mine.

165 Duke Extended

Historical Significance. The mine’s mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

166 Duke Extended

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910 2 Mines Department Annual Report, 1911 3 Mines Department Annual Report, 1912 4 Mines Department Annual Report, 1913 5 Mines Department Annual Report, 1914 6 Mines Department Annual Report, 1915 7 Mines Department Annual Report, 1916 8 Mines Department Annual Report, 1917 9 Mines Department Annual Report, 1918

167 Duke and Main Leads Consols

SITE NO. & NAME: 56.0 DUKE AND MAIN LEAD CONSOLS

LOCATION: JUNCTION OF CHINAMANS FLAT AND HAVELOCK LEADS, FOUR MILE CREEK, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0243

DIRECTIONS: 3.2 kms east of Bet Bet, corner of Bet Bet-Betley and Tucketts Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

168 Duke and Main Leads Consols

1901 to 1918. At Havelock, the Duke and Main Leads Consols Company commenced sinking a shaft in 1901 after a series of test bores had been sunk. The shaft was not ideally sited and excessive driving had to be undertaken. The company had 3 miles of lead in its claim, the lead at an average depth of 200 feet and 400 feet wide. The mine closed in 1918 after yielding 108,000 ounces of gold and paying £80,000 in dividends. The average value of the wash dirt in the mine was £2-13-4 per fathom and general expenses of the mine totalled £382,000; including wages, £281,000, fuel 2 £48,000 and timber and stores more than £50,000.

1904. At the Duke and Main Leads Consols mine work has been exclusively confined to driving in reef and unwatering the overhead water-laden wash and drifts by means of tubed drainage bores preparatory to rising and 3 driving at wash level.

1905. At the Duke and Main Leads Consols and the Burnt Creek No. 2 mines good prospecting work is being carried on, and it is expected that during the present year both these mines will be in a position to operate on the wash, and 4 become dividend-paying.

1906. The Duke and Main Leads Consols Company has been persevering to overcome the water difficulty during the year, and is evidently draining the lead … The ordinary pumping plant, consisting of two 18-inch diameter Cornish pumps, which are capable of lifting 3,000,000 gallons of water per day, proved inadequate to deal with the water, with the result that an electric plant with pumps was installed, capable of dealing with an extra million and a quarter gallons … This company during the period under review purchased the mine and plant of the Main Leads North 5 Company, and have commenced work on payable wash on the boundary.

1907. From prospects taken from the various bores, it is expected payable ground will soon be operated upon by the 6 Duke and Main Leads and Burnt Creek Companies.

1908. In the alluvial division the Duke and Main Leads Consols Company has been energetically opening up a large area of payable ground. At the No. 1 shaft 6,042 fathoms of wash-dirt have been taken out for a yield of 4,916-1/2 oz of gold. While at No. 2 shaft 8,434 fathoms were taken out, yielding 5,232 oz 14 dwts of gold, making a total of 10,149 oz 4 dwts of gold from 14,476 fathoms of wash-dirt. An average of 250 men has been employed … Electric motors have just been installed below to take the place of horses, and no doubt will prove more suitable and convenient in removing large quantities of dirt. Fuel-saving appliances have been added to the plant, namely, Watkinson’s patent independent fired steam super-heater, one fuel economiser, and Patterson’s patent exhaust heater 7 and water purifier.

169 Duke and Main Leads Consols

1909. The Duke and Main Lead Consols Company continues to open up large areas of wash-dirt, which has proved payable … An average of 225 men were employed. The underground haulage, by electric power, of the wash-dirt to the main shaft has been completed. Three electric locomotives are in use taking the place of horse-power, and are busy engaged conveying long trains of trucks to the shaft. This plant greatly facilitate the output of wash-dirt. One electric motor for puddling purposes and one No. 4 Berdan pan has been added to the treatment plant. One Root’s blower has been added to the ventilating plant … At the Duke and Main Leads Consols No. 2 shaft … 5,498 fathoms 8 of wash-dirt taken out and treated for a return of 3,986 oz of gold; an average of 100 men were employed.

1910. In the alluvial group the Duke and Main Leads Company has had a fairly successful year … 25,317 fathoms were treated for a yield of 16,056 oz 12 dwts of gold. Value £66,755; paid in dividends, £15,000 … At the Burnt Creek mine progress has been slow owing to the unevenness of the ground and the large amount of water to deal with 9 5,592 fathoms which were treated for a yield of 3,332 oz of gold. Value £13,765.

1911. The Duke and Main Leads Company’s mine continues to open up well, and, from all appearances, there are many years of profitable work ahead … Total treated, 22,137 fathoms, for a yield of 11,791 oz gold, average, 10 dwts 15 grs per fathom … employing 250 men. At the Burnt Creek mine … 1,884 fathoms taken out for a yield of 1,540 10 oz … 90 men were employed. The quality of the wash dirt in this mine is improving.

1912. In the alluvial roup the Duke and Main Leads Company has had a fairly successful year … 16,816 fathoms 11 yielded 10,172 oz of gold, and the average number of men employed was 215.

1913. In the alluvial mines the Duke and Main Leads Company … Wash treated, 10,845 fathoms for a yield of 6,375 12 oz of gold; the number of men employed was 140. .

1914. In the alluvial group, the Duke and Main Leads Company has had a fair year … fathoms of wash treated, 13 10,817, for a yield of 7,061 oz of gold; average per fathom, over 13 dwt … number of men employed, 141.

1915. In alluvial mining the Duke and Main Leads Company … treated 11,652 fathoms for a yield of 8,827 oz of 14 gold; average per fathom, 15 dwts; number of men employed, 140.

1916. In alluvial mining the Duke and Main Leads Company, Bet Bet, paid several dividends … fathoms treated, 15 11,700 for a yield of 9,049 oz of gold; men employed, 122.

1917. In the alluvial group, the Duke and Main Leads Company has … treated 7,910 fathoms for 5,972 oz gold. Number of men employed, 75. The Duke Extended Company; obtained 691 oz of gold … Number of men employed, 16 34. The Talbot Alluvial Company … treated 74 fathoms for 73 oz 18 dwts.

1918. Alluvial mining was actively carried on by the Duke and Main Leads Consols Company, at Bet Bet, until the close of the year, when operations were suspended, and the mine and plant sold. The company during its existence worked a length along the lead of 4 miles, 2 miles on either side of the shaft, and from the gold produced paid about 17 £80,000 in dividends.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 56.0. Duke and Main Lead Consols (Mine operated from 1898 to c.1917). Mullock heap. Large partly quarried mullock heap which still has two long dumping lines. Pebble dump. Most of the pebble dump has been quarried but some still survives with some high wooden posts. Machinery foundations. On the north-east corner of the mullock heap is an arrangement of brick mounting beds. The largest bed measures 48 ft x 8-1/2 ft and stands 5 ft high. This bed has two sections: the eastern end is tank-like with a 13-1/2 ft x 6 ft hole, 1-1/4 ft thick walls and 1-3/4 inch mounting bolts, and the western end has a 11 ft x 2 ft slot and also a fly wheel inset. On the southern side of the large bed is a 32 ft x 4-1/2 ft mounting bed which has 1-3/4 inch mounting bolts. To the north-east of the tank-like section of the large bed are two small beds with 1 inch mounting beds: one of these beds is constructed from red bricks and the other is a very tall (approximately 8 ft) and made of concrete. Sludge pond. On the opposite side of Tucketts Road to the machinery foundations is a very large intact sludge pond. Sand dump. There is a partly quarried dump of sand to the south-west of the mullock heap.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Beds are in relatively good condition and are still associated with an intact section of the mullock heap.

170 Duke and Main Leads Consols

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site is associated with the most successful mining venture on the Havelock-Marybough Deep Lead.

Scientific Significance. The site has some relics which illustrate what took place.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 2 Barbara Willis, Footprints: The History of the Shire of Tullaroop, p.32, 1988 3 Mines Department Annual Report, 1904 4 Mines Department Annual Report, 1905 5 Mines Department Annual Report, 1906 6 Mines Department Annual Report, 1907 7 Mines Department Annual Report, 1908 8 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 9 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910 10 Mines Department Annual Report, 1911 11 Mines Department Annual Report, 1912 12 Mines Department Annual Report, 1913 13 Mines Department Annual Report, 1914 14 Mines Department Annual Report, 1915 15 Mines Department Annual Report, 1916 16 Mines Department Annual Report, 1917 17 Mines Department Annual Report, 1918

171 North Main Leads Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 57.0 NORTH MAIN LEADS COMPANY 57.1 CYANIDE WORKS 57.2 DEEP LEAD SHAFT (1) 57.3 DEEP LEAD SHAFT (2)

LOCATION: HAVELOCK OR MARYBOROUGH LEAD, HAVELOCK

HI NO: 57.0 H7624-0244 57.1 H7624-0245 57.2 H7624-0246 57.3 H7624-0247

DIRECTIONS: 2.6 kms north of Havelock, east side of Russells Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 57.0. Unreserved Crown Land Sites 57.1 to 57.3. Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1903. Work at the Main Leads North mine has been limited to panelling out sufficient ground in the Main Leads gutter, which is a tributary of the Duke United lead, to meet the current expenses of extending the lengthy lower main level into the deep lead system, and draining the ground … The plunger pumps of 15 and 16 inch diameter, respectively, are working on the 6 feet stroke, and going at a speed of nine strokes per minute. During the year 3,675 1 ounces of gold were won. An average of 90 men was employed, 70 of whom wrought underground.

1904. At the Main Leads North mine, brisk work has been carried on, with very profitable results … The number of 2 men employed is 173, of whom 142 worked underground.

1906. The Duke and Main Leads Consols Company has been persevering to overcome the water difficulty during the year, and is evidently draining the lead … The ordinary pumping plant, consisting of two 18-inch diameter Cornish pumps, which are capable of lifting 3,000,000 gallons of water per day, proved inadequate to deal with the water, with the result that an electric plant with pumps was installed, capable of dealing with an extra million and a quarter gallons … This company during the period under review purchased the mine and plant of the Main Leads North 4 Company, and have commenced work on payable wash on the boundary.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 57.0. Duke Main Leads Company (Mine operated c.1903 to 1906. The property was then purchased by Duke and Main Leads Consols). Mullock heap. Large intact mullock heap which has three long dumping lines. Shaft and bob pit near the north-east corner of the mullock heap is a filled, but slightly collapsed mine shaft. On the western side of the shaft are two adjoining brick bob-pits. Both bob-pits are 28 ft long, have 5-1/2 ft wide pits, 1-1/4 ft thick walls and contain well preserved wooden bearers. There is a 4 ft wide baulk between the two bob-pits. Machinery foundations. At the rear of the twin bob-pits is a large tank-like brick mounting bed which measures 38 ft x 18 ft, and stands some 5 ft above exiting ground level.

Site 57.1. Cyanide works (Cyaniding commenced at the turn of the century). Cyanide works. To the south-east of machinery foundations is an extensive spread of treated tailings. Associated with the sand are two separate cyaniding sites. The first is located approximately 250 metres from Site 57.0 and consists of a row of six faint cyanide vat impressions and two up-rooted galvanised iron drainage vats. 150 metres east of these vats is another row of faint cyanide vat impressions. Sand dump. To the east of the machinery foundations is a large raised sand dump.

Site 57.2. Deep Lead shaft (Probably dates to late nineteenth century).

172 North Main Leads Company

Mullock heap. Small largely quarried mullock heap located on the east side of Russells Road. No machinery foundations or pebble dump.

Site 57.3. Deep Lead shaft (Probably dates to late nineteenth century). Mullock heap. Small partly quarried mullock heap located south of the junction of Russells and Stevens Roads. No machinery foundations or pebble dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Well preserved machinery foundations of a very unusual type which are still associated with an intact mullock heap.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 57.0 has: Scientific Significance. The site has a range of relics illustrating the operation of a late nineteenth century deep lead mine. It has an unusual feature in two adjoining bob-pits. Historical Significance. Mine’s mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature.

Site 57.1 has: Scientific Significance. The site has relics of at least two cyaniding operations.

Sites 57.2 and 57.3 have little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mines Department Annual Report, 1903 2 Mines Department Annual Report, 1904 3 Mines Department Annual Report, 1905 4 Mines Department Annual Report, 1906

173 Lord Clyde Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 58.0 LORD CLYDE COMPANY

LOCATION: HAVELOCK OR MARYBOROUGH LEAD, FOUR MILE CREEK, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0248

DIRECTIONS: 1.3 km north-east of Havelock, east side of Bendigo-Havelock Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1870. At Havelock the Lord Clyde Company have, after long labour, just completed the proving of their ground. They propose to purchase and erect steam machinery at the earliest convenience. The Havelock Company has commenced operations on the claim, and has called for tenders for the erection of mining plant. They hope to be in 1 full working order in the course of a few months from this date.

2 March 1872. The Lord Clyde Company is nearly ready to begin work, and is sanguine of success.

June 1872. At Havelock, the Havelock Company have at length struck payable gold, and there is now every prospect of their claim, and also that of the Lord Clyde Company, turning out exceedingly well. The latter company has now got machinery in full working order; they have sunk their shaft to a depth of 63 feet, are now in drift, but find it hard 3 to contend with the water, which is very heavy.

Deember 1872. At Havelock the Havelock Company have succumbed, as they could not find payable gold on their claim. The Lord Clyde Company will soon make a beginning. It is hoped that they will have better success than their neighbour. Their spirited enterprise, and the vast extent to which they have gone with their excellent plant, certainly deserve it.

March 1873. At Havelock, the Lord Clyde Company has at last made a beginning. The drives put in have touched the lead, from which a good and payable prospect has been obtained. I hope in my next report to be able to speak well of the prospects of this mine.4

December 1873. The Lord Clyde Company, after a protracted and gallant struggle, have also had to succumb, for reasons precisely the same as those which caused the Band of Hope Company to succumb. Should this mine be worked at any future time, it will require to be worked by much more extensive and powerful machinery than that at 5 present on the ground.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 58.0. Lord Clyde Company (Worked in the early years of the 1870s). Mullock heap. Large mullock heap and extensive dump of sand. No machinery foundations visible. A house has recently been built near the base of the mullock heap and a garden established.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870

174 Lord Clyde Company

2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1873

175 New Havelock Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 59.0 NEW HAVELOCK COMPANY

LOCATION: HAVELOCK OR MARYBOROUGH LEAD, FOUR MILE CREEK, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0249

DIRECTIONS: Havelock, west side of Four Mile Creek, north-east from the junction of Bendigo and Havelock-Baringhup Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

“Dunolly Deep Leads Map No. 4”, Bulletin No. 62, Geological Survey of Victoria, Department of Minerals and Energy, 1984. Surveyed area marked as New Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

59.0. New Havelock Company (Probably related to Old Havelock Company, Site No. 60). Mullock and sand dumps. Extensive spread of largely quarried heaps. No machinery foundations.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

176 New Havelock Company

177 Old Havelock Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 60.0 OLD HAVELOCK

LOCATION: HAVELOCK OR MARYBOROUGH LEAD, FOUR MILE CREEK, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0250

DIRECTIONS: 0.7 km east of Havelock, east side of Four Mile Creek. Small mullock heaps located on both sides of Havelock-Baringhup Road. The mullock heap with the machinery foundations is on the south side of the road.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1870. At Havelock the Lord Clyde Company has, after long labour, just completed the proving of ground. They propose to purchase and erect steam machinery at the earliest convenience. The Havelock Company has commenced operations on the claim, and called for tenders for the erection of mining plant. They hope to be in full 1 working order in the course of a few months from this date.

September 1870. The Havelock Company has nearly completed the erection of the new mining plant. A shaft has been sunk on their claim to a depth of 88 feet, when the bed-rock was reached, and a fine example of shotty gold 2 obtained. Tenders have been invited by the company for cutting a chamber and opening drives.

June 1871. At Havelock the principal companies are now busily engaged in pushing forward their mining operations, with every prospect of success. The Havelock Company has already obtained a return of 82 oz. They are now erecting two additional steam-puddling machines, which, when completed, will enable them to produce a much larger 3 yield of gold.

4 December 1871. The mines at Havelock are making very slow progress indeed.

March 1872. At Havelock matters have not improved since my last report. Mr Ogle, the legal manager of the Havelock Company, informs me that the gold on the claim is so scattered, the lead, or supposed lead, having been proved to be about two thousand feet wide, that the past operations of the company have severely tried the patience and exhausted the means of the shareholders. The claim is now let on tribute to a party of working men, who have engaged to pay the company 12-1/2 per cent. on the gross yield of gold. I understand that these men have already got 5 into good ground. The Lord Clyde Company are nearly ready to begin work, and are sanguine of success.

June 1872. At Havelock the Havelock Company have at length struck payable gold, and there is now every prospect of their claim, and also that of the Lord Clyde Company, turning out exceedingly well. The latter company has now got their machinery in full working order; they have sunk their shaft to a depth of 63 feet, are now in drift, but find it 6 hard to contend with the water, which is very heavy.

Deember 1872. At Havelock the Havelock Company has succumbed, as they could not find payable gold on their 7 claim.

“Dunolly Deep Leads Map No. 4”, Bulletin No. 62, Geological Survey of Victoria, Department of Minerals and Energy, 1984. Surveyed area marked as Old Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 60.0. Old Havelock Company (Mine operated during early 1870s). Mullock heap. Small intact heap located 100 metres south of Havelock-Baringhup Road. Machinery foundations. On the north side of the mullock heap are two brick mounting beds. The largest of the beds is a rectangular tank-like structure with two compartments. The mounting bed measures 40 ft x 9 ft, has 1-1/2 ft thick walls and 1 inch mounting bolts. The northern most compartment has been demolished to ground level. To the east of the southern end of the large bed is a 20 ft x 5 ft mounting bed which stands to a height of 4 ft.

170 Old Havelock Company

Mullock heap. A similarly sized heap is on the other side of the road but appears to have no above-ground machinery foundations.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

171 Old Havelock Company

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1870 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872

172 Talisman mine

SITE NO. & NAME: 61.0 CRAIGIE TALISMAN MINE 61.1 LINE OF MULLOCK HEAPS

LOCATION: CRAIGIE

HI NO: H7623-0174 H7623-0175

DIRECTIONS: 2.1 km north-north-east of Craigie. The mine is located 350 metres south-west from the junction of Mosquito Track and Argyle Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

1912. The Talisman Company has been engaged unwatering the old shaft with a view of opening up the old workings, where it is said prospects are good. The undertaking has so far proved an expensive one. After several 1 months bailing, the water is lowered to 150 feet only.

1913. Williams and Rewell, of Maldon, have been pushing on prospecting work in the Talisman mine against big 2 water difficulties, which to their credit they have about beat.

3 1937. Gold and Tin Development Company has re-opened the old Talisman mine at Craigie.

5 January 1939. Talisman, Craigie. Ceased operations and plant sold.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 61.0. Talisman mine (Worked on two separate occasions 1912 to 1913 and 1937 to 1939. Plant installed during the latter period). Mullock heap. Intact large mullock heap with a single 50 metre long dumping line which has been placed over an earlier heap with five long dumping lines. Machinery foundations. To the east of the mullock heap is a poorly preserved concrete tank-like bed measuring 14 ft x 9 ft, with 2 ft thick walls and standing 5 ft high. The concrete bed still has a well preserved wooden beam. To the south of the tank-like structure is another concrete bed which measures 15 ft x 3 ft and to the east is a small concrete bed measuring 7-1/2 ft x 3 ft. Boiler setting. To the south of the concrete beds is a buried boiler setting. Battery. To the north of the concrete mounting beds is an arrangement of three small concrete beds and the rough concrete footings (minus stamper stumps) for a 10-head battery. Sludge pond. 30 metres north of the battery is a small (empty) sludge pond.

Site 61.1. Reef workings Reef workings. Line of workings including some shallow open cutting and bulldozed heaps/filled shafts runs south from Site 61.0. The workings terminate at a relatively large mullock heap. No machinery foundations found associated with any of the workings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poorly preserved concrete foundations associated with an intact mullock heap. The line of reef workings have been badly bulldozed.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has some:

173 Talisman mine

Scientific Significance. The site has a range of features which illustrates several different periods of mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mines Department Annual Report, 1912 2 Mines Department Annual Report, 1913 3 Mines Department Annual Report, 1937 4 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1938 5 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1939

174 White Horse Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 62.0 PUDDLER (1) 62.1 PUDDLER (2) 62.2 SHALLOW REEF WORKINGS (1) 62.3 INTERFACE BETWEEN MODERN AND OLD WORKINGS 62.4 SHALLOW REEF WORKINGS 62.5 PUDDLER (3)

LOCATION: WHITE HORSE GULLY

HI NO: 62.0 H7623-0176 62.1 H7623-0177 62.2 H7623-0178 62.3 H7623-0179 62.4 H7623-0180 62.5 H7623-0181

DIRECTIONS: 2.5 km north of Craigie, gully runs south-west from Talisman Track towards Golden Point and crosses both Argyle and Mosquito Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead. The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek. The principal gullies are Madman’s, Deadhorse, Flagstaff, Shellback, Oldman’s, Mosquito, Blucher’s, Smoky, Whitehorse, Arnold’s, Ironstone, Golden Point, and Nuggety—all of which were extremely rich, but for the most part only one claim in width. The depth of sinking varied from mere surfacing to twenty feet. In some of these gullies nuggets were got which weighed upwards of 700 oz. In all the sinking was easy, 1 through clay and gravel, except in places where the ironstone cement was found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

White Horse Gully. Opened during the great Maryborough Rush in 1854/56. The well preserved appearance of puddler (Site 62.0) suggests it operated in the twentieth century; the weathered appearance of puddler (Site 62.1) suggests a nineteenth century date; and puddler (Site 62.5) appears associated with small cyanide vats and presumably date to c.1909/1910. Site 62.0. Puddler and dam. Puddler. The puddler and dam are located 200 metres west from the junction of Mosquito Road and White Horse Track. The 20 ft diameter puddler is well preserved, with a pronounced inner mound and deep puddling trench with sheer sides. The puddler has been partly quarried by gold fossickers. The inner mound still has its pivot post but no trench slabbing survives. Most of the wash has been quarried. Shallow workings. The gully above the dam has been completely surfaced or “puddled-out”.

Site 62.1. Puddler.

175 White Horse Gully

Puddler. 200 metres up the gully (west) from Site 62.0 is another puddler. This puddler is located on the north bank of the gully and has not been disturbed by gold fossickers. The 20 ft diameter puddler is weathered but it is still possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. No pivot post or slabbing is visible. A section of the dam’s embankment still survives in the gully. Forge. On the opposite bank of the gully is a small stone blacksmith’s forge.

176 White Horse Gully

Site 62.2. Shallow Reef workings. Reef workings. A line of shallow reef workings crosses the head of the gully 100 metres west of Site 62.1. Near the gully are several shallow shafts, some open cutting and a small stone blacksmith’s forge.

Site 62.3. Alluvial workings. Alluvial workings. White Horse Gully has recently been extensively strip-mined. The mined gully has now been rehabilitated. A 100 metres up the gully from the junction of White Horse Road and Mosquito Track is an embankment that marks the interface between the “new” and “old” alluvial landscape. To the north, is the bare rehabilitated gully and to the south, is the old extensively surfaced or puddled gully. Dam. To the south of the interface is a large dam. The wash associated with the dam suggests that there was once a puddler.

Site 62.4. Running across the head of the gully (formed by three branches) is a line of very intensive shallow reef workings. All the mullock heaps have been partly bulldozed and shafts filled but is still possible to distinguish bits of several stone-lined loading bays. There is a relatively large mullock heap at the northern end of the workings and also some shallow open cutting. The workings at the northern end are particularly extensive and intense but again badly disturbed by bulldozing. No machinery foundations were observed during the survey of the workings.

Site 62.5. Puddler and cyanide works. Puddler. 0.6 kms along Mosquito Road from its junction with White Horse Track and 100 metres north-east of the road, is a badly preserved 18 ft diameter puddler. The puddler’s inner mound has almost gone exposing the base of the pivot post. The walls of the puddling trench are still quite sheer. No slabbing is present, there is very little wash and the puddler is associated with a small silted dam. Cyanide works. To the south of the puddler are two buried decaying iron ship tanks. A squarish depression suggest that there once may have been a third tank. Alluvial workings. The gully has been extensively surfaced or puddled. The south slope of the gully has also been surfaced and there has been some tunnelling under a cement cap.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The branch of White Horse Gully containing Sites 62.0 to 62.3 has escaped recent strip mining and has quite high integrity. The interface between the “new” and the “old” alluvial landscapes would be an interesting reference point for future comparison. The shallow reef workings (Site 62.4) have been badly disturbed by bulldozing. Site 62.5 although quite weathered may be quite rare, one of the few sites yet discovered which documents the once common process of cyaniding of alluvial wash.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 62.0 to 62.2 have: Cumulative Significance. The site has two puddlers , extensive gully surfacing and some shallow reef workings. Together the sites provide an insight into the nature of puddling and shallow quartz reefing.

Site 62.3 has: Scientific Significance. The site contains an interface between modern strip mining (recently rehabilitated) and an old surfaced (puddled) landscape. An interesting reference area for future comparison in respect to the evolution of shallow alluvial mining.

Site 62.4 has: Scientific Significance. Although badly disturbed, the line of reef workings still contain enough integrity to provide some insight into shallow quartz reefing.

Site 62.4 has: Scientific Significance. Although poorly preserved, the site is a rare example of the cyaniding of shallow lead wash-dirt.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

177 White Horse Gully

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8

178 Simpsons Diggings

SITE NO. & NAME: 63.0 SIMPSONS DIGGINGS

LOCATION: SIMPSONS HISTORIC RESERVE

HI NO: H7624-0251

DIRECTIONS: 3.5 km south of Havelock, west side of the Bendigo-Maryborough Road, opposite north end of the Maryborough Sewage Treatment Works

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Simpsons Historic Reserve

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. He says: On arriving at Simpson’s Ranges, in June 1854, seeking for new fields, I and my three mates found a prospecting party at work at a place since known as the White Hills. At that time there were only thirty or forty men in addition to the prospectors, and these were engaged principally in stacking or surfacing. No water was available to wash the stuff at any place nearer than Bet-Bet and Deep Creek—distant three to five miles from the auriferous ground. The hill was not of great extent, and situate in a large flat almost surrounded by a blind creek. The sinking was very difficult, being through white cement. One party bottomed on the edge of the creek and carried a drive towards the hill—where they picked out nuggets varying in weight from one to ten ounces. All the ground was soon marked off in claims, though the sinking was hard and difficult. It was only by the use of gads that we could get through the hard cement, the depth of which was from ten to thirteen feet. It occupied parties from fourteen to twenty-one days to sink through this stratum. The bottom was a splendid soft white pipeclay, and though the wash- dirt taken out at that time was only some six or nine inches, yet the nuggets which could be picked out paid the men well. The next scene of operations was a hill about one mile south of the first gold workings, and on the same flat; about two miles and a half from the site of the town of Maryborough. In its character it was similar to the first. The depth of sinking was from sixteen to twenty-four feet and through hard cement mixed with large white boulders. The wash- dirt taken out was only some four or six inches—but in it were found a large number of splendid nuggets thickly scattered over the white pipeclay bottom. In consequence of the distance from water there was little or no dirt washed from either of the hills. One load of forty small buckets washed by us yielded 3 oz. This was not considered at that time sufficiently remunerative, as we had to pay £2 for the carting of each load. Payable gold was discovered just at this time by another party, about three miles higher up, in shallow ground, about three feet deep; and to that we removed. Claims were marked out rapidly—a rush set in—and it was fed by parties returning disappointed from the shallow diggings at Avoca. Gold was found in almost every hole—and within a period of less than three months from the time when I first saw the prospectors’ tent near the site of the town of Maryborough, there were at least thirty thousand miners on the ground. The rush after this time increased. The depth of sinking varied from four, six, eight, ten, fourteen, twenty, up to thirty-five feet, at which depth it began to bear the name of Blackman’s Lead. Another branch of the same lead extending south towards Amherst—which was very rich, and in depth not exceeding seven or ten feet—was traced down the flat, where it narrowed from fifteen or sixteen claims of twenty-four feet each to a width of four or five claims towards the point of its junction with the Blackman’s Lead. The value of those leads is well known, but I, myself, witnessed prospects from one shovelful of dirt taken out of the gutters of 18 or 20 oz. The same stuff washed on an average for about two feet in thickness as much as 24 and 36 oz of gold to forty small buckets. This was out of the Main Lead gutter—not by any means as rich as the Blackman’s Lead, which yielded nuggets of all shapes and sizes. The sinking on both the leads was easy … The wash-dirt at that time taken out varied from one foot to three feet in thickness—but since then the strata have paid puddlers and others, in many places, from the surface to a depth of twenty feet. It was thought that the ground at or below the junction of the two rich leads would be exceedingly valuable, but such was not the case. At the junction the ground was poor for nearly half a mile, and it was only where the lead took another bend and left the side of the range that the gold again became plentiful. This part was named Commissioner’s Flat. Here the sinking became deeper, varying from fifty-five to sixty-five feet, the gold being scattered; the lead from fourteen to sixteen claims in width; the wash-dirt from two to five feet in thickness; and the average yield from four to ten ounces to the load of forty American buckets. About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring

179 Simpsons Diggings only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead. The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek. The principal gullies are Madman’s, Deadhorse, Flagstaff, Shellback, Oldman’s, Mosquito, Blucher’s, Smoky, Whitehorse, Arnold’s, Ironstone, Golden Point, and Nuggety—all of which were extremely rich, but for the most part only one claim in width. The depth of sinking varied from mere surfacing to twenty feet. In some of these gullies nuggets were got which weighed upwards of 700 oz. In all the sinking was easy, through clay and gravel, except in places where the ironstone cement was found. After the lapse of two years, during which period many rushes had occurred, Maryborough was almost deserted; but another new and valuable discovery was made at Chinaman’s Flat, about one mile and a half from the spot where gold was first found at Maryborough. The locality was on the Bet-Bet or east side of the Dividing Range. Thousands again flocked to the spot. The large flat was found to extend towards the Bet-Bet for a distance of eight miles, and the country was discovered to be rich in quartz reefs as well as alluviums. The famous Leviathan Reef is now (1869) worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballaarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of keeping down the flow of water, 1 and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 63.0. Simpsons Diggings (Area linked to discovery of gold at Maryborough in 1854). Shallow alluvial. 60 metre wide, 350 metre long, band of filled (subsiding) shafts and bulldozed small mullock heaps running through very scrubby country. The sinkings at the northern end of the Historic Reserve are more intact and scrub-free.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor and not very visible from the road.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site is associated with the discovery of gold at Maryborough.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8

180 Dooleys Road

SITE NO. & NAME: 64.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: DOOLEYS ROAD BUSHLAND RESERVE

HI NO: H7624-0252

DIRECTIONS: 3.5 km south of Havelock, corner of Simpsons and Dooleys Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Dooleys Road Bushland Reserve

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. He says: On arriving at Simpson’s Ranges, in June 1854, seeking for new fields, I and my three mates found a prospecting party at work at a place since known as the White Hills. At that time there were only thirty or forty men in addition to the prospectors, and these were engaged principally in stacking or surfacing. No water was available to wash the stuff at any place nearer than Bet-Bet and Deep Creek—distant three to five miles from the auriferous ground. The hill was not of great extent, and situate in a large flat almost surrounded by a blind creek. The sinking was very difficult, being through white cement. One party bottomed on the edge of the creek and carried a drive towards the hill—where they picked out nuggets varying in weight from one to ten ounces. All the ground was soon marked off in claims, though the sinking was hard and difficult. It was only by the use of gads that we could get through the hard cement, the depth of which was from ten to thirteen feet. It occupied parties from fourteen to twenty-one days to sink through this stratum. The bottom was a splendid soft white pipeclay, and though the washdirt taken out at that time was only some six or nine inches, yet the nuggets which could be picked out paid the men well. The next scene of operations was a hill about one mile south of the first gold workings, and on the same flat; about two miles and a half from the site of the town of Maryborough. In its character it was similar to the first. The depth of sinking was from sixteen to twenty-four feet and through hard cement mixed with large white boulders. The wash- dirt taken out was only some four or six inches—but in it were found a large number of splendid nuggets thickly scattered over the white pipeclay bottom. In consequence of the distance from water there was little or no dirt washed from either of the hills. One load of forty small buckets washed by us yielded 3 oz. This was not considered at that time sufficiently remunerative, as we had to pay £2 for the carting of each load. Payable gold was discovered just at this time by another party, about three miles higher up, in shallow ground, about three feet deep; and to that we removed. Claims were marked out rapidly—a rush set in—and it was fed by parties returning disappointed from the shallow diggings at Avoca. Gold was found in almost every hole—and within a period of less than three months from the time when I first saw the prospectors’ tent near the site of the town of Maryborough, there were at least thirty thousand miners on the ground. The rush after this time increased. The depth of sinking varied from four, six, eight, ten, fourteen, twenty, up to thirty-five feet, at which depth it began to bear the name of Blackman’s Lead. Another branch of the same lead extending south towards Amherst—which was very rich, and in depth not exceeding seven or ten feet—was traced down the flat, where it narrowed from fifteen or sixteen claims of twenty-four feet each to a width of four or five claims towards the point of its junction with the Blackman’s Lead. The value of those leads is well known, but I, myself, witnessed prospects from one shovelful of dirt taken out of the gutters of 18 or 20 oz. The same stuff washed on an average for about two feet in thickness as much as 24 and 36 oz of gold to forty small buckets. This was out of the Main Lead gutter—not by any means as rich as the Blackman’s Lead, which yielded nuggets of all shapes and sizes. The sinking on both the leads was easy … The wash-dirt at that time taken out varied from one foot to three feet in thickness—but since then the strata have paid puddlers and others, in many places, from the surface to a depth of twenty feet. It was thought that the ground at or below the junction of the two rich leads would be exceedingly valuable, but such was not the case. At the junction the ground was poor for nearly half a mile, and it was only where the lead took another bend and left the side of the range that the gold again became plentiful. This part was named Commissioner’s Flat. Here the sinking became deeper, varying from fifty-five to sixty-five feet, the gold being scattered; the lead from fourteen to sixteen claims in width; the wash-dirt from two to five feet in thickness; and the average yield from four to ten ounces to the load of forty American buckets. About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring

181 Dooleys Road only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead.

182 Dooleys Road

The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek. The principal gullies are Madman’s, Deadhorse, Flagstaff, Shellback, Oldman’s, Mosquito, Blucher’s, Smoky, Whitehorse, Arnold’s, Ironstone, Golden Point, and Nuggety—all of which were extremely rich, but for the most part only one claim in width. The depth of sinking varied from mere surfacing to twenty feet. In some of these gullies nuggets were got which weighed upwards of 700 oz. In all the sinking was easy, through clay and gravel, except in places where the ironstone cement was found. After the lapse of two years, during which period many rushes had occurred, Maryborough was almost deserted; but another new and valuable discovery was made at Chinaman’s Flat, about one mile and a half from the spot where gold was first found at Maryborough. The locality was on the Bet-Bet or east side of the Dividing Range. Thousands again flocked to the spot. The large flat was found to extend towards the Bet-Bet for a distance of eight miles, and the country was discovered to be rich in quartz reefs as well as alluviums. The famous Leviathan Reef is now (1869) worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballaarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of keeping down the flow of water, 1 and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 64.0. Alluvial workings (Area linked with the discovery of gold at Maryborough in 1854). Shallow alluvial. Patch of scrubby country containing some bulldozed shallow sinkings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8

183 Shaws Reef mine

SITE NO. & NAME: 65.0 SHAWS REEF MINE

LOCATION: SHAW REEF, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0253

DIRECTIONS: 3.1 km south of Havelock, between Castlemaine-Dunolly railway line and Four Mile Creek, north of Simpsons Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1885. The returns of gold obtained last quarter from the mines in this Division show a decided improvement. The average yield of gold from stone crushed was 15 dwt 4.45 gr per ton, which is an unusually high average. I would draw special attention to the magnificent yield obtained by Mrs Shaw and party from the Nile prospecting claim, which is situate at Harper’s Reef, Havelock. From a parcel of 14 tons 2 cwt of stone, they obtained 194 oz 5 dwt of gold, or an average of 13 oz 15 dwt 12 gr per ton. No such yield as this has been obtained 1 since the early days of the Maryborough gold-fields.

December 1885. Work in this class of mining has been more active and successful than usual during the quarter. This is shown by the present returns of gold obtained, which are considerably in excess of those contained in my last report. The splendid yields which were obtained by Shaw and party from the Nile claim, Harper’s Reef, Havelock, and by Falkiner and party from the Norwegian claim, Monte Cristo Reef, Bet Bet, have created an unusual interest in mining circles. Indeed, these returns are quite exceptional in the history of quartz mining in this division, and they point to the fact that this class of mining is here only in its infancy, and that a vast amount of wealth still lies unexplored in the quartz veins and lodes which are so profusely scattered over the whole of the division. From a crushing of 8 tons 18 cwt of stone, Shaw and party obtained 295 oz of gold, or an average of 33 oz 2 dwt per ton; 2 while from a crushing of 19 tons, Falkiner and party obtained 196 oz 19 dwt, or an average of 10 oz 7 dwt per ton.

March 1886. There has been unusual stir in this class of mining during the quarter. This has chiefly arisen because of the splendid yields obtained by Shaw and party from the Nile claim, at Havelock, on Harper’s Reef. Seven additional ordinary claims situate on that reef were registered during the quarter, and a large quantity of ground in the same place has been marked out, and leases applied for. From a parcel of 32 tons of stone, Shaw and party obtained a return of 426 oz 10 dwt of gold, or an average of 13 oz 6 dwt 13 gr per ton. Four prospecting claims were also registered during the quarter. These claims are situate at Flagstaff, Bluchers, and Havelock. From the Long Sought For claim, situate at Specimen Reef, Havelock, and owned by Samuel Williams and party, a crushing of 12 tons of stone gave a yield of 71 oz 10 dwt of gold, or an average of 5 oz 19 dwt 4 gr per ton. 3 The stone was crushed at the Sydenham battery, near Dunolly.

June 1886. The best yields of gold from quartz during the quarter were obtained by Shaw and party, and by Fricker and party, of Havelock. From a crushing of 8 tons 15 cwt, the former obtained 80 oz, or an average of 9 oz 2 dwt 20 gr per ton. From a crushing of 4 tons, the latter obtained 27 oz 15 dwt, or an average of 6 oz 18 dwt and 18 gr per ton. Nine prospecting and seven ordinary claims were registered during the quarter. The prospecting claims are situate at Bowenvale, Havelock, Adelaide Lead, Mariner’s Reef, and Mosquito. Good prospects have been obtained from 4 several of them.

