2 6 Mines and Mineral Statistics.^ 
■been re-occupied. There were about 500 men employed sinking 
and shepherding upon the lead during the first half of the year, 
and the block claims from the source to No. 22 are still profitably 
worked. ^ . ,1 T j 
The Little Wonder, an eastern tributary to the London, 
crossing the village of that name, forms a junction with the main 
lead at No. 15 ; depth, 70 to 00 feet ; tortuous and narrow, but 
rich ; contains about six claims. 
The Ben Nevis Lead, about a mile distant from the London, 
pursues a parallel course, and a description of it would be but a 
repetition of that of the latter, with the exception that it has 
been much less productive ; it has been worked for 2 miles in 
length and rich prospects occasionally obtained. Small washings 
from this lead have yielded 10 dwts. of gold per load, but the 
average would not "exceed 5 dwds ; the whole will he worked 
hereafter when water is available, the nearest being now about 3 
miles distant. Depth of sinking, from 35 feet at the source to 
120 feet at the southern extremity ; thickness of wash-dirt from 
9 to 24 inches ; average, 15 inches. The most valuable claims 
are those about the middle of the lead, the deepest ground being 
the least ])rodnctive. 
As a rule the wash-dirt on the Billabong G-old Field is from 12 
inches to 24 inches in thickness ; there are portions of each lead 
where it is thicker, but these are of rare occurrence and continue 
only for sliort distances. 
It is difficult to obtain information as to the value of claims 
on the various leads, hut I have been enabled to ascertained from 
those through whose hands the gold has passed the uuder- 
mentioned facts : — 
From the Great Northern Blocks four men obtained 800 ozs. 
of gold ; six men, from a claim in which there is still IS months 
work, 600 ounces ; four men for G months labour, 450 ozs. ; and 
four men, in return for 4 months Avork, 350 ozs. 
From M‘Gruiggan’s lead, four men obtained, as the produce of 
two washings, 050 ozs., and have still two years’ work in the same 
claim ; six men, as the result of tAVO Avashings, obtained 656 
ozs. ; four men, claim worked out, 500 ozs. ; four men, claim not 
worked out, 500 ozs. ; six men, the proceeds of one AA'ashing, 400 
ozs.; and from two men, still Avorking in the same claim, 
300 ozs. 
At the London Lead four men, from a claim that they are still 
working, have procured 400 ozs. ; six men, as the produce of one 
washing, 200 ozs. ; four men, the produce of one washing, 145 
ozs. ; four men, one Avashing, 190 ozs. ; four men, one Avashing, 
160 ozB. 
From a surfacing party at the Frenchman’s Lead, 120, 100, 
and 150 ozs., the produce of three Avashings. 
