Mines and Mineral Statistics. 
38 
west course, the eastern extension from the Prospectors is now 
held in block claims, and the western line, under tlie frontage 
system, extends to the eastern boundaries of the protected areas 
on M‘Gruiggan\s 8011111,^x1^011 No. 19 adjoins. ^ All the claims to 
the eastward of the Prospectors are payable, with one excejition,. 
and several are rich. Of tbe nineteen frontage holdings fo the 
westward six have struck tlic lead, and are on payable gold, the 
yield ranging from 18 dwts. to 0 dwts. per load. Two have not 
yet proved their wash, three have not yet traced the lead, and 
eight have not bottomed. The deptli of the frontage areas is 
lOb feet in No. 1 west, deepening in their progressive course to 
130 feet at No. 11 west ; beyond that it has not been aseertained, 
unless tbe 157-foot shaft on M'Guiggans proves to be on a con- 
tinuation of the Tichbourne, which, if extended beyond No. 19,, 
must cross the foinner. The block claims to tbe east of the 
Prospectors range from 72 to 90 feet in depth, and the wasli 
varies in thickness from 12 inches to 3 feet. 100, 120, 150, and 
250 ounces of gold were obtained from four trial washings fronx 
four of these claims. 
The Wapping Butcher Lend, at a right angle with the Tich- 
bourne, pursues a course to tbe northward along the crest of the 
shallow ground. At a depth of from 45 to 55 feet a coarse wash 
is found, irom 2 to 5 feet thicl^. A trial v'ashing from one of the 
claims of forty-six loads yielded 109 ounces of gold. Prom 
others, nuggets of gold, from 1 to 3 oixuces, have been procured, 
and from 3 to 5 ounces have been taken off the bottom of a shaft. 
This lead has been tixaced to the extent of about three-quarters 
of a mile. Nearly all the claims within that distance are declared 
to be payable, but, as the discovery lias been recent, and the- 
claims not much more than bottomed, any estimate of the value 
of the lead would be premature. 
The Pairy lead, near the head of the Wapping Butcher, a 
recent discovery, also contains some payable claims. Plere also 
nuggets of gold have been picked out of the wash. The depth is 
about 50 feet 
The Pulton Lead, nearer to the creek than any of the preceding 
workings, is about 1 mile in length. There are about seventeen 
parties sinking upon it. Trial washiiigs have yielded 8 dwts. 
per load. It is not yet sufRcicntly proved ; Iiowever it has been 
reported as payable. Depth, from 60 to 75 feet. 
At the Bald Hills, near the south-west corner of this Gold 
Pield, and supposed to be within the boundary of the reserve 
from conditional purchase of the 22ncl of June last, prospecting 
has been carried on for the last six months without inter- 
mission by Mathieson and party. I am informed that they 
liave ol)tained a payable drift at a depth of 170 feet. I have 
received no official report of the fact. The locality is within 5 
miles of Porbes. 