September 1886. Shaw and party, the owners of the “Nile” claim on Harper’s Reef, White Hills, have sold out, and the purchasers have formed a company, called the Shaw’s Reef Company, to work the claim. Steam machinery will be erected, and proper means taken to develop one of the richest reefs that has yet been found in this district. From a crushing of 71-1/2 tons the company obtained a yield of 570 oz, or an average of nearly 8 oz per ton. This splendid yield has caused a great deal of extra activity in mining business at Havelock, and I understand that other companies 5 are in course of formation to work the ground in the neighbourhood of the claim of the Shaw’s Reef Company.

184 Shaws Reef mine

December 1886. This class of mining has been fairly prosperous during the quarter, and it is rapidly becoming one of the principal mining features in the district. Of course, the chief interest of owners and speculators has centred round those claims which have been taken up on Shaw’s Reef, Havelock, but it will be a considerable time before even a fair proportion of such claims can be effectively tested. Very sanguine hopes are entertained respecting them, especially by those who are more directly interested. The best yields for the quarter were obtained by the Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, and by Messrs Chadwick Bros., from their claim at Adelaide lead. From a crushing of 110 tons 14 cwt of stone the Shaw’s Reef Company obtained 477 oz 15 dwt of gold, or an average of 4 oz 6 dwt 7 gr per ton. Messrs Chadwick Bros obtained 78 oz 8 dwt from a crushing of 74 tons 8 cwt of stone, or an average of 1 oz per ton. The total quantity of quartz obtained from the Shaw’s Reef Company’s mine since 1st August last is 182 tons, and 6 the total yield of gold therefrom is 1,048 oz 7 dwt. The quartz was obtained at a depth of 100 feet from the surface.

March 1887. The Shaw’s Reef Company got 284 oz from 255 tons of quartz. Steam machinery is in course of erection at the Shaw’s Extended and Shaw’s Rob Roy mines, Havelock. The Rob Roy Company, on Shaw’s Reef, has made a satisfactory beginning; the reef has been struck and shows payable gold. Thirteen men are employed at 7 the mine.

June 1887. The Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, have had a prosperous quarter, the yield of gold obtained from their mine being upwards of 1,000 oz. The quartz raised was obtained from a depth of from 60 feet to 250 feet from the surface. Pumping machinery is being erected, and 68 men are employed at the mine. Shaw’s Rob Roy Company, Havelock, have had a crushing of 40 tons of stone, which gave 27 oz 3 dwt or upwards of 12 dwt to the ton. They have been working in hard country during the great part of the quarter, but the prospects of the mine are good. The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal quartz mines in this division: Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, 1,033 oz; Shaw’s Rob Roy Company, Havelock, 27 oz; Chadwick and party, Adelaide Lead, 125 oz; Shaw’s No. 1 Company, Havelock, 25 oz; McFarlane’s Reef Company, Havelock, 24 oz; 8 Willsen and party, Havelock, 11 oz. Dividend: Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, £1,500.

September 1887. At no former period in the history of Maryborough has mining been so uniformly prosperous as it has been during the quarter just past. This prosperity has mainly been cause by the exceptionally rich yields of gold that have been obtained from the Shaw’s Reef Company’s mine at White Hills; by the great improvement which has taken place in the prospects o the Duke mine, at Timor; and, more especially, by the firm confidence which is now being reposed in the place as an important and permanent mining centre. As is usual in cases where prosperity attends the principal mining ventures in a district, speculators and capitalists from all parts of the colony have been attracted to Maryborough, and a large number of ventures have recently been floated on the market. It is to be hoped that a fair proportion of these will prove successful. The Shaw’s Reef Company is about to sink the main shaft of their mine 150 feet deeper. Another boiler is being erected. The gold obtained from the mine, and the dividends declared during the quarter, afford ample evidence of the prosperity of the company, and of the value of their property. Shaw’s Rob Roy Company, Havelock, are making substantial progress with the development of their mine. During the quarter they have been driving for the reef at the bottom level. They have also been sinking a winze from the 140- foot level. At 16 feet down a fresh make of stone was cut, showing heavy coarse gold. But, in consequence of the heavy flow of water, the company has as yet been unable to determine the extent of the new discovery. Work is now being pushed on to arrive at this knowledge. No stone from the mine has been crushed during the quarter. The McFarlane’s Reef Company, Havelock, is now engaged in erecting pumping and winding machinery. The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal quartz mines in this division: Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, 1,665 oz; Willson and party, Havelock, 16 oz; Lunn and Party, Havelock, 9 oz; 9 McConvil and party, Maryborough, 14 oz; Total quartz, 1,706 oz.

December 1887. The Shaw’s Reef and Rob Roy mines, Havelock, have produced excellent yields of gold. A large number of specimens, thickly studded with gold and worth several hundred pounds, were obtained at various points in the 160-foot level of the Rob Roy mine. A crushing of 136 tons of stone, taken from this mine, gave 266 oz 4 dwt 18 gr of gold. The works at the mine are in good order. Satisfactory progress is being made at the progressive mines in the division which are situate at Havelock and Mosquito. A large amount of labour and capital are being employed at these mines, in the purchase and erection of costly steam machinery. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal quartz mines in this division during the quarter: Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, 1,447 oz; Shaw’s Rob Roy Company, Havelock, 266 oz; Willson and party, Havelock, 13 oz; Lunn and party, Havelock, 9 oz; Rice and party, Rifle Butts, 87 oz; Cornwall and party, Bristol 10 Hill, 28 oz; Roberts, Shellback Gully, 13 oz; Sundry crushings, various parts, 76 oz; total, 1,942 oz.

185 Shaws Reef mine

March 1888. In consequence of an accident to the machinery of the Shaw’s Rob Roy, the mine has been idle during the quarter. An additional engine of nearly 30 horse-power and a large boiler have been purchased and added to the plant. The contractors are now busily engaged in erecting the new machinery. The yield of gold from the Shaw’s Reef has been satisfactory, and the several works at the mine are in good order. A 20-in. cylinder pumping engine is in course of erection. When this engine has been erected the one now used for pumping and winding will be used for winding exclusively, and the sinking of the shaft will be resumed. The following is a statement of the gold obtained from the principal quartz mines in this division during the quarter: Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, 1,219 oz; Rice and party, Butts Reef, 42 oz; Eaglehawk Company, Golden Point, 19 oz; Dibbin and party, Havelock, 9 oz; Willson and party, Havelock, 9 oz; Roberts and party, Surface Hill, 5 oz; 11 total, 1,305 oz.

June 1888. The engine shaft of the Shaw’s Reef Company has been sunk to a greater depth. In the early part of the quarter there was a great falling off in the yield of gold, but recently the prospects of the mine have much improved. Shaw’s No. 1 North Company has erected a winding plant. This company was formed in July last. Since then they have erected the above plant, and have sunk a shaft to a depth of 216 feet, at which a strong flow of water was cut, and sinking had to be stopped. A cross-cut was then put in at 180 feet from the surface, and the reef struck at 13 feet east from shaft. The reef is now being worked to the north, and averages 18 inches in width, and shows fine gold throughout. The prospects of the mine are most encouraging. The Shaw’s Extended Company, Havelock, have erected an 11-inch cylinder engine, 1-feet stroke, with boiler 18 by 5-/12 feet, also winding gear, having round wire ropes, and other necessary works. McFarlane’s No. 1 Company, Havelock, has erected an 18-inch cylinder engine, with boiler 28 by 6-1/2 feet, also winding gear and other works. Sinking operations at the mine will be resumed next quarter. McFarlane’s Reef Company, Havelock, are opening up the mine by cross-cutting and extending main levels and drives. Shaw’s Rob Roy Company has erected an 18-inch cylinder engine, also a Cornish flue boiler. Work in the mine has 12 been resumed. A truck-road has been laid at bottom level. The machine is working well.

September 1888. The Havelock Reef Companies have been driving north and south on the course of the lode. They have had three crushings, but the reef is not at present payable. The McFarlane’s Reef Company is erecting a 10- head crushing plant. The Shaw’s Rob Roy Company is still driving on the course of the lode; the quartz obtained is poor, but of a very promising character. The North Shaw’s Company recently struck rich stone in the south cross- cut, at the 180-foot level. The lode is from 8 to 10 inches wide. They are now opening a level at 100 feet. The 13 Shaw’s Reef Company has sunk their shaft 30 feet deeper during the quarter.

December 1888. In quartz mining, Shaw’s Rob Roy Company, Havelock, from which great things were expected, have come to grief, as no more payable gold could be obtained. The plant has been sold, and the company is now being wound up. The position of McFarlane’s Reef Company has improved during the quarter, gold having been obtained to the extent of 267 oz 19 dwt. The North Shaw’s Company, Havelock, will start to crush in a few days. The prospects of the company are good. The Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, is about to sink their main shaft deeper. The present depth of the shaft is 450 feet. While the 8-inch pumps were being drawn out of the shaft to be replaced by 10-inch pumps, a lamentable 14 accident occurred, resulting in the death of two men.

June 1889. McFarlane’s No. 1 Company. The plant and claim of this company have been purchased by the McFarlane’s Reef Company, by whom all work at the mine during the past quarter has been done. McFarlane’s Reef Company. This company have sunk their main shaft to a depth of 100 feet; chamber opened, and cross-cut driven to reef 48 feet … Considerable difficulty has been experienced by this company in draining their mine. North of Shaw’s Reef Company, this is the only mine in the vicinity that is not idle; in fact, the owners are now doing prospecting work for the mine-owners in the surrounding district. This explains, in some measure, the difficulty there is in contending with the heavy inflow of water. North Shaw’s Company. No work has been done during the past quarter, labour covenants having been suspended by the Mining Department. Shaw’s Extended Company. This company has been amalgamated with the Shaw’s Reef Company, and all work 15 during the quarter has been done by the latter.

September 1889. At Adelaide Lead, Shaw and party registered a claim on the Cosmopolitan reef, from which good results are expected. This ground was formerly held under a registered certificate by Bullingham and Tonks, as an alluvial claim. These men found a nugget here, weighting several ounces, the gold being solid and waterworn; but when

186 Shaws Reef mine they found a reef of an apparently payable character, they sold advantageously to Shaw and party. No crushing has yet been reported, but the prospects are really good. I may mention that Shaw was the original owner of the famous Shaw’s Reef claim at Havelock. He is a very experienced quartz miner. Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock. The mine has been let on tribute to the present level of 400 feet, and for a length 16 of 600 feet north, and 600 feet south of the main shaft.

December 1889. Shaw’s Reef Company. This company has had unusual difficulties to contend with during the quarter. While making preparations to sink the shaft deeper, in consequence of the adjoining creek getting flooded, surface water broke into an old abandoned shaft, and then found its way into the company’s workings and filled the shaft with sand and débris. These are now being removed, but it will be the end of January before the shaft is clear and sinking resumed. The higher levels are being worked by tributers, who also will be able to work again by that time. McFarlane’s Reef Company. This company has been working at cross-cut in No. 1 shaft for western reef at bottom 17 level, and is now 22 feet in slate formation.

December 1890. A great deal of animation in mining circles has been caused through the Shaw’s Reef Company 18 striking payable gold at the 500-ft level.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 65.0. Shaws Reef Company (Discovery of this reef by Shaw in 1885 started a mining boom. Shaws Reef Company operated until c.1890). Mullock heap. Large partly quarried mullock heap with one dumping line. No machinery foundations. Tailings. Spread of tailings between the mullock heap and Four Mile Creek.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. Some spectacular gold yields from this mine were responsible for starting a quartz mining boom.

Cumulative Significance. Site is the focal point for the Shaws Reef network of mining sites [Sites 65.0, 66.0, 68.0 and 70.0].

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1885 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1886 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1886 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1889

187 Shaws Reef mine

18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1890

188 North Shaws Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 66.0 NORTH SHAWS COMPANY

LOCATION: SHAWS REEF, HAVELO CK

HI NO: H7624-0254

DIRECTIONS: 2.8 km south of Havelock, between Castlemaine-Dunolly railway line and Four Mile Creek, north of Simpsons Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1888. The North Shaw’s Company recently struck rich stone in the south cross-cut, at the 180-foot level. 1 The lode is from 8 to 10 inches wide. They are now opening a level at 100 feet.

December 1888. The North Shaw’s Company, Havelock, will start to crush in a few days. The prospects of the 2 company are good.

June 1889. North Shaw’s Company. No work has been done during the past quarter, labour covenants having been 3 suspended by the Mining Department.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 66.0. North Shaws Company (Operated 1888/1889). Mullock heap. Large, partly quarried mullock heap. Machinery foundations. To the south-west of the mullock heap are the remains of a large tank-like brick mounting bed. Most of the bed has been demolished to ground level and all that survives above ground is a section of its southern wall (30 ft long, 5 ft high and 2 ft thick). Tailings. To the south of the foundations is a spread of tailings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Cumulative Significance. Site is part of the Shaws Reef network of mining sites [Sites 65.0, 66.0, 68.0 and 70.0].

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889

189 McFarlanes Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 67.0 QUARTZ MINE

LOCATION: MCFARLANES REEF, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0255

DIRECTIONS: 2.0 kms south of Havelock, immediately west of Maryborough-Bendigo Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

Name of mine could not be established. Part of the mid 1880s Shaws Reef mining boom.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 67.0. Quartz mine (Name of mine could not be established. Part of the mid 1880s Shaws Reef mining boom). Mullock heap. Remains of small mullock which now acts as a platform for a water supply tank. No machinery foundations visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

190 McFarlanes Reef mine

SITE NO. & NAME: 68.0 MCFARLANES REEF MINE

LOCATION: MCFARLANES REEF

HI NO: H7624-0256

DIRECTIONS: 1.3 km south-south-west of Havelock, west side of Bendigo-Maryborough Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1887. The following is a statement of the gold obtained during the quarter from the principal quartz mines in this division: Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, 1,033 oz; Shaw’s Rob Roy Company, Havelock, 27 oz; Chadwick and party, Adelaide Lead, 125 oz; Shaw’s No. 1 Company, Havelock, 25 oz; McFarlane’s Reef Company, Havelock, 1 24 oz; Willsen and party, Havelock, 11 oz. Dividend: Shaw’s Reef Company, Havelock, £1,500.

September 1887. The McFarlane’s Reef Company, Havelock, is now engaged in erecting pumping and winding 2 machinery.

June 1888. McFarlane’s No. 1 Company, Havelock, has erected an 18-inch cylinder engine, with boiler 28 by 6-1/2 feet, also winding gear and other works. Sinking operations at the mine will be resumed next quarter. McFarlane’s Reef Company, Havelock, is opening up the mine by cross-cutting and extending main levels and 3 drives.

4 September 1888. The McFarlane’s Reef Company is erecting a 10-head crushing plant.

December 1888. The position of McFarlane’s Reef Company has improved during the quarter, gold having been 5 obtained to the extent of 267 oz 19 dwt.

June 1889. McFarlane’s No. 1 Company. The plant and claim of this company has been purchased by the McFarlane’s Reef Company, by whom all work at the mine during the past quarter has been done. McFarlane’s Reef Company. This company has sunk the main shaft to a depth of 100 feet; chamber opened, and cross-cut driven to reef 48 feet … Considerable difficulty has been experienced by this company in draining their 6 mine.

December 1889. McFarlane’s Reef Company. This company has been working at cross-cut in No. 1 shaft for 7 western reef at bottom level, and is now 22 feet in slate formation

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 68.0. McFarlanes Reef mine (Mine operated late 1880s). Mullock heap. Small mullock heap with two main dumping lines. No machinery foundations visible from the road.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Cumulative Significance. Site is part of the Shaws Reef network of mining sites [Sites 65.0, 66.0, 68.0 and 70.0].

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

191 McFarlanes Reef mine

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1889

192 Four Mile Creek

SITE NO. & NAME: 69.0 CYANIDE WORKS 69.1 PUDDLER AND DAM 69.2 SAND DUMP

LOCATION: FOUR MILE CREEK

HI NO: 69.0 & 69.1 H7624-0257 69.2 H7624-0258

DIRECTIONS: Sites 69.0 to 69.1 are located 1.4 km south-south-west of Havelock, between Maryborough-Bendigo Road and Castlemaine-Dunolly railway line. Site 69.2 is on the opposite side of the road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

No references collected.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 69.0. Cyanide Works (cyaniding in Victoria commenced in c.1897/98). Cyanide Works. Large dump of tailings (70 metres diameter, 2 to 3 metres high) which has several faint cyanide vat impressions.

Site 69.1. Puddler and dam (Weathered state of puddler suggests nineteenth century date). Puddler. Immediately north of Site 68.0 is a silted dam. There is a very weathered puddler on the north end of the dam’s embankment. The puddler is obscured by gorse and does not appear to have any pivot post or trench slabbing. Near the puddler is a massive, but partly quarried bank of wash.

Site 69.2. Sand Dump located on residential land (cyaniding in Victoria commenced in c.1897/98, the puddler most probably operated in the twentieth century). Sand dump. A large raised dump of sand is visible on Freehold Land bordering the western side of the Bendigo- Maryborough Road. Puddler. Near the dump is a well preserved puddling machine.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Sites 69.0 and 69.1 are in poor condition and have low integrity. The puddler near the sand dump (Site 69.2) has high integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 69.0 and 69.1 have poor integrity.

Site 69.2 has: Scientific Significance. The puddler near the sand dump is in excellent condition and thus is an outstanding example of this type of technology.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

193 Havelock Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 70.0 HAVELOCK REEFS SHAFT

LOCATION: HAVELOCK REEF, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0259

DIRECTIONS: 0.7 kms north-west of Havelock, 0.45 kms west from junction of Bendigo and Dunolly Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

December 1887. Satisfactory progress is being made at the progressive mines in the division which are situate at Havelock and Mosquito. A large amount of labour and capital are being employed at these mines, in the purchase and 1 erection of costly steam machinery.

September 1888. The Havelock Reef Companies have been driving north and south on the course of the lode. They 2 have had three crushings, but the reef is not at present payable.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 70.0. Havelock Reefs shaft (Mine operated late 1880s). Mullock heap. Small intact heap. No machinery foundations visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Cumulative Significance. Site is part of the Shaws Reef network of mining sites [Sites 65.0, 66.0, 68.0 and 70.0].

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888

194 Waverly Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 71.0 PUDDLER

LOCATION: WAVERLY GULLY

HI NO: H7624-0260

DIRECTIONS: 1.4 km west of Havelock, east side of Waverly Track

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Havelock State Forest

HISTORY:

January 1860. There are the Alma, Chinaman, and Havelock Flat, wet leads, all proved highly auriferous, and which require only some efficient system of working to prove highly remunerative; but it is to be regretted the diggers cannot, without the assistance of some capital, embrace those opportunities, it being well known that seven-eighths of the mining population here have been struggling for a mere subsistence, nevertheless some attempts have been made by a few persevering diggers to discover those lost leads, attempts which have as yet proved ineffectual, no doubt on 1 account of the limited means employed.

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 2 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

May 1860. Havelock Flat, Wet Lead. The dullness which has so long prevailed here is certainly attributable to the strong undercurrent of water, which could not be overcome without the aid of machinery—to accomplish which strong efforts are about being made by a few local enterprising miners, who still retain no small share of confidence in 3 this portion of the old lead.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Havelock Lead was first rushed in 1860. The well preserved nature of the puddler suggests a twentieth century date.

Site 71.0. Puddler. Puddler. On the east side of the track is a small dam which has been re-excavated. On the east end of the dam’s embankment is a well preserved 20 ft diameter puddler (pronounced inner mound and deep puddling trench with sheer sides). No pivot post or slabbing and most of the wash has been quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Good.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site has a relatively intact puddling machine and thus provided some insight into this type of mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860

195 Duffys Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 72.0 ADJOINING PUDDLERS

LOCATION: DUFFYS GULLY, HAVELOCK

HI NO: H7624-0261

DIRECTIONS: 1.8 kms east of Havelock, 350 metres south of the junction of Four Mile and Duffys Reef Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Havelock State Forest

HISTORY:

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 2 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 72.0. Adjoining puddlers (Havelock lead/area first rushed in 1860. The weathered nature of the two puddlers suggests a nineteenth century date). Puddlers. Associated with an eighty metre long (breached) embankment are two very weathered puddlers which are set four metres apart. The northern puddler is 18 ft in diameter, has no inner mound and is mainly defined by its outer ring. No pivot post or slabbing survives. The southern puddler is slightly bigger (20 ft diameter) and is in a similar weathered condition. Most of the wash associated with the adjoining puddlers has been quarried. Alluvial workings. Running south-east from the puddlers is a well defined, relatively undisturbed band of shallow alluvial sinkings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Puddlers are badly weathered and are associated with undisturbed shallow sinkings.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. A rare type of site that shows how puddlers tended to be concentrated at favoured locations.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860

196 Capron Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 73.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: CAPRON GULLY

HI NO: H7624-0262

DIRECTIONS: 1.8 km south-east of Havelock, workings cross Capron Track

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Havelock State Forest

HISTORY:

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 2 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 73.0. Alluvial workings (Havelock Lead/area was first rushed in 1860s). Shallow workings. Fairly dispersed sinkings in very scrubby country. No puddling machines found.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860

197 Lucknow Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 74.0 PUDDLER (1) 74.1 DOOLEYS DAM PUDDLER 74.2 PUDDLER (2)

LOCATION: LUCKNOW LEAD

HI NO: 74.0 H7624-0263 74.1 H7623-0182 74.2 H7623-0183

DIRECTIONS: Site 74.0. 2.6 km south-east of Havelock, 100 metres south-west from junction of Red Streak and Simpsons Tracks Sites 74.1 and 74.2. 4.1 kms south-south-east of Havelock, 100 metres south of the junction of Lucknow Lead and Broad Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Havelock State Forest

HISTORY:

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 2 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Havelock lead/area first rushed in 1860. The well defined nature of the puddlers suggests that they were all operating during the twentieth century.

Site 74.0. Puddler. Puddler. On the western end of a small dam’s embankment is a well defined (pronounced inner mound and deep puddling trench with sheer sides) 18 ft diameter puddler. The puddler’s inner mound has been quarried by gold fossickers exposing the base of the pivot post. The puddler has no slabbing and most of its wash has been quarried. Alluvial workings. The associated shallow sinkings are well defined, relatively undisturbed and run through very scrubby country.

Site 74.1. Dooleys Dam Puddler Puddler. In the middle of the dam’s embankment is a well preserved 20 ft diameter puddler. The inner mound, puddling trench (which is 5-1/2 ft wide and 3 ft deep) and outer mound are perfectly defined. Impressions in the sheer clay walls of the puddling trench indicate that slabbing has only recently been removed. The pivot post still survives and is in excellent condition. The puddler has a two inch (inlet) iron water pipe. Most of the puddler’s wash has been quarried. Alluvial workings. The associated gully has been extensively surface or puddled.

Site 74.2. Puddler. Puddler. 200 metres south-west down the surfaced gully is another well defined 20 ft diameter puddler. The puddler has no visible pivot post or slabbing. Associated with the puddler is an intact 15 metre x 10 metre, 2 metre high bank of wash. The embankment that once provided water for the puddler has been washed away.

198 Lucknow Lead

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The three puddlers found in Lucknow Lead Gully are all in good condition and are associated with extensive surfacing. The sites as a group have high integrity.

199 Lucknow Lead

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have: Cumulative Significance. A group of well preserved puddlers associated with extensive and dramatic gully surfacing. Together the various features provide a comprehensive insight into the puddling industry.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860

200 Simpsons dam

SITE NO. & NAME: 75.0 SIMPSONS DAM PUDDLER

LOCATION: SIMPSONS GULLY TRACK

HI NO: H7624-0264

DIRECTIONS: 3.5 km south-east of Havelock, 200 metres north-west of junction of Simpsons and Broad Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Havelock State Forest

HISTORY:

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 2 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Havelock Lead/area first rushed in 1860. The well preserved nature of the puddler suggests a twentieth century date.

Site 75.0. Simpsons Dam puddler. Puddler. A well defined 20 ft diameter puddler is located near the southern end of the dam’s embankment. The puddler’s inner mound has recently been quarried away by gold fossickers. Most of the associated wash has also been quarried. No slabbing survives.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site has a relatively intact puddler which provides some insight into the type of technology employed.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860

201 Nolan Dam

SITE NO. & NAME: 76.0 NOLAN DAM PUDDLER

LOCATION: NOLAN DAM

HI NO: H7623-0184

DIRECTIONS: 4.7 kms south-east of Havelock, east of Carisbrook-Havelock Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Havelock Block)

HISTORY:

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 2 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Havelock Lead and area was first rushed in 1860. The weathered nature of the puddler suggests it operated during the nineteenth century.

Site 76.0. Nolan Dam puddler. Puddler. On the northern end of the dam’s embankment, obscured by fallen branches (area recently been logged) is a very weathered 22 ft diameter puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. No pivot post or slabbing and little wash.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860

202 Pegleg Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 77.0 PUDDLER(1) 77.1 PUDDLER (2) 77.2 PUDDLER (3) 77.3 PUDDLER (4)

LOCATION: PEGLEG GULLY

HI NO: 77.0 H7623-0185 77.1 H7623-0186 77.2 H7623-0187 77.3 H7623-0188

DIRECTIONS: This group of puddlers is located 4.8 kms north-east of Maryborough. The puddlers are concentrated around the junction of United Kingdom, Pigeon and Lucknow Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Havelock Block)

HISTORY:

April 1860. The population remains almost the same as last month, except some reduction in the Chinese at Alma, 2 which has been nearly made up by a corresponding increase at Havelock.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Havelock Lead and area rushed in 1860s. The puddlers appear, by their state of weathering, to be a mixture of nineteenth and twentieth century relics. Sites 77.0 and 77.3 the former and Sites 77.1 and 77.2 the latter.

Site 77.0. Puddler. Puddler. 350 metres south along Pigeon Gully Track from its junction with United Kingdom Track, south side of the road, is a poorly preserved 20 ft diameter puddler. The puddler is on the southern end of small dam’s embankment and has been extensively quarried by gold fossickers. No pivot post or slabbing survives and the majority of wash has removed. Alluvial workings. Puddler is associated with some poorly defined shallow sinkings and some surfacing.

Site 77.1. Puddler. Puddler. 100 metres down Lucknow Track from its junction with United Kingdom Track is a fairly weathered 22 ft diameter puddler. It is still possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. No pivot post is visible and no slabbing survives. The puddler is located ten metres west of the track and is associated with a sixty metre long low embankment. Most of the puddler’s wash has been quarried.

Site 77.2. Puddler. Puddler. 150 metres along United Kingdom Track from its junction with Pegleg Track, and 85 metres south of the track, is a breached embankment which has a relatively well preserved 20 ft diameter puddler. The puddler’s inner mound is pronounced and puddling trench only slightly eroded. The puddler is located on the southern end of the embankment and has no visible pivot post or slabbing. Most of the wash has been quarried and gold fossickers have dug a couple holes in the puddler.

203 Pegleg Gully

Alluvial workings. The south side of the gully has been extensively surfaced. The shallow sinkings in the gully are poorly defined.

204 Pegleg Gully

Site 77.3. Puddler. Puddler. The puddler is located 600 metres north-east of the junction of Pegleg and United Kingdom Tracks. The puddler is fairly weathered and has been extensively quarried by gold fossickers. No pivot post is visible or slabbing survives. Most of the puddler’s wash has been quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The condition of all four puddlers are poor and as a result they all have low integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have: Cumulative Value. Although most of the sites are poorly preserved they do provide some insight into the extensive nature of puddling.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860

205 Mariners Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 78.0 MARINERS REEF 78.1 CYANIDE WORKS

LOCATION: MARINERS REEF, MARYBOROUGH

HI NO: 78.0 H7623-0189 78.1 H7623-0190

DIRECTIONS: Site 78.0. Maryborough, reef crosses Ballarat-Maryborough railway line just to the north of Goldfields Reservoir Site 78.1. West side of Johnson Street, south-west of Johnson and Nelson Streets, Maryborough

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Public Land

HISTORY:

April 1860. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION Quartz mining. In this branch of mining there is no lack of energy. The result of the recent crushings from the different reefs that are being worked, clearly demonstrating that any investments made are sure to bring favourable returns. At the Mariners’ Reef, in the leased ground of the Maryborough Mining Company, some very handsome specimens of quartz have been found at a depth of 63 feet. The company in consequence has resolved to sink on the supposed 1 course of this new reef, a larger shaft 7 by 5 feet to a depth of 100 feet, at a cost of 30s per cubic foot.

June 1860. Maryborough Mining Co. Mariner’s Reef, Maryborough, just commenced, 60 horse-power, 400 tons crushed monthly, average yield per ton not known. (This powerful crushing machine has at last commenced to work, and shows, as yet, only about one-fourth of what it can do when fully equipped; when completed, in a few weeks, 2 there will be 48 stampers—now only 12).

July 1860. Mariner’s Reef Company, 60 horse-power, 480 tons crushed monthly, average yield per ton not known, 3 crushing for company.

April 1861. The accompanying plan represents the relative positions of shafts Nos. 1 and 2 on the Mariner’s Reef, together with the buildings erected for the purpose of working these claims. North-west of shaft No. 1 is an engine of four horse-power used for raising quartz and debris from shafts Nos. 1 and 2. South-west is a forty horse-power engine used for raising water from the depth of nearly 460 feet. South a capstern for raising and lowering the water piping represented in the section of No. 1 shaft which, for the purposes of ventilation &c., is a “double” one (i.e. divided into two by a line of wooden slabs in the centre. This shaft has been sunk for several years, and as it is slabbed from top to bottom the different strata cannot be ascertained by observation. The machinery on No. 1 claim is the property of the Maryborough Mining Association, the only advantage derived from which is the draining of this reef, the association for a considerable time past having done nothing else but keeping the pumping engine at work. The following table shows all procurable information from 1 to 7 inclusive: No. 1, shaft 460 feet deep, still sinking; No. 2, shaft 425 feet deep, still sinking; Nos. 3 and 4, shaft 380 feet deep; No. 5, shaft 346 feet deep, 350 tons ready 4 to crush; No. 6, shaft 340 feet deep, 200 tons ready to crush; No. 7, shaft 310 feet deep, 250 tons ready to crush.

September 1864. Crushing quartz during the quarter; Houghton and Williams, from Blucher’s, Fredericks, &c.; Ballarat Company, from Leviathan Reef; Close Reef Company, from Mariner’s Reef; Hansen and Company, from different reefs; Houghton and Williams, late Seers and Sons, from Blucher’s; Greenaway and Wallace, from Britannia, Sydney, &c.; Johnston and Sons, from Ironstone, Dorset, &c.; Watkins and Company, from Flagstaff, Telegraph, 5 &c.

March 1866. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Ballarat Company, from Great Western and Leviathan, 1,150 tons yielded 402 oz; Hansen and Company, from Cleopatra, Alexander, &c., 1,710 tons yielded 1,197 oz; Houghton and Williams, from Blucher’s, &c., 1,510 tons yielded 641 oz; Houghton and Williams, at Fredericks, from Fredericks, 50 tons yielded 12 oz; Mariner’s Reef Company, from Mariner’s (30 tons/160 oz*), Soldier’s 568 ton/85 oz), Heading (300 tons/22 oz), and different reefs (400 tons/140 oz); Greenaway and Wallace, from Greenaway, &c., 550 tons

206 Mariners Reef yielded 605 oz; Johnston and Sons, from different reefs, 960 tons yielded 1,056 oz; Perseverance Company, from Yorkshire and Great Eastern, 310 tons yielded 124 oz; Watkins and Company, from Yorkshire, Victoria, 520 tons yielded 130 oz.* It will be observed that these 30 tons—realising 160 ounces—have been taken out of the Mariner’s Reef, at a depth of 560 feet—average width of reef, 10 inches; and the company having decided on following it 100 6 feet, one of Chambers’ self-acting hydraulic pumps has been secured for that purpose.

June 1867. The yields from the different reefs have been of a satisfactory character, and the handsome yield out of No. 1 Claim, Mariner’s Reef, at a depth of from 550 to 600 feet (the reef being from 2 to 3 feet), is entitled to special attention: 83 tons realised £1,680; 300 tons casing realised £281 14s. Cost of raising quartz: sinking shaft 10 feet deeper for this purpose, £80; Raising quartz, seven men, 13 days, @£2 10s each per week, £37 18s; Pumping expenses for 23 days @ £3 per day, £69=£186 18s. Thus realising to the company in 23 days a profit of £1,774 7 16s.

March 1868. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION Quartz crushed during the quarter: Leviathan Reef Co., from Leviathan Reef, 1,400 tons yielded 272 oz; Cundy and Co., public crushing, 2,600 tons yielded 910 oz; Claussen and Penny, public crushing, 1,008 tons yielded 555 oz; Williams Bros & Co., Blucher’s Reef, 520 tons yielded 416 oz; Mariners’ Reef Co., from Battery and Soldiers’ Reefs, 1,042 tons yielded 70 oz; Mariners’ Reef Co., public crushing, 100 tons yielded 50 oz; Phoenix Company, Mariners’ 8 Reef, 100 tons yielded 63 oz.

March 1868. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Leviathan Reef Co., from Leviathan Reef, 1,400 tons yielded 272 oz; Cundy and Co., public crushing, 2,600 tons yielded 910 oz; Claussen and Penny, public crushing, 1,008 tons yielded 555 oz; Williams Bros & Co., Blucher’s Reef, 520 tons yielded 416 oz; Mariners’ Reef Co., from Battery and Soldiers’ Reefs, 1,042 tons yielded 70 oz; Mariners’ Reef Co., public crushing, 100 tons yielded 50 oz; Phoenix Company, Mariners’ Reef, 100 tons yielded 63 oz. The Mariners’ Reef Gold Mining Company has been idle since the early part of January; they propose to begin 9 operations again shortly.

June 1868. The Mariner’s Reef Gold Mining Company (registered) is still idle, the stone being too poor to cover working expenses. The operations of the company are now confined to Battery and Soldiers’ Reefs. These reefs are easily worked, being composed of a mixture of quartz and mullock veins. Depth of reefs 50 feet and upwards to the 10 surface. They are worked on half tribute.

September 1869. The claim and plan of the Mariner’s Reef Company have changed hands. The tributers now at 11 work on Battery and Soldier’s Reefs are making capital wages.

December 1869. One of the boilers attached to the plant of the Mariner’s Reef Company burst recently, which had 12 the effect of stopping crushing operations there for a considerable time.

1869. From the Mariner’s Reef, at Maryborough, stone has been got at a depth of 600 feet … The total quantity of quartz raised is stated … to be 3,340 tons, and the total quantity of gold obtained therefrom, 33,400 oz. 13 There are forty-four head of stamps worked by an engine of fifty horse-power.

September 1870. The Mariner’s Reef Company has crushed 441 tons from the North Mariner’s Reef, which gave 14 390 oz 17dwts 12 grs.

September 1871. The Mariners’ Reef Company is now preparing to cut down the engine shaft to a depth of 1000 15 feet.

June 1872. The Mariner’s Reef, North German, and Bristol Hill Companies have been idle during the quarter. They are still actively engaged in making material improvements on their respective claims, with a view to the more 16 complete and successful development of the mineral resources contained in them.

September 1872. The Mariner’s Reef Company are still engaged in the arduous and expensive work of cutting down their engine-shaft, and of increasing its dimension from 4-1/2 x 2-/12 feet to 11 x 4-1/2 feet, clear within timber. They 17 expect to reach the 55-foot level in a few days, when they will open out.

207 Mariners Reef

December 1872. Bennett and Sons, a tribute party, have just begun to work on the Mariner’s Reef. They have had 18 no returns yet. The Mariner’s Reef Company hopes to have the mine in full work immediately.

March 1873. Respecting the Mariner’s Reef Company, the manager, Mr Hampton, writes to me as follows, “We have done nothing in quartz during the quarter. We started a drive southward from engine-shaft at the 530-foot level, but the ground being hard it was thought best to discontinue it, and sink the engine-shaft a further depth of 100 feet before opening out; and we are now engaged about that work”. Messrs Bennett and Son, who are tributers to the above company, have operated upon 1234 tons of sand during the quarter. This they have done by means of a buddle, pans, &c., worked by a steam-engine of 12 horse-power. From the sand they extracted about 36 tons of pyrites, which gave a return of 87 oz 19 dwts 6grs of gold.19

June 1873. The Mariner’s Reef Company are thoroughly overhauling the battery, and are also placing two new 20 boilers in position, with the view of improving the plant, and enabling them to crush for the public.

September 1873. The Mariner’s Reef Company has not yet begun to crush stone from their own mine; but they are now crushing for the public, which will be a great convenience. Messrs Bennett and Sons, whose plant is at the Mariner’s Reef, have formed a company for the treatment of pyrites, which I have every reason to believe will be 21 highly successful.

September 1874. Very considerable excitement has been caused here through the recent discovery, by John and Edward Bright, of an exceedingly rich reef, situate at Pigeon Gully, between Newmarket and Maryborough, and distant from Maryborough about two and a half miles. In addition to the prospecting claim, other claims on the supposed line of reef have been taken up and registered. There are about 100 miners on the ground, who are anxiously waiting the result of further operations on the prospecting claim. The gold as yet obtained has been got from the surface to a depth of 3 feet, and is mixed with ironstone and cement. The width of the reef is about 6 inches. Of course there are conflicting opinions as to whether this is a well defined reef or merely a leader or spur from an adjoining reef. But since the discovery of Mariner’s Reef, which, at the surface, gave a yield of 100 ounces of gold to the ton of stone, no such reef as that at Pigeon's Gully has been discovered in this district. The gold in the stone seems really to be as abundant as the stone itself; and the extraordinary yield of nearly 40 ounces of gold was obtained from four tin dishes of gold. A new company has been formed at Maryborough for extracting gold from pyrites. They have taken a portion of ground leased by the Mariners’ Reef Company on a tribute contract, which gives the Mariners’ Reef Company [?] per cent of the gross yield of gold obtained. The machinery, which is now being erected, is partly the invention of a Mr Vail, of Melbourne, who is also one of the managing directors of the company; it is entirely new to this district, and is likely to answer exceedingly well. It chiefly consists of two buddles, with self receiving and discharging apparatus for the sand; also a disintegrator, which is worked by means of a spindle in a cage, revolving on the axle in opposite directions with a velocity of nearly 100 strokes per minute. The company expects to be able to put 3 or 4 tons of sand through the machine in the course of an hour, and to be ready for work in about a fortnight. I deeply regret to report that the Mariners’ Reef Company are likely to stop all work in their mine in the course of a few days. The company has deserved a better fate. It is estimated that, from first to last, £50,000 have been spent in the attempt to develop this mine, which is one of the deepest and most expensive in the district, and to render it remunerative to the shareholders. But the stone raised from the deep levels has not answered the expectations which were formed respecting its quality; and, in fact, has not been sufficiently rich to clear expenses. It is most probable 22 that the plant will be sold, and a fresh company organised.

September 1875. The claim and machinery of the Mariners’ Reef Company have lately changed hands, and the 23 powerful crushing plan in connection therewith will likely soon be made available to the public.

March 1877. Mr Edward O’Farrell has taken the Mariners’ Reef claim on tribute. He proposes to sublet his interest 24 in the claim to suitable parties of working miners.

September 1877. Mr William Noell, of Maldon, has completed satisfactory arrangements with Mr Isaac Lyons, of the Mariners’ Reef Company, for the right to operate on and extract gold from the sand, debris of tailings, and quartz, now lying on the claim of the company at Mariners’ Reef. The agreement between the parties is to continue for five years. The company get 10 per cent on the gross yield of gold; but Mr Noell has to provide at his own expense all necessary steam machinery and appliances for successfully treating the pyrites. He has also undertaken to provide sufficient labour to operate upon at least 100 tons of tailings every week. The steam machinery and appliances required are now in course of erection, and will soon be ready; their cost will be about £2,000.

208 Mariners Reef

The Mariners’ Reef Company crushed 1,000 tons of stone during the quarter for 200 oz of gold. They also crushed 500 tons for the public, which gave a return of 275 oz, or an average of over half an ounce to the ton. They have a 25 battery of 10 stamp-heads crushing by night and day.

December 1877. A large number of men are also now being employed by the Mariners’ Reef Company, and the 26 works of the company are a hive of mining industry.

March 1878. The Mariner’s Reef Company is driving a brisk business in crushing for the public, but the mining operations of the company call for no special remark. Messrs Noel and Oswald have begun to treat the tailings and pyrites contained on the ground leased by the Mariner’s Ref Company. As yet they have confined their attention to 27 the tailings alone. From 1,000 loads they obtained 100 oz of gold.

June 1878. The Mariner’s Reef Company has not done much business during the quarter. They are now engaged in sinking the No. 1 shaft to a depth of 728 feet. Messrs Oswald and Noell, of the Pyrites Works, report that their business during the quarter has been almost a total 28 blank.

209 Mariners Reef

September 1878. Messrs Oswald and Nowell are still at work on the slum of the Mariners’ Reef Company. The slum improves in value as they go on. It is now payable. They employ a staff of twenty-five men. There are three Chilian mills and seven cradles at work on the ground. At present the company do not possess the requisite machinery to enable them to treat the pyrites, but these are being stored, and will shortly be operated upon. The Mariners’ Reef Company has resolved upon making extensive improvements in their machinery, with the view of 29 further developing their mine.

March 1879. The Queen Victoria Company, of Mariner’s Reef, have completed the erection of their machinery, which has been entirely remodelled. They are now engaged in pumping the water out of their main shaft, which will 30 probably occupy a period of five weeks, and then mining operations will be resumed.

September 1879. The plant and property of the Queen Victoria Company, at Mariners’ Reef, has again changed hands. They are now owned by Mr George Godfrey, solicitor, Melbourne. The men employed in the mine are 31 driving, and sufficient quantity of stone for a crushing will soon be obtained.

32 June 1880. The Mariner’s Reef mine has been let on tribute to Mr P. Carolin for a period of five years.

33 March 1881. The works at Mariner’s Reef have been idle during the quarter; no men have been employed.

March 1882. The Mariners Reef Company is making substantial progress with all the works at their mine. A crushing of 230 tons, taken from the Soldiers and Marine reefs, gave a return of 189 oz, or an average of more than 16 34 dwts per ton. The average thickness of each of these reefs is two feet. Thirty-six men are employed at the mine.

35 June 1882. The deepest shaft in the division is that at Mariner’s Reef, which is 628 feet deep.

1899. This line begins at Mariner’s Reef, outcropping in a gentle rise south of the gown of Maryborough, thence running to the west of the town, developing itself in a determined outcrop at Bristol Hill, and after that dipping until at the Leviathan mine the lode is found 80 feet below the surface, outcropping in the alluvium. The Mariner’s Reef has been worked from time to time since 1857, the principal workings being from the bold outcrop on the south along the lode to the north. When first opened the line was worked in 24-feet block claims, and the shoot ran from No. 10 at the blow to the No. 1 shaft, which was ultimately sunk to a depth of 627 feet, and the golden stone traced 200 feet to the north of the shaft. The ore shoot dipped north, pitching from the surface at the outcrop in the south end to the bottom of the No. 1 shaft at the north, and the yields varied from 1 oz to 80 oz per ton. The lode varied in width from 20 inches to 30 feet, and when last worked at the lower levels proved from 8 feet to 14 feet through, its quality being poorer than where previously worked. The stone was of a nice kindly nature, blue and white in appearance, and highly charged with pyrites, which were tested and found to contain 4 oz to the ton. The hill is held at present under lease, which covers two other lines, known as Soldier’s Hill and Cole’s reefs, which have both proved highly remunerative in the past. Attempts have on several occasions been made to raise capital to furnish a suitable plant, etc., to work the Mariner’s reef line, but without success. It is proposed to extend the drive south at the 627-feet level, to pick up the shoot of gold … The following are the yields, as far as can be obtained authentically, from below the 360-feet level, the results from the upper levels, which are stated to be extremely rich, being unobtainable: No. 1 claim, 340 tons yielded 1727 oz; No. 2 claim, 161 tons yielded 396 oz; No.s 3, 4, 5, and 6 claims, 124 tons yielded 552 oz. The following are taken from Brough Smythe’s “Goldfields of Victoria”: 600-feet level, 176 tons yielded 704 oz; 570-590-feet level, 65 tons yielded 221 oz; 550-600-feet level, 83 tons yielded 429 oz; 600-feet level, 30 tons yielded 251 oz. Total amount, as given by the mining surveyor: 3340 tons, for a yield of 36 33,445 oz gold, an average of 10 oz per ton.

1908. In quartz mining the most important prospecting work done has been at the Mariners’ Reef Mine. Early in the year this company was granted a loan of £1,000 under the Mining Development Act for sinking and driving … The Mariners’ Hill was noted in the past for its rich gold returns, and it is hoped this company will succeed in picking up 37 the continuation of the payable ore at deeper levels.

1909. Quartz mining in the Maryborough district, at present, greatly depends on the Mariner’s Reef Company, which, if successful, will be the means of starting many other reefs worked in the early days, and said to have carried 38 payable gold to water level.

1910. No improvement has taken place in lode mining. The Mariner’s Reef Company … An enterprising number of shareholders in the company have formed a syndicate which purchased a 10-head battery, and turned it over to the

210 Mariners Reef company at a rental of four shillings per month. The company is about to erect it, and when completed will operate on the stone opened up. It is expected to give a small margin of profit, which will help the company to a more 39 energetic course of prospecting.

1911. In quartz mining, progress has been slow, the Mariners’ Reef Company being the only company working in this locality … The ore bodies carry a fair percentage of mineral; this contains most of the gold, but the concentrating plant, not being suitable for its recovery, the gold went out in the residues. Three concentrators have been added to the battery, and a series of canvas tables, which have improved the returns. Still, it is said the residues contain 3 to 4 dwts of gold per ton. A further series of tables is to be laid down, and later cyaniding may be considered. With the past record of the Mariners’ Hill, and the present outlook of the mine, it is possible quartz mining may be given new life in this district. The company has treated 1,995 tons for a yield of 313 oz 13 dwts of gold. A number of small parties, employing 47 men, have been prospecting throughout district … they have treated 1,071 tons, for a yield of 40 257 oz 14 dwts of gold.

1912. The Mariners Reef Company … treated 3,740 tons for an average of under 5 dwt of gold per ton … The 41 Weihens Reef Company at Majorca sunk its main shaft to a depth of 297 feet.

1912. Mariner’s Reef, Maryborough. The lease (No. 5486) is 49 a 2 r 29 p in area, and in addition toe the main Mariner’s reef, includes the Mariner’s North, Gympie, Soldier’s Hill, and Cole's lines of reef, all of which have at times been worked profitably, but to no great depth … Within the lease on Soldier’s Hill there are two mining claims, Hawkes and Peel, and Hawkes and Roxburgh, to the south. The main reef has been worked for over 1,000 feet north and south, and was apparently a very large reef formation of low grade quality underlying a very rich smaller make known as the Little reef, which lies to the north partly on top of the big stone, but in the same reef channel. Report states that this Little reef has yielded as much as 60 oz to the ton from No. 8 claim south, in a patch. The main shaft, which has just been repaired, was sunk to a depth of 632 feet to the bottom of the well. Some of the rich crushings taken from between 380 feet and 610 feet on the Little reef may be here stated from the Advertiser record: 2/8/1861, 55-1/2 tons yielded 232 oz; 17/6/1861, 38 tons yielded 118 oz; 18/7/1861, 59 tons yielded 303 oz; 12/11/1866, 30 tons yielded 251 oz; 29/4/1867, 45 tons yielded 327 oz. Since Mariner’s reef was last worked, the cost of mining has diminished and improvements have been made in the treatment of ores, so now by the aid of cyaniding and the sale of auriferous concentrates low-grade quartz which would barely pay then, might be profitably mined. In recent years the old Mariner’s tailings have been profitably cyanided; and records show that the old pyrites concentrates were worth 3 oz to 4 oz per ton of concentrates … it may be said that Mariner’s reef is well worthy of further development at the present bottom level and at deeper levels … It was for this purpose the present company 42 was formed, the winding plant erected, and the main shaft cleaned out and repaired to 632 feet.

1913. The Mariners Reef Company … with gold values of 2 to 5 dwt of gold per ton, stopped all work at a time when the mine was in a most interesting stage of development. It is generally considered that with a good battery treating 1,000 to 1,200 tons per month, this mine would clear working expenses with a fair prospect of improving in 43 values.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 78.0. Mariners Reef (Worked from mid 1850s to 1913). Reef workings. Workings have more-or less been obliterated. Some bulldozed mullock heaps, filled open cuts and shafts.

Site 78.1. Cyanide works (Cyaniding commenced on Mariners Hill c. 1912). Tailings. Extensive tailings dump that has been partly quarried. The bulk of the heap lies in the north-west corner of the block. Cyanide works. On the flattened top of the heap is a row of three brick (cement rendered) 16 ft diameter cyanide vats. The vats are almost completely buried and have probably been partly demolished. The vats run in a north- south direction. The southern-most vat has either been built over an earlier brick vat, or has two sections: an inner vat of 16 ft diameter and an outer one of approximately 28 ft.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

211 Mariners Reef

The sites have Historical Significance. Mariners Reef was one of Maryborough’s most important quartz mining localities.

Site 78.1 has some Scientific Significance. The site has a row of in-situ brick cyanide vats which help illustrate cyaniding technology.

212 Mariners Reef

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, July 1860 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, April 1861 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1866 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1867 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1868 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1868 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1869 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1869 13 R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 334-5 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1877 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1877 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1878 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1879 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1879 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 33 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 34 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 35 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 36 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 37 Mines Department Annual Report, 1908 38 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 39 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910 40 Mines Department Annual Report, 1911 41 Mines Department Annual Report, 1912 42 Records of the Geological Survey of Victoria, Vol. III, Part 2, 1912, pp. 148-53 43 Mines Department Annual Report, 1913

213 Blackmans Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 79.0 HISTORIC MONUMENT

LOCATION: BLACKMANS LEAD

HI NO: H7623-0191

DIRECTIONS: Head of Blackmans Lead. 3.1 kms south of Maryborough, 0.6 kms east of Centenary Reservoir

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Black)

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. He says “On arriving at Simpson’s Ranges, in June 1854, seeking for new fields, I and my three mates found a prospecting party at work at a place since known as the White Hills. At that time there were only thirty or forty men in addition to the prospectors, and these were engaged principally in stacking or surfacing. No water was available to wash the stuff at any place nearer than Bet-Bet and Deep Creek—distant three to five miles from the auriferous ground. The hill was not of great extent, and situate in a large flat almost surrounded by a blind creek. The sinking was very difficult, being through whit cement. One party bottomed on the edge of the creek and carried a drive towards the hill—where they picked out nuggets varying in weight from one to ten ounces. All the ground was soon marked off in claims, though the sinking was hard and difficult. It was only by the use of gads that we could get through the hard cement, the depth of which was from ten to thirteen feet. It occupied parties from fourteen to twenty-one days to sink through this stratum. The bottom was a splendid soft white pipeclay, and though the wash- dirt taken out at that time was only some six or nine inches, yet the nuggets which could be picked out paid the men well. The next scene of operations was a hill about one mile south of the first gold workings, and on the same flat; about two miles and a half from the site of the town of Maryborough. In its character it was similar to the first. The depth of sinking was from sixteen to twenty-four feet and through hard cement mixed with large white boulders. The wash- dirt taken out was only some four or six inches—but in it were found a large number of splendid nuggets thickly scattered over the white pipeclay bottom. In consequence of the distance from water there was little or no dirt washed from either of the hills. One load of forty small buckets washed by us yielded 3 oz. This was not considered at that time sufficiently remunerative, as we had to pay £2 for the carting of each load. Payable gold was discovered just at this time by another party, about three miles higher up, in shallow ground, about three feet deep; and to that we removed. Claims were marked out rapidly—a rush set in—and it was fed by parties returning disappointed from the shallow diggings at Avoca. Gold was found in almost every hole—and within a period of less than three months from the time when I first saw the prospectors’ tent near the site of the town of Maryborough, there were at least thirty thousand miners on the ground. The rush after this time increased. The depth of sinking varied from four, six, eight, ten, fourteen, twenty, up to thirty-five feet, at which depth it began to bear the name of Blackman’s Lead. Another branch of the same lead extending south towards Amherst—which was very rich, and in depth not exceeding seven or ten feet—was traced down the flat, where it narrowed from fifteen or sixteen claims of twenty-four feet each to a width of four or five claims towards the point of its junction with the Blackman’s Lead. The value of those leads is well known, but I, myself, witnessed prospects from one shovelful of dirt taken out of the gutters of 18 or 20 oz. The same stuff washed on an average for about two feet in thickness as much as 24 and 36 oz of gold to forty small buckets. This was out of the Main Lead gutter—not by any means as rich as the Blackman’s Lead, which yielded nuggets of all shapes and sizes. The sinking on both the leads was easy … The wash-dirt at that time taken out varied from one foot to three feet in thickness—but since then the strata have paid puddlers and others, in many places, from the surface to a depth of twenty feet. It was thought that the ground at or below the junction of the two rich leads would be exceedingly valuable, but such was not the case. At the junction the ground was poor for nearly half a mile, and it was only where the lead took another bend and left the side of the range that the gold again became plentiful. This part was named Commissioner’s Flat. Here the sinking became deeper, varying from fifty-five to sixty-five feet, the gold being scattered; the lead from fourteen to sixteen claims in width; the wash-dirt from two to five feet in thickness; and the average yield from four to ten ounces to the load of forty American buckets. About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring

214 Blackmans Lead only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead. The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek. The principal gullies are Madman’s, Deadhorse, Flagstaff, Shellback, Oldman’s, Mosquito, Blucher’s, Smoky, Whitehorse, Arnold’s, Ironstone, Golden Point, and Nuggety—all of which were extremely rich, but for the most part only one claim in width. The depth of sinking varied from mere surfacing to twenty feet. In some of these gullies nuggets were got which weighed upwards of 700 oz. In all the sinking was easy, through clay and gravel, except in places where the ironstone cement was found. After the lapse of two years, during which period many rushes had occurred, Maryborough was almost deserted; but another new and valuable discovery was made at Chinaman’s Flat, about one mile and a half from the spot where gold was first found at Maryborough. The locality was on the Bet-Bet or east side of the Dividing Range. Thousands again flocked to the spot. The large flat was found to extend towards the Bet-Bet for a distance of eight miles, and the country was discovered to be rich in quartz reefs as well as alluviums. The famous Leviathan Reef is now (1869) worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of keeping down the flow of water, 1 and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

Exploring Maryborough and District: extract from book re ruins of house: Looking carefully, you will see some low stone and mud walls. These ruins are all that remain of the family dwelling of Thomas Rice. The name Thomas Rice is synonymous with the discovery of gold in Maryborough. Brothers Thomas and William Rice were in transit from Avoca to Yandoit in June 1854, when they found 24 ounces of gold in a short time, in an area off the Avoca Road, starting a minor rush. Because of their itinerant ways they did not see any newspapers for some time, and consequently they did not learn that a reward had been offered for the discovery of the Maryborough goldfield until a month after the date applications had expired. Records show that no reward was paid for the Maryborough discovery. It was not all bad luck for Thomas, however; he unearthed a gold nugget weighing 537 ounces approximately a mile 2 from here at Blackmans Lead. A simple cairn commemorates the find.

September 1864. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION The total number of miners is thus distributed: Maryborough, Main Lead, and Blackman’s, 150; Cuddy’s Flat, 120; Waterloo Flat and Bell’s Gully, 70; Mosquito Flat and adjacent reefs, 500; Old Man’s Gully and adjacent reefs, 250; Golden Point and Four-mile Flat, 150; McKenzie’s Gully, 80; Havelock and adjacent reefs, 350; Chinaman’s and adjacent reefs, 550; Majorca, including Gibraltar, 2,300; Adelaide Lead and adjacent reefs, 390; Alma and Balaclava, 3 120; Total, 5,030.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 79.0. Blackmans Lead (Opened in the great Maryborough Rush 1854/1856. Shallow sections of the lead would have been extensively surfaced or puddled). Historic monument. Small square concrete monument standing 3 ft high with the words: 537 oz nugget J. W Rice January 1858 Alluvial workings. Gully running past the monument has been extensively surfaced.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Good.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

215 Blackmans Lead

The site has Historical Significance. The site is associated with Maryborough’s greatest alluvial gold rush.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8 2 Exploring Maryborough and District, Maryborough Field Naturalists Club Inc 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864

216 Blackmans Lead

217 Cambrian Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 80.0 CAMBRIAN MINE 80.1 TREATED TAILINGS 80.2 PUDDLER

LOCATION: CAMBRIAN REEF

HI NO: 80.0 H7623-0192 80.2 H7623-0193 80.3 H7623-0192

DIRECTIONS: 4.2 km south-east of Maryborough, junction of Cambrian and Mosquito Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

December 1870. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION On no previous occasion have I been in a position to report so favourably as now respecting the material progress and stability of the general mining interest of this division. During the quarter several extended alluvial claims, situate at the Alma, and several prospecting quartz claims, situate on the Cambrian, Nelson, and Telegraph Reefs, have been 1 registered. Trial crushings from some of the quartz claims gave an average of more than half an ounce of gold per ton.

December 1874. I would call special attention to the excellent yields obtained by the Nelson and Cambrian companies. The Cambrian Company have recently declared a dividend of £360. The Bristol Hill Company has been 2 almost idle during the quarter.

March 1875. The yields of gold from the Cambrian and Nelson claims has been very good, as they average more than an ounce per ton. It is intended to erect at once a crushing plant on the claim of the Cambrian Company, who during 3 the quarter paid dividends amounting to £720.

June 1875. The Cambrian Company have lately purchased an additional engine and boiler for their mine; the batteries 4 are rapidly approaching completion, and will be finished in about a month hence.

5 June 1877. The Cambrian Company have crushed 210 tons for 124 oz 5 dwts.

March 1878. The Cambrian mine, at Mosquito, has passed into the hands of the Bank of Victoria. There is nothing 6 which appears to me to call for special remark in relation to the other leading mines in the division.

December 1878. No quartz was raised from the Cambrian mine, at Mosquito, during the quarter, as the tribute party formerly engaged gave up their tribute, and the owners have not yet succeeded in finding another party to take their place. Thus, from 860 tons of quartz crushed for the public at the Cambrian battery, 617 oz 15 dwts of gold were 7 obtained, or an average of 14 dwts 8 grs per ton

8 September 1880. 383 tons were crushed at the Cambrian Battery, which gave an average of 18 dwts per ton.

9 September 1882. Three tons of sand from the Duke, treated at the Cambrian battery, gave 141 oz of gold.

March 1883. The Duke Company are making satisfactory progress, and the yield from the mine continues good. All the machinery is in excellent order. The heading drives, in the north end of the mine, shows promising prospects. From one and a half tons of cement, taken from the mine, and treated at the Cambrian battery, a yield was obtained 10 from 46 oz 16 dwts of gold.

March 1883. From a ton of sand, treated at the Cambrian battery, the New Kong Meng Company obtained a yield of 11 13 oz 15 dwts of gold.

June 1884. Three loads of sand from the Duke Company which were treated at the Cambrian battery gave the 12 handsome yield of 106 oz 4 dwt of gold.

215 Cambrian Reef

September 1884. Half a load of sand from the Duke claim, which was treated at the Cambrian battery, gave a return 13 of 12 oz of gold.

December 1884. It will be seen that a ton of sand from this mine, which was treated at the Cambrian battery, gave a 14 return of 17 oz 18 dwt of gold.

March 1885. A ton of sand from this mine, which was treated at the Cambrian battery, gave a return of 23-1/2 oz of 15 gold.

March 1886. There is nothing of importance to report regarding the alluvial mines in this division. A considerable 16 quantity of cement from the Duke mine was treated, with fair results, at the Cambrian battery.

March 1888. Two tons of sand from the New Kong Meng were treated at the Cambrian battery, and gave a return of 17 25 oz 8 dwt.

March 1889. In quartz mining there is nothing to report of any consequence. Mr Ivor Davies, of the Cambrian battery, has crushed no stone during the quarter; and the returns I have received from mine-owners and managers, as 18 to work done and gold obtained, have been returned marked mostly “nil”.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 80.0. Cambrian Reef (Cambrian Company operated during the 1870s, after this the battery mainly crushed for the public (deep lead mines). Mullock heap. The heap has been extensively quarried and only the ends of three dumping lines survive. Battery site. Near the south-west corner of the mullock heap is a large excavated working platform containing some rubble and footings. Water dam. On the opposite side of the road to the battery site, on Freehold Land, is a large water dam. Sludge pond. There are traces of a large (quarried) sludge pond in the gully below the battery site.

Site 80.1. Tailings dump. Sand dump. A massive raised dump (200 metres long and 8 metres high) of treated tailings runs along the south side of Cambrian Track. No traces of any cyanide vats. The dump has been partly quarried.

Site 80.2. Puddler. Puddler. In the gully below (north) the Cambrian mullock heap is a weathered 16 ft diameter puddler. It is still possible to distinguish the puddler’s inner mound and puddling trench. No pivot post is visible and no slabbing survives.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: All sites are in poor condition and have low integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have some: Cumulative Significance. Although the various relics are not that well preserved they do document a range of activities associated with quartz mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANINKG: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1874 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1875 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878

216 Cambrian Reef

7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1880 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1884 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1884 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1889

217 Princess Royal

SITE NO. & NAME: 81.0 PRINCESS ROYAL MINE

LOCATION: CAMBRIAN REEF, MOSQUITO GULLY

HI NO: H7623-0194

DIRECTIONS: 3.7 km south-east of Maryborough, north side of Mosquito Gully Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1938. The dry conditions have caused the Maryborough Municipal Council to reopen the Princes Royal Mine for the purpose of obtaining underground water to supplement the town supply. The shaft was reconditioned to 150 feet 1 and a 6-inch “Pomona” pump installed.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 81.0. Princess Royal Company (First worked in the 1870s) (See Site 80.0). Shaft re-used in late 1930s. Mullock heap. Two small adjoining mullock heaps. Machinery foundations. By the largest of the mullock heaps (the one closest to Mosquito Gully Track) is an arrangement of small concrete mounting beds.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity but some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mines Department Annual Report, 1938

218 Schicer Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 82.0 EUCALYPTUS DISTLLERY 82.1 PUDDLER

LOCATION: SCHICER GULLY DAM

HI NO: 82.0 H7623-0195 82.1 H7623-0195

DIRECTIONS: 2.8 km south-east of Maryborough, north side of Mosquito Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 82.0. Eucalyptus distillery (Twentieth century). Eucy distillery. On the north side of the dam’s embankment are the remains of a flattened Eucy distillery. It is still possible to distinguish two brick-lined vats amongst the rubble and high grass.

Site 82.1. Puddler (The puddler ‘s state of preservation suggests it operated during the twentieth century). Puddler. On the southern end of the dam’s embankment is a well preserved 20 ft diameter puddler (inner mound pronounced and puddling trench deep with sheer sides). Fossickers have dug a small hole in the inner mound which has exposed part of the pivot post. Also traces of slabbing in the puddling trench and outlet channel. Most of the wash has been quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The puddler is in good condition.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Cumulative Significance. The relics show how an old mining dam was later re-used by another industry.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

219 Bluchers Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 83.0 PUDDLER (1) 83.1 PUDDLER (2) 83.2 PUDDLER (3) 83.3 PUDDLER (4)

LOCATION: BLUCHERS GULLY

HI NO: 83.0 H7623-0196 83.1 H7623-0197 83.2 H7623-0198 83.3 H7623-0199

DIRECTIONS: The puddlers are located in Bluchers Gully 3.3 km south-east of Maryborough, near the junction of Shicer Gully and Bluchers Gully Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. He says, on arriving at Simpson’s Ranges, in June 1854, seeking for new fields, I and my three mates found a prospecting party at work at a place since known as the White Hills. At that time there were only thirty or forty men in addition to the prospectors, and these were engaged principally in stacking or surfacing. No water was available to wash the stuff at any place nearer than Bet-Bet and Deep Creek—distant three to five miles from the auriferous ground. The hill was not of great extent, and situate in a large flat almost surrounded by a blind creek. The sinking was very difficult, being through white cement. One party bottomed on the edge of the creek and carried a drive towards the hill—where they picked out nuggets varying in weight from one to ten ounces. All the ground was soon marked off in claims, though the sinking was hard and difficult. It was only by the use of gads that we could get through the hard cement, the depth of which was from ten to thirteen feet. It occupied parties from fourteen to twenty-one days to sink through this stratum. The bottom was a splendid soft white pipeclay, and though the wash- dirt taken out at that time was only some six or nine inches, yet the nuggets which could be picked out paid the men well. The next scene of operations was a hill about one mile south of the first gold workings, and on the same flat; about two miles and a half from the site of the town of Maryborough. In its character it was similar to the first. The depth of sinking was from sixteen to twenty-four feet and through hard cement mixed with large white boulders. The wash- dirt taken out was only some four or six inches—but in it were found a large number of splendid nuggets thickly scattered over the white pipeclay bottom. In consequence of the distance from water there was little or no dirt washed from either of the hills. One load of forty small buckets washed by us yielded 3 oz. This was not considered at that time sufficiently remunerative, as we had to pay £2 for the carting of each load. Payable gold was discovered just at this time by another party, about three miles higher up, in shallow ground, about three feet deep; and to that we removed. Claims were marked out rapidly—a rush set in—and it was fed by parties returning disappointed from the shallow diggings at Avoca. Gold was found in almost every hole—and within a period of less than three months from the time when I first saw the prospectors’ tent near the site of the town of Maryborough, there were at least thirty thousand miners on the ground. The rush after this time increased. The depth of sinking varied from four, six, eight, ten, fourteen, twenty, up to thirty-five feet, at which depth it began to bear the name of Blackman’s Lead. Another branch of the same lead extending south towards Amherst—which was very rich, and in depth not exceeding seven or ten feet—was traced down the flat, where it narrowed from fifteen or sixteen claims of twenty-four feet each to a width of four or five claims towards the point of its junction with the Blackman’s Lead. The value of those leads is well known, but I, myself, witnessed prospects from one shovelful of dirt taken out of the gutters of 18 or 20 oz. The same stuff washed on an average for about two feet in thickness as much as 24 and 36 oz of gold to forty small buckets. This was out of the Main Lead gutter—not by any means as rich as the Blackman’s Lead, which yielded nuggets of all shapes and sizes. The sinking on both the leads was easy … The wash-dirt at that time taken out varied from one foot to three feet in thickness—but since then the strata have paid puddlers and others, in many places, from the surface to a depth of twenty feet. It was thought that the ground at or below the junction of the two rich leads would be exceedingly valuable, but such was not the case. At the junction the ground was poor for nearly half a mile, and it was only where the lead took another bend and left the side of the range that the gold again became plentiful. This part was named Commissioner’s

220 Bluchers Gully

221 Bluchers Gully

About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead. The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek. The principal gullies are Madman’s, Deadhorse, Flagstaff, Shellback, Oldman’s, Mosquito, Blucher’s, Smoky, Whitehorse, Arnold’s, Ironstone, Golden Point, and Nuggety—all of which were extremely rich, but for the most part only one claim in width. The depth of sinking varied from mere surfacing to twenty feet. In some of these gullies nuggets were got which weighed upwards of 700 oz. In all the sinking was easy, through clay and gravel, except in places where the ironstone cement was found. After the lapse of two years, during which period many rushes had occurred, Maryborough was almost deserted; but another new and valuable discovery was made at Chinaman’s Flat, about one mile and a half from the spot where gold was first found at Maryborough. The locality was on the Bet-Bet or east side of the Dividing Range. Thousands again flocked to the spot. The large flat was found to extend towards the Bet-Bet for a distance of eight miles, and the country was discovered to be rich in quartz reefs as well as alluviums. The famous Leviathan Reef is now (1869) worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballaarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of keeping down the flow of water, 1 and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 83.0. Puddler (Gully opened during the great Maryborough Rush (1854 to 1856). After being declared worked- out, the gully would have been extensively puddled. The state of preservation of all the puddlers, except for Site 83.2, suggest they operated during the nineteenth century. Puddler. On the east side of Bluchers Gully Track is a very weathered 22 ft diameter puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. The puddler’s pivot post is not visible and no slabbing survives. Most of the wash has been quarried.

Site 83.1. Puddler. Puddler. 200 metres south-west of Site 83.0 is another small dam and poorly preserved puddler.

Site 83.2. Puddler. Puddler. 150 metres west of Bluchers Reef mine and 100 metres south of Bluchers Gully Track is a small dam. On the eastern end of the dam’s embankment is a well preserved 18 ft diameter puddler (pronounced inner mound and deep puddling trench with sheer sides). The pivot post is not visible and no slabbing survives. In the gully below the puddler is an intact one metre high slum pond. The pond measures approximately 100 metres x 40 metres.

Site 83.3. Puddler. Puddler. To the north-east of Bluchers Reef Mine Dam, on the north side of the gully, is a very weathered 22 ft diameter puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. The puddler’s pivot post is not visible and no slabbing survives. The gully below the puddler has been extensively surfaced or puddled.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Only one (Site 83.2) of the of the four puddlers discovered in the vicinity of Bluchers Reef mine is in good condition. The rest are very weathered.

222 Bluchers Gully

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Sites 83.0 and 83.1 have poor integrity.

Sites 83.2 and 83.3 have: Scientific Significance. Puddling sites set in an extensive and quite dramatic surfaced landscape. Site 83.2 is particularly interesting because it still has an intact slum pond.

Cumulative Value. The sites are part of the Bluchers Reef network [Sites 83.2, 83.3, 84.0, 84.1 and 84.2]. The focal point for this network is Site 84.2 (whim shafts).

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8

223 Bluchers Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 84.0 GREAT EXTENDED COMPANY 84.1 CYANIDE WORKS 84.2 BLUCHERS REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: BLUCHERS REEF

HI NO: 84.0 & 84.1 H7623-0200 84.2 H76233-0201

DIRECTIONS: Mine and reef workings are located in Bluchers Gully 3.3 km south-east of Maryborough, near the junction of Shicer Gully and Bluchers Gully Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

THE EASTERN BELT The Eastern Belt, as the minor line of quartz in the district is styled, lies about two miles east of the town of Maryborough. Blucher’s Reef was opened in 1857 by Mr C. Von Malesky, and was originally worked by parties of four and six men, holding claims of about 200 feet in length along the line of lode. The water level was reached at 186 1 feet, and to that depth the stone was exceptionally good, returning as much as 50 oz to the ton.

September 1864. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION Crushing quartz during the quarter; Houghton and Williams, from Blucher’s, Fredericks, &c.; Ballarat Company, from Leviathan Reef; Close Reef Company, from Mariner’s Reef; Hansen and Company, from different reefs; Houghton and Williams, late Seers and Sons, from Blucher’s; Greenaway and Wallace, from Britannia, Sydney, &c.; Johnston 2 and Sons, from Ironstone, Dorset, &c.; Watkins and Company, from Flagstaff, Telegraph, &c.

December 1864. Quantity of quartz crushed during the quarter: Houghton and Williams, from Blucher’s, &c., 1,550 yielded 736 oz; Ballarat Company, from Leviathan Reef, 1,741 tons yielded 1,120 oz; Close Reef Company, from Mariner’s, 1,200 tons yielded 300 oz; Hansen and Company, from different reefs, 2,250 tons yielded 2,700 oz; Houghton and Williams, late Seers and Sons, from Blucher’s, Frederick’s, 470 tons yielded 293 oz; Greenaway and Wallace, from Sydney Reef, &c., 400 tons yielded 360 oz; Johnston and Sons, from Finche’s, Ironstone, 250 tons yielded 150 oz; Watkins and Company, from Leviathan, south end, 450 tons yielded 45 oz; Perseverance Company, 3 from North British, &c., 1,250 tons yielded 500 oz.

June 1866. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Ballarat Company, from Leviathan, 1,745 tons yielded 1,047 oz; Penny and Company, from Cleopatra, Alexander, Blucher, &c., 1,825 tons yielded 1,460 oz; Houghton and Williams, at Blucher’s Reef, from United Kingdom and Blucher’s, 1,410 tons yielded 740 oz; Houghton and Williams, at Frederick’s Reef, from Frederick’s, 360 ton yielded 81 oz; Johnston and Sons, from White Horse, Dorset, &c., 666 tons yielded 659 oz; Perseverance Company, fromLeviathan, Yorkshire, &c., 1,380 tons yielded 621 oz; Watkins and 4 Company, from Oxfordshire, Fagan’s, &c., 540 tons yielded 81 oz.

March 1867. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Mariner’s Reef Company, from Arrah-na-Pogue and Prussian Reefs, 92 tons yielded 124 oz; Ballarat, from Leviathan Reef and Co., 1,620 tons yielded 364 oz; Penny and Co., from Alexander and White Horse Reefs, 1,132 tons yielded 866 oz; Johnston and Sons, from Frenchman, Dorset and Co., 1,090 tons yielded 405 oz; Perseverance Co., from Leviathan and Victoria Reefs, 1,795 tons yielded 403 oz; Williams 5 and Co., from Blucher, Morgan and Co., 1,046 tons yielded 255 oz.

December 1867. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Leviathan Reef Co., from Leviathan Reef, 3,600 tons yielded 1,080 oz; Claussen and Penny, principally from the Mosquito, Blucher, and White Horse Reefs, 2,400 tons yielded 1,800 oz; Cundy and Co., public crushings, 2,520 tons yielded 630 oz. 6 The Great Western, Lancashire and Yorkshire, Mosquito, Blucher, and White Horse Reefs, are paying well.

June 1868. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION Quartz crushing during the quarter: Penny and Claussen, public crushing, 1,121 tons yielded 1,222 oz; Cundy and Co., public crushing, 2,470 tons yielded 988 oz; Leviathan Reef Co., public crushing, 720 tons yielded 188 oz; Leviathan Reef, from Leviathan Reef, 1,728 tons yielded 364 oz; mariners’ Reef Co., from Soldiers’ and Battery

224 Bluchers Reef

Reefs, 1,610 tons yielded 282 oz; Phoenix Company, from Mariners’ Reef, 599 tons yielded 98 oz; Williams Bros and Co., from Blucher’s Reef, 390 tons yielded 253 oz; Williams Bros and Co., public crushings, 140 tons yielded 63 7 oz; Johnstone’s Co., Public crushings, 397 tons yielded 232 oz.

December 1869. Nearly all the claims on Blucher’s Reef are now idle. This reef is 3,000 feet in length, and has hitherto produced payable gold from the surface to a depth of 250 feet. The stone improves in richness as the reef descends. Up to the present period the average yield of gold per ton taken from it has been 18 dwts. Defective and 8 totally inefficient drainage is the sole cause of the stoppage of work on the reef.

March 1873. The Blucher’s Reef Company is, with great difficulty, pumping the water out of the claim. They are now down to 330 feet, and in a few days they hope to be down to 360 feet; when this depth has been attained quartz will be raised. 9

10 June 1873. The Blucher’s Reef Company has 300 tons of stone at grass, which will be crushed forthwith.

March 1875. The London Chartered Bank has sold the claim on Blucher’s Reef to the Great Extended Company, and the owners of adjoining claims have also sold their claims to the above company, who now possess nearly the whole of Blucher’s Reef. The company is possessed of ample means, and has already begun in good earnest to work the mine. The main shaft is down to 150 feet, and has been so laid as will enable the company to strike the reef at a depth of 1,000 or 1,200 feet from the surface. The estimated cost of proving the reef to a depth of 500 feet is £6,000; but as the company intends to place a thoroughly efficient crushing plant, and also a plant for treating pyrites, on the claim, the estimated total cost of proving the mine, and providing for it suitable machinery, is £20,000. The working of this mine will confer a great benefit upon the district, and it is to be hoped that the courage and enterprise of the company 11 will meet with entire success.

March 1877. The Great Extended, at Blucher’s, crushed 623 tons for 151 oz … the result has disappointed the shareholders, who have now let the claim on tribute at 15 per cent on the gross yield of gold. Mr Edward O’Farrell has taken the Mariners’ Reef claim on tribute. He proposes to sublet his interest in the claim to suitable parties of 12 working miners.

June 1877. The prospects of the Great Extended Company at Blucher's were never so good as they are now. From a crushing of 80 tons a yield was obtained of 48 oz 9 dwts, and excellent stone is now being brought to grass. The lode 13 has been wrought for 100 feet without showing signs of exhaustion. No stoping has yet been done in the mine.

14 December 1877. The Great Extended mine, at Blucher’s, has been let on tribute.

June 1878. The Great Extended Company has been compelled to stop work on their mine at Blucher’s Reef. This is one of the best-defined reefs in this district. The stoppage of this mine has thrown a number of men out of work. The decrease in the number of miners in this division has been caused by the stoppage of the Great Extended quartz mine, at Blucher’s, and the Try Again alluvial mine, Timor. It has also been caused by the shortening of hands in the 15 Bismarck alluvial mine, at Lower Alma.

March 1881. Three ordinary and four prospecting claims were registered during the quarter. The prospecting claims are situated at Adelaide Lead, Blucher’s, Havelock, and Blackman’s Lead. The claim at Blackman’s Lead, on the Long-looked-for Reef, is owned by John Austin James. The reef is new, and promises exceedingly well. Depth, 10 16 feet; width, 2 feet; prospect, 2 oz per ton.

September 1887. The Blucher’s Reef Company, near Maryborough, is in treaty for the purchase of machinery, and 17 tenders are invited for its erection.

March 1888. The several progressive mines in this division situate at Havelock, Flagstaff, Blucher’s, and Mosquito 18 are receiving close attention, and good progress is being made with the preparatory works.

19 September 1888. The Blucher’s Reef Company have been idle during the quarter.

225 Bluchers Reef

1899. The Eastern Belt, as the minor line of quartz in the district is styled, lies about two miles east of the town of Maryborough. Blucher’s Reef was opened in 1857 by Mr C. Von Malesky, and was originally worked by parties of four and six men, holding claims of about 200 feet in length along the line of lode. The water level was reached at 186 feet, and to that depth the stone was exceptionally good, returning as much as 50 oz to the ton. The claims fell into the hands of Messrs Williams, two local mining men, and by them the reef was operated on to a depth of 440 feet, at great disadvantage on account of the mine being worked on the lode, the underlay of which is about 1 in 3. The present main shaft, 11 feet x 4 feet, is situated about 400 feet to the west of the surface line, and if continued down should cut the reef at a depth of 1000 feet. It was commenced over 25 years ago, when it was sunk to a depth of about 100 feet. It then stood for a considerable time, until the Great Extended Quartz Mining Co. was floated, Messrs E. Morey, Bailey, and Edwards, of Ballarat, being largely interested. Winding, pumping, and crushing machinery was erected, and the main shaft sunk to a depth of 450 feet. The company suspended operations, and let the mine on tribute, but with no good result, the tributers to having the capital required to sink the shaft and cross-cut to the reef at a lower level. Subsequent companies carried the shaft down and prospected the reef at the 720-feet level, but with poor results. The country around this spot has been very indifferently tested, and very closely resembles the formation met with in the South German Reef mine at Maldon, the walls being of indurated slates and sandstones, and the ore containing large quantities of pyrites, and is not easily treatable. Since the cessation of work a private cyanide plant has successfully operated on the tailings. At the lowest level the lode was small and highly mineralised, but proved by test to carry considerable quantities of concentrates. The mine was abandoned at an interesting stage by the last company, owing to the shareholders failing to respond to calls to continue shaft-sinking, although improved country had been met with in the last 20 feet sunk. To the north the line was worked by the Flagstaff Reef Company, and yielded from 1 oz to 7 oz to the ton. The continuation of the lode northwards brings us to the famous Shaw’s Reef. This reef was discovered in the alluvial wash by Mr William Shaw, a well-known miner in this district, and after a number of sensational crushings, some of the quartz being literally held together with strings of gold, the property was sold to Mr B.J. Fink and floated into a no-liability company, which declared in dividends £18,000. Further ahead is the McFarlane’s and other reefs, which 20 have yielded well but, as in other portions of the district, have not been tested to any depth.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Reef first opened in 1857 and worked by a number of claims through the 1860s. Presumably the whims date to this period of mining. Bluchers Reef Company formed in 1873 but only operated for a few years. This company was followed by Great Extended Company (1875 to 1878) and Bluchers Reef Company (late 1880s).

Site 84.0. Great Extended Company. Mullock heap. Large circular mullock heap standing about 10 to 15 metres high. Machinery foundations. 30 metres to the south of the mullock heap is a large U-shaped brick mounting bed. The mounting bed’s overall measurement is 40 ft x 12 ft, and 7 ft high. The bed has 3-1/2 ft thick walls and all its mounting bolts have been removed. The rest of the machinery foundations have been flattened. Battery site. The remains of a loading ramp lie ten metres to the south-west of the U-shaped mounting bed. No other battery foundations are visible.

Site 84.1. Cyanide works (Commenced in 1897/1898). Tailings. Between the battery site and the mine’s dam, and on the north and east sides of the mullock heap, are extensive deposits of treated tailings. One 24 ft diameter cyanide vat still survives (20 metres north-west of the battery site) and the narrow trench running around its perimeter suggests that is was once brick-lined.

Site 84.2. Reef workings. Whim shafts. To the east the large mullock heap is a long line of shallow reef workings. The workings are dominated by a number of partly bulldozed whim shafts with small mullock heaps with short dumping lines. To the south of Blutchers Gully Track are two whim shafts with mullock heaps. Two more whim shafts and mullock heaps occur between the track and Blutchers Gully and another four on the north side of Blutchers Gully. Six of the eight whim platforms have been partly bulldozed to fill their respective shafts. The other two whim platforms ( both being 35 to 40 ft wide) are more-or-less intact and have central post hole and discernible horse walk-ways. Batter site. Near the mullock heaps to the south of Bluchers Gully Track are some largely buried foundations. Could be the site of a small battery.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Parts of the U-shaped mounting bed have been undermined by the removal of bricks which has exposed the soft concrete interior.

226 Bluchers Reef

Six of the eight whim platforms have been partly bulldozed for material to fill their respective shafts.

227 Bluchers Reef

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 84.2 has: Scientific Significance. A mining landscape which has an impressive number of whim shafts. Once a very common feature of nineteenth century gold mining, whim sites are now extremely rare. The significance of the whim shafts is reduced somewhat by their poor state of preservation.

Sites 84.0 to 84.2 have: Cumulative Value. The sites are part of the Bluchers Reef network [Sites 83.2, 83.3, 84.0, 84.1 and 84.2]. The focal point for this network is the line of whim shafts (Site 84.2).

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1864 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1866 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1867 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1869 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1877 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 20 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8

228 Flagstaff Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 85.0 FLAGSTAFF REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: FLAGSTAFF REEF

HI NO: H7623-0202

DIRECTIONS: 2.8 km east of Maryborough, between Flagstaff Track and Pryenees Highway

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

March 1865. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Houghton and Williams, from Frederick’s, Flagstaff, 1,375 tons yielded 653 oz; Ballarat Company, from Leviathan Reef, 1,900 yielded 1,520 oz; Close Reef Company, from William’s Hill, 2,160 tons yielded 486 oz; Hansen and Company, from different reefs, 1,860 tons yielded 1,209 oz; Houghton and Williams, late Seers and Sons, from Ironstone and Blucher’s, 200 tons yielded 200 oz; Greenaway and Wallace, from Caroline Reef Britannia, 700 tons yielded 420 oz; Johnston and Sons, from Whitehorse, Ironstone, 720 2 tons yielded 684 oz..

September 1865. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Ballaarat Company, from Leviathan Reef and Newtown, 2,419 tons yielded 967 oz; Penny and Company, from Alexandra, &c., 1,587 tons yielded 1,396 oz; Houghton and Williams, from Blucher’s and Flagstaff, 1,320 tons yielded 1,056 oz (included a parcel of 21-1/2 tons realising 172 oz 4-1/2 dwts, obtained out of the Old Flagstaff Reef, at a depth of 200 feet); Close Reef Company, from Mariner’s, Bristol Hill, &c., 1,121 tons yielded 160 oz; Watkins, from Lancashire and Yorkshire, 820 tons yielded 369 oz; 3 Perseverance Company, from Leviathan, North British, 1,750 tons yielded 437 oz.

4 June 1868. The New Flagstaff Reef Company had a trial crushing of 7 tons lately, which gave 1-3/4 oz to the ton.

December 1868. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Mariners’ Reef Co., from Mariners’ Reef, 1,702 tons yielded 312 oz; Phoenix Company, from Mariners’ Reef, 887 tons yielded 77 oz; Penny and Claussen, public crushings, 1,181 tons yielded 897 oz; Williams Bros and Co., from Blucher’s Reef, &c., 1,040 tons yielded 832 oz; New Flagstaff Reef Co., from Flagstaff Reef, 20 tons yielded 33 oz; Leviathan Reef Co., from Leviathan Reef, 1,863 tons yielded 413 oz; Johnstone’s Co., public crushings, 329 tons yielded 220 oz; Cundy and Co., public crushings, 2,026 tons yielded 5 1,013 oz.

June 1869. The claim of the New Flagstaff Company, near Maryborough, is extremely rich in this mineral. A few weeks ago three samples of sand from this claim were transmitted to the works of the Port Phillip Company, Clunes, to be operated on. The result of the assay has been so successful that the Flagstaff Reef Company has resolved to 6 erect machinery on the spot to operate on the pyrites obtained from the claim.

September 1869. The New Flagstaff Reef Company is prosperous; 5 tons 12 cwt quartz tailings were recently transmitted to Sandhurst by this company for manipulation by Koch’s machine. The result gave a return of 37 oz of gold. Ten tons of pyrites were obtained form the same claim, and, when operated on, gave a return of upwards of 65 7 oz of gold.

March 1870. The New Flagstaff Company has worked out the present levels, and is now trying to reorganise the 8 company, in order to sink a new shaft 500 feet deep.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 85.0. Flagstaff Reef (Main mining period was the 1860s). Reef workings. Bulldozed small mullock heaps/filled shafts and some shallow open cutting.

229 Flagstaff Reef

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

230 Flagstaff Reef

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1869 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1870

231 Telegraph Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 86.0 REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: TELEGRAPH REEF

HI NO: H7623-0203

DIRECTIONS: 2.6 km north-east of Maryborough, 20 metres south-east of junction of Old Tullaroop Road and Telegraph Track

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Craigie Block)

HISTORY:

December 1870. On no previous occasion have I been in a position to report so favourably as now respecting the material progress and stability of the general mining interest of this division. During the quarter several extended alluvial claims, situated at the Alma, and several prospecting quartz claims, situated on the Cambrian, Nelson, and 1 Telegraph Reefs, have been registered.

September 1871. The Telegraph Reef, situated between Maryborough and Carisbrook, is at present yielding most satisfactory returns. There are five claims on this reef, which is 18 inches thick; the depth of sinking is 160 feet, and 2 the average yield of gold is 15 dwts per ton.

December 1871. The Telegraph Reef is now producing excellent results. There are six registered claims on this reef, four out of which are in full operations, and are paying well. Forty-eight tons of quartz taken from the Charles Dickens Claim on this reef were recently crushed, and gave a return of 60 oz 12 dwts. Depth of sinking, 160 feet; 3 width of reef, 18 inches.

June 1877. After a long and gallant struggle with no common difficulties, the present prospects of the “Bristol Hill” Company are excellent. From 382 tons of stone, a yield has been obtained of 119 oz 13 dwts. The “Charles Dickens” Claim, on the Telegraph Reef, situate between Maryborough and Carisbrook, has produced the excellent 4 yield of 147 oz 10 dwts from 120 tons.

March 1878. The splendid return from the mine of the Telegraph United Company has caused a great deal of stir in local mining circles. So good a return from this mine was quite unexpected. From a crushing of 164 tons a yield was obtained of 351 oz 11 dwts or an average of more than 2 oz 2 dwts per ton. The company has another lot of payable stone at grass, and will begin to crush in a week or two. The ground adjacent to the mine has been taken up, and the 5 character of the Telegraph Reef will now be thoroughly tested.

June 1878. The Telegraph United Company has crushed 125 tons for 126 oz 10 dwts, which is highly satisfactory. They have recently made valuable additions to their plant, and are now engaged in sinking a new shaft. They have 6 paid during the quarter £300 in dividends.

September 1878. The Telegraph United Company crushed 366 tons for 352 oz 10 dwt. They are sinking their main 7 shaft, and have done a great deal of dead work.

December 1878. The Telegraph United Company, Telegraph Reef, have been chiefly engaged during the quarter in doing dead work. The main shaft has been sunk to a depth of 270 feet, and the men employed are now driving for the 8 reef.

March 1879. The Telegraph United Company is making excellent progress. The mine is looking well, and all the appointments are in good order. About 40 tons of payable stone are at grass. The last crushing of 47 tons gave a 9 yield of 110 oz, or an average of 2 oz 6 dwts 19 grs per ton.

June 1879. The Telegraph United Company crushed 200 tons for 280 oz. They have now 100 tons at grass, which 10 will be sent to the mill in a few days.

232 Telegraph Reef

December 1879. The yield of gold, this quarter, from the Telegraph United mine has been unusually large. A 11 considerable quantity of stone is now at grass, and a parcel will be sent to the mill in the course of a fortnight.

March 1880. The Telegraph United Company has sold the mine and plant, and the purchasers have formed a new company to work the mine, under the name of the Telegraph Extended. The new company is progressing most 12 satisfactorily. The shaft is being sunk deeper, and excellent prospects have recently been obtained.

September 1880. The Telegraph Extended has crushed 32 tons for 53 oz, or an average of 1 oz 13 dwts per ton. 383 13 tons were crushed at the Cambrian Battery, which gave an average of 18 dwts per ton.

December 1880. The Telegraph Extended Company has struck the No. 1 block of stone at a much lower depth. This 14 is the same block as that from which they formerly obtained more than 3 oz to the ton.

15 June 1881. The Telegraph Extended has crushed 80 tons, for the excellent yield of 160 oz.

16 September 1881. The Telegraph Extended has closed the mine.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 86.0. Telegraph Reef (Main period of mining was 1870s). The workings are dominated by a group of four relatively large partly quarried mullock heaps. Mullock heaps. The two largest of the heaps have no visible machinery foundations. Whim shafts. The two smaller heaps are associated with partly quarried circular whim platforms.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. Mullock heaps associated with a short-lived quartz mining boom .

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1871 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1878 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1878 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1879 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1879 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1879 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1880 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1880 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881

233 Maryborough Main Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 87.0 MAIN LEAD ALLUVIAL WORKINGS 87.1 MAIND LEAD PUDDLER

LOCATION: MAIN LEAD

HI NO: 87.0 H7623-0204 87.1 H7623-0205

DIRECTIONS: Main Lead runs in a southerly direction from Maryborough and roughly follows the Ballarat-Maryborough Railway line Site 87.0. 4.2 kms south-west of Maryborough, south-west of Goldfields Reservoir Site 87.1. 3.5 kms south of Maryborough, 200 metres south of Centenary Reservoir, off Pipeline-Centenary Track.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 87.0. State Park Site 87.1. Water Reserve

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. He says, on arriving at Simpson’s Ranges, in June 1854, seeking for new fields, I and my three mates found a prospecting party at work at a place since known as the White Hills. At that time there were only thirty or forty men in addition to the prospectors, and these were engaged principally in stacking or surfacing. No water was available to wash the stuff at any place nearer than Bet-Bet and Deep Creek—distant three to five miles from the auriferous ground. The hill was not of great extent, and situate in a large flat almost surrounded by a blind creek. The sinking was very difficult, being through white cement. One party bottomed on the edge of the creek and carried a drive towards the hill—where they picked out nuggets varying in weight from one to ten ounces. All the ground was soon marked off in claims, though the sinking was hard and difficult. It was only by the use of gads that we could get through the hard cement, the depth of which was from ten to thirteen feet. It occupied parties from fourteen to twenty-one days to sink through this stratum. The bottom was a splendid soft white pipeclay, and though the wash- dirt taken out at that time was only some six or nine inches, yet the nuggets which could be picked out paid the men well. The next scene of operations was a hill about one mile south of the first gold workings, and on the same flat; about two miles and a half from the site of the town of Maryborough. In its character it was similar to the first. The depth of sinking was from sixteen to twenty-four feet and through hard cement mixed with large white boulders. The wash- dirt taken out was only some four or six inches—but in it were found a large number of splendid nuggets thickly scattered over the white pipeclay bottom. In consequence of the distance from water there was little or no dirt washed from either of the hills. One load of forty small buckets washed by us yielded 3 oz. This was not considered at that time sufficiently remunerative, as we had to pay £2 for the carting of each load. Payable gold was discovered just at this time by another party, about three miles higher up, in shallow ground, about three feet deep; and to that we removed. Claims were marked out rapidly—a rush set in—and it was fed by parties returning disappointed from the shallow diggings at Avoca. Gold was found in almost every hole—and within a period of less than three months from the time when I first saw the prospectors’ tent near the site of the town of Maryborough, there were at least thirty thousand miners on the ground. The rush after this time increased. The depth of sinking varied from four, six, eight, ten, fourteen, twenty, up to thirty-five feet, at which depth it began to bear the name of Blackman’s Lead. Another branch of the same lead extending south towards Amherst—which was very rich, and in depth not exceeding seven or ten feet—was traced down the flat, where it narrowed from fifteen or sixteen claims of twenty-four feet each to a width of four or five claims towards the point of its junction with the Blackman’s Lead. The value of those leads is well known, but I, myself, witnessed prospects from one shovelful of dirt taken out of the gutters of 18 or 20 oz. The same stuff washed on an average for about two feet in thickness as much as 24 and 36 oz of gold to forty small buckets. This was out of the Main Lead gutter—not by any means as rich as the Blackman’s Lead, which yielded nuggets of all shapes and sizes. The sinking on both the leads was easy … The wash-dirt at that time taken out varied from one foot to three feet in thickness—but since then the strata have paid puddlers and others, in many places, from the surface to a depth of twenty feet. It was thought that the ground at or below the junction of the two rich leads would be exceedingly valuable, but such was not the case. At the junction the ground was poor for nearly half a mile, and it was only where the lead took another bend and left the side of the range that the gold again became plentiful. This part was named Commissioner’s

234 Maryborough Main Lead

Flat. Here the sinking became deeper, varying from fifty-five to sixty-five feet, the gold being scattered; the lead from fourteen to sixteen claims in width; the wash-dirt from two to five feet in thickness; and the average yield from four to ten ounces to the load of forty American buckets. About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead. The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek. The principal gullies are Madman’s, Deadhorse, Flagstaff, Shellback, Oldman’s, Mosquito, Blucher’s, Smoky, Whitehorse, Arnold’s, Ironstone, Golden Point, and Nuggety—all of which were extremely rich, but for the most part only one claim in width. The depth of sinking varied from mere surfacing to twenty feet. In some of these gullies nuggets were got which weighed upwards of 700 oz. In all the sinking was easy, through clay and gravel, except in places where the ironstone cement was found. After the lapse of two years, during which period many rushes had occurred, Maryborough was almost deserted; but another new and valuable discovery was made at Chinaman’s Flat, about one mile and a half from the spot where gold was first found at Maryborough. The locality was on the Bet-Bet or east side of the Dividing Range. Thousands again flocked to the spot. The large flat was found to extend towards the Bet-Bet for a distance of eight miles, and the country was discovered to be rich in quartz reefs as well as alluviums. The famous Leviathan Reef is now (1869) worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballaarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of keeping down the flow of water, 1 and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

May 1860. With respect to the remaining portion of the Maryborough Main Lead … the alternate strata, as far as the First White Hill, are nearly similar to those already mentioned, but in proportion as the lead extends in the direction of Havelock it gets deeper. There is also a wide gutter which has been occasionally discovered, varying in width from 12 to 30 feet, which the diggers pronounce no good. The sinking on the gutter is about 60 feet, and the wash-dirt on the reefs on either side of this gutter has paid better—several patches on the reefs turned out 12oz per load, while the average yield might be considered 1oz per load. The First White Hill, though shallow sinking, from 6 to 12 feet, paid very well, and the Second White Hill, still shallower, from 4 to 10 feet deep, paid much better, and it appears is now offering sufficient inducement to some Chinese who have been re-working it. Happy Jim’s Gully. This gully near its junction with the main lead is 50 feet deep. The depth is composed of alternate layers of gravel and sand, from 5 to 8 feet thick to bottom—pipe clay. Here another butter has been traced, in some places 15 feet wide and 7 feet deep, but like its neighbour is no good—the payable wash-dirt being on the reefs here also. Approaching the creek several claims, each 40 feet square, paid from 12 to 14 lb of gold—wash-dirt from 6 inches to 2 feet thick. At the top of the gully the sinking is 20 feet thick—bottom hard sandstone. Havelock Flat, Wet Lead. The dullness which has so long prevailed here is certainly attributable to the strong undercurrent of water, which could not be overcome without the aid of machinery—to accomplish which strong efforts are about being made by a few local enterprising miners, who still retain no small share of confidence in this 2 portion of the old lead.

June 1867. Maryborough Main Lead. At the White Hills some payable ground has been discovered where the old 3 lead had been lost, and where several small runs appear to converge from the adjoining gullies.

1869. The Maryborough goldfields comprise the Four-mile Creek and its tributaries, many gullies and creeks lying to the east and trending towards the Deep Creek, and the Timor Creek lying to the west; all of them pouring their waters

235 Maryborough Main Lead into the River Loddon … The auriferous alluviums in the valley of the Four-mile Creek extend continuously for nine miles, the breadth varying from five to forty chains; and numerous tributaries add to the available auriferous area. On all the hills auriferous quartz veins are seen cropping out at the surface, and the gullies having their sources near these have been very rich.

236 Maryborough Main Lead

This area has, from time to time, been the scene of many large “rushes”. Thousands of men congregated on one lead and commenced operations—and then hearing of some remarkable discoveries … immediately abandoned their claims to take up new ground in the adjacent creeks. The hills being low, and not very thickly timbered, the sinking not very deep and only in some places wet, the gold generally distributed—and supplies of stores, &c., readily obtainable—it has happened that this area has been more completely prospected and better developed than almost any other. This is easily seen when the map of the district is examined; and yet it cannot be said that all the gullies have been worked, or indeed opened—and as regards the deep leads they are scarcely touched at all. The Maryborough Main Lead, Chinaman’s Flat, Blackman’s Lead, Griffith’s Gully, and many other localities within the watershed of the Four-mile Creek, have for a long period supported a large mining population; and Adelaide Lead, Inkerman, Alma Flat, and Balaclava, on the Timor Creek, are yet far from being exhausted. The famous Leviathan Reef is now worked as successfully as when first opened. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district … [Majorca] … Subsequently steam machinery was procured, and now no less than ten engines, varying from 15 to 50 horse-power are constantly employed in pumping, winding, and puddling. The lead, in its lower part, is 160 feet in depth, and is evidently extending towards the Carisbrook, Moolart, and Charlotte Plains, where so much is expected by all scientific men. (The rush at Majorca was seen by the Honorable J.F. Sullivan, Minister of Mines, shortly after the workings were opened, and it presented at that time a scene of busy industry; where there was more of order and decency and good behaviour than would be 4 found probably in any mining locality in England, or on the Continent of Europe).

1899. The Maryborough main lead takes its origin from the same source as the Chinaman’s Flat lead, but flows to the north-east, a low range of Silurian hills dividing the two deep channels. It was originally known as Blackman’s Lead, and returned immense quantities of gold in the early days, until at Havelock, some six miles from Maryborough, deep ground and water were met. The result of Government and private boring proved the lead to extend in a well-defined channel to its junction with the Timor (Chinaman’s Flat) lead, and the further development of its richness is now being carried on by the Main Leads Company, which will shortly be in a position to test the wash-dirt. A serviceable plant has been erected, and the completion of the shaft will shortly be effected. The prospects are exceptionally good, as the lead is bounded on either side by low Silurian ranges, which have been, and are being, successfully exploited for quartz lodes, and the effects of the denudation of these must have added to the richness of the main 5 channel.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 87.0. Maryborough Main Lead (opened 1854/1856. Shallow sections worked by puddlers). Alluvial workings. Most of the Main Lead alluvial workings have gone. The lead is now dominated by two large reservoirs. Goldfields and Centenary. Surfacing. One of the small gullies that makes up the head of the lead has been extensively surfaced or “puddled-out”. There are several dam sites in this gully but no puddlers survive.

Site 87.1. Main Lead puddler. Puddler. Very weathered 22 ft puddler, only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from puddling trench. No pivot post or slabbing visible. Most of the wash has been quarried and the site is covered by thick (regrowth) scrub.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The site has historical significance. The sites are associated with the working of Maryborough’s most famous lead.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, May 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1867 4 R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 95-100 5 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8

237 Waterloo Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 88.0 PUDDLER (1) 88.1 PUDDLER (2) 88.2 FORD’S DAM PUDDLER 88.3 PUDDLER (3) 88.4 PUDDLER (4)

LOCATION: WATERLOO LEAD, PADDY RANGES

HI NO: 88.0 H7623-0206 88.1 H7623-0207 88.2 H7623-0208 88.3 H7623-0209 88.4 H7623-0210

DIRECTIONS: Site 88.0 is located 4.2 kms south-west of Maryborough, 150 metres north of Reserve Dam, east side of Reserve Track. Site 88.1 is located 4.0 kms south-west of Maryborough, immediately west of Paddy Ranges Track. Site 88.2 is located 3.5 kms south-west of Maryborough, south of junction of Alma Lead Adelaide Road and Maryborough-Avoca Road. Sites 88.3 and 88.4 are located south of Ararat-Maryborough Railway Line, west of Reserve Track, 2.0 kms south-west of Maryborough.

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

1854-6. Mr E. O’Farrell, formerly Chairman of the Mining Board of the Maryborough Mining District, has communicated some information relative to the gold workings in his district. He says, on arriving at Simpson’s Ranges, in June 1854, seeking for new fields, I and my three mates found a prospecting party at work at a place since known as the White Hills. At that time there were only thirty or forty men in addition to the prospectors, and these were engaged principally in stacking or surfacing. No water was available to wash the stuff at any place nearer than Bet-Bet and Deep Creek—distant three to five miles from the auriferous ground. The hill was not of great extent, and situate in a large flat almost surrounded by a blind creek. The sinking was very difficult, being through white cement. One party bottomed on the edge of the creek and carried a drive towards the hill—where they picked out nuggets varying in weight from one to ten ounces. All the ground was soon marked off in claims, though the sinking was hard and difficult. It was only by the use of gads that we could get through the hard cement, the depth of which was from ten to thirteen feet. It occupied parties from fourteen to twenty-one days to sink through this stratum. The bottom was a splendid soft white pipeclay, and though the wash- dirt taken out at that time was only some six or nine inches, yet the nuggets which could be picked out paid the men well. The next scene of operations was a hill about one mile south of the first gold workings, and on the same flat; about two miles and a half from the site of the town of Maryborough. In its character it was similar to the first. The depth of sinking was from sixteen to twenty-four feet and through hard cement mixed with large white boulders. The wash- dirt taken out was only some four or six inches—but in it were found a large number of splendid nuggets thickly scattered over the white pipeclay bottom. In consequence of the distance from water there was little or no dirt washed from either of the hills. One load of forty small buckets washed by us yielded 3 oz. This was not considered at that time sufficiently remunerative, as we had to pay £2 for the carting of each load. Payable gold was discovered just at this time by another party, about three miles higher up, in shallow ground, about three feet deep; and to that we removed. Claims were marked out rapidly—a rush set in—and it was fed by parties returning disappointed from the shallow diggings at Avoca. Gold was found in almost every hole—and within a period of less than three months from the time when I first saw the prospectors’ tent near the site of the town of Maryborough, there were at least thirty thousand miners on the ground. The rush after this time increased. The depth of sinking varied from four, six, eight, ten, fourteen, twenty, up to thirty-five feet, at which depth it began to bear the name of Blackman’s Lead. Another branch of the same lead extending south towards Amherst—which was very rich, and in depth not exceeding seven or ten feet—was traced down the flat, where it narrowed from fifteen or sixteen claims of twenty-four feet each to a width of four or five claims towards the point of its junction with the Blackman’s Lead. The value of those leads is well known, but I, myself, witnessed prospects from one shovelful of dirt taken out of the gutters of 18 or 20 oz. The same stuff washed on an average for about two feet in thickness as much as 24 and 36 oz

238 Waterloo Lead of gold to forty small buckets. This was out of the Main Lead gutter—not by any means as rich as the Blackman’s Lead, which yielded nuggets of all shapes and sizes. The sinking on both the leads was easy … The wash-dirt at that time taken out varied from one foot to three feet in thickness—but since then the strata have paid puddlers and others, in many places, from the surface to a depth of twenty feet. It was thought that the ground at or below the junction of the two rich leads would be exceedingly valuable, but such was not the case. At the junction the ground was poor for nearly half a mile, and it was only where the lead took another bend and left the side of the range that the gold again became plentiful. This part was named Commissioner’s Flat. Here the sinking became deeper, varying from fifty-five to sixty-five feet, the gold being scattered; the lead from fourteen to sixteen claims in width; the wash-dirt from two to five feet in thickness; and the average yield from four to ten ounces to the load of forty American buckets. About the year 1855 the miners left Maryborough to seek better fortune on the south side of the Dividing Range, at a place named Alma, where gold was obtained in an extensive flat at a depth of five feet. This place is about two and a half miles from Maryborough. Some of my acquaintances made as much as £500 and £800 out of claims measuring only twenty-four feet. The sinking increased from five to seventy-five feet, and finally the flat made a junction with the Balaclava and Portuguese Leads—two very valuable leads within five miles of Maryborough. These, like other leads in the district, were first opened on the surface, and were traced about two and a half miles; being in some places only three or four claims in width, and in others from twenty to thirty, widening towards the junction with the Alma Lead. The sinking on these leads, as well as the Adelaide Lead, Waterloo Flat, Inkerman, and Slaughter-yard Hill Lead was all of a similar character … The wash-dirt averaged from six inches to three feet in thickness, and the yield was from 1 oz to 4 oz to the load. While thousands were rushing about and sinking on the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads, hundreds betook themselves to prospecting the shallow gullies near Maryborough, most of which empty themselves into the Carisbrook or Deep Creek. The principal gullies are Madman’s, Deadhorse, Flagstaff, Shellback, Oldman’s, Mosquito, Blucher’s, Smoky, Whitehorse, Arnold’s, Ironstone, Golden Point, and Nuggety—all of which were extremely rich, but for the most part only one claim in width. The depth of sinking varied from mere surfacing to twenty feet. In some of these gullies nuggets were got which weighed upwards of 700 oz. In all the sinking was easy, through clay and gravel, except in places where the ironstone cement was found. After the lapse of two years, during which period many rushes had occurred, Maryborough was almost deserted; but another new and valuable discovery was made at Chinaman’s Flat, about one mile and a half from the spot where gold was first found at Maryborough. The locality was on the Bet-Bet or east side of the Dividing Range. Thousands again flocked to the spot. The large flat was found to extend towards the Bet-Bet for a distance of eight miles, and the country was discovered to be rich in quartz reefs as well as alluviums. The famous Leviathan Reef is now [1869) worked as successfully as when first opened. The gold in this lead, as in most others, was discovered on the surface, and gradually traced into deeper ground. The lead in some places was of great width, the sinking being principally through white clay or mullock, until within a few feet of the bottom, where it became a heavy wash of white gravel and boulders. The depth of wash-dirt at that time taken out was from two to five feet, and the average yield over 4 oz to the load. At a distance of five miles from its source the lead increased in depth to 130 feet, and much water was met with. This so far obstructed the operations of the miners as to prevent the exploration of the lead, though it is known that the wash-dirt is rich in gold. The same difficulty presented itself in following the course of the Alma, Balaclava, and other leads; and was not overcome until some of the Ballaarat miners settled in the district and introduced horse-whims. In many places even these were unequal to the work of keeping down the flow of water, 1 and subsequently better machinery was introduced.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 88.0. Puddler. (Opened during great Maryborough Rush in 1854/1856. Would have been extensively puddled after this time. The state of preservation of all the puddlers, except Site 88.4, suggests they operated during the nineteenth century). Puddler. 150 metres north of Reserve Dam, east side of the track, is a small dry dam. On the western end of the dam’s embankment is a very weathered 18 ft diameter puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. The puddler has no pivot post or trench slabbing and is obscured by thick gorse.

Site 88.1. Puddler. Puddler. On the west side of Paddy Ranges Track, 0.85 km north of Site 89.0, is a very weathered 18 ft diameter puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. The puddler has no pivot post or trench slabbing, is obscured by regrowth and most of its wash has been quarried.

Site 88.2. Ford’s Dam Puddler. Puddler. Well defined 22 ft diameter puddler with pronounced inner mound and sheer puddling trench walls. No pivot post or slabbing visible. The puddler is free of vegetation and most of its wash has been quarried.

239 Waterloo Lead

Site 88.3. Puddler and surfacing. Surfacing. Extensive and quite dramatic gully surfacing. Puddler. Associated with the surfacing is a small full dam. There is a weathered 16 ft diameter puddler on the northern end of the dam’s embankment. No pivot post, trench slabbing or wash survives. The puddler is relatively free of vegetation.

Site 88.4. Puddler. Puddler. 200 metres south-west of Site 88.3 is a large, partly silted dam. There is a well preserved 20 ft diameter puddler on the dam’s embankment. The puddler’s inner mound is pronounced and the puddling trench is deep with sheer walls. The pivot post has been burnt out and no trench slabbing survives. Most of the wash associated with the puddler has been quarried. The puddler is obscured by regrowth.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

All sites have: Historical Significance. The site’s are associated with one of the rich leads opened during the Great Maryborough gold rush.

Sites 88.3 and 88.4 have: Scientific significance. The two sites and the associated gully surfacing are a good illustration of puddling.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 E. O’Farrell, quoted in R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, pp. 96-8

240 Trampfs Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 89.0 BATTERY SITE 89.1 TRAMPFS MINE

LOCATION: TRAMPFS REEF, WATERLOO LEAD

HI NO: 89.0 H7623-0211 89.1 H7623-0212

DIRECTIONS: Site 89.0: 4.2 km south-west of Maryborough, east side of Paddy Ranges Track, 0.4 kms north of Karri Dam. Site 89 1: 3.7 kms south-west of Maryborough, east side of Paddy Ranges Track

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Daisy Hill Block)

HISTORY:

No references found for this reef.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 89.0. Trampfs Reef. Dam. On the west side of Paddy’s Ranges Track, obscured by thick regrowth, is a large dry dam. The dam has a 60 metre, 2 metre high, embankment. Sludge pond. Above the south-east corner of the dam is a small tailings pond. Battery site. Above the tailings pond is a small stone-retained loading ramp. The ramp is approximately 8 metres wide and 20 metres long. At the base of the ramp is a narrow depression containing at least one 1/2 inch diameter iron tie bolt. The dimensions of the depression suggests it once contained the wooden foundations for 5-head of stamps. Reef workings. Near the battery site is a patch of shallow open cutting.

Site 89.1. Trampfs mine. Mullock heaps. 15 metre, 50 metre high partly quarried mullock heap. Near the north-east side of this heap are two 40 metre long dumping lines and a small dam. The shaft associated with the two mullock heaps has been filled. Machinery site. To the west of the large mullock heap is a flattened machinery site (red brick, stone and mortar rubble). Stope. To the north of the large heap are two short open stopes. Both have been used as rubbish dumps and are dangerous.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Both sites still have several relatively intact features.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have some: Cumulative Significance. The two sites document different scales of quartz reefing.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

241 Fiddlers Creek Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 90.0 FIDDLERS CREEK REEF MINE

LOCATION: FIDDLERS REEF, PERCEYDALE

HI NO: H7523-0004

DIRECTIONS: 9.2 km north-west of Avoca, head of Fiddlers Creek

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

March 1864. In quartz mining I have no good news to report since the unsatisfactory results were known of a crushing of 30 tons from the London Reef, Amphitheatre, which gave on the average 5 dwts to the ton, instead of at least 1oz, which the party expected, and with the exception of one party of twelve men giving notice to prospect a 1 reef at Fiddler’s Creek, otherwise this class of mining is again falling into disrepute, and very few are engaged therein.

March 1867. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Bosanquet and Co, from Fiddler’s Creek, 150 tons yielded 38 oz; 2 Bosanquet and Co., from Vale’s Reef, 30 tons yielded 13 oz.

March 1868. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Bosanquet and Co.’s Crushing Machine, Avoca, from Vale’s Reef, 50 tons yielded 100 oz; Bosanquet and Co.’s Crushing Machine, Avoca, from Vale’s Reef, 30 tons yielded 90 oz; Dame's Crushing Machine, from Poverty Reef, 75 tons yielded 17 oz; Fiddler’s Creek Co., from Luck’s-All Reef, 47 tons yielded 19 oz; Fiddler’s Creek Co., from Fiddler’s Creek, 50 tons yielded 15 oz; Fiddler’s Creek Co., from 3 Butler’s Reef, 56 tons yielded 8 oz.

June 1868. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Dame’s Crushing Machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Donkey Hill Reef, 65 tons yielded 26 oz; Dame’s Crushing machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Fiddler’s Creek Reef, 142 tons yielded 35 oz; Dame’s Crushing Machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Bullocky Reef, 42 tons yielded 25 oz; Dame’s Crushing machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Luck’s-All Reef, 38 tons yielded 13 oz; Bosanquet and Co.’s machine, Avoca, from Vale’s 4 Reef, 50 tons yielded 100 oz.

September 1870. Mr T. Clapperton of Amphitheatre has nearly finished erecting a quartz-crushing plant at Fiddler’s Creek; it consists of two batteries of revolving stamps, with front and back discharge, and is to be furnished with the 5 latest improvements for saving gold.

December 1870. Messrs Clapperton have just completed a fine crushing plant of ten head of stamps, at Fiddler’s 6 Creek.

7 June 1871. Messrs Clapperton are erecting machinery for the purpose of working the Fiddler’s Creek Reef.

March 1872. QUARTZ MINING. Very little is being done in this. Work is again suspended on the Fiddler’s Creek 8 and Township Reefs.

September 1872. Work has been resumed on the Fiddler’s Creek Reef by the Percydale Gold and Silver Lead Mining 9 Company. They are sinking an underlie shaft to a depth of 200 feet, and are down about 140 feet

December 1872. The Percydale Gold and Silver Lead Company, Fiddler’s Reef, are working at a depth of 160 feet on the underlie. They have just added a buddle to their machinery for the purpose of separating and saving the mundic and galena; the former auriferous, the latter argentiferous. The vein of galena, &c., alluded to last quarter, has become less defined, being more distributed through the stone; width of reef at lowest level from 3 to 4 feet. At the Perseverance Reef, the lead ore in this stone is increasing with the depth; reef from 2 to 6 feet wide. 10 At Barnes’ Plum[b] Reef work has been resumed at the 150-foot level.

March 1873. Work is at present suspended on the Fiddler’s Reef.

242 Fiddlers Creek Reef

Oate and Sons, Perseverance Reef, are working on the underlie at a depth of 60 feet. A company is being formed to work this claim in conjunction with a lease lately taken up between it and the Percydale Company’s lease, Fiddler’s 11 Reef.

March 1875. The water has been baled from the old Fiddler’s Creek Reef, and a strong party of men will commence 12 working the mine next week.

March 1875. The water has been baled from the old Fiddler’s Creek Reef, and a strong party of men will commence 13 working the mine next week.

March 1876. Quartz mining has looked better during the quarter. At Percydale, at a depth of from 140 to 150 feet from a lode, varying in thickness from 2 to 7 feet, 474 tons of quartz realised from battery 197 oz 5 dwts, and, by means of the patent pulveriser attached, 52 oz 6 dwts 12 grs were saved from the same crushing, making a total of 294 oz 11 dwts 12 grs. About a half mile further south, at Fiddler’s Creek, active preparations are being made to 14 commence operations.

March 1886. A mining lease has been pegged out on Fiddler’s Reef, Percydale, it being the intention of the applicant 15 to establish smelting works there.

June 1886. Fiddler’s Reef, at Percydale, has been taken up under mining lease by a Ballarat gentleman, who intends treating the minerals to be obtained there by an improved process. It is to be hoped he may meet with success, as 16 there is an ample field in the Pyrenees for similar operations.

March 1888. On the eastern side of the Pyrenees, in the vicinity of Percydale, prospecting for silver has been commenced, and already three silver leases have been applied for. A prospect from one has been assayed and proved 17 very satisfactory.

June 1888. A Ballarat company has commenced operations in silver mining, near the old Fiddler’s Reef, at Percydale. It is to be hoped that success may attend their efforts, as there is a fine field for enterprise in this class of mining in 18 the Pyrenees.

1899. FIDDLER’S REEF. First opened about 30 years ago by Barnes and party. For 30 feet from the surface it averaged over 4 oz to the ton. At that depth the ironstone gave place to quartz, containing a large amount of iron pyrites and galena, and traces of copper and antimony … At 100 feet from the surface the reef was abandoned, after working six or seven years. Mr Copeland was the next to take it up. He sunk a new shaft 150 feet deep, and struck the reef. Machinery requisite for treating the peculiar class of ore was erected on the ground, and the reef worked another four or five years with barely payable results. The last crushing yielded 4 dwts to the ton. Just before abandoning the reef Mr Copeland started to sink the shaft a further 50 feet, but before he had got down 10 feet a slab 19 of rock was met with that wouldn’t shoot.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 90.0. Fiddlers Creek Reef mine. Reef first opened in the early 1860s (perhaps earlier). Main period of mining appears to have been 1870s. Intact battery, according to current mining company came from Woods Point in the 1930s. It was driven by a portable engine. Fiddlers Creek mine is now currently being worked. Winding and treatment plant has been installed. Battery site. To the north of the modern treatment plant is an intact 10-head battery and remains of a wood-framed loading ramp. The battery’s engine and boiler has been taken away.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Good.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site contains the only surviving in-situ and intact crushing battery in the Maryborough and Avoca Mining Divisions.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

243 Fiddlers Creek Reef

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1868 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1872 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1886 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 19 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

244 Perseverence Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 91.0 PERSEVERENCE ADIT

LOCATION: PERSEVERENCE REEF, PERCYDALE

HI NO: H7523-0005

DIRECTIONS: 9.9 kms north-west of Avoca, 1.0 km north-north-west of Fiddlers Creek mine (Site 90.0)

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

March 1871. The reefs at Fiddler’s Creek have not been doing very well of late. In the Perseverance I understand 1 they have struck good stone.

2 September 1872. At the Perseverance Reef, Percydale, some good stone … has been obtained.

December 1872. At the Perseverance Reef, the lead ore in this stone is increasing with the depth; reef from 2 to 6 feet 3 wide.

March 1873. Oate and Sons, Perseverance Reef, are working on the underlie at a depth of 60 feet. A company is being formed to work this claim in conjunction with a lease lately taken up between it and the Percydale Company’s 4 lease, Fiddler’s Reef.

September 1873. The United No. 2 North Company is working on the Barnes line of reef. Their shaft is sunk 100 feet, and stone is being taken out from the 50 and 199 foot levels. It is intended to erect shortly crushing machinery on both the Barnes and Perseverance Reefs. A company has been formed to work the Perseverance Reef by means of a tunnel, the contract for 450 feet of which 6 has been let.

7 December 1873. At the Perseverance Reef they are still engaged in tunnelling.

March 1874. At the Perseverance Reef the tunnel has been driven an additional distance of 97 feet during the quarter. 8 At Barnes’ Reef the erection of winding and pumping engine has been completed, and battery commenced.

June 1874. The Perseverance Company has driven the tunnel 325 feet through hard rock. Several promising leaders have been cut; one particularly; but none have yet been tried. They expect to cut the main lode about 125 feet further. Should a payable reef be struck here, which there is good reason to anticipate, it will, I think, have a very beneficial 9 effect on mining in the Pyrenees.

September 1874. The United No. 2 Barnes’ Reef Company have sunk their shaft 65 feet. A battery of six stamps has been erected, and it is intended to erect six more. Much more stone than appears in the tables would, I understand, have been crushed had not the supply of water for the battery failed. At the Perseverance Reef the tunnel has been driven 92 feet further, or a total length of 417 feet during the quartz; ground very hard. It is expected that the reef will be struck in about three weeks, and it is calculated there will be about 170 feet of backs for stoping from the tunnel level. 10 The claims on the Donkey Hill Reef are at present idle.

245 Perseverence Company

December 1874. At Barnes’ Reef the prospects are good. They have a well defined reef at the 226-foot level, averaging two feet in width. At the Perseverance Company’s tunnel claim, a reef 8 feet carrying minerals, and supposed to be the Perseverance, has been struck at 458 feet. At 473 feet another reef has been struck, also supposed to be the Perseverance. They are about to drive north and south on the course of the lode, when the stone will be tested. The results of mining at the Barnes’ Perseverance, and Monte Christo Reefs, are looked forward to with great interest 11 as likely to very materially affect the prospects of the division.

March 1875. The Perseverance Company's mine at Percydale is at present getting stone from the north level which, it is estimated, will yield an ounce per ton. The reef is from four to seven feet in width; and owing to the facilities for working it by means of the tunnel, should it only go half what has been calculated on, it will pay the shareholders handsomely. The company is negotiating for the purchase and erection of a powerful battery. One hundred and fifty tons of stone are at grass. The No. 2 United Barnes’ Company is sinking 100 feet deeper, which will make the total depth of the mine 374 feet. The crushing, as will be seen by my report, is highly satisfactory. I have seen specimens taken from the mine, in the last week, of extraordinary richness. The water has been baled from the old Fiddler’s Creek Reef, and a strong party of men will commence working the mine next week. A few parcels of stone at Donkey Hill and elsewhere in the locality have been raised, but cannot be crushed in the 12 absence of machinery.

September 1875. In quartz mining there are now only two companies at work, the Monte Christo and the Perseverance; the former have several shafts sunk to a depth of about 100 feet, the quartz realising 6 dwts 22 grs per ton; and the latter are tunnelling through one of the hills of the Pyrenees, with very favourable prospects before them. The tunnel is now 498 feet long, 7 feet high, and 6 feet wide; it has already cut one reef 6 feet thick, out of which 237 13 tons of quartz, as a trial crushing, realised 49 oz 11 dwts.

December 1875. The stone out of the reefs cut by the tunnel of the Perseverance Company at Percydale is also 14 promising to realise favourable results.

September 1876. Quartz mining has been unusually dull, and work has been temporarily suspended in several reefs in 15 the Pyrenees. The Perseverance claim is the only one at present in full work in that locality.

December 1876. In quartz mining there is an unusual depression. Several of the mines in the Pyrenees, including the 16 Perseverance Company, have suspended operations

March 1878. In quartz mining there is nothing of importance to report. Operations in the mine of the Perseverance Tunnel Company, Percydale, which have been suspended for over eighteen months, have been resumed, with a good 17 prospect of success, under the management of a new company.

September 1878. The only place at present deserving special attention is the Pyrenees Tunnel, Percydale. About 500 feet from the mouth of the tunnel a party of four has been driving northerly, on the course of a cross-cut reef, 141 18 feet.

December 1878. In quartz mining in the Pyrenees Tunnel, Percydale, driving is still being carried on, and the tunnel is now about 920 feet in length. There has been no change calling for special mention in the portion lately driven 19 through.

PERSEVERANCE REEF. To work this reef, which is an extension north of Fiddler’s reef, a tunnel was driven 500 feet into the hill to intersect it ... The company worked the reef for 3 years … The tunnel was abandoned owing to the 20 reef pinching thinner and poorer.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 91.0. Perseverence Reef (Main tunnelling operations were carried out in the 1870s). Adit. Open adit with 60 metre long narrow cutting. Mullock heap. The adit’s mullock heap has been partly quarried but still has six dumping lines. No machinery foundations visible.

246 Perseverence Company

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Adit is still open but its mullock heap has been partly quarried.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The site has, Scientific Significance. A well preserved adit with large mullock heap. A fine example of this type of mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1871 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1873 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1874 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1875 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1876 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1878 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 20 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

247 Fiddlers Creek battery

SITE NO. & NAME: 92.0 BATTERY SITE

LOCATION: FIDDLERS CREEK, PERCYDALE

HI NO: H7523-0006

DIRECTIONS: 9.3 km north-west of Avoca, 1.0 km east of Perseverance adit (Site 91.0)

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Water Reserve

HISTORY:

September 1867. A new crushing machine has been lately erected at Fiddler’s Creek, and the prospects of quartz mining in this neighbourhood are very good. Innumerable reefs exist in this locality, but owing to the enormous 1 expense attendant upon carting stone to the mills at Avoca and Redbank, reefing has not hitherto paid.

December 1868. The erection of larger and more powerful machinery at Fiddler’s Creek is likely to give a great impetus to quartz mining in that neighbourhood. The reefs there are numerous, but none of any great richness has as yet been discovered; and in the expectation that the price of crushing will be reduced on the erection of new 2 machinery, miners are getting out and laying up stone.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 92.0. (May be the site of a battery erected in the late 1860s. Most of the relics appear to date to the twentieth century). Dam. Large full water dam. Tailings. Below the dam’s embankment is a tailings dump. Part of the dump is still intact (untreated), the rest has recently been processed. Battery site. On the slope above the north end of the dam’s embankment is a poorly preserved small battery site. All that survives are two in-situ decaying bedlogs (shaped tree logs which are 2 ft thick and 13 ft long) and some 1/2 inch iron tie bolts. To the north-east of the battery foundations are some wooden post stumps and narrow stone footings. Earlier battery site. To the west of the decaying bedlogs are some stone and brick rubble and a small square stone structure (Stack base or blacksmith’s forge). These remains may belong to an earlier battery.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has some: Scientific Significance. Although little survives above ground there may be some archaeological remains of a late 1860s battery.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1867 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868

248 Donkey Hill

SITE NO. & NAME: 93.0 OPEN ADIT

LOCATION: DAVIS REEF, DONKEY HILL SLATE QUARRY

HI NO: H7523-0007

DIRECTIONS: 10.9 kms north-east of Avoca, Donkey Hill Slate Quarry

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Public Purpose Reserve

HISTORY:

June 1868. AVOCA SUBDIVISION Quartz crushed during the quarter: Dame’s Crushing Machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Donkey Hill Reef, 65 tons yielded 26 oz; Dame’s Crushing machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Fiddler’s Creek Reef, 142 tons yielded 35 oz; Dame’s Crushing Machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Bullocky Reef, 42 tons yielded 25 oz; Dame’s Crushing machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Luck’s-All Reef, 38 tons yielded 13 oz; Bosanquet and Co.’s machine, Avoca, from Vale’s Reef, 50 tons 1 yielded 100 oz.

December 1869. A new quartz reef has been discovered in the vicinity of Donkey Hill, with good indications; a 2 prospecting claim has been registered.

September 1870. There has been a small rush to the neighbourhood of Donkey Hill, but it does not appear to be 3 turning out well.

September 1871. The nearest gold workings of importance are those of Donkey Hill, about one and a half or two miles east. There are quartz reefs on the prominent spurs which form Raggedy Gully, particularly on those to the east, but judging from surface appearances (none have yet been worked) they are not promising. The nearest payable 4 quartz reefs are at Donkey Hill.

March 1875. A few parcels of stone at Donkey Hill and elsewhere in the locality have been raised, but cannot be 5 crushed in the absence of machinery.

September 1873. The Harrison Redan Company, Donkey Hill Reef, are taking out stone at the 130-foot level. A 6 battery of eight stamps is being erected in connection with the above claim and the adjoining one north.

7 September 1874. The claims on the Donkey Hill Reef are at present idle.

March 1875. A few parcels of stone at Donkey Hill and elsewhere in the locality have been raised, but cannot be 8 crushed in the absence of machinery.

DAVIS’ REEF. On Hall’s line. The quartz only was worked to a depth of 50 feet. The yields averaged from 6 dwts to 1 oz to the ton, which would not more than pay expenses; the reef being on top of Donkey Hill, 800 feet above the 9 township.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 93.0. Davis Reef. (Main period of mining was the 1870s). Adit. Open adit whose mullock heap has been levelled. Mine is now the site of the currently working Donkey Hill Slate Quarry. Dam. 400 metres down the gully from the adit is a small water dam. On the slope above the dam is a small stone U- shaped structure measuring 4-1/2 ft x 4-1/2 ft, with 1-1/2 ft thick walls and standing 1 ft high. The structure is an odd size for a fireplace. In the past this structure appears to have been recorded as a powder magazine.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

249 Donkey Hill

The site has some: Scientific Significance. The site has an open adit.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1869 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 9 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

250 Union Jack Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 94.0 BATTERY SITE

LOCATION: UNION JACK REEF, FIDDLERS DAM, PERCYDALE

HI NO: H7523-0008

DIRECTIONS: 8.1 kms north-west of Avoca, east side of Fiddlers Track

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

March 1881. In quartz mining an important event was the purchase by the Union Jack Company of the claim of Hall 1 and Inglis at Percydale.

March 1882. Operations have been suspended for a time at the West of England Hill and at the Union Jack mines, 2 Percydale, as the first crushing at Vale’s Reef did not turn out as satisfactorily as was expected.

1899. UNION JACK REEF. A few chains east of Lucks All Reef … The shaft was sunk 100 feet, and there was a large amount of water to contend with. For about three years the returns averaged over an ounce to the ton. The company had a good pumping plant, and a 12-head battery on the ground. Heavy water compelled the shaft to be 3 shut down.

1904. PERCYDALE. At Percydale mining is practically at a standstill, as work at the Percydale Syndicate mine has 4 been confined to surface prospecting alone, and only one cyanide plant is working there.

5 1908. At Percydale, near Avoca, the Percydale Proprietary Company sunk a shaft to 200 feet.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

94.0. Battery site, Union Jack Reef (Like most Fiddlers Creek reefs, Union Jack Reef was probably worked during the 1870s. The battery site and cyanide works appear to date to c.1904). Open cut/stope. On the crown of a steep hill is a 30 metre deep open stope which is approximately 50 metres long and 30 metres wide. There are at least three adits and two open shafts located in the open stope. Haulage adit. At the base of the hill, west side, is an open adit which has a 30 metre long narrow cutting. Running north from this cutting, passed a water dam, is a 200 metre long tramway embankment which terminates at a loading ramp. Battery. At the base of the loading ramp is a narrow depression which once contained the wooden foundations for 10-head of stamps. Below the stamper foundations are the remains of several small concrete mounting beds (1/2 inch mounting bolts) and some sections of a concrete floor. Cyanide works. To the west of the battery site is a 50 metre long dump of tailings which has three well preserved 18 ft diameter galvanised iron cyanide vats. At the base of the tailings dump is a small galvanised iron drainage vat.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Individually the various features found at the site are not in good condition. However, taken as a whole, the site retains a range of features that provides a very good picture of what took place.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Cumulative Significance. The site has a range of well preserved features which illustrate the continuous nature of quartz mining.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

251 Union Jack Reef

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 3 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria 4 Mines Department Annual Report, 1904 5 Mines Department Annual Report, 1908

252 West of England

SITE NO. & NAME: 95.0 BATTERY SITE

LOCATION: WEST OF ENGLAND REEF, PERCYDALE

HI NO: H7523-0009

DIRECTIONS: 8.6 kms north-west of Avoca, south side of Fiddlers Creek Lead, 0.5 kms north-west of Site 94.0

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

December 1868. AVOCA SUBDIVISION Quartz crushed during the quarter: Bosanquet’s machine, Avoca, from Vale’s Reef, Avoca, 20 tons yielded 30 oz; Crushed at Daw’s Machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Fiddler’s Creek, West of England Reef, Hampshire Reef, and 1 London Reef, 77 tons yielded 50 tons.

December 1881. In quartz mining the reefs of the Pyrenees have been engaging more than usual attention. In the West of England Hill, near Percydale, a good payable reef is being worked from the summit, underlying westerly 24°, and, in order to facilitate its working, a tunnel has been opened out at the base of the hill, to intersect the reef at a 2 depth of about 213 feet.

March 1882. Operations have been suspended for a time at the West of England Hill and at the Union Jack mines, 3 Percydale, as the first crushing at Vale’s Reef did not turn out as satisfactorily as was expected.

1899. WEST OF ENGLAND REEF. First called Hancock’s Reef. Situate south 40 chains from Percydale … The first 12 months the reef … averaged 2-1/2 oz to the ton. At 50 feet, when yielding 1 oz to the ton, it was sold to Copeland and Co., who worked it nearly another 50 feet. The stone gradually got poorer and harder. The last 4 crushing yielded 4 dwts to the ton.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 95.0. West of England Reef (also referred to as Church of England or Coronation Adit). Battery site. A few metres to the west of Fiddlers Track is a small loading ramp. At the base of the ramp is an excavated floor. Associated with the floor is a scatter of machine-made red bricks (single frog bearing the name NORTHCOTE). Tramway embankment. 100 metres to the south of the loading ramp is a eighty metre long tramway embankment which leads to an open adit. The adit end of the tramway has been bulldozed. Adit and mullock heap. Open adit with security gate. Most of the adit’s mullock heap has been levelled. There is a short untouched section running along the eastern side of the tramway embankment.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Similar situation to Site 94.0. Individually the various features making up the site are not well preserved but together they provide a relatively comprehensive picture of what took place.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has some: Scientific Significance. Although not well preserved, the site has a number of features which illustrate various aspects of small-scale quartz reefing.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

253 West of England

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 4 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

254 Halls and Rodwells reefs

SITE NO. & NAME: 96.0 BATTERY SITE (1) 96.1 BATTERY SITE (2) 96.2 CEMENT WORKINGS AND PUDDLER

LOCATION: HALLS AND RODWELLS REEFS, PERCYDALE

HI NO: 96.0 H7523-0010 96.1 H7523-0011 96.2 H7523-0012

DIRECTIONS: 7.7 kms north-west of Avoca, 100 metres west of Fiddlers Track

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

March 1881. In quartz mining an important event was the purchase by the Union Jack Company of the claim of Hall 1 and Inglis at Percydale.

1899. HALL’S REEF (DYKE). Discovered and worked 30 years ago by a party of sailors, with good results. What is now known as Hall’s Reef is a slate formation of a peculiar green colour; through it are disseminated grains of oxidised iron ore. Gold in this rock was discovered by Mr Jno. Hall, of Percydale, about three years ago. The gold is exceptionally fine, but nevertheless heavy. Prospects from parts of the claim have averaged as high as 4 ox to the ton, but the stone, of course, was picked. Taken altogether it is estimated to yield a trifle under 10 dwts to the ton, which would pay handsomely. Leases have been taken up and granted north and south of Hall’s. LUCKS ALL REEF. On the same line as Hall’s reef. The first 1,000 tons taken from this reef averaged 1 oz to the 2 ton. At 60 feet from the surface the stone yielded only 5 dwts to the ton, and at 70 feet the claim was abandoned.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Few references found. The main mining period for the working of the Fiddlers Creek reefs was the 1870s and early 1880s.

Site 96.0. Battery site. Large dam. 80 metre long, 3 to 5 metre high, breached embankment. Battery site. On the slope above the breached dam is a partly bulldozed small loading ramp, several up-rooted battery stumps and bearers, a spread of red brick rubble and a largely buried stone boiler setting. Tramway embankment. 20 metres to the south of the battery site is a 40 metre long tramway embankment which leads a narrow cutting (entrance to haulage adit). Adit. Leading to a collapsed, but partly open adit is a 70 metre long narrow cutting. Open stope/cut. South of the adit, on the crown of the hill, is a tad-pole shaped, partly collapsed, open stope/cut. The open stope is approximately 55 metres long, 10 metres wide and 10 metres deep.

Site 96.1. Battery site. Large dam. 100 metres upstream the gully (west) from dam (Site 96.0) is another large breached embankment. Battery site. 80 metres north-west of the breached dam is another loading ramp. At the base of the ramp is a narrow 24 ft long depression, a scatter of red bricks and a largely buried stone boiler setting. Tailings. On the slope between the dam and the battery site is a deposit of tailings. Reef workings. On the slope above the battery site (north) is a sizeable shaft and bulldozed mullock heap.

Site 96.2. Cement workings Cement workings. 100 metres to the south-west of the battery site is a small quarry or open cut into a conglomerate (cement) cap. The quarry is approximately 40 metres long. Near the western end of the quarry is a very weathered 18 ft diameter puddler. It is only just possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. Erosion of the inner mound has exposed part of the pivot post. No trench slabbing survives.

255 Halls and Rodwells reefs

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Similar situation to sites 94.0 and 95.0. Individually the various features making up the site are not well preserved but together they provide a relatively comprehensive picture of what took place.

256 Halls and Rodwells reefs

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Cumulative Significance. The place has a wide range of features which document two different types of mining: quartz reefing and cement working.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 2 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

257 Fiddlers Creek Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 97.0 ADJOINING PUDDLERS 97.1 PUDDLER (1) 97.2 PUDDLER (2) 97.3 PUDDLER (3)

LOCATION: FIDDLERS CREEK LEAD

HI NO: 97.0 H7523-0013 97.1 H7523-0014 97.2 H7523-0015 97.3 H7523-0016

DIRECTIONS: Fiddlers Creek lead is located 8.6 kms north-west of Avoca, runs north-east from Fiddlers Reef mine (Site 90.0)

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 97.0 and 97.1--State Forest Site 97.2--Unreserved Crown Land Site 97.3--Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1864. Fiddler’s Creek maintains a population of a settled description, including the Chinese portion; the 1 whole are making a good living.

March 1869. AVOCA SUBDIVISION Mining in this division has been very much retarded from want of water. The new rush at Fiddler’s Creek, being particularly affected by the long continued drought, large piles of wash-dirt have been raised and stacked, and the value of their contents is only now obtaining solution. A heavy fall of rain occurred on the evening of Tuesday, the 30th March, and continued without intermission for twenty-four hours. The whole of the reservoirs were filled to overflowing, and the alluvial miners are busy washing up. Some of the returns, I am informed, have exceeded the expectations of the claimholders; and there is every prospect that the operations of the ensuing quarter will considerably increase the amount of gold obtained in this division. Since writing the above I have ascertained that, from the claim of Gunn and Party at Fiddler’s Creek, sixteen loads of wash-dirt yielded one oz to the load, whilst during the quarter a 10-oz nugget was obtained. The wash-dirt in this claim averages from 18 inches to 3 feet in thickness. The lead on which this claim is situate is almost entirely occupied by Chinese, from whom it is very difficult to obtain information. They have marked out a new lead nearly parallel with the old one. Claims on this new lead are selling 2 for from £20 to £40 (unworked). In every instance the purchasers are Chinese.

June 1869. AVOCA SUBDIVISION The alluvial rush to Fiddler’s Creek still continues; there are now fully 2,000 Chinese on the ground, and 400 Europeans. The lead has now been traced for a distance of two miles, and shepherded still farther. The sinking is from 108 to 130 feet, through layers of ferruginous clays, quartzose gravels, and wash-dirt, resting on pipeclay bottom. The sinking is dry; the wash-dirt varies in depth from 3 to 8 feet. The width of the lead is from 200 to 300 feet; the yield of gold from 4 dwts to 1 oz. There are now erected thirty-five puddling machines, three whims, and thirty horse whips. The late heavy rains have given a considerable impetus to mining operations, most of the dams being fairly supplied. The principal claims are in the hands of the Chinese population, they having purchased most of the European claims. There is every probability that this will prove a good winter diggings, and a great likelihood of the lead being traced, perhaps, to a junction with the old Avoca Lead. There are twenty-five stores, including five butchers’ shops, drapery stores, &c.; there are also two public-houses. In the Chinese quarter there are about thirty stores, a joss-house, and several places of amusement. The inspector of police selected a site for police camp, about a fortnight since; it is now in course of erection. A schoolhouse is also being built, and the place is assuming an air of permanency. In addition to alluvial mining, I may state that in this locality quartz mining is being prosecuted vigorously; the average yield is nearly 12 dwts to the ton. The quantity as 3 yet procured is small, owing to the few employed in that branch of mining.

September 1869. AVOCA SUBDIVISION (Mr Hugh St H. Blair, Mining Surveyor and Registrar). In alluvial mining Fiddler’s Creek still continues to employ a large number of miners, chiefly Chinese. Many thousands of loads of wash-dirt are now on the surface, but puddling operations have been greatly impeded, and at the

258 Fiddlers Creek Lead present time totally suspended, owing to the dryness of the season. As far as I have been able to learn, the yields from the upper end of the lead have been about 1 oz to the load; at the lower end the yield is about 4 dwts per load. I 4 believe an average yield of 8 or 9 dwts is expected.

259 Fiddlers Creek Lead

5 Sept 1870. The miners at Fiddler’s Creek are tracing the lead into deep ground, which is expected to yield well.

June 1871. A new lead has been discovered at Fiddler’s Creek, about a quarter of a mile from the old one at the head. It was thought at first it might run parallel with it, but it now appears to be running into it at about 1-1/2 miles below the head. One or two prospects are shown in the tables. There are about 500 on the lead at present, but the 6 population of Percydale has not, that I can make out, increased.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Main rush to Fiddlers Creek Lead was in 1869. The weathered state of the puddlers suggests they all probably operated in the nineteenth century.

Site 97.0. Adjoining puddlers. Puddlers. To the north of the Fiddlers Track (opposite Site 95.0) is a small dam. On the dam’s embankment are two puddlers which are located 3.5 metres apart. The western puddler has a diameter of 22 ft and is fairly weathered. It is still possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. The pivot post is not visible and no slabbing survives. The eastern puddler is better preserved. It has the same diameter as its neighbour and has a more pronounced inner mound and deep puddling trench with sheer sides. It has a well preserved pivot post but no trench slabbing. Both puddlers are free of vegetation and are associated with a large, partly quarried bank of wash.

Site 97.1. Puddler. Puddler. On the west side of Fiddlers Track is a large dry dam which has a massive, but extensively quarried, bank of wash. On the north end of the dam’s embankment is a poorly preserved puddler. In the gully below the puddler is a 50 metre raised intact pond of slum. The slum pond’s embankment is visible from Fiddlers Track.

Site 97.2. Puddler. Puddler. On the east side of Fiddlers Track is a long breached embankment. On the eastern end of the dam’s embankment is a poorly preserved puddler. There is also another breached embankment a little way up the gully on the other side of Fiddlers Track. The puddler associated with this embankment has been obliterated.

Site 97.3. Puddler. Puddler. On Freehold Land, east of Fiddlers Creek Track (near the boundary fence with the Historic Reserve) is another very weathered puddler. The puddler is located on the southern end of the dam’s embankment and it is still possible to distinguish the inner mound from the puddling trench. The puddler’s pivot post is not visible, no slabbing survives and most of the wash has been quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, but together the sites certainly document how puddlers tended to be concentrated on rich leads.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have:

Historical Significance. The sites are associated with the gold diggings which were responsible for the establishment of the township of Percydale.

Cumulative significance. The sites form a network which illustrates the extensive nature of puddling. The focal point of the network is Site 97.0 which has two relatively well preserved puddlers.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870

260 Fiddlers Creek Lead

6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1871

261 Donkey Hill Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 98.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: DONKEY HILL LEAD, PERCYDALE

HI NO: H7523-0017

DIRECTIONS: Donkey Lead is located 10.8 kms from Avoca, on Freehold Land, 1.0 kms north of Donkey Hill. The lead crosses Fiddlers Track

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1870. There has been a small rush to the neighbourhood of Donkey Hill, but it does not appear to be 1 turning out well.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 98.0. Donkey Lead. (Lead rushed in 1870, extension of the Fiddlers Creek Rush). Shallow alluvial. Curving wide band of undisturbed shallow sinkings (small white mounds and shaft depressions). No puddlers associated with the workings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Workings are undisturbed and as they occur on grazed land and are very visible.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Cumulative significance. The old diggings run through open grazed country and so the holes are very evocative and clearly define the course of the lead.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870

262 Sardine Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 99.0 PUDDLER (1) 99.1 PUDDLER (2)

LOCATION: SARDINE LEAD

HI NO: 99.0 H7523-0018 99.1 H7523-0019

DIRECTIONS: Puddlers are located 12.0 kms north-west of Avoca, south of junction of Farnsworth and Sardine Tracks

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

September 1871. Within the last week or two a considerable rush has set in to Raggedy Gully, a gully about three or four miles westerly of Percydale. This gully has, I believe, been opened many years, but has never attracted more than a very small number of miners until now. The sinking is from 25 to 60 feet, and dry. The average prospect, from 4 to 8 dwts. In quartz mining … there is not much being done. This is doubtless due to a want of capital for the proper testing of the mines, and not to the want of payable reefs. Messrs Clapperton have not long completed the erection of machinery of their lease at Fiddler’s Creek. This is the only quartz mine in the subdivision on which there is steam machinery.

Mining Surveyor’s Office Avoca, 21st October, 1871 SIR, I have the honour to report that the rush to Raggedy Gully, alluded to in my last quarterly report, is still progressing, and the number of miners and others, at the present time, I think, be less than one thousand. This goldfield is situated partly in a gully (trending NNW) and partly on a flat almost entirely surrounded by hills (spurs of the Pyrenees), the only outlet, about half a mile north-east, through which Middle Creek runs, being that on to the Warrenmang Flats. It is between three and four miles south-easterly of Moonambel, and about the same distance westerly of Percydale, with both of which places there is easy communication. The nearest gold workings of importance are those of Donkey Hill, about one and a half or two miles east. The Old lead (which as been opened many years) is situated towards the head of the gully, and is about half a mile long. It is still being worked by a few. The sinking here is from 20 to 25 feet and dry, though shingle, gravel, and sandy clay. The gold is found in a kind of rough sandstone wash. Several small nuggets have been obtained here. The new lead which is about one mile in length, as worked over, runs close to and almost parallel to the old lead (which is probably a tributary of the former), as shown on accompanying sketch, for about two or three hundred yards. The prospectors of the old lead have a claim at the head of this. They are obtaining gold from 4 to 6 feet from the surface. The strata are surface soil, gravel, red clay, and white wash-dirt, with flat sandstone boulders; seventeen loads have averaged 11 dwts per load. At Messrs Duffy’s claim, near the supposed junction of the two leads, the depth of sinking is 38 feet. There are two kinds of wash-dirt here, white and yellow, 5 feet in thickness. The former averages 6 dwts, the latter 3 dwts. Just below this the sinking is 45 feet and the average yield 4 dwts. About 200 yards further down the sinking is 52 feet, through coarse shingle 15 feet, blue and red clay 30 feet, cement 6 feet, on to a yellow wash-dirt. This is about 3 feet thick and yields from 4 to 5 dwts. About half a mile from the head of the lead the prospects improve, after crossing a gully formed by a low spur which intersects the lead at this point; a hole was sunk here, and half an ounce got off the bottom—the average yield being from 7 to 8 dwts. The lead is four or five claims wide here, or from 240 to 300 feet, the thickness 1 foot 6 inches, depth of sinking 68 feet and dry, through single, a great body (50 feet) of ref clay and close gravel. Towards the lower end the depth of sinking is 72 feet … up to this point the sinking is very dry; very little is yet known beyond. One or two holes have been sunk and bottomed at about 90 feet within the last few days, and the sinking has, I believe, become wet. The prospects are not so good as expected. It is noticeable, however, throughout this rush that no very extraordinary finds have been made (the earliest average from 7 to 10 dwts), and the cause of the rush seems to have been more the certainty of obtaining something payable, than anything so attractive, say, as the yields of the Prospectors’ and a few other claims at Sandy Creek. The gold is of a rough quality; £3 10s is given for it on the ground. There are quartz reefs on the prominent spurs which form Raggedy Gully, particularly on those to the east, but judging from surface appearances (none have yet been worked) they are not promising. The nearest payable quartz reefs are at Donkey Hill.

263 Sardine Lead

There are nine or ten stores erected, and several more in course of erection. I do not think there are more than 300 Europeans, but there are from 700 to 900 Chinese who are almost monopolising the lower end of the lead. This result is doubtless due to their untiring energy. No sooner is a hole, say 70 feet sunk, which proves profitless, than they set to work at another, and are, in the end, apparently successful. Water is scarce at present, although a dam on the main Middle Creek, which runs past the end of the lead, not quite half a mile from same, might, if the season were propitious, soon, I think, remedy this evil. As regards the probable permanency of this goldfield. The success attending those who are working in Raggedy Gully has turned the attention of miners again to Sardine Gully, in which gold was found some years ago, and which is immediately to the east and almost parallel to the former. I have not yet heard of the result of the prospecting. Opposed to these two gullies is the only opening (alluded to above) in the ranges by which not only they, but country for six or seven miles to the west, including the Middle Creek goldfield, is almost entirely enclosed. Beyond this opening, about half a mile across perhaps, are the extensive Warrenmang Flats. Although the average yield up to the present time is not high, I cannot help thinking, from the formation of the country, that this rush is the most promising which has taken place in this district since the discovery of gold at Fiddler’s Creek. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, P. Simpson, Mining Surveyor 1 The Honourable the Minister of Mines, Melbourne.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Sardine Gully Rush. Part of the Raggedy Creek Rush in 1871. Weathered nature of puddlers suggests they all operated during the nineteenth century.

Site 99.0. Puddler. Puddler. Located on the eastern end of a breached embankment is a well defined 22 ft diameter puddler. The puddler’s inner mound is pronounced and the puddling trench is deep with sheer sides. The pivot post is not visible and no slabbing survives. Most of the associated bank of wash has been quarried. In some places the quarrying has come within a metre of the puddling trench.

Site 99.1. Puddler. Puddler. A 100 metres up the gully (south) of Site 99.0 is another low embankment and puddler. The puddler is slightly smaller (20 ft diameter) but is in a similar condition to its neighbour. There is a small raised pond of slum below the puddler.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Both puddlers are in relatively good condition despite extensive quarrying of the wash.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have some Cumulative Significance. Although fairly weathered, the sites do help illustrate the extensive nature of puddling.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871

264 Raggedy Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 100.0 ALLUVIAL SHAFTS/PADDOCKS 100.1 PUDDLER 100.2 PUDDLER 100.3 PUDDLER 100.4 PUDDLER

LOCATION: RAGGEDY LEAD, PERCYDALE

VHR NO: H1240 (ALL SITES)

HI NO: 100.0 H7523-0020 100.1 H7523-0021 100.2 H7523-0022 100.3 H7523-0023 100.4 H7523-0024

DIRECTIONS: Raggedy Lead is located 12.2 kms north-west of Avoca. The lead crosses Farnsworth Track 1.0 kms from its junction with Sardine Track

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

265 Raggedy Lead as expected. It is noticeable, however, throughout this rush that no very extraordinary finds have been made (the earliest average from 7 to 10 dwts), and the cause of the rush seems to have been more the certainty of obtaining something payable, than anything so attractive, say, as the yields of the Prospectors’ and a few other claims at Sandy Creek. The gold is of a rough quality; £3 10s is given for it on the ground. There are quartz reefs on the prominent spurs which form Raggedy Gully, particularly on those to the east, but judging from surface appearances (none have yet been worked) they are not promising. The nearest payable quartz reefs are at Donkey Hill. There are nine or ten stores erected, and several more in course of erection. I do not think there are more than 300 Europeans, but there are from 700 to 900 Chinese who are almost monopolising the lower end of the lead. This result is doubtless due to their untiring energy. No sooner is a hole, say 70 feet sunk, which proves profitless, than they set to work at another, and are, in the end, apparently successful. Water is scarce at present, although a dam on the main Middle Creek, which runs past the end of the lead, not quite half a mile from same, might, if the season were propitious, soon, I think, remedy this evil. As regards the probable permanency of this goldfield. The success attending those who are working in Raggedy Gully has turned the attention of miners again to Sardine Gully, in which gold was found some years ago, and which is immediately to the east and almost parallel to the former. I have not yet heard of the result of the prospecting. Opposed to these two gullies is the only opening (alluded to above) in the ranges by which not only they, but country for six or seven miles to the west, including the Middle Creek goldfield, is almost entirely enclosed. Beyond this opening, about half a mile across perhaps, are the extensive Warrenmang Flats. Although the average yield up to the present time is not high, I cannot help thinking, from the formation of the country, that this rush is the most promising which has taken place in this district since the discovery of gold at Fiddler’s Creek. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, P. Simpson, Mining Surveyor 1 The Honourable the Minister of Mines, Melbourne.

Raggedy Gully Goldfield and Chinses Gardens. Notes given to Rob Brouwers, CNR Ranger. The goldfield is situated partly in a gully trending N.N.W. and partly on a flat surrounded by hills or spurs of the Pyrenees Range. The only outlet 1/2 mile N.E. through which Middle Creek runs, being that on the Warrenmang Flats. It is between three and four miles S.E. of Moonambel and about the same distance west of Percydale, with both of these places easily accessible. It was stated by Mr. G.P.Smith that Henry Nicholls and J. Walters were the original prospectors of this goldfield. 7/10/1871, by courtesy of the Avoca Mail. Raggedy Rush lead has been taken up for about a mile in length and is 3 or 4 chains wide and approx. 11 miles N.W. of Avoca. Population numbers over 1,000 14/10/1871. History of this area goes back to approx. 1850 when it was estimated that the Chinese population was 3,000 all working on the goldfield. The Chinese Gardens started between 1850-1871. There were 13 Chinese shanty’s surrounding the gardens. The only access to Moonambel where they went for their stores was by the “Chinese Bridge”. The “Chinese Bridge” was a fallen tree, with the top section flattened and this was situated in Mr. Arthur Barnes paddock. “The Chinamans Dam” is situated in Mr. Ken Williams paddock. This dam was made to water the gardens. There are still fruit trees planted in Mr Ken Williams paddock planted by the Chinese. A hospital was erected during the Raggedy Rush but no evidence of this, or the Hotel in Mr Jack Hardy’s paddock can be seen today. A church was erected on the Raggedy Diggings in approx. 1871. It consisted of one room and a porch. It was built of hard wood with a pine ceiling. Later it became the “Raggedy Diggings Common School”. As the gold petered out in the diggings so did the pupils dwindle in numbers and in approx. 1876 the building was shifted about four miles N.E. by a bullock team to “Kimberly Parish”, Parish of Warrenmang, County of Kara Kara. The school remained for 39 years and again as the numbers of pupils grew less it was necessary to shift the school. In May 1915 the old building was moved by a traction engine and jinker owned and operated by Mr. G. Walkly to a site N.E. 2 miles to Tanwood. The school remained on this site for 52 years. ______

Information received from Mr. Clive Punton, Tanwood; Mr Walker Miles, and Mr Arthur Barnes of Warrenmang, the Mines Dept of Vic and Education Dept. Records and the Avoca Mail. Compiled by Fay Peck of Avoca. ______

266 Raggedy Lead

Rock formations near mines are known as ore paddocks

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 100.0. Raggedy Lead workings (Main rush was in 1871). Deep alluvial. Line of relatively deep sinkings--shaft depressions and partly bulldozed small heaps. Shallow alluvial. The line of deep workings ends at a gully which contains a wide band of fairly intense shallow sinkings. The shallow workings run for approximately 1.5 kms in a southerly direction and form a most unusual landscape because a lot of the shafts have small stone-retained mullock paddocks. Associated with the workings are several house sites and puddlers (Sites 100.1 to 100.3) and a couple of fruit trees. The stone retaining around the shafts probably to do with water management.

Site 100.1. Puddlers. Puddler. At the junction of the deep and shallow workings is a massive bank of wash. Associated with this wash is a long breached embankment. On the south end of the embankment is a very weathered puddler. On the north end of the embankment is a less weathered 20 ft diameter puddler. It is still possible to distinguish the puddling trench from the inner mound. The inner mound has an unusually large pivot post (1-3/4ft diameter) but no slabbing survives.

Site 100.2. Puddler. Puddler. To the south of Site 100.1 the gully divides into two channels. At the head of the western channel, approximately 1.1 kms from Site 100.1 is another 20 ft diameter weathered puddler. This puddler is located at the northern end of a breached embankment and still retains its pivot post. No slabbing survives and some of the wash has been quarried. The puddler is obscured by a small tree and some fallen branches.

Site 100.3. Puddler. Puddler. Another weathered puddler is located near where the gully divides into two channels. The puddler is associated with a breached embankment and is of similar size and condition to the other two. Unlike the other two puddlers there is no sign of the pivot post. This puddler is associated with an intact six metre wide bank of wash.

Site 100.4. Puddler. Puddler. Located on the north side of Farnsworth Track is another long breached embankment and weathered puddler. This puddler is associated with two large, partly quarried, banks of wash. The puddler has been partly buried and a portion of its mound has been quarried. There is no pivot post visible and no slabbing survives.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: A most unusual alluvial landscape.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sits have: Historical Significance. The sites are associated with Percydales’ (Fiddlers Creek) last great gold rush.

Scientific Significance. A rare shallow alluvial landscape which may be an example of an original goldfield, that is, one that has not been re-worked.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Victorian Heritage Register. Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1871

267 Hampshire Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 101.0 REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: HAMPSHIRE REEF, PERCYDALE

HI NO: H7523-0025

DIRECTIONS: 5.1 kms west of Avoca, north of Sugarloaf Lane

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1876. Quartz mining is improving. Since last report, a reef, which has been abandoned for years, and known as the Hampshire Reef, has been taken up by a party of six men, who, with a portable engine driving six heads of stampers, have been securing payable returns. The reef, 10 feet from the surface, is fully 16 feet thick, and, with the 2 facilities for working it at a small expense, each man realises £6 per week.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 101.0. Hampshire Reef. (One reference found shows the reef was being worked in 1868. Another shows that a battery was erected in 1876. Like most Fiddlers Creek reefs the main period of working would have been the 1870s). Reef workings. Parallel lines of reef workings--bulldozed mullock heaps and filled shafts and one large open cut. The open cut has been completely filled in. Battery site. In the gully below the open cut is a large water dam. Near the dam is a small tailings dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1876

268 Number One Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 102.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: NUMBER ONE LEAD

HI NO: H7523-0026

DIRECTIONS: The centre of Number One Lead is located 5.0 km south-west of Avoca. The lead crosses Levers Track

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1866. An alluvial prospecting claim was registered within the last month, of 200 feet x 200 feet, in a locality which might eventually prove to be quite a new gold field, the locus-in-quo being the top of the Pyrenees ranges, near the source of No. 1 Creek; the prospect obtained was 5 oz of nuggets, no dirt being washed, in 15 feet sinking. About 30 miners are at work upon the ground, but in the absence of water to wash with it has somewhat subsided. The prospectors promised to let me know should there be likely to be a rush of any consequence or population demanding a special report. The other outlying portions of my subdivision are steadily progressing. In alluvial mining, all the 1 puddling mills are now at work.

March 1869. AVOCA SUBDIVISION Mining in this division has been very much retarded from want of water. The new rush at Fiddler’s Creek, being particularly affected by the long continued drought, large piles of wash-dirt have been raised and stacked, and the value of their contents is only now obtaining solution. A heavy fall of rain occurred on the evening of Tuesday, the 30th march, and continued without intermission for twenty-four hours. The whole of the reservoirs were filled to overflowing, and the alluvial miners are busy washing up. Some of the returns, I am informed, have exceeded the expectations of the claimholders; and there is every prospect that the operations of the ensuing quarter will considerably increase the amount of gold obtained in this division. Quartz mining at Fiddler’s Creek is gradually progressing, a considerable amount of prospecting being carried on, an injunction having been issued against Whiteman and Party to stop work, less gold has been obtained from their claim than was anticipated. The prospectors (Wright and Party) on the London Reef, Amphitheatre, have a considerable quantity of good-looking stone raised and ready for crushing; the width of stone in this reef is about 5 feet. Since writing the above I have ascertained that, from the claim of Gunn and Party at Fiddler’s Creek, sixteen loads of wash-dirt yielded one oz to the load, whilst during the quarter a 10-oz nugget was obtained. The wash-dirt in this claim averages from 18 inches to 3 feet in thickness. The lead on which this claim is situate is almost entirely occupied by Chinese, from whom it is very difficult to obtain information. They have marked out a new lead nearly parallel with the old one. Claims on this new lead are selling 2 for from £20 to £40 (unworked). In every instance the purchasers are Chinese.

June 1869. AVOCA SUBDIVISION The alluvial rush to Fiddler’s Creek still continues; there are now fully 2,000 Chinese on the ground, and 400 Europeans. The lead has now been traced for a distance of two miles, and shepherded still farther. The sinking is from 108 to 130 feet, through layers of ferruginous clays, quartzose gravels, and wash-dirt, resting on pipeclay bottom. The sinking is dry; the wash-dirt varies in depth from 3 to 8 feet. The width of the lead is from 200 to 300 feet; the yield of gold from 4 dwts to 1 oz. There are now erected thirty-five puddling machines, three whims, and thirty horse whips. The late heavy rains have given a considerable impetus to mining operations, most of the dams being fairly supplied. The principal claims are in the hands of the Chinese population, they having purchased most of the European claims. There is every probability that this will prove a good winter diggings, and a great likelihood of the lead being traced, perhaps, to a junction with the old Avoca Lead. There are twenty-five stores, including five butchers’ shops, drapery stores, &c; there are also two public-houses. In the Chinese quarter there are about thirty stores, a joss-house, and several places of amusement. The inspector of police selected a site for police camp, about a fortnight since; it is now in course of erection. A schoolhouse is also being built, and the place is assuming an air of permanency. In addition to alluvial mining, I may state that in this locality quartz mining is being prosecuted vigorously; the average yield is nearly 12 dwts to the ton. The quantity as 3 yet procured is small, owing to the few employed in that branch of mining.

269 Number One Lead

September 1869. In alluvial mining Fiddler’s Creek still continues to employ a large number of miners, chiefly Chinese. Many thousands of loads of wash-dirt are now on the surface, but puddling operations have been greatly impeded, and at the present time totally suspended, owing to the dryness of the season. As far as I have been able to learn, the yields from the upper end of the lead have been about 1 oz to the load; at the lower end the yield is about 4 4 dwts per load. I believe an average yield of 8 or 9 dwts is expected.

September 1870. The miners at Fiddler’s Creek are tracing the lead into deep ground, which is expected to yield well. At No. 2 Creek mining is still carried on with good results, although the wet weather has been a great drawback. There has been a small rush to the neighbourhood of Donkey Hill, but it does not appear to be turning out well. Within the last few days a new rush has set in to Yorkie’s Gully (a tributary of No. 1 Creek); several holes have been bottomed, the average depth of sinking about 20 feet, the strata passed through consisting chiefly of hard cement; one 5 party obtained 1 dwt 14 grs from twelve buckets, another obtained 1/4 dwt from a tin dish.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 102.0. Number One Lead. (Rushed in 1866 and would have been re-worked during the Fiddlers Creek Rush in 1869). Alluvial workings. To the north of Levers Lane is a wide band of shallow sinkings. The sinkings appear to be relatively undisturbed but are obscured by high grass. The situation on the other side of Levers Lane is completely different. The land has been grazed bare and the sinkings are very visible and evocative. The starkness of the shallow workings is compounded by the presence of lots of dead tree stumps. Sluicing. The two patches of workings described above are separated by an area of land devoid of shallow sinkings. The presence of some large sand dumps suggests that it may have been sluiced or dredged.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The shallow sinkings south of Levers Land are particularly evocative and stark.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The workings are associated with one of Avoca’s early gold rushes.

Cumulative significance. The old diggings are well defined, highly visible and form a most dramatic landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1866 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1869 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870

270 Madame Hopkins Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 103.0 NEW MADAME HOPKINS GOLD MINING COMPANY

LOCATION: MADAME HOPKINS LEAD, BUNG BONG

HI NO: H7623-0213

DIRECTIONS: 8.6 kms north-east of Avoca, immediately north of Homebush-Maryborough Road

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

Madame Hopkins, Bung Bong. A.M Howitt. There is only one shaft, in which work was suspended many years ago, at a depth of 212 feet on account of meeting 1 with heavy water and much drift.

1892. The Shire of Tullaroop Council was invited to attend the ceremony of turning the first sod at the Hopkins 2 Company mine, Bung Bong in September 1892.

1899. THE MADAME HOPKINS LEAD. Immediately to the north-east of the Working Miners’ there is a large holding of 4300 acres, which is in course of flotation on the London market, Mr A.E. Langford having taken it home with that object in view; and south of this property is the New Madame Hopkins, an English and colonial-owned company, from which much is expected. Through this leasehold flows an almost untried deep lead, extending from Mount Mitchell, Caralulup, and Lillicur. It has been thoroughly tested by diamond-drill bores, and the results have been most satisfactory. The New Madame Hopkins has an excellent main shaft on the eastern side of the most northerly line of bores, and a splendid plant is now in course of erection. A branch line from the Maryborough and Avoca railway, which runs through the property, is being constructed for facilitating this work. By the bores a 3 channel over 1500 feet in width was proven.

1899. The Madame Hopkins mine at Bung Bong put down a well timbered shaft 18’ x 10’6” to 212 feet. In 1899 the company was advanced £4,000 from the Mines Department to erect machinery and carry out driving. While 4 attempting to sink the shaft to 400 feet a lot of drift sand and water was struck so all hands were put off.

1900. New Madame Hopkins G. M. Co. Extracts from MD File No. 139. The original Madame Hopkins Co. sunk a well timbered shaft 18 ft x 10-1/2 ft to a depth of 212 feet. In October 1899, the Mines Department advanced the company (New Madame Hopkins) £4,000 for the purpose of erecting machinery, shaft, sinking and driving. 15 June 1900. The manager reported. When the company was formed it was estimated that the amount would be more than sufficient to sink the shaft to the required depth, about 400 feet. The company has erected powerful and up to date machinery and a 22 inch lift placed in the shaft which is down 205 feet; reliance was placed in a bore put down in the bottom of the shaft by a former company and reported to be bottomed at 29 feet. It was thought that there would be no further difficulty in bottoming the shaft, especially as the coming water from the bore was easing off considerably; to make doubly certain the present manager put the rods down the borehole when the water came away very strongly. Not being satisfied with this bore was bottomed, the manager decided to put down a second bore 5 in the bottom of the shaft which is now down 54 feet.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 10.3.0. Madame Hopkins Lead. (Machinery plant erected c.1899). Shaft. Open (fenced) shaft. Bob-pits. On the south side of the shaft are two adjoining brick bob-pits. Each bob-pit measures 40 ft x 10 ft and have1-3/4 ft thick wall. The bob-pits are separated by a 5 ft baulk and both contain well preserved large wooden bearers. One wall of the western bob-pit has collapsed.

271 Madame Hopkins Lead

Engine foundations. At the rear of the two bob-pits is a large brick mounting bed that measures 42 ft x 13 ft and which stands 8 ft high. The bricks are machine-made and have a single frog. On the eastern side of the mounting bed is a drum pit which measures 14 ft x 5-1/2 ft. Boiler settings. Nine metres from the rear (south) of the large mounting bed are two concrete boiler settings. Each boiler setting is approximately 25 ft x 8 ft with 2 ft thick walls.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Brick machinery foundations in good condition, concrete boiler settings are beginning to deteriorate. The presence of double bob-pits is an unusual feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site has relics illustrating the operation of a turn of the century deep lead mine. It has an unusual feature in two adjoining bob-pits.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Geological Survey of Victoria, Memoir No. 7, p.588 2 Barabara Willis, Footprints, A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, 1988, pp35-36 3 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8 4 Barabara Willis, Footprints, A History of the Shire of Tullaroop, 1988, pp35-36 5 Mining Development Report, No 139, p588

272 Homebush Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 104.0 DEEP LEAD MINE

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7523-0027

DIRECTIONS: Homebush, 6.5 kms north-east of Avoca, corner of Lower Homebush Road and Avoca-Dunolly Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Main period of deep lead mining at Homebush was during the 1870s and 1880s. The peak production period was from 1877 to mid 1880s.

Site 104.0. Deep Lead mine. Mullock heap. Remnant of mullock heap. No machinery foundations.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

273 Homebush Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 105.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS 105.1 PUDDLER

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD

HI NO: 105.0 H7623-0215 105.1 H7623-0216

DIRECTIONS: Centre of Homebush Lead is located 6.8 kms north-east of Avoca. Site 105.0. Homebush Lead runs along the north side of Lower Homebush Road, between Bung Bong Road and Avoca-Dunolly Road. Site 105.1. Located on west side of dam, corner of Lower Homebush and Avoca- Dunolly Road, east side of Avoca-Dunolly Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1860. I beg to transmit plan of the present workings, with sections of strata to the schist formation of Four Mile Flat, or the more recent nomenclature of “Homebush”. The miners on this working, collectively, are doing well, and besides those engaged upon the Main Lead, numbers are scattered in the various adjacent gullies, where the sinking is shallow, and who also, it may safely be assumed from appearances, are making a good living … My impression is, that the run of gold will adhere to (what is prevalent in the whole of this district) the southern reef, diverging considerably in its present course, with the probability of trending near to where I have surveyed and laid 1 off streets for business purposes forming the present township of Homebush.

March 1864. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 650; Homebush, 200; Mountain Hut, 185; 2 Amphitheatre, 285; Green Hill Creek, 50; Lamplough, 160; No. 1 Creek, 45; Fiddler’s Creek, 30; Total, 1,605

September 1864. The Star Company (Homebush) is erecting machinery, and will be ready to commence mining operations in a short time. Several other applications under the Leasing Regulations are about being made for ground in this locality. I have no doubt that the continuation of the Four-mile Flat Lead will be found payable in the wet ground, and should one of these companies succeed, there are several miles of this ground equally attractive and yet 3 untried.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Four Mile Flat (or Homebush Lead) opened in 1860. Deep lead mining commenced c. 1864 (Star Company). Weathered nature of the puddler would indicate that it operated during the nineteenth century.

Site 105.0. Homebush Lead. Alluvial workings. Although Homebush Lead runs quite close to Lower Homebush Road there is very little to see.

Site 105.1. Puddler. Puddler. On the north-west corner of a small dam is a very weathered puddler which is associated with a large bank of wash. The puddler’s pivot post is not visible and no slabbing survives. To the north of the puddler is a small block of Crown Land which contains some badly disturbed shallow alluvial workings.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 105.0 has: Historical Significance. The first gold at Homebush was recovered from this lead.

Site 105.1 has little integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

274 Homebush Lead

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1860 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864

275 Homebush Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 106.0 DEEP LEAD MINE (ASSOCIATION LEASE NO. 1)

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0217

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. The mine site is located 6.8 kms north-east of Avoca, on the west side of Avoca-Dunolly Road, 350 metres north of the junction with Lower Homebush Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Crown Land

HISTORY:

December 1883. In alluvial mining, a promising rich lead has been discovered in Fryingpan Flat, on the western side 1 of the Homebush workings.

June 1884. The Association Company, Fryingpan Lead, have just bottomed their shaft at a depth of 97 feet, and will 2 commence to open out without delay.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 106.0. Deep Lead mine (Part of Association lease). Mine appears to have worked during the mid 1880s. Mullock heap. On a small block of Crown Land is a large dam. On the west side of the dam are the remains of a once large mullock heap. Also remnants of sand and pebble dumps. No machinery foundations or cyanide vats.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884

276 Homebush Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 107.0 DEEP LEAD MINE (ASSOCIATION LEASE NO. 2)

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0218

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. The mine site is located 7.0 km north-east of Avoca, west side of Avoca- Dunolly Road, between Fields Lower Homebush Road and Rathscar Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

December 1883. In alluvial mining, a promising rich lead has been discovered in Fryingpan Flat, on the western side 1 of the Homebush workings.

June 1884. The Association Company, Fryingpan Lead, has just bottomed the shaft at a depth of 97 feet, and will 2 commence to open out without delay.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 107.0. Deep Lead mine (Part of the Association lease). Mine appears to have worked during the mid 1880s. Mullock heap. Raised intact mullock heap. No machinery foundations or pebble dump. The heap is located in north-east corner of a grazed paddock.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: No machinery foundations survive, mullock heap is a landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity but has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884

277 Working Miners Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 108.0 WORKING MINERS COMPANY

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0219

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. 8.1 kms north-east of Avoca, corner of Rathscar West and Avoca- Dunolly Roads.

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1870. The Golden Lake Company, Homebush, have been obtaining better yields, and it is now thought 1 that they have struck payable ground.

December 1870. The success of the Golden Lake Company is having its effect, and I think, before long, there will be 2 great improvement in mining matters here.

September 1872. The Band and Lake Company, Homebush Lead, is energetically prosecuting the work of erecting winding and pumping machinery. This will be included in next quarter’s table. They have just begun to sink their 3 main shaft. I regret to state that work is again suspended on the Golden Lake Company’s leases.

December 1872. At the Band and Lake Company's claim, Homebush, the erection of winding and pumping machinery has been completed. Their main shaft has been sunk to a depth of 190 feet. They are now driving west to strike the lead; water light. No work has been done on the Golden Lake Company’s claim this quarter. The sale of the leases and mining plant is 4 contemplated. The distance of the main shaft from the workings has militated against the success of this company.

June 1873. Band and Lake Company’s claim, Homebush. I have been disappointed of the manager’s return, and so am unable to speak of the present prospects of this mine. They have, I believe, been engaged in prospecting unsuccessfully for the lead until very lately. 5 Work has not yet been resumed on the Homebush (late the Golden Lake) Company’s ground.

December 1873. The Band and Lake Company, Homebush, is applying for a reduced area over the leased ground, 6 preparatory to renewing work. The Homebush Company is removing their machinery to the new site of main shaft.

December 1875. In alluvial mining general dullness has prevailed during the quarter. Only at the Homebush have any signs of animation appeared, where a fresh lease is applied for, in order to trace northerly the course of the lost lead in 7 this goldfield.

March 1876. In the alluvial mining, Homebush is the only portion of the division engaging attention. Three leases 8 have been applied for, on the supposed course of the lead.

September 1876. At Homebush, in the claim of the “Working Miners”, 680 feet of the old drive in the deep level have 9 been cleared out, and fresh timbers supplied where required; the driving continues still westerly.

June 1877. Previous to the recent rains, alluvial mining was nearly suspended in the different old workings. At Homebush, in the Working Miners’ claim, at a depth of 170 feet and 900 feet from the main shaft, the lead is now 10 defined, and is 165 feet wide.

December 1877. In alluvial mining Homebush is the only place at present engaging attention. In the Working Miners’ claim the rich character of the ground in a northerly direction has been thoroughly proved, and attention is being directed southerly, where the wash-dirt is also 3 feet chick, and averages 18 oz to the machine. During the quarter 1,381 oz have been obtained out of this claim. On the north side boring has recently been carried on to ascertain the direction of the deep ground. The ground lately taken up on the Rutherford Creek, where the Lamplough old lead had

278 Working Miners Company been lost, has not yet been successfully worked, principally on account of ineffective machinery. In the old leads in 11 the division a general dullness has prevailed, consequent on the unusual scarcity of water.

March 1878. Mining generally has been very dull during the quarter; even Homebush, with its well-defined lead, has been very quiet. The lead has not been yet traced beyond the boundaries of the Working Miners’ claim, but the wash at present in a northerly direction is reported as being “very heavy and the best yet seen in the mine”. On the north side, in the Homebush Company’s claim, the bores have reached a depth of 158 feet, with no indication to the bed 12 rock.

June 1879. Homebush is the only portion of the division deserving special mention. From the Working Miners’ claim 1,524 oz have been obtained during the quarter. The Homebush Company, adjoining the Working Miners, are engaged erecting machinery to work their ground. On the south end of the Working Miners’ claim a party of miners have taken up 12 acres under the bye-laws, and 13 have commenced operations.

September 1879. Homebush, however, is the principal goldfield; there the Working Miners claim for the last three months turned out 5,760 tons of wash-dirt, realising 2,323 oz. Now that the Homebush lead is well defined, and as there is no longer any doubt as to its rich character, five additional new leases, comprising an area of about 1,000 acres, have been applied for. A valuable plant has been erected on the ground of the Homebush Company, and the sinking of the main shaft is being actively carried out. The fortunate shareholders in the Working Miners have during 14 the quarter received £3,450 in dividends.

March 1880. Homebush continues to be the principal mining centre, the average width of the lead there being 150 feet at a depth of 165 feet. During the quarter 2,961 oz 7 dwts of gold have been obtained from the Working Miners’ claim. Shafts in the adjacent claims are being sunk, and much anxiety is evinced as to the course of the lead northerly. 15 There is nothing of moment to note in the other sections of the subdivision.

June 1880. In this subdivision the Working Miners’ claim at Homebush is the only mine at present calling for special mention. The richness of the yields remains uninterrupted, 3,437 oz 5 dwts 21 grs of gold having been obtained during the quarter. A new plant, costing £1,350, has been procured for erection on the company’s ground northerly, about 1,500 feet from the present workings. On the north-east side of the Working Miners is the Homebush claim, in 16 which, after much trouble, the ground is now being opened out.

June 1881. In alluvial mining, operations during the quarter have been progressing favourably; from the Homebush Lead the yields continue, as usual, most satisfactory. The extensive flat is still being prospected by boring in a northerly direction; and from the depth of the deep ground recently ascertained in the ground of the New Homebush Consols, it is very probable that the course of two leads will be discovered in this locality. The New North 17 Homebush Company has been busy erecting expensive machinery.

September 1881. There has been during the quarter an unusual stir caused by mining speculators securing large areas for mining purposes in different sections of this subdivision. In alluvial mining the Working Miners continues, as usual, to prove very remunerative; the amalgamation recently brought about with the Homebush United Company, it 18 is thought, will greatly facilitate the thorough working of the lead.

December 1881. The Working Miners United, at Homebush, continue to occupy a foremost position, having realised during the quarter the handsome result of 2,134 oz of gold, which have been sold in Maryborough, and therefore not credited to the proper division. The course of the lead northerly, in this locality, has not yet been satisfactorily 19 defined, and will remain doubtful until some of the shafts now being sunk in that direction shall be bottomed.

March 1882. From the only two mines at present on gold in the vicinity of Homebush the following yields have been 20 obtained during the quarter: the Working Miners United, 3,982 oz; The Old Working Miners, 1,192 oz.

June 1882. The North Homebush Company, having increased their capital, are engaged in boring for a suitable site for a new shaft. The Working Miners United Company continue to give satisfactory yields, 3,800 oz 19 dwts having 21 been obtained during the quarter; while 1,062 oz were realised from the Old Working Miners ground.

September 1882. In alluvial mining one of the principal items of interest is that the Golden Stream Company is engaged “cutting down” the shaft, and up to the present are making very satisfactory progress. The Working Miners No. 2 have been engaged in boring operations, and a contract has been let for the sinking of the new shaft for the

279 Working Miners Company

North Homebush Company. The following yields have been obtained from the claims on gold: Working Miners 22 United Company, 2,624 oz; Old Working Miners Company, 1,108.

280 Working Miners Company

March 1883. In alluvial mining the most important item of interest during the quarter is the fact of the New North Homebush Company having succeeded in sinking their shaft to the bed rock, a depth of about 213 feet through five different layers of clay, rock, and drift. Preparations are being made to sink a new shaft close up to the one just bottomed; dimensions in the clear through clay and rock 13; 6: x 13; 1:, thence to bed rock with iron cylinders 8’ 6” in diameter. Further north in this flat another shaft is being sunk through similar strata, and present appearances are in 23 favour of the deep ground being traced in a north-easterly direction.

June 1883. The Working Miners United Company continues to work rich ground, although considerable difficulty is experienced on account of the character of the drift. 1,16 oz of gold has been obtained during the quarter. The New North Homebush Company is persevering with the shaft. On the western side of Homebush, in an area recently 24 taken up under lease in “Frying-pan Flat”, a rich find of alluvial gold has been lately made.

September 1883. At Homebush, on the western side in “Frying-pan Flat”, a new co-operative company has been started with very favourable prospects; recently, from two machines of wash-dirt, a prospect of 18 oz of gold was obtained. The Working Miners United Company have 122 men employed, but the water is still very heavy. Yield of gold for the quarter, 2,014 oz 18 dwt. 25 The Golden Stream Company employs 50 men; they recently “struck” rich wash-dirt; the water is troublesome.

December 1883. In alluvial mining, a promising rich lead has been discovered in Fryingpan Flat, on the western side of the Homebush workings. In driving across the lead, it was found to be over 60 feet wide, with sinking 110 feet deep, and wash-dirt 3 feet thick; the trial washings have yielded from 12 to 14 ounces of gold to the machine. The Working Miners’ United Company continues to obtain fair returns, and the New North Homebush Company has succeeded, after immense trouble, in safely finishing their celebrated iron shaft, and they are now in a position to drive 26 for the gutter.

June 1884. The Working Miners Company, at Homebush, has been as usual furnishing favourable returns, over 100 men being regularly employed. The Association Company, Fryingpan Lead, has just bottomed their shaft at a depth of 97 feet, and will commence to open out without delay. Prospects look better in the Golden Stream Company, and some enterprising miners have been securing the ground extending southerly, including the racecourse in that 27 locality.

March 1885. Although no dividends have been paid during the quarter in the United Working Miners’ claim, 28 Homebush, yet operations have been progressing favourably, the return of gold being 987 oz.

June 1885. The result this time from the Working Miners’ Company is, I regret to report, less than usual, as the reef drive is being pushed on with, and scarcely half the usual quantity of wash-dirt has been operated on. The 29 Association claim, at Fryingpan (near Homebush), has been let on tribute, and the party are sanguine of success.

December 1885. AVOCA DIVISION. In this division only the Working Miners and the Golden Stream Companies furnish regularly, as yet, any gold returns. The respective yields during the quarter show Working Miners, 1,952 oz 9 30 dwt, Golden Stream, 936 oz 7 dwt, or about 500 oz in excess of the yield for last quarter.

March 1886. The yields for this quarter in this division are not so satisfactory as those of previous quarters. A considerable reduction will be noticed in the return from the two principal mines, viz., the Working Miners’ United and the Golden Stream. The New North Homebush are engaged driving north, and are also extending the other drives. 31 During the last fortnight a few machines yielded over 18 oz of rougher gold than that previously obtained.

September 1886. In alluvial mining, the prospects of the Working Miner’s United look brighter than they have done for some time past. The yield this quarter is 1,168 oz, being larger than that for the last quarter, and generally the 32 future of the mine may be expected to be more satisfactory than was anticipated lately.

March 1887. In quartz mining in this division dullness still exists. In alluvial mining, however, I am glad to be able to report that the Working Miners United mine has yielded excellently this quarter, the return being 1,564 oz 19 dwt, as against 1,083 oz for the previous quarter. The yield has been obtained from a portion of the company’s property 2,000 feet in a north-easterly direction from the main shaft, and at a depth of about 190 feet. The New North Homebush Company’s operations have been confined to pumping lately, but, having been allotted £500 from the 33 prospecting grant, work will be immediately resumed.

281 Working Miners Company

September 1887. In alluvial mining at Homebush, in the ground of the Working Miners’ United Company, in the early part of the quarter, the prospects continued to improve in opening up the ground easterly; as much as three ounces of gold to the set of timber having been obtained. In the latter part of July, unfortunately, a breakage occurred 34 to the pumping engine, and, in consequence, the water rose.

282 Working Miners Company

December 1887. Homebush continues to occupy a premier position in this division, and from the recent amalgamation of the two principal claims there, namely, the “Working Miners” and the “New North Homebush”, to be known in future as the “Working Miners, Homebush”, considerable facility will be afforded in tracing the lead northerly. The south portion of the old Working Miners is at present let on tribute to 50 men, who are now actively employed in prosecuting their work. It is proposed to work the amalgamated claim from the shaft of the New North Homebush, and a main drive is started southerly from this shaft at a level of 250 feet to reach the ground left by the Working Miners at the time of the breakage. It is confidently expected that the Homebush lead will be traced north- easterly, close to Fitzgerald’s, at Wareek, where a diamond drill is now at work for the purpose of proving the course of the deep ground. A large area of 718 acres has been applied for northerly from the Working Miners, through which 35 it is believed the lead will be traced.

December 1887. New North Homebush GM Company, Homebush, Homebush lead; depth 257 feet, main driving to the north and east. This company has lately amalgamated with the United Miners’ Company. Had it not been assisted this mine would have been stopped; had it done so the mine next to it would have been compelled to do so 36 also, as the increased flow of water would have been too strong to cope with.

June 1888. Mining in both alluvial and quartz has been rather dull … In the Working Miners’ mine at Homebush, 37 operations have been confined to reef driving, and there is, therefore, no gold return from that claim for the quarter.

June 1888. The Working Miners’ Homebush Gold Mining Company, Homebush (alluvial), are main driving to reach the ground left by the United Miners’ Company, when the mine was flooded. The ground is known to be payable; good yields are expected; the shares are quoted at 9s each, 40,000. But for assistance from the Prospecting Vote this 38 company would have collapsed.

December 1888. For the present, mining is at a very low ebb in this division. No dividends are being paid, and the only alluvial mining (other than that carried on by the Golden Stream and the Working Miners’ Companies) is that 39 known generally as fossicking. There is, at present, absolutely no quartz mining.

June 1889. Excepting the Working Miners’ Company, at Homebush, no mine in this division can claim to have been 40 very successful in its operations during the past quarter.

September 1891. Prospecting drives have been carried on at the north end of the Working Miners’ Company’s mine through a very extensive field of wash, but the prospects have not been altogether satisfactory, although an improvement is expected as the work proceeds. A dividend of 6d per share was paid by this company during the quarter. The only other work being done in alluvial workings is by fossickers, who meet with very indifferent 41 returns.

1899. Some miles west of Maryborough we reach the Homebush Lead, and, closely adjoining, the Madame Hopkins line of country. The Homebush Lead has been worked from the shallow ground, until in the Working Miners’ Homebush Company it dipped underfoot, and further development was suspended until a new shaft was sunk. Four large companies have worked 9900 feet of the lead for a total gold yield of about 102,500 oz, valued at £410,000. The quantity of ground worked was 58,300 fathoms, yielding an average of 1 oz 15 dwt 4 gr per fathom. The capital called up by the companies was £52,000, and the amount paid in dividends £129,500. This lead is remarkable amongst deep alluvial channels in Victoria in this respect—it has carried from first to last a heavy run of nuggetty gold, pieces 50 oz to 100 oz having been frequently met, the general sample of the gold being of an exceptionally coarse character. When the wash-dirt dipped away in the last workings a blind shaft was sunk to test the dirt, and 11 dwt of rough gold obtained from a single bucket of dirt, showing that the lead maintains its auriferous character. This property is now held by a strong English and colonial syndicate, and boring is in progress to prove the outlet of the lead, about which there has been much discussion, but the results of the present boring and the general features of the Bet Bet Valley point conclusively to this being the outlet of the lead. It was strongly contended at one time that the lead flowed to the west of the Silurian ranges, immediately to the north of the property, near Natte Yallock, and joined the main Avoca lead running down the Avoca Valley, but the boring done by the syndicate, and the Government bores in the Bet Bet Valley, have shown that there is ground sufficient deep to allow of the Homebush lead running in that direction, and the water encountered in the western workings of the Grand Duke and North Duke mines points to the influx of a large feeder at this point. HOMEBUSH LEAD Working Miners’ Working Miners’ United 42 Working Miners’ Homebush. Total gold produced was £410,000

283 Working Miners Company

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 108.0. Working Miners Company. (Company commenced in 1876 became involved in a complex history of mining and amalgamations which ended with the Workers Miners’ Homebush Gold Mining Company in the late 1880s). Mullock heap. Large mullock heap with three long dumping lines. No machinery foundations and the sand/pebble dumps have been quarried.

284 Working Miners Company

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, more a landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. This mine pioneered Homebush’s most successful period of deep lead mining. The site is associated, through a complex history of amalgamations, with Homebush’s most successful deep lead mining. The site has poor integrity but its mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature and symbol.

Cumulative Value. The site is the focal point for the Homebush network of deep lead mines [Sites 108.0, 109.0, 110.0 and 110.0].

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1870 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1870 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1873 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1875 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1876 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1877 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1877 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1879 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1879 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 25 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 26 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 27 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884 28 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 29 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1885 30 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 31 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 32 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 33 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 34 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 35 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 36 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887, Appendix K 37 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 38 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 39 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888

285 Working Miners Company

40 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 41 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1891 42 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8

286 Working Miners United

SITE NO. & NAME: 109.0 WORKING MINERS UNITED

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0220

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. 8.2 kms north-east of Avoca, 1.0 km north-west of junction of Rathscar West and Avoca-Dunolly Roads

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

September 1881. There has been during the quarter an unusual stir caused by mining speculators securing large areas for mining purposes in different sections of this subdivision. In alluvial mining the Working Miners continues, as usual, to prove very remunerative; the amalgamation recently brought about with the Homebush United Company, it 1 is thought, will greatly facilitate the thorough working of the lead.

December 1881. The Working Miners United, at Homebush, continues to occupy a foremost position, having realised during the quarter the handsome result of 2,134 oz of gold, which has been sold in Maryborough, and therefore not credited to the proper division. The course of the lead northerly, in this locality, has not yet been satisfactorily defined, and will remain doubtful until some of the shafts now being sunk in that direction shall be 2 bottomed.

March 1882. From the only two mines at present on gold in the vicinity of Homebush the following yields have been 3 obtained during the quarter: the Working Miners United, 3,982 oz; the Old Working Miners, 1,192 oz.

June 1882. The North Homebush Company, having increased capital, is engaged in boring for a suitable site for a new shaft. The Working Miners United Company continues to give satisfactory yields, 3,800 oz 19 dwts having been 4 obtained during the quarter; while 1,062 oz were realised from the Old Working Miners ground.

September 1882. In alluvial mining one of the principal items of interest is that the Golden Stream Company are engaged “cutting down” their shaft, and up to the present are making very satisfactory progress. The Working Miners No. 2 have been engaged in boring operations, and a contract has been let for the sinking of the new shaft for the North Homebush Company. The following yields have been obtained from the claims on gold: Working Miners 5 United Company, 2,624 oz; Old Working Miners Company, 1,108.

March 1883. In alluvial mining the most important item of interest during the quarter is the fact of the New North Homebush Company having succeeded in sinking their shaft to the bed rock, a depth of about 213 feet through five different layers of clay, rock, and drift. Preparations are being made to sink a new shaft close up to the one just bottomed; dimensions in the clear through clay and rock 13; 6: x 13; 1; thence to bed rock with iron cylinders 8’ 6” in diameter. Further north in this flat another shaft is being sunk through similar strata, and present appearances are in 6 favour of the deep ground being traced in a north-easterly direction.

June 1883. The Working Miners United Company continues to work rich ground, although considerable difficulty is experienced on account of the character of the drift. 1,16 oz of gold have been obtained during the quarter. The New North Homebush Company is persevering with the shaft. On the western side of Homebush, in an area recently 7 taken up under lease in “Frying-pan Flat”, a rich find of alluvial gold has been lately made.

September 1883. At Homebush, on the western side in “Frying-pan Flat”, a new co-operative company has been started with very favourable prospects; recently, from two machines of wash-dirt, a prospect of 18 oz of gold was obtained. The Working Miners United Company has 122 men employed, but the water is still very heavy. Yield of gold for the quarter, 2,014 oz 18 dwt. 8 The Golden Stream Company employs 50 men; they recently ‘struck’ rich wash-dirt; the water is troublesome.

287 Working Miners United deep, and wash-dirt 3 feet chick; the trial washings have yielded from 12 to 14 ounces of gold to the machine. The Working Miners’ United Company continues to obtain fair returns, and the New North Homebush Company has succeeded, after immense trouble, in safely finishing their celebrated iron shaft, and they are now in a position to drive 9 for the gutter.

June 1884. The Working Miners Company, at Homebush, has been as usual furnishing favourable returns, over 100 men being regularly employed. The Association Company, Fryingpan Lead, has just bottomed the shaft at a depth of 97 feet, and will commence to open out without delay. Prospects look better in the Golden Stream Company, and some enterprising miners have been securing the ground extending southerly, including the racecourse in that 10 locality.

March 1885. Although no dividends have been paid during the quarter in the United Working Miners’ claim, 11 Homebush, yet operations have been progressing favourably, the return of gold being 987 oz.

June 1885. The result this time from the Working Miners’ Company is, I regret to report, less than usual, as the reef drive is being pushed on with, and scarcely half the usual quantity of wash-dirt has been operated on. The 12 Association claim, at Fryingpan (near Homebush), has been let on tribute, and the party are sanguine of success.

December 1885. AVOCA DIVISION. In this division only the Working Miners and the Golden Stream Companies furnish regularly, as yet, any gold returns. The respective yields during the quarter show Working Miners, 1,952 oz 9 13 dwt, Golden Stream, 936 oz 7 dwt, or about 500 oz in excess of the yield for last quarter.

March 1886. The yields for this quarter in this division are not so satisfactory as those of previous quarters. A considerable reduction will be noticed in the return from the two principal mines, viz., the Working Miners’ United and the Golden Stream. The New North Homebush are engaged driving north, and are also extending the other drives. 14 During the last fortnight a few machines yielded over 18 oz of rougher gold than that previously obtained.

September 1886. In alluvial mining, the prospects of the Working Miner’s United look brighter than they have done for some time past. The yield this quarter is 1,168 oz, being larger than that for the last quarter, and generally the 15 future of the mine may be expected to be more satisfactory than was anticipated lately.

March 1887. In quartz mining in this division dullness still exists. In alluvial mining, however, I am glad to be able to report that the Working Miners United mine has yielded excellently this quarter, the return being 1,564 oz 19 dwt, as against 1,083 oz for the previous quarter. The yield has been obtained from a portion of the company’s property 2,000 feet in a north-easterly direction from the main shaft, and at a depth of about 190 feet. The New North Homebush Company’s operations have been confined to pumping lately, but, having been allotted £500 from the 16 prospecting grant, work will be immediately resumed.

September 1887. In alluvial mining at Homebush, in the ground of the Working Miners’ United Company, in the early part of the quarter, the prospects continued to improve in opening up the ground easterly; as much as three ounces of gold to the set of timber having been obtained. In the latter part of July, unfortunately, a breakage occurred 17 to the pumping engine, and, in consequence, the water rose.

December 1887. Homebush continues to occupy a premier position in this division, and from the recent amalgamation of the two principal claims there, namely, the ‘Working Miners’ and the “New North Homebush”, to be known in future as the “Working Miners, Homebush”, considerable facility will be afforded in tracing the lead northerly. The south portion of the old Working Miners is at present let on tribute to 50 men, who are now actively employed in prosecuting their work. It is proposed to work the amalgamated claim from the shaft of the New North Homebush, and a main drive is started southerly from this shaft at a level of 250 feet to reach the ground left by the Working Miners at the time of the breakage. It is confidently expected that the Homebush lead will be traced north- easterly, close to Fitzgerald’s, at Wareek, where a diamond drill is now at work for the purpose of proving the course of the deep ground. A large area of 718 acres has been applied for northerly from the Working Miners, through which 18 it is believed the lead will be traced.

December 1887. New North Homebush GM Company, Homebush, Homebush lead; depth 257 feet, main driving to the north and east. This company has lately amalgamated with the United Miners’ Company. Had it not been assisted this mine would have been stopped; had it done so the mine next to ti would have been compelled to do so 19 also, as the increased flow of water would have been too strong to cope with.

288 Working Miners United

June 1888. Mining in both alluvial and quartz has been rather dull … In the Working Miners’ mine at Homebush, 20 operations have been confined to reef driving, and there is, therefore, no gold return from that claim for the quarter.

December 1888. For the present, mining is at a very low ebb in this division. No dividends are being paid, and the only alluvial mining (other than that carried on by the Golden Stream and the Working Miners’ Companies) is that 22 known generally as fossicking. There is, at present, absolutely no quartz mining.

June 1889. Excepting the Working Miners’ Company, at Homebush, no mine in this division can claim to have been 23 very successful in its operations during the past quarter.

1899. Some miles west of Maryborough we reach the Homebush Lead, and, closely adjoining, the Madame Hopkins line of country. The Homebush Lead has been worked from the shallow ground, until in the Working Miners’ Homebush Company it dipped underfoot, and further development was suspended until a new shaft was sunk. Four large companies have worked 9900 feet of the lead for a total gold yield of about 102,500 oz, valued at £410,000. The quantity of ground worked was 58,300 fathoms, yielding an average of 1 oz 15 dwt 4 gr per fathom. The capital called up by the companies was £52,000, and the amount paid in dividends £129,500. This lead is remarkable amongst deep alluvial channels in Victoria in this respect—it has carried from first to last a heavy run of nuggetty gold, pieces 50 oz to 100 oz having been frequently met, the general sample of the gold being of an exceptionally coarse character. When the wash-dirt dipped away in the last workings a blind shaft was sunk to test the dirt, and 11 dwt of rough gold obtained from a single bucket of dirt, showing that the lead maintains its auriferous character. This property is now held by a strong English and colonial syndicate, and boring is in progress to prove the outlet of the lead, about which there has been much discussion, but the results of the present boring and the general features of the Bet Bet Valley point conclusively to this being the outlet of the lead. It was strongly contended at one time that the lead flowed to the west of the Silurian ranges, immediately to the north of the property, near Natte Yallock, and joined the main Avoca lead running down the Avoca Valley, but the boring done by the syndicate, and the Government bores in the Bet Bet Valley, have shown that there is ground sufficient deep to allow of the Homebush lead running in that direction, and the water encountered in the western workings of the Grand Duke and North Duke mines points to the influx of a large feeder at this point. HOMEBUSH LEAD Working Miners’ Working Miners’ United 25 Working Miners’ Homebush. Total gold produced was £410,000

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 109.0. Working Miners United (Formed in 1881 through the amalgamation of Working Miners and Homebush United companies). Mullock heap. Intact large mullock heap with two dumping lines. Pebble dump has been quarried leaving a scattering of uprooted timber posts and bearers. No insitu machinery foundations.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site is associated, through a complex history of amalgamations, with Homebush’s most successful deep lead mining. The site has poor integrity but its mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature and symbol.

289 Working Miners United

Cumulative Value. The site is part of the Homebush network of deep lead mines [Sites 108.0, 109.0, 110.0 and 110.0]. Site 108.0 is the focal point for this network.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1883 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1885 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1887 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887, Appendix K 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1888 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 24 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1891 25 Australian Mining Standard, Special Edition, June 1, 1899, pp. 105-8

290 Homebush Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 110.0 HOMEBUSH COMPANY

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0221

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. 8.4 kms north-east of Avoca, 0.7 kms north of junction of Rathscar West and Avoca-Dunolly Roads, north of Avoca-Dunolly Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

March 1880. Homebush continues to be the principal mining centre, the average width of the lead there being 150 feet at a depth of 165 feet. During the quarter 2,961 oz 7 dwts of gold have been obtained from the Working Miners’ claim. Shafts in the adjacent claims are being sunk, and much anxiety is evinced as to the course of the lead northerly. 4 There is nothing of moment to note in the other sections of the subdivision.

June 1880. In this subdivision the Working Miners’ claim at Homebush is the only mine at present calling for special mention. The richness of the yields remains uninterrupted, 3,437 oz 5 dwts 21 grs of gold having been obtained during the quarter. A new plant, costing £1,350, has been procured for erection on the company’s ground northerly, about 1,500 feet from the present workings. On the north-east side of the Working Miners is the Homebush claim, in 5 which, after much trouble, the ground is now being opened out.

June 1881. In alluvial mining, operations during the quarter have been progressing favourably; from the Homebush Lead the yields continue, as usual, most satisfactory. The extensive flat is still being prospected by boring in a northerly direction; and from the depth of the deep ground recently ascertained in the ground of the New Homebush Consols, it is very probable that the course of two leads will be discovered in this locality. The New North 6 Homebush Company has been busy erecting expensive machinery.

September 1881. There has been during the quarter an unusual stir caused by mining speculators securing large areas for mining purposes in different sections of this subdivision. In alluvial mining the Working Miners continues, as usual, to prove very remunerative; the amalgamation recently brought about with the Homebush United Company, it 7 is thought, will greatly facilitate the thorough working of the lead.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 110.0. Homebush Company (perhaps also Good Hope Company). Mine commenced in 1878 and amalgamated with neighbouring Working Miners in 1881. Mullock heap. Small intact mullock heap with one dumping line. No machinery foundations or pebble/sand dumps.

291 Homebush Company

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, more a landscape feature.

292 Homebush Company

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Cumulative Value. The site is part of the Homebush network of deep lead mines [Sites 108.0, 109.0, 110.0 and 110.0]. Site 108.0 is the focal point for this network.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1878 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1879 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1879 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1880 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1880 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881

293 New North Homebush Company

SITE NO. & NAME: 111.0 NEW NORTH HOMEBUSH COMPANY

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0222

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. 9.5 kms north-east of Avoca, 1.9 kms north of junction of Rathscar West and Avoca-Dunolly Roads.

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1881. In alluvial mining, operations during the quarter have been progressing favourably; from the Homebush Lead the yields continue, as usual, most satisfactory. The extensive flat is still being prospected by boring in a northerly direction; and from the depth of the deep ground recently ascertained in the ground of the New Homebush Consols, it is very probable that the course of two leads will be discovered in this locality. The New North 1 Homebush Company has been busy erecting expensive machinery.

June 1882. The North Homebush Company, having increased capital, is engaged in boring for a suitable site for a new shaft. The Working Miners United Company continues to give satisfactory yields, 3,800 oz 19 dwts having been 2 obtained during the quarter; while 1,062 oz were realised from the Old Working Miners ground.

September 1882. In alluvial mining one of the principal items of interest is that the Golden Stream Company are engaged “cutting down” the shaft, and up to the present are making very satisfactory progress. The Working Miners No. 2 have been engaged in boring operations, and a contract has been let for the sinking of the new shaft for the North Homebush Company. The following yields have been obtained from the claims on gold: Working Miners 3 United Company, 2,624 oz; Old Working Miners Company, 1,108.

March 1883. In alluvial mining the most important item of interest during the quarter is the fact of the New North Homebush Company having succeeded in sinking their shaft to the bed rock, a depth of about 213 feet through five different layers of clay, rock, and drift. Preparations are being made to sink a new shaft close up to the one just bottomed; dimensions in the clear through clay and rock 13; 6: x 13; 1:, thence to bed rock with iron cylinders 8’ 6” in diameter. Further north in this flat another shaft is being sunk through similar strata, and present appearances are in 4 favour of the deep ground being traced in a north-easterly direction.

December 1883. In alluvial mining, a promising rich lead has been discovered in Fryingpan Flat, on the western side of the Homebush workings. In driving across the led, it was found to be over 60 feet wide, with sinking 110 feet deep, and wash-dirt 3 feet chick; the trial washings have yielded from 12 to 14 ounces of gold to the machine. The Working Miners’ United Company continues to obtain fair returns, and the New North Homebush Company has succeeded, after immense trouble, in safely finishing their celebrated iron shaft, and they are now in a position to drive 5 for the gutter.

March 1886. The yields for this quarter in this division are not so satisfactory as those of previous quarters. A considerable reduction will be noticed in the return from the two principal mines, viz., the Working Miners’ United and the Golden Stream. The New North Homebush is engaged driving north, and is also extending the other drives. 6 During the last fortnight a few machines yielded over 18 oz of rougher gold than that previously obtained.

March 1887. In quartz mining in this division dullness still exists. In alluvial mining, however, I am glad to be able to report that the Working Miners United mine has yielded excellently this quarter, the return being 1,564 oz 19 dwt, as against 1,083 oz for the previous quarter. The yield has been obtained from a portion of the company’s property 2,000 feet in a north-easterly direction from the main shaft, and at a depth of about 190 feet. The New North Homebush Company’s operations have been confined to pumping lately, but, having been allotted £500 from the 7 prospecting grant, work will be immediately resumed.

294 New North Homebush Company

December 1887. New North Homebush GM Company, Homebush, Homebush lead; depth 257 feet, main driving to the north and east. This company has lately amalgamated with the United Miners’ Company. Had it not been assisted this mine would have been stopped; had it done so the mine next to it would have been compelled to do so 9 also, as the increased flow of water would have been too strong to cope with.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 111.0. New North Homebush Company (Commenced mining in 1881 and was amalgamated with Working Miners United in 1888 to become part of the Working Miners’ Homebush Gold Mining Company). Mullock heap. Large partly quarried mullock heap and pebble dump. No machinery foundations.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, more a landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Cumulative Value. The site is part of the Homebush network of deep lead mines [Sites 108.0, 109.0, 110.0 and 110.0]. Site 108.0 is the focal point for this network.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1887 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887, Appendix K 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888

295 Excelsior Reef, Homebush

SITE NO. & NAME: 112.0 REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0223

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. 9.4 kms north-east of Avoca, 0.6 kms north of junction of Avoca- Dunolly and Wareek Roads, west side of Avoca-Dunolly Road.

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1909. HOMEBUSH. In regard to quartz mining in the Excelsior Mine, owned by Messrs Shiell and Wilson, two well known prospectors, a good payable reef has been opened up. A main shaft has been sunk 100 feet … A winding plant is about to be erected and the shaft sunk a further depth of 100 feet … The ore treated was 2,165 tons for a yield of 1,239 oz of gold. A cyanide plant is in course of erection for treating the sand. A lease south of this mine has been pegged out by a Ballarat company, and a main shaft is to be sunk early in the coming year. Nicholls and Party recovered about 200 oz of gold from a line of indicator country south of the township, and two other parties working 1 in the same belt obtained a few payable crushings.

1910. The Excelsior West Company, adjoining, sunk its main shaft to 225 feet … The Working Miners’ Company started to sink a main shaft, 14 feet by 8 feet. Sunk 45 feet, when work ceased for want of funds. This is a mine that should be pushed on … It is known gold was left which, under present conditions, with cyanide treatment for fine 2 gold, will pay, and no doubt would open up a big field and employ a large number of men.

1911. At Homebush, the Excelsior mine, owned by Wilson and Shiells, has had a successful year … It is reported this mine has been sold for £6,000 to a Melbourne company. The West Excelsior has been stopped the greater portion of the year, awaiting developments in the adjoining mine. The Working Miners Company is about to restart sinking the 3 main shaft. A few small parties have been working in the district, getting a little gold.

1912. At Homebush, Messrs Shiell and Wilson, who own the Excelsior mine, have had payable returns. It is now intended to sink the main shaft a further 100 feet, and instal rock drills, when a more vigorous system of 4 developmental work will be carried on.

1913. At the Excelsior mine, at Homebush, the main shaft was sunk to 300 feet, and the lode with the shoot of gold valued at about 1/2 oz per ton was picked up on its course. The Central Excelsior Company is sinking the main shaft, and expect to cut the lode at 500 feet. The West Excelsior Company is prospecting and driving at the 200-ft level on 5 the same line of reef as the Excelsior is working on.

1914. At Homebush, the Excelsior Company has been carrying on developmental work, but progress, due to breakages in plant, has been slow, and the ore falling off in value, work ceased early in the year. The company is 6 reorganising, and expects to resume work shortly.

1915. At Homebush the Excelsior mines are still closed down, and a portion of the old plant sold off. The plant on the new shaft has been bought by a syndicate with a view of sinking and testing the lode at deeper levels. At 7 Amphitheatre, a few fossickers are engaged in different localities and getting a little gold.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 112.0. Quartz workings. Most probably Excelsior Reef (Mines at Excelsior Reef operated from 1909 to 1915). Mullock heaps. Several low dumps of mullock and sand on the west side of Avoca-Dunolly Road. No machinery foundations visible.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, not much of a landscape feature.

296 Excelsior Reef, Homebush

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mines Department Annual Report, 1909 2 Mines Department Annual Report, 1910 3 Mines Department Annual Report, 1911 4 Mines Department Annual Report, 1912 5 Mines Department Annual Report, 1913 6 Mines Department Annual Report, 1914 7 Mines Department Annual Report, 1915

297 New Homebush Consolidated

SITE NO. & NAME: 113.0 NEW HOMEBSUH CONSOLIDATED

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH LEAD, HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0224

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. 10.7 kms north-east of Avoca. The mine site is located on the south side of a dirt track that runs west from the Avoca-Dunolly Road near Bradshaw Swamp

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

June 1881. In alluvial mining, operations during the quarter have been progressing favourably; from the Homebush Lead the yields continue, as usual, most satisfactory. The extensive flat is still being prospected by boring in a northerly direction; and from the depth of the deep ground recently ascertained in the ground of the New Homebush Consols, it is very probable that the course of two leads will be discovered in this locality. The New North 1 Homebush Company has been busy erecting expensive machinery.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 113.0. New Homebush Consolidated (maybe also called Working Miners, Homebush). One reference found for this site (dating 1881). Probably taken over by the Working Miners’ Homebush Gold Mining Company, Homebush. Foundations probably date to twentieth century prospecting operations. Machinery foundations. An arrangement of small concrete mounting beds obscured by high grass. A small galvanised lean-to and water pump has been erected near the foundations and presumably obtains water from the shaft. Workshop. To the east of the concrete footings is a large concrete floor which has various pits, channels and small raised mounting beds.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881

298 Vales Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 114.0 VALES REEF

LOCATION: HOMEBUSH

HI NO: H7623-0228

DIRECTIONS: Homebush. 5.7 kms north-east of Avoca, south of Fields Lower Homebush Road and west of Avoca-Dunolly Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1855-7. VALE’S REEF. Situate between Avoca and Lower Homebush, three-quarters of a mile from the celebrated Working Miners’ claim. It was discovered in the year 1855. The hill in which it occurs contains four separate and well-defined lodes, viz., Vale’s reef, Eastern reef, Western reef, and Yankee Bill’s reef … In 1857 machinery was placed on the ground, but the stone got poorer and poorer each successive crushing, until the claim was abandoned in 1 1859, the shaft then being 210 feet from the surface. It remained in that state until the end of 1878.

September 1865. Quartz crushed during quarter: Bosanko and Company, from Township Reef, Bet-bet, Vale’s Reef, 2 Fryingpan, 290 tons yielded 74 oz.

June 1866. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Bosanko and Company, from Vales Reef and Fryingpan Reef,112 tons yielded 87 oz ... The various leaders or veins, upon both Vale’s Reef and Fryingpan, are yielding from 15dwts to 2 oz 10 dwts to the ton, a quantity of stone from these workings having been taken to Maryborough for crushing, there 3 being a want of water for that purpose at Avoca.

June 1867. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Bosanquet and Co., from Vale’s Reef, 100 tons yielded 50 oz. 4 Bosanquet and Co., from Fiddler’s Creek, 50 tons yielded 25 oz.

June 1868. Cement crushed: Bosanquet and Co.’s machine, Avoca, cement from Avoca Old lead, 300 tons yielded 75 5 oz.

December 1869. Everston’s claim, on Vale’s Reef (near Homebush), is giving excellent returns. The average yield of the lode, which is two feet thick, being 2 oz to the ton. The owner is about to erect machinery in order to test the 6 lode 100 feet below the water-level.

December 1873. Vale’s Reef has been taken up on lease, and there is every probability of this well-known reef being 7 systematically worked.

March 1874. Some excellent stone is said to have been lately obtained at Vale’s Reef, which has just been taken up on 8 lease.

March 1875. Quartz mining has never looked more hopefully, and it would seem as if the division is at length on the eve of having its undoubted resources developed. Three tribute claims, each 100 yards on the course of the western lode, in the Monte Christo Company’s property, have, since the crushings referred to in my report, got prospects considerably richer than those obtained from the stone already crushed. Hitherto, it was feared, and not without some slight show of experience, that auriferous stone in the division would get poorer in proportion to depth. This theory has now been amply refuted in the case of the Monte Christo mine, and in the mines at Percydale. In the former the lode has widened from 9 inches at 26 feet to from 5 feet at its present depth of over 100 feet; while the stone is estimated to yield 1-1/2 oz per ton. There are four distinct lodes in the company’s property, but the others have not been tested at any sufficient depth. A distinguishing feature in reefs east of the Avoca River, as contrasted with those in the Pyrenees—only about eight miles distant—is the fine quality of the gold, on which the banks advance without assay £2 2s per ounce, while the stone is singularly free from galena, lead, or other of the base metals. A belt of reefs on the Monte Christo line has been traced from the Warrior Company’s property, Doctor’s Creek, near Lexton, to Vale’s Reef—a distance of seventeen miles; and not fewer than eight distinct lodes have been discovered within the last nine months between the Monte Christo Lease and the head of the dividing range eastward, a distance of about four miles. One of these, taken up within the last few days by a new party, yielded 4 dwts per load, and the others

299 Vales Reef from a dwt up to that figure, from stone taken from the surface to a depth of a few feet only. It is the opinion of practical miners that these reefs, if tested at a given depth, would prove as valuable as the Monte Christo property. 9 Two leases have been surveyed in the past week, one north and one south of this mine.

December 1880. In both alluvial and quartz mining there is a decided improvement. In almost every section of the subdivision there are signs of increased activity. Vale’s Reef, well known to be very rich, as again been taken up, and will receive a fair trial. It is situated in a central position, between the rich Homebush Flat and the New Holland, at Avoca; and as that locality is highly auriferous, it is proposed to prospect the ground between these two places, so as 10 to complete the connection between them.

March 1881. The Vale’s Reef Company has made arrangements for the enlargement of the shaft, and the work is progressing favourably. A reef has recently been opened up at Lexton, which gives promise of great richness; 11 however, as its resources have not yet been fully ascertained, no decided opinion can be given as to its quality.

June 1881. Some attention is being paid to this branch of mining; a crushing plant is about being erected on the old reef known as Vales’, and for the purpose of tracing it north and south the ground has been secured for a considerable 12 distance.

March 1882. With regard to quartz mining, matters have not been quite so flourishing during the quarter. Operations have been suspended for a time at the West of England Hill and at the Union Jack mines, Percydale, as the first 13 crushing at Vale’s Reef did not turn out as satisfactorily as was expected.

June 1882. In quartz mining it is expected that desirable results will arise from the erection of machinery at Lexton, in connection with the Lexton Company’s property; this work is now approaching completion, and there is every probability of rich returns from the stone, judging by that already tried. At Vale’s Reef a fairly satisfactory crushing 14 has been realised during the quarter. These are the only items worthy of mention.

December 1883. Mining has not been as lively as usual in this subdivision during the quarter. Noticeably the disposal of the fine plant of the Vale’s Reef Company is to be regretted, and as it is to be removed, some considerable time is sure to elapse before the reefs in the vicinity of that company’s mine will again receive attention. There have, 15 however, been a couple of satisfactory yields from the crushings of two small co-operative parties.

September 1886. In quartz mining the only noteworthy incident is the fact that Vale’s Reef has again been taken up 16 under mining lease.

VALE’S REEF. Situate between Avoca and Lower Homebush, three-quarters of a mile from the celebrated Working Miners’ claim. it was discovered in the year 1855. The hill in which it occurs contains four separate and well-defined lodes, viz., Vale’s reef, Eastern reef, Western reef, and Yankee Bill’s reef … In 1857 machinery was placed on the ground, but the stone got poorer and poorer each successive crushing, until the claim was abandoned in 1859, the shaft then being 210 feet from the surface. It remained in that state until the end of 1878, when it was taken up by a fresh company, who sunk the shaft a further depth of 80 feet … After working for eighteen months the company could not make it pay, the highest crushing being 7-/12 dwts to the ton. Since then it has been leased by several parties, who held it till they were compelled by the Mining Department to relinquish it, owing to non-compliance with the labour 17 covenants.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 114.0. Vales Reef (Reef opened in 1855. Two main mining periods: Late 1850s and late 1870s). Mullock heap. Small intact mullock heap (approximately 30 metres long and 8 metres high) located on the crest of a low hill. This dump overlies an earlier dump which has five short dumping lines. Dam. Immediately south of the mullock heap is a small dry dam. Battery site. To the west of the mullock heap is a flattened battery site (mound of brick and stone rubble). Below the battery site is a low dump of treated tailings and a partly quarried sludge pond. Whim shaft. 20 metres to the north of the intact mullock heap is a 40 ft diameter raised whim platform, filled shaft and partly quarried small mullock heap.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

300 Vales Reef

The site has: Historical Significance. Probably the first reef to be worked in the Avoca Mining Division.

Scientific Significance. The site has a range of features documenting different periods of quartz mining.

301 Vales Reef

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1866 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1867 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1868 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1869 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1873 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1880 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1882 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1883 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 17 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

302 Deep Lead mine

SITE NO. & NAME: 115.0 DEEP LEAD MINE 115.1 SHALLOW WORKINGS

LOCATION: BETWEEN HOMEBUSH AND AVOCA

HI NO: 115.0 H7523-0027 115.1 H7523-0028

DIRECTIONS: 5.6km north-north-east of Avoca, immediately south of Fields Lower Homebush Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 115.0--Freehold Land Site 115.1--Gravel Reserve

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 115.0. Deep Lead mine (presumably the mine dates to Homebush’s main deep lead mining period, the 1870s/1880s). Mullock heap. Small mullock heap. No machinery foundations or pebble/sand dumps.

Site 115.1. Alluvial workings. Shallow sinkings. Running south-east from Site 115.0 is a narrow band of shallow sinkings (shaft depressions and small mullock heaps). The sinkings are poorly preserved, not very visible and have been used for rubbish dumping.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The sites have poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

303 Golden Stream/Avoca Freehold

SITE NO. & NAME: 116.0 GOLDEN STREAM MINE 116.1 AVOCA FREEHOLD COMPANY

LOCATION: AVOCA DEEP LEAD, AVOCA

HI NO: 116.0 H7523-0029 116.1 H7523-0030

DIRECTIONS: Avoca. Both sites are located to the south of Avoca Cemetery, on the west side of Sunraysia Highway

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

March 1881. The Golden Stream Company has now a considerable quantity of very powerful machinery on its property ready for erection, comprising two engines of 50-inch and 24-inch cylinders respectively. The two pumps are to be of 22-inch diameter, a proof that the company is fully determined to be able to cope with whatever water is likely to be met with. A representative of the company has informed me that the full cost of the machinery and improvements will amount to close upon £20,000. The starting of this claim will give a great impetus to mining in the 1 locality.

June 1881. The New North Homebush Company has been busy erecting expensive machinery, and the erection of 2 the machinery of the Golden Stream Company on the Avoca Deep Lead is approaching completion.

September 1881. The starting of the Golden Stream Company may be mentioned as one of the most important events in connection with mining that has occurred in this subdivision for a considerable period, this company having erected very powerful machinery to compete with the water expected to be met with in working the lead, which is 3 supposed to be very rich.

December 1881. During the quarter both alluvial and quartz mining have been progressing favourably, except for a 4 breakage, since repaired, in a portion of the machinery of the Golden Stream Company.

June 1882. It may be mentioned with satisfaction that the Golden Stream Company, Avoca, has succeeded, after great care and difficulty, in bottoming their shaft; on this event the shareholders and those having the management of 5 the mine are to be congratulated.

September 1882. In alluvial mining one of the principal items of interest is that the Golden Stream Company are 6 engaged “cutting down” the shaft, and up to the present are making very satisfactory progress.

March 1883. The Golden Stream Company is erecting two new puddlers. They expect to reach the wash-dirt before 7 long.

September 1883. The Golden Stream Company employs 50 men; they recently ‘struck’ rich wash-dirt; the water is 8 troublesome.

June 1884. Prospects look better in the Golden Stream Company, and some enterprising miners have been securing the ground extending southerly, including the racecourse in that locality. There is nothing of particular moment to 9 note in quartz mining.

December 1884. Prospects in the Golden Stream Company have been improving, the return of gold for the quarter 10 being 1,077 oz.

March 1885. There is marked improvement in the yield of gold for the quarter from the Golden Stream Company. The return is 2,476 oz 16 dwt, being 1,399 oz 16 dwt in excess of last quarter, resulting in a dividend of £1,200 having been paid. The shareholders of the Avoca Freehold Company adjoining have also received a dividend of 6s per share, 11 and other of 5s per share will be declared shortly.

304 Golden Stream/Avoca Freehold

June 1885. The yield from the Golden Stream Company this quarter is encouraging; though some difficulty is 12 experienced in carrying on operations. The tributers of the company have also been fairly successful.

September 1885. The total yield from the Golden Stream Company this quarter is 1,352 oz 7 dwt, and from the 13 Working Miners Company 1,031 oz 15 dwt.

December 1885. In this division only the Working Miners and the Golden Stream Companies furnish regularly, as yet, any gold returns. The respective yields during the quarter show Working Miners, 1,952 oz 9 dwt, Golden 14 Stream, 936 oz 7 dwt, or about 500 oz in excess of the yield for last quarter.

June 1886. The Golden Stream Company has been reef-driving lately; this accounts for the limited return this quarter. The yield from the United Working Miners is not as rich as heretofore, but it is thought there will be a considerable 16 improvement during the coming quarter.

September 1886. In the Golden Stream the yield is less than usual, being 147 oz. However the reef-drive is being 17 extended in a northerly direction at he 260-foot level.

December 1886. I am glad, however, to state that excellent results have been obtained by the tributers in the Golden Stream mine during the month of December. The company has been reef-driving lately, and, therefore, there was no gold yield this quarter. The main shaft has been sunk 60 feet deeper than the original level, and a reef drive put in 713 feet in a north-westerly direction. This drive is being continued, and it is anticipated that after a further extension of 18 300 feet the old workings will be reached.

19 December 1887. There is nothing fresh to report concerning the Golden Stream Company.

March 1888. Work is progressing steadily in the Golden Stream, but there is nothing of moment to report; a good 20 demand has been for eligible workmen at the claim during the quarter.

June 1888. Work is being steadily persevered with in the Golden Stream, and though the expectations formed at the 21 beginning of the quarter have not yet been realised, yet one of the tribute parties has obtained excellent results.

September 1888. The workings of the Golden Stream Company have not yet met with the success anticipated. It is 22 confidently believed, however, that the shareholders will yet be repaid for their outlay.

March 1889. Affairs are not at present progressing well at the Golden Stream Company’s workings, Avoca, and it is feared that the company will shortly cease operations, a course of action which would be a serious blow to the mining 23 industry in Avoca.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

The Golden Stream Company worked from 1881 to 1889. The adjoining Avoca Freehold was mining in 1885.

Site 116.0. Golden Stream Mine. Mullock heap. Massive mullock heap with one main dumping line. Machinery foundations. At the base of the heap, eastern end, is a large brick mounting bed. Most of the bed has been demolished and buried. The section surviving above the ground measures 20 ft x 15 ft. Bob pit. Between the brick mounting bed and the mullock heap is hole (presumably the shaft) which is filled with large lumps of brick work. The hole contains some in-situ brickwork which may belong to a bob-pit.

Site 116.1. Avoca Freehold Company. Mullock heaps. To the south-east of Site 116.0 is a small partly quarried mullock heap and a large raised sand dump.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor. The mullock heap is certainly a prominent landscape feature.

305 Golden Stream/Avoca Freehold

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 116.0 has: Historical Significance. Avoca’s most successful deep lead mine. The site has poor integrity but its mullock heap is a prominent landscape feature and symbol.

Site 116.1 has poor integrity but some historical vale as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1881 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1881 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1881 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1882 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1882 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1883 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1883 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1884 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1885 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1885 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1885 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1886 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1886 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1887 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1888 21 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1888 22 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1888 23 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1889

306 Morning Star

SITE NO. & NAME: 117.0 MORNING STAR MINE

LOCATION: AVOCA DEEP LEAD, AVOCA

HI NO: H7523-0031

DIRECTIONS: Avoca. The mine site is located east of Sunraysia Highway, between Astbury and Summers Streets

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1899. AVOCA LEAD. Worked for 4-1/2 miles. In the shallow sinking the dirt was marvellously rich, 1-lb nuggets being expected in every claim. Ten and 12-lb nuggets were of common occurrence. The last claim worked on the lead was the Golden Stream, which the Avoca people contend should still be working. The shaft was shut down about five years ago, either through mismanagement or the influx of water, or both, but not because the gold had run out, as it is said the last machine washed contained 10 oz. Most of the machinery is still on the ground, rusting and rotting. The pumping plant was an exceptionally fine one. There were two 21-in. and one 18-in. lifts in the shaft. Farther up the lead, about three-quarters of a mile, the Morning Star is working. The shaft is down 90 feet. Excellent returns 1 have been got for the last two months, and it looks like a paying concern for some time to come

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 117.0. Morning Star Mine (Mine was operating around the turn of the century). Mullock heap. Large partly quarried mullock heap and sand dump. No machinery foundations visible from the road.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

307 Avoca Lead dredging

SITE NO. & NAME: 118.0 AVOCA LEAD DREDGING COMPANY

LOCATION: AVOCA LEAD, AVOCA

HI NO: H7523-0003

DIRECTIONS: Avoca. East side of Slaughterhouse Road, south of Maryborough-Avoca Railway Line

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Unreserved Crown Land

HISTORY:

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 118.0. Avoca Lead Dredging Company. Dredge dams. Four large dredge dams which are now full of water.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Dredged landscape which is now obscured by trees.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity but has some historical value as a local dredging site.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

308 Monte Christo Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 119.0 REEF WORKINGS

LOCATION: MONTE CHRISTO REEF, AVOCA

HI NO: H7523-0032

DIRECTIONS: 2.4 kms south-east of Avoca, 0.9 kms north-north-east of junction of Mitchell Road and Sunraysia Highway

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

December 1872. AVOCA SUBDIVISION. A prospecting claim has been taken up on a new reef called the Monte 1 Christo, near Avoca.

March 1873. At the Monte Christo Reef, near Avoca, there appears to be two or three lines of auriferous reef. Several claims have been taken up thereon. The prospector and others are getting out promising stone, only a trial 2 crushing of which has been made. It will be seen that the average yield exceeds that of last quarter.

June 1873. A company has been formed to work the Monte Christo Reef, near Avoca, and the prospectors’ and the 3 claims north and south of it have been applied for by them on lease.

September 1873. The Monte Christo Company, Monte Christo Reef, is also about to erect a crushing plant near their lease. This will doubtless prove serviceable, not only for their own reef but for others in the neighbourhood, which 4 would doubtless be taken up again and more thoroughly tried if there were a crushing mill near them.

5 December 1873. At the Monte Christo Reef the crushing machinery is nearly completed.

March 1874. At the Monte Christo Reef the crushing machinery has been erected and covered in. They only await a 6 supply of water in their new dam to commence crushing.

June 1874. The Monte Christo Company’s mill is the only one that has been employed during the quarter, and this 7 principally with stone from their own mine.

8 September 1874. The Monte Christo mine has been let on tribute.

December 1874. The results of mining at the Barnes’ Perseverance, and Monte Christo Reefs, are looked forward to 9 with great interest as likely to very materially affect the prospects of the division.

309 Monte Christo Reef practical miners that these reefs, if tested at a given depth, would prove as valuable as the Monte Christo property. 10 Two leases have been surveyed in the past week, one north and one south of this mine.

June 1876. A party of tributers on the Monte Christo lease block are down 20 feet below the water-level, and 12 present indications suggest to experienced miners a great improvement in the value of this mine.

March 1877. In the Monte Christo mine, south of the township, the tributers have been sinking for the middle reef, and at a depth of 100 feet, are driving to cut it. There is nothing fresh from the Pyrenees reefs, no crushing having 13 been done during the quarter.

December 1885. The splendid yields which were obtained by Shaw and party from the Nile claim, Harper’s Reef, Havelock, and by Falkiner and party from the Norwegian claim, Monte Cristo Reef, Bet Bet, have created an unusual interest in mining circles. Indeed, these returns are quite exceptional in the history of quartz mining in this division, and they point to the fact that this class of mining is here only in its infancy, and that a vast amount of wealth still lies unexplored in the quartz veins and lodes which are so profusely scattered over the whole of the division. From a crushing of 8 tons 18 cwt of stone, Shaw and party obtained 295 oz of gold, or an average of 33 oz 2 dwt per ton; 14 while from a crushing of 19 tons, Falkiner and party obtained 196 oz 19 dwt, or an average of 10 oz 7 dwt per ton.

June 1889. I would call special attention to the splendid and exceptional yield of gold obtained by Messrs Lunn and party from their registered prospecting claim, situate at Havelock, on the Monte Christo Reef. From 17 tons of stone a yield was got of over 375 oz., or an average of more than 22 oz per ton. With one exception, I do not remember, during my experience, so fine a return as this. There are other exceptionally good yields from several of the other quartz mines in the division, which are recorded in the proper place; these speak for themselves, and are quite 15 encouraging.

September 1889. Quartz mining is almost at a stand-still. Two parties of miners are working on two reefs, but only with windlass and rope, and the difficulty of getting the quartz crushed makes it almost impossible to test the reefs sufficiently. One party, however, is trying to arrange to buy the Monte Christo battery and engine or to get new 16 machinery near their claim; but being only working men without capital, I fear they will not be able to do either.

1899. MONTE CHRISTO REEF. One mile south from Avoca township. Although only lately worked, the yields given me are very contradictory. At and near the surface, the reef averaged about 1-1/2 oz to the ton. Below 50 feet most of the gold was in the iron pyrites, which occurs abundantly in pockets in the reef at 100 feet, at which depth the reef was abandoned. The pyrites would yield 1 oz to the ton, which would only just pay for treatment. There is 17 10-head battery on the ground.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 119.0. Monte Christo Reef (Reef discovered in early 1870s and battery erected in 1874). Reef workings. Located on the crest of a small hill are some shallow open cutting, partly bulldozed small mullock heaps and filled shafts.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872

310 Monte Christo Reef

2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1873 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1874 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1874 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1876 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1877 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1889 16 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1889 17 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

311 Strip Me Naked Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 120.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: STRIP ME NAKED LEAD

HI NO: H7523-0033

DIRECTIONS: 2.9 kms south of Avoca, crosses Breretons Lane near its junction with Wolfs Lane

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 120.0. Strip Me Naked Lead (presumably worked mid to late nineteenth century). Shallw sinkings. Narrow band of shallow sinkings running through swampy ground. High grass obscures the low mounds.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

312 Lamplough No. 1

SITE NO. & NAME: 121.0 LAMPLOUGH NO. 1

LOCATION: AVOCA LEAD, AVOCA

HI NO: H7523-0034

DIRECTIONS: 2.3 kms south of Avoca, 300 metres east of junction of Fords and Greenhill Creek Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold land

HISTORY:

1899. LAMPLOUGH LEAD. First rush to the lead in 1859. It was worked for a distance of nearly 3 miles to where it ran into the water and was abandoned. There are a few old fossickers still on the lead, and they say they are making wages. The richest part of the lead was the patch known as the Prince of Wales patch, just about the junction of the New Avoca lead. The patch occurred in an elbow in the lead, and the machines averaged 45 oz. The peculiarity of the gold was its colour; it was as black as soot. Some beautiful specimens of quartz and gold combined were obtained in the lead. Up to the very last this lead paid well, but after the sinking was 70 feet the water proved too much for the men, and the lead has been abandoned, with the exception of the few fossickers mentioned. The different miners that I have seen that worked on the lead in the good days say that there is nothing surer than that the Lamplough lead would pay if it were only drained. The Avoca Progress Committee made an attempt to drain the lead, but it was a very feeble attempt. They obtained £300 from the Government on the £1 for £1 principle, and started to sink a shaft in the old workings. When they gave it up the shaft was not as deep as some of the shafts the men had put down to 1 work the lead.

1936. The Lamplough Gold Mines, at Avoca, are developing. These mines are well equipped, having recently installed electric winding, pumping, and ventilating engines of modern type, together with the necessary workshops; 2 the power being generated on the mine by a pair of 275-hp crude oil engines.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 121.0. Lamplough No.1 (Mine operating in 1936). Mullock heap. Intact large mullock heap with four main dumping lines. Machinery foundations. Near the north-west corner of the heap are two small concrete mounting beds. One of the beds appears to be T-shaped. Both the beds are obscured by high grass. No pebble or sand dumps.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor, but a prominent landscape feature.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity but its mullock has some historical value as a landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria 2 Mines Department Annual Report, 1936

313 Lamplough No. 2

SITE NO. & NAME: 122.0 LAMPLOUGH NO. 2

LOCATION: AVOCA LEAD, AVOCA

HI NO: H7523-0035

DIRECTIONS: 2.0 kms south-west of Avoca, 200 metres north of junction of No 1 Creek Road and Porters Land, east side of Porters Lane

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

LAMPLOUGH LEAD. First rush to the lead in 1859. It was worked for a distance of nearly 3 miles to where it ran into the water and was abandoned. There are a few old fossickers still on the lead, and they say they are making wages. The richest part of the lead was the patch known as the Prince of Wales patch, just about the junction of the New Avoca lead. The patch occurred in an elbow in the lead, and the machines averaged 45 oz. The peculiarity of the gold was its colour; it was as black as soot. Some beautiful specimens of quartz and gold combined were obtained in the lead. Up to the very last this lead paid well, but after the sinking was 70 feet the water proved too much for the men, and the lead has been abandoned, with the exception of the few fossickers mentioned. The different miners that I have seen that worked on the lead in the good days say that there is nothing surer than that the Lamplough lead would pay if it were only drained. The Avoca Progress Committee made an attempt to drain the lead, but it was a very feeble attempt. They obtained £300 from the Government on the £1 for £1 principle, and started to sink a shaft in the old workings. When they gave it up the shaft was not as deep as some of the shafts the men had put down to 1 work the lead.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 122.0. Lamplough No. 2 (Mine working in 1936). Mullock heap. Quarried mullock heap. Machinery foundations. Near the north-west corner of the mullock heap is a small concrete T-shaped mounting bed. The mine site is littered with farming rubbish.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria 2 Mines Department Annual Report, 1936

314 Barnes Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 123.0 BARNES REEF MINE SITE, PERCYDALE

LOCATION: BARNES REEF, PYRENEES

HI NO: H7523-0036

DIRECTIONS: 7.6 kms north-west of Avoca. North of junction of Vinoca Road and Main Track

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest

HISTORY:

September 1872. Barnes’ Plinut [Plumb] Reef, No. 2 Creek—one of the best in this division—has been applied for 1 on lease by the original holders, it being contemplated to form a company for the more efficient working of this mine.

2 December 1872. At Barnes’ Plum[b] Reef work has been resumed at the 150-foot level.

March 1873. At Barnes’ Plumb Reef, No. 2 Creek, at a depth of 160 feet, they have driven about 80 feet north, or towards old workings, and are now engaged in stoping out. The stone looks well; width of reef from 2 feet 6 inches to 3 3 feet.

June 1873. The United No. 2 Company, Barnes’ Plumb Reef, are driving north at a depth of 150 feet; width of reef, 3 4 feet. The prospects are very good.

September 1873. The United No. 2 Company, Barnes Reef, has been working until lately at the 160-foot level. The United No. 2 North Company is working on the Barnes line of reef. Their shaft is sunk 100 feet, and stone is being taken out from the 50 and 199 foot levels. It is intended to erect shortly crushing machinery on both the Barnes 5 and Perseverance Reefs.

March 1874. At Barnes’ Reef the erection of winding and pumping engine has been completed, and battery 6 commenced.

December 1874. At Barnes’ Reef the prospects are good. They have a well defined reef at the 226-foot level, 8 averaging two feet in width.

March 1875. The No. 2 United Barnes’ Company are sinking 100 feet deeper, which will make the total depth of the mine 374 feet. The crushing, as will be seen by my report, is highly satisfactory. I have seen specimens taken from 9 the mine, in the last week, of extraordinary richness.

December 1878. A new lease has been taken up on Barnes’ Reef, and a new company is being formed to work the 10 ground.

June 1881. The Union Jack Company has had a crushing, which yielded a good return, and at Barnes’ Reef works are 11 about commencing.

November/December 1899. REPORT ON AVOCA MINING DISTRICT (By H.S. Whitelaw). Barnes’ reef, 1-1/2 miles south from Percydale, was worked to a depth of 300 feet, and that is by many feet the greatest depth attained anywhere in the district. Barnes’ Reef is the only reef in the Pyrenees worked below water level. Until a shaft has been put down 500 or 600 feet from the surface, and then opened out on the reef, the field cannot be said to have had a fair trial. Comparatively speaking, the ground has only been scratched. BARNES’ REEF. The deepest shaft in the district was put down on this reef about 25 years ago, the greatest depth attained being 300 feet … For nearly four years the stone averaged 2 oz of gold per ton, but after that, and a depth of

315 Barnes Reef

200 feet had been reached, each crushing was poorer than the one before, till at about 300 feet the reef wouldn’t pay. 12 There was a very large amount of galena all through the stone below 100 feet from the surface.

316 Barnes Reef

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 123.0. Barnes Reef (Main period of mining was the early 1870s, battery and other mining plant erected c. 1874). Mullock heap. Partly bulldozed heap with six dumping lines. Battery site. Flattened site, large spread of red brick and stone rubble. Dam. Slope above the battery site has been excavated to form a rectangular water dam. Tailings. Partly quarried dump in the gully below the battery site.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The mine had the deepest shaft ever to be sunk in the Avoca Mining Division.

Scientific Significance. The site still retains several features which illustrate the operation of the mine.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1872 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1873 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1874 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1874 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1878 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1881 12 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria

317 North German Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 124.0 PUDDLERS

LOCATION: NORTH GERMAN GULLY

HI NO: H7623-0225

DIRECTIONS: 3.8 kms south of Majorca, West of Trembaths Track

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: State Forest (Eglinton Block)

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Condition of the puddlers suggests that Site 124.3 is the latest and probably the only one to have operated in the twentieth century.

Site 124.0. North German Gully. Puddlers. The site is located 250 metres along a narrow track that runs west from Trembaths Track. In the gully below the narrow track (100 metres to the south) is a large silted dam which has three weathered puddlers. The southern puddler has a diameter of 18 ft and its inner mound and puddling trench are still quite prominent. The puddler’s pivot post has recently been burnt leaving a well defined post hole. No trench slabbing survives and most of the wash associated with the puddler has been quarried. The middle puddler is in a similar condition to the southern puddler except that its puddling trench is full of leaf litter. The puddler has a diameter of 18 ft and has no pivot post or trench slabbing. The puddler is ringed by a wide band of wash. The northern puddler is the less weathered of the three puddlers and has a pronounced inner mound and deep puddling trench with sheer sides. The north-west corner of the puddler has been washed away and gold fossickers have partly excavated the inner mound. The puddler has a diameter of 20 ft, has no pivot post or trench slabbing, and most of its wash has been quarried. Alluvial workings. The gully above the puddlers has been extensively surfaced (or puddled-out).

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The dam, puddlers and associated surfacing have high integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The site illustrates the continuity of puddling, how certain gullies and dams tended to be favoured puddling locations.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

318 London Reef

SITE NO. & NAME: 125.0 LONDON REEF MINE

LOCATION: LONDON REEF, AMPHITHEATRE

HI NO: H7523-0037

DIRECTIONS: 3.8 kms south-east of Amphitheatre, east of Back Amphitheatre Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

March 1864. AVOCA DIVISION In quartz mining I have no good news to report since the unsatisfactory results were known of a crushing of 30 tons from the London Reef, Amphitheatre, which gave on the average 5 dwts to the ton, instead of at least 1oz, which the party expected, and with the exception of one party of twelve men giving notice to prospect a reef at Fiddler’s Creek, 1 otherwise this class of mining is again falling into disrepute, and very few are engaged therein.

December 1868. Quartz crushed during the quarter: Bosanquet’s machine, Avoca, from Vale’s Reef, Avoca, 20 tons yielded 30 oz; Crushed at Daw’s Machine, Fiddler’s Creek, from Fiddler’s Creek, West of England Reef, Hampshire 2 Reef, and London Reef, 77 tons yielded 50 tons.

March 1869. The prospectors (Wright and Party) on the London Reef, Amphitheatre, have a considerable quantity 3 of good-looking stone raised and ready for crushing; the width of stone in this reef is about 5 feet.

June 1872. Pumping and crushing machinery is being erected on the London Reef, Amphitheatre. The Donkey- 4 woman Reef, near the head of the Old Avoca Lead, has been again taken up.

September 1872. Machinery (including a battery of twelve stamps) is being erected on the London Reef, Amphitheatre. When the machinery is erected, which is very soon will be, they will commence to sink the shaft and crush the stone already on the surface at the same time. The great drawback to working this reef hitherto has been the distance to cart the quartz. Several leases have lately been applied for on a line of reefs intersected by the Fiddler’s 5 Creek Lead, and which will well, I think, deserve the attention of capitalists.

6 March 1873. The Try Again Company, London Reef, are taking out stone.

June 1873. Try Again, London Reef. No good yields have yet been obtained; but the company thinks well of the 7 reef, and are making arrangements to sink their shaft a further depth of 50 feet.

March 1875. The Union Quartz Mining and Crushing Company, London Reef, near Amphitheatre, commenced working the mine last week. The reef is from two to six feet in thickness. A battery of six stamp-heads, already on 8 the ground, has been put in repair.

June 1875. Work was resumed on Donkey Hill on the 26th of June, but operations have been suspended on the London Reef, Amphitheatre, during the quarter. Prospects from the reefs at Percydale are reported to be of an 9 encouraging characters, and I have no doubt of being yet able to report favourably of the reefs of the Pyrenees.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 125.0. London Reef (main mining period was the early 1870s, battery erected in 1872). The mine is located on the southern slope of a high ridge. Battery. Flattened site with several up-rooted stamper stamps, scatter of red bricks and a small excavated platform. Dam. Small dry dam. Sludge pond. On the southern end of the dam’s embankment is a very small intact sludge pond. Mullock heaps. Above the battery site are several small mullock heaps and filled shafts.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

319 London Reef

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity but some historical significance as Amphitheatre’s main quartz reefing location.

320 London Reef

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1868 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1872 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1872 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1873 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1873 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1875 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1875

321 Belfast Diggings

SITE NO. & NAME: 126.0 PUDDLER (1) ` 126.1 PUDDLER (2)

LOCATION: BELFAST DIGGINGS, RIFLE RANGE, AMPHITHEATRE

HI NO: 126.0 H7523-0038 126.1 H7523-0039

DIRECTIONS: 1.0 km south-east of Amphitheatre, along Rifle Range Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Amphitheatre Stone Reserve - R9

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

The un-weathered appearance of the puddlers suggests they both may have operated during the twentieth century.

Site 126.0. Puddler, Belfast Diggings. Puddler. Gully runs along the eastern side of Rifle Range Road. In this gully is a small breached dam which has a slightly weathered 18 ft diameter puddler on the eastern end of its embankment. The puddler still has a high inner mound and relatively deep puddling trench. There is no pivot post or trench slabbing survives.

Site 126.1. Puddler, Belfast Diggings. Puddler. 0.6 kms (south-east) from Site 126.0 a gully crosses Rifle Range Road. Up this gully, 90 metres south from the road, is another breached small dam. On the western end of the dam’s embankment is a puddler which has a well defined inner mound and deep puddling trench with sheer sides. The puddler has been partly quarried and no pivot post or trench slabbing are visible. Most of the wash associated with the puddler has been quarried.

Alluvial workings. The puddlers are associated with some deep sinkings along an old cemented lead. The shafts and mounds have been disturbed by gravel quarrying.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Both sites have low integrity.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Scientific Significance. The sites are relatively intact and thus help demonstrate puddling technology.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

322 Mountain Hut Diggings

SITE NO. & NAME: SITE 127.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS SITE 127.1 PUDDLER (1) SITE 127.2 PUDDLER (2)

LOCATION: MOUNTAIN HUT DIGGINGS, AMPHITHEATRE

HI NO: 127.0 H7523-0040 127.1 H7523-0041 127.2 H7523-0042

DIRECTIONS: Site 127.0. 2.2 kms north-east of Amphitheatre. Band of alluvial workings runs along a ridge in an east-west direction and crosses Mountain Hut-Amphitheatre Road (also signposted as Andersons Road) Sites 127.1 and 127.2 are located along Cemetery Track, at the head of Mountain Creek

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Site 127.0--Freehold Land Sites 127.1 and 127.2--Pyrenees State Forest

HISTORY:

September 1859: AVOCA DIVISION The population is as follows:- Europeans Avoca Main Lead 255 (150 Alluvial mining, 105 puddling) Four Mile Flat 150 (120 Alluvial mining, 30 puddling) Petre’s Diggings 600 (Alluvial mining) St Arnaud 300 (180 Quartz mining, 100 Alluvial mining, 20 puddling) Mountain Hut 1,330 (1,300 Alluvial mining, 30 puddling) Amphitheatre 2,255 (2,200 Alluvial mining, 40 puddling, 15 sluicing) Green Hills 50 (Alluvial mining) Rutherford’s Creek 80 (20 Alluvial mining, 6 Puddling, 14 Sluicing) Township Reef 5 (Quartz mining) TOTAL 5,025 (185 Quartz, 4,580 Alluvial, 231 puddling, 20 sluicing) Chinese Avoca Main Lead 800 (500 Alluvial mining, 300 puddling) Four Mile Flat 50 (Alluvial mining) St Arnaud 620 (550 Alluvial mining, 70 puddling) Amphitheatre 80 (60 Alluvial mining, 20 puddling) TOTAL 1,550 (1,160 Alluvial mining, 390 puddling) Total of Europeans and Chinese, 6,575. At the Amphitheatre, mining is in rather a retrogressive state, and the population is slightly on the decrease, partly in consequence of a rush having taken place to Fiery Creek. The rush on the Amphitheatre flat, caused by the finding of a 28 oz nugget, does not appear to have been attended with favourable results, as none of the adjacent claims have been able to find any payable ground. 1 At the Mountain Hut mining is in the same state as detailed in my last report

June 1860. The Mountain Hut and Amphitheatre Diggings now retain a very small number of miners, exclusively engaged in horse puddling machinery, and although the wash-dirt in general is of an inferior description, yet from the fact of that being nearly all surfacing, and at present having a plentiful supply of water the miners are enabled to make 2 good wages.

July 1860. Amphitheatre and Mountain Hut. A rush to the former place is again talked of, whilst at the latter, I am 3 credibly informed, a very payable quartz vein, situate upon a spur of the Pyrenees, has been opened.

323 Mountain Hut Diggings

At the Mountain Hut alluvial mining is confined principally to horse puddling, at which, during the wet season, very good wages can be made. The quartz vein lately opened, from one crushing, has yielded 1oz 17 dwt to a ton; three 4 feet thickness of stone; only six claims are working.

September 1860. Amphitheatre and Mountain Hut Diggings, with the exception of a slight decrease in the population at the last rush to the former place, present no noticeable changes. The whole of the miners remaining (numbering 5 2000) upon these workings appear to be earning good wages.

November 1860. The Amphitheatre at present appears to be the workings most in favour in my division, and within 6 the last few days has received considerable additions to its population.

March 1864. AVOCA DIVISION. The population is as follows: Alluvial miners: 1,065 Europeans, 520 Chinese; Quartz miners: 20 Europeans. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 650; Homebush, 200; Mountain Hut, 185; Amphitheatre, 285; 7 Green Hill Creek, 50; Lamplough, 160; No. 1 Creek, 45; Fiddler’s Creek, 30; Total, 1,605

March 1865. AVOCA SUBDIVISION. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 600; Homebush, 150; Amphitheatre, 300; Mountain Hut, 95; Green Hill Creek, 40; Lamplough, 110; Fiddler’s Creek, 200; No. 1 Creek, 8 85.

June 1866. AVOCA SUBDIVISION. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 870; Homebush, 134; amphitheatre, 412; Mountain Hut, 106; Green Hill Creek, 25; Lamplough, 156; No. 1 Creek, 84; Fiddler’s Creek, 9 200.

March 1867. AVOCA SUBDIVISION (Mr J.W. Raby, Mining Surveyor and Registrar). The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 328; Homebush, 211; Amphitheatre, 250; Mountain Hut, 56; 10 Green Hill Creek, 10; Lamplough, 70; No. 1 Creek, 25; Fiddler’s Creek, 57; total, 1,007.

1869. The following is a list of the principal mining localities in the [Avoca Division]: Avoca, Homebush, Amphitheatre, Mountain Hut, Green Hill Creek, No. 1 Creek, Fiddler’s Creek, Lamplough, Mountain Creek, Paddy’s 11 Gully, Four Mile Flat, Barber’s Gully.

December 1875. A new reef has been discovered on the summit of one of the Pyrenees, at the junction of the heads of Glenpattrick, Mountain Hut, and No. 1 Creek Diggings—prospector, Charles Coane. It averages in thickness at surface 6 inches, and at a depth of 50feet it averages 12 inches in thickness, with well defined walls, and having favourable indications of increasing thickness as the depth increases. A first crushing realised, per ton, 2 oz 5 dwts 6 12 grs.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 127.0. Mountain Hut Diggings. (Main rush occurred in the 1860s. The weathered nature of both the puddlers suggests they operated during the nineteenth century). Alluvial workings. Narrow band of very intensive deep sinkings (filled shafts and pipe clay heaps) and open cutting along an old cemented lead. The alluvial workings run along a forested ridge that crosses Andersons Road. Some of the open cuts have mounds of washed pebbles suggesting that sluicing was also carried out.

Site 127.1. Puddler. Puddler. The puddling machine site is located at the head of Mountain Hut Creek. The puddler is located in a small V of land formed by the junction of two tracks: Andersons and Cemetery Tracks. The 16 ft diameter puddler has been partly filled by dirt but has a well preserved pivot post and its puddling trench has a concrete floor.

Site 127.2. Puddler. Puddler. On the west side of Cemetery Track is a breached embankment which has a badly preserved puddler (northern end). The puddling trench has collapsed and the inner mound has been quarried. No pivot post or slabbing is visible and most of the wash has been quarried.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Relatively undisturbed workings which are visible from Andersons Road. Both puddler are in poor condition.

324 Mountain Hut Diggings

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Site 127.0 has: Scientific Significance. The site has relatively undisturbed cement workings and thus is a good (and quite rare) example of this type of mining.

Site 127.1 and 127.2 have poor integrity.

325 Mountain Hut Diggings

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1859 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1860 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, July 1860 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, August 1860 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1860 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, November 1860 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1864 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1865 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1866 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1867 11 R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, p. 36 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1875

326 Amphitheatre dredging

SITE NO. & NAME: 128.0 DREDGE PONDS

LOCATION: AMPHITHEATRE

HI NO: H7523-0043

DIRECTIONS: Centre of dredging is 4.7 kms north-east of Amphitheatre. Dredge ponds occur both side of Pyrennes Highway near the junction with Blacks Lane and Mountain Hut Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

August 1860. At Amphitheatre the rush which occurred lately is situate about four miles north of the township, and although a great portion of the miners have left it again, those remaining are doing very well; the auriferous drift (one foot thick) yields from 1oz to 1-1/2oz to the load. At the Mountain Hut alluvial mining is confined principally to horse puddling, at which, during the wet season, very good wages can be made. The quartz vein lately opened, from one crushing, has yielded 1oz 17 dwt to a ton; three 4 feet thickness of stone; only six claims are working.

327 Amphitheatre dredging

November 1860. The Amphitheatre at present appears to be the workings most in favour in my division, and within 6 the last few days has received considerable additions to its population.

328 Amphitheatre dredging

March 1864. AVOCA SUBDIVISION. The population is as follows: Alluvial miners: 1,065 Europeans, 520 Chinese; Quartz miners: 20 Europeans. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 650; Homebush, 200; Mountain Hut, 185; Amphitheatre, 285; 7 Green Hill Creek, 50; Lamplough, 160; No. 1 Creek, 45; Fiddler’s Creek, 30; Total, 1,605.

December 1885. At Amphitheatre mining operations look more lively than hitherto, a few gold mining leases having 12 been secured, and suitable machinery is being erected in order to thoroughly test the ground.

September 1886. The Amphitheatre Company obtained a good prospect during the quarter; on washing half a 13 machine the result obtained was 2 oz 12 dwt. The ground here has not been properly opened out yet.

1915. AVOCA, HOMEBUSH, AND AMPHITHEATRE. Mining at Avoca is at a standstill, with the exception of a few men fossicking the old alluvial gullies and a little reef prospecting, one party of two men making good wages during the year. At Homebush the Excelsior mines are still closed down, and a portion of the old plant sold off. The plant on the new shaft has been bought by a syndicate with a view of sinking and testing the lode at deeper levels. At 14 Amphitheatre, a few fossickers are engaged in different localities and getting a little gold.

July 1937. MARYBOROUGH DISTRICT (J. Cock, Inspector). Dredging lease applications in the Alma, Avoca, Amphitheatre … districts have been inspected. Several have been 15 permitted to proceed and boring operations are in progress.

January 1938. Encouraging prospects for future success exist in the claim of Rodwell and party … situated at 16 Amphitheatre

July 1948. Central Victoria Dredging, Amphitheatre and Newstead. The dredge which has been operated in the Newstead district for the past ten years by Victoria Gold Dredging NL is being dismantled. It will be remodelled for deeper dredging and re-erected at Amphitheatre. Administrative buildings and staff dwellings have been completed at Amphitheatre, and two boring plants are being 17 operated in this locality in an effort to discover further dredging areas.

January 1949. Central Victoria Dredging. At Amphitheatre, work is well advanced on the reassembling of the 18 Victoria Gold Dredge which has been brought from Strangways.

July 1949. Central Victoria Dredging. Amphitheatre Dredge: It is anticipated that the reconstruction of this dredge will be completed by January 1950, but advice has been received by the company that the State Electricity Commission will be unable to supply power until April 1950. Also, there will be a delay in the delivery of water pipes which are to be used in conveying water from the Avoca deep leads. These are expected in March 1950, and 19 the first dredging operations will probably be carried on with water drawn from the Avoca River.

January 1952. Central Victoria Dredging. The Amphitheatre Dredge commenced operations on 12th June, 1951, and to the end of the year had dredged 485,196 cubic yards for a recovery of 1,522 oz of fine gold, equivalent to a grade of

329 Amphitheatre dredging

1.51 grains of gold per cubic yard dredged. During the first few months the dredge was operating on shallow ground 20 at the side of the main lead.

January 1953. Central Victorian Dredging. The Amphitheatre Dredge was closed down during portion of the period under review pending completion of installation of a mechanical clay extractor to improve the emptying of the buckets. During the year 1952, 806,497 cubic yards were treated for a return of 3,485 fine ounces of gold, the average 21 being 2,07 grains per cubic yard.

July 1953. Central Victoria Dredging. At the Amphitheatre Dredge the difficulties caused by the clayey nature of the ground have been overcome by the installation of a clay-digger. Operations were continuous. In the first half of the current year 531,472 cubic yards were dredged for a recovery of 2,238 fine oz of gold, equivalent to a grade of 2 grains 22 per cubic yard.

December 1954. Central Victorian Dredging. The Amphitheatre Dredge operated continuously throughout the year and treated 1,278,728 cubic yards of material for a yield of 3,515 fine oz of gold, representing an average grade of 1.4 23 grains per cubic yard.

June 1955. Central Victoria Dredging, Amphitheatre. Continuous operations have been carried out, with average results. The dredge treated 558,213 cubic yards of material, yielding 2,344 fine oz of gold—an average grade of 2.0 24 grains per cubic yard (see also page 20).

December 1955. Central Victoria Dredging, Amphitheatre. Continuous operations were maintained. Towards the 25 end of the year gold values improved—average grade 1.9 grains per cubic yard.

June 1957. Central Victoria Dredging Co., Amphitheatre. This has been the only dredging plan operating in Victoria in the period under review. Fair results were obtained from the continuous operations until, on 28th April 1957, the 26 dredge sank owing to an unknown cause. It has since remained out of action.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 128.0. Amphitheatre dredging (operated from 1948 to 1957). Dredge ponds. Three massive filled dredge ponds with high embankments and associated drains and water dams.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: The embankments of the three large dredge ponds are in good condition and visible from the Pyrenees Highway.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site is associated with one of Victoria’s greatest dredging companies. The massive dredge ponds make an unusual landscape feature.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

330 Amphitheatre dredging

12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, December 1885 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1886 14 Mines Department Annual Report, 1915 15 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1937 16 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1938 17 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1948 18 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1949 19 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1949 20 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1952 21 Mining and Geological Journal, January 1953 22 Mining and Geological Journal, July 1953 23 Mining and Geological Journal, December 1954 24 Mining and Geological Journal, June 1955 25 Mining and Geological Journal, December 1955 26 Mining and Geological Journal, June 1957

331 Lamplough Lead

SITE NO. & NAME: 129.0 ALLUVIAL WORKINGS

LOCATION: LAMPLOUGH LEAD, LAMPLOUGH

HI NO: H7623-0226

DIRECTIONS: Lamplough, 0.6 kms south of junction of Sunraysia Highway and Greenhill Creek Road. Band of workings crosses Barrys Road

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Freehold Land

HISTORY:

1859. LAMPLOUGH LEAD, Avoca. First rush to the lead in 1859. It was worked for a distance of nearly 3 miles 1 to where it ran into the water and was abandoned.

August 1859. MARYBOROUGH DIVISION (D. O’Leary, Mining Surveyor). The dullness in mining operations which prevails throughout this division might fairly be attributed to two causes: 1. The Lamplough and Kingower rushes. 2. The scarcity of water. Diggers have now in the vicinity of Maryborough to pay for water for domestic purposes at the rate of 4s per cask of 30 gallons, carted from the Deep Creek. Had they a good supply of water at their command, the diggers are few who could not have realised each successive Saturday a good week’s wages. Scarcely a day passes without inquiries being 2 made by the owners of puddling-machines as to the securing of their ground until the rain comes.

August 1859. AVOCA DIVISION (Robert English, Mining Surveyor). The mining population is as follows: Alluvial miners: 15,750 Europeans, 1500 Chinese; Quartz miners: 190 In consequence of another rich and payable lead having been discovered at the Lamplough Diggings, the neighbouring gold-workings, with the exception of St Arnaud and Four-mile Flat, in my division are almost abandoned by the mining population, those only who apparently are making more than a good living being stationary. Lamplough at present is the grand attraction; hundreds of miners are arriving daily from the more remote fold-fields. The yield of gold, together with the large extent of the already proved auriferous ground, indicates that the Lamplough presents every appearance of being the largest rush we have yet had in Victoria. An area of several miles of virgin ground lies between this, on the south-west, and the Amphitheatre, in a north- westerly direction, and to where the workings are at present trending there is a continuation of the same wide flat country, extending in length several miles, and in width from the Avoca River to the base of the Pyrenees; and now that a large population is in the district, should these diggings be systematically worked, several other contiguous small leads, as well as the Avoca Deep Lead, must, at a point not far from the Avoca township, effect a confluence. The original prospectors at the Lamplough still continue to find rich ground. The last washing that I ascertained from their ground was 9 lb of gold from five loads of dirt. Further down the same workings, another claim yielded from some loads only a few dwts; whilst other loads from the same gave as many ounces, thereby proving the patchy character of the ground. The second lead, or workings, which has been the principal cause of the present favourable reaction at the Lamplough, is situate upon a tributary of Rutherford’s Creek, having its rise in a belt of ranges, called the Green-hills. For a considerable distance the lead is found to pay 30 claims wide. I have visited some of the underground workings, and find that the miners are only driving around their boundary lines, or what is generally called fencing in their ground. 3 Few are doing anything yet upon this lead, but putting in main drivers.

January 1860. AVOCA DIVISION The mining population is as follows: Alluvial miners: 15,900 Europeans, 1,300 Chinese. Quartz miners: 200 Europeans. Note. These tables are the result of my own observation (except the St Arnaud return, which was furnished by a miner from that place), and comprise only those engaged in mining. The total population of the district I estimate at 25,000. I have the honour to report that the general state of this district since my last presents no change worthy of note, excepting St Arnaud and the Lamplough Diggings. At Lamplough, the two leads are being steadily worked, but do not progress in new ground so rapidly as heretofore. The trend of the deep lead or working, has varied considerably, also in its width of working; not more than six chains wide now seem to be remunerative, and from the tortuous course the lead has now taken is very difficult to trace. A

332 Lamplough Lead branch working from this, five and six chains wide in a north direction, heading into what is termed Wise’s paddock, and now contiguous to the boundary of Mr Hodgkinson’s pre-emptive section, is paying on an average one ounce and a half to the load. A number of claims have also been taken by the miners upon this pre-emptive section. The conditions upon which they occupied the ground were, that seven shillings each claim of 40 feet, be paid; that area being secured to them or one month, unless they choose to sink, when one pound additional was charged; an arrangement which gave general satisfaction amongst the miners. Very few paid the pound for sinking, and those who did, have not succeeded in finding payable ground. Where the lead was expected to continue its course, it is generally believed now that the auriferous ground lies in a more northerly direction, passing through another portion of the pre- emptive section, which has recently been surveyed, and laid out in streets and building allotments for a township. Each of these leads or workings have considerably diminished in their width of workings; consequently the surplus miners have in various directions been prospecting, some in new ground, others trying the old contiguous workings. Several prospecting holes have been sunk in various parts of the flat between here and Avoca; in some of which gold has been found, yet not in sufficient quantity to induce them to continue. The bona fide mining population, these last few days has been leaving in small numbers, I believe principally for the Inglewood diggings. Lamplough at present is unquestionably over-populated, especially by those in business pursuits; there appears to be nearly one place of business to each miner’s tent. Considerable quantities of wash-dirt remain upon the Deep Lead, awaiting, I presume, the wet season, carting being from five to eight shillings per load. The water for washing purposes near the diggings is nearly exhausted, although a plentiful supply is yet within three miles of Lamplough. The character of the gold obtained is very coarse and nuggetty. I was shown several nuggets last week (twenty in number) obtained from the Deep Lead by various parties, weighing from six to sixteen ounces each. Upon the first lead or working where the depth of sinking is about nine feet, auriferous drift is now being worked, varying in thickness from one to seven feet, yielding on an average one ounce to the load; and, I am of the opinion, that when the wet season sets in, a large area of ground on the upper portion of each lead, partially worked, will be found calculated to retain a large population of miners for some time to come, and from the extreme coarse quality of all the gold upon this field, together with the large quantity now being sold (I saw myself a parcel of two hundred ounces of gold which was taken from two claims last week), Lamplough may safely be classed amongst the permanent 4 and payable gold fields of Victoria.

March 1860. Lamplough, during the last few weeks, presents the appearance of one of the settled gold fields. The late departures to the Inglewood rush have materially improved its condition by withdrawing a portion of its surplus population, such as unsuccessful miners, storekeepers, &c., It may safely be presumed that those now remaining are all making at least a good livelihood. The Deep or Main Lead is steadily progressing and trending in the direction of Avoca. The workings on it are now about two miles in length, and three claims wide, and yielding, from what I can ascertain, on the average an ounce to the load, with one foot thickness of wash-dirt, the depth of sinking being 70 feet. Although the contiguous ground is thirty feet deeper than these workings to the bed rock, it is proved that the run of gold is keeping the western reef, which is dry, and shows indications of remaining so for a considerable distance further. Several portions of the old ground, since the late rains, have been taken up, and the presumption is that with water at 5 hand they will be remunerative. Population, miners, 7,000; total, 12,000.

June 1860. At Lamplough, the Deep Lead (with the exception of minor rushes in the immediate neighbourhood), offers sufficient inducements yet to a large number of miners to remain. The lead appears still to adhere (as originally) to the southern reef, neither does the workings get into deeper or wet ground. It has already been found payable more than two miles in length from the original prospectors’ claim, and three claims in width, the average yield being an 6 ounce to the load, with one foot thickness of wash-dirt.

July 1860. The Lamplough Deep Lead is steadily progressing … Several other shallow workings upon adjacent hills, and in many of the neighbouring gullies, are being prosecuted; but, from what I can ascertain, are only attended with wages results. The population at Lamplough is rather on the increase, principally from Inglewood. A new rush occurred a few days ago about eight miles from Lamplough, on the Lexton road; but in the absence of any 7 payable ground (except the prospectors) having been discovered, it has nearly subsided again.

August 1860. At Lamplough small rushes in the immediate vicinity are of frequent occurrence, together with numbers of prospecting holes being sunk, in some of which payable drift in the shallow ground is obtained, but cannot in any 8 instance trace a lead of gold, or payable workings into the main flat or deep sinking.

September 1860. At Lamplough I cannot note any material change in mining since my last. Several of the small rushes in the immediate vicinity appear to give remunerative employment to a large number of miners whilst water for

333 Lamplough Lead washing purposes is easily obtained; but in the absence of any natural or artificial means for securing it in this dry part of the district, and that when the present supply is exhausted, I predict a considerable decrease in their numbers 9 will result.

November 1860. Lamplough (with occasional small rushes, either to the deep lead or to the immediate vicinity), still 10 retains its population.

January 1861. The population at the new diggings (Mountain Creek or Moonambel) is yet daily increasing, and from the fact of payable ground having already been found extending over a large area, together with new discoveries of frequent occurrence, this portion of the district is now, beyond doubt, destined to become a very important and payable section, not only in alluvial mining, but also in quartz; and, although as yet only one payable lode has been made public, I am credibly informed that several others are only awaiting the new district bye-laws to be in operation (which are somewhat of a more liberal character than heretofore), ere they make their discoveries in quartz known to the public. Lamplough, and all the other sections of my division (in consequence of this rush), are now quite denuded of their 11 European alluvial mining population.

September 1864. The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 650; Homebush, 120; Amphitheatre, 290; 12 Mountain Hut, 100; Green Hill Creek, 45; Lamplough, 120; No. 1 Creek, 40; Fiddler’s Creek, 110; Total, 1,475.

September 1865. AVOCA SUBDIVISION The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 680; Homebush, 150; Amphitheatre, 400; Mountain Hut, 85; 13 Green Hill Creek, 40; Lamplough, 170; No. 1 Creek, 97; Fiddler’s Creek, 215.

September 1866. AVOCA SUBDIVISION (Mr William Byrne, Mining Surveyor and Registrar). The total number of miners is thus distributed: Avoca, 870; Homebush, 201; Amphitheatre, 412; Mountain Hut, 106; 14 Green Hill Creek, 25; Lamplough, 156; No. 1 Creek, 84; Fiddler’s Creek, 200; Total, 2,054.

March 1869. The New Avoca Company is erecting powerful machinery for the purpose of working a lease obtained 15 by them on a continuation of the Lamplough Lead.

March 1874. The large claims on the Avoca and Homebush Leads are still idle. Mining operations along the Pyrenees have been retarded through scarcity of water. There have been two small rushes, viz., to Lamplough Lead and Donkey Hill, but neither of them has turned out very well. The rush near Frenchman’s Gap continues about the 17 same.

September 1875. In one instance during the quarter it was thought a rush of some magnitude would have taken place adjoining the old alluvial workings of Lamplough. On visiting the ground on the 13th September, about two hundred miners were there assembled, most of whom were, as usual, shepherding, but in a few days the discovery turned out 18 to be simply “a small patch”.

September 1876. Owing to the scarcity of water in the early part of the quarter, mining has been very dull in this division; since the recent rains, however, a large number of the old puddling mills have resumed work. In a tributary of the Old Lamplough Lead, at the bottom of Mosquito Gully, a small run of gold of a coarse character has been 19 discovered, and a few miners are there still profitably employed.

June 1887. I am glad to be able to report that prospects in this division have greatly improved during the last quarter. The operations, conducted under the superintendence of the “Progress Committee” at Avoca, in connection with the prospecting grant, have resulted in the finding of gold in payable quantities in the shallow alluvial at Lamplough and 20 Percydale.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 129.0. Lamplough Lead (Lamplough Rush commenced in 1859).

334 Lamplough Lead

Alluvial workings. Wide band of intensive deep sinkings (filled shafts and mounds of white clay). The workings cross Barrys Road. The workings on the west side of the road are relatively undisturbed, whereas those on the east have been flattened in some places.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Alluvial workings are very pronounced where the lead crosses Barrys Road.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The site is associated with one of the largest rushes to take place in the Maryborough area.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Sites Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Monthly Progress Report, November and December 1899, Geological Survey of Victoria 2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, August 1859 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, August 1859 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1860 5 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1860 6 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1860 7 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, July 1860 8 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, August 1860 9 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1860 10 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, November 1860 11 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, January 1861 12 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1864 13 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1865 14 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1866 15 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1869 16 R. Brough Smyth, The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria, Melbourne, 1869, p. 36 17 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1874 18 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1875 19 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1876 20 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1887

335 Whipstick Gully

SITE NO. & NAME: 130.0 PUDDLER

LOCATION: WHIPSTICK GULLY

HI NO: H7623-0227

DIRECTIONS: 6.5 kms south-west of Maryborough, north of Whipstick Track

MUNICIPALITY: Central Goldfields Shire

LAND STATUS: Paddy Ranges

HISTORY:

No references found.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Site 130.0. Whipstick Gully puddler (The weathered nature of the puddler suggests it operated in the nineteenth century). Puddler. Partly buried and poorly preserved small (16 ft diameter) puddler associated with small dam. The puddler’s inner mound has been partly excavated. No pivot post or slabbing survives.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Poor.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has poor integrity.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

336 Percydale Slate Quarries

SITE NO. & NAME: 131.0 PERCYDALE SLATE QUARRY 131.1 DONKEY HILL SLATE QUARRY 131.2 SARDINE SLATE QUARRY

LOCATION: PERCYDALE HISTORIC RESERVE

HI NO: 131.0 H7523-0044 131.1 H7523-0045 131.2 H7523-0046

DIRECTIONS: Quarry sites are located 9.6 kms north-west of Avoca. Site 131.0. North side of Quarry Track, Percydale Historic Reserve. Site 131.1. Donkey Hill. Site 131.2. Head of Sardine Gully, Percydale Historic Reserve.

MUNICIPALITY: Pyrenees Shire

LAND STATUS: Sites 131.0 and 131.2--State Forest Site 131.2--Public Purpose Reserve

HISTORY:

March 1884. AVOCA SUBDIVISION During the quarter the development of a new industry in the Pyrenees has been decided upon, namely, slate quarrying. While prospecting near Percydale, slate of superior quality was discovered, and a mineral lease of a large area has been applied for. The applicants feel confident that, while developing one industry, they will intersect some valuable reefs known to exist in the Pyrenees. There is nothing of importance to note in either alluvial or quartz 1 mining.

June 1884. SLATE QUARRYING. Another mineral lease, of a large area, has been applied for in the Pyrenees by the company referred to in my previous report, thus showing further confidence in this new industry of slate 2 quarrying.

September 1885. At Percydale, slate quarrying is at present the favourite investment; and another lease of 214 acres has been applied for this purpose. The enterprising prospectors in the Pyrenees feel quite sanguine that while prospecting for slate they will succeed in intersecting several rich gold-bearing veins. These hopes, if realised, cannot 3 fail to encourage others to invest capital in the district.

March 1886. The erection of extensive machinery in connection with the slate quarries at Percydale is approaching 4 completion. The two other quarries in the Pyrenees are being opened up.

DESCRIPTION & INTERPRETATION:

Sites 131.0 to 131.2. Slate quarries. Slate mining commenced at Percydale (Fiddlers Creek) in 1884. Small slate quarries. Site 131.1 is currently being worked.

INTEGRITY/CONDITION: Good.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The site has: Historical Significance. The sites are all associated with the beginning of slate mining in the Pyrenees.

SIGNIFICANCE RANKING: Site Listed Heritage Inventory.

Assessor: David Bannear Date: April 1994.

1 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1884

337 Percydale Slate Quarries

2 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, June 1884 3 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, September 1885 4 Mining Surveyors’ Reports, March 1886

338 Percydale Slate Quarries

339