16a 
No better work has been done than the extension of the main western 
level, for this will enable the washdirt to be tested towards the centre 
of the gutter. 
In the former report it was urged that every effort should be made to 
get further into the main gutter, the edge of which was being worked 
from the Charlotte Plains shaft, as better returns were expected in that 
direction. Results have fully justified the conclusions then arrived at, 
for the yields obtained from the two last blocks panelled are better than 
from the washdirt on the edge of the channel. These two western blocks 
of 355 fathoms of washdirt gave 299 oz. 7 dwt. 9 gr. of gold, worth 
per oz., or nearly 17 dwt. 1 gr. of gold per fathom. It appears 
that the washdirt improves to the north-west, and there is a distinct altera¬ 
tion in the nature of the pebbles as the main putter is worked into, as 
well as in the character of the gold. On the margin of the gutter, and 
also in the wash of the overflow worked between the Havillah and the 
Charlotte Plains shafts, the pebbles were somewhat angular and sub- 
angular in form, with some well rounded examples; but in the most 
western workings from the Charlotte Plains shaft, the quartz pebbles are 
distinctly larger, running up to 6 inches long, and very well waterworn, 
and there is an absence of angular and subangular quartz. The gold on 
the margin of the gutter was seal}' and somewhat “ branny ” also, while 
the gold found in the last ground panelled is scaly, but much heavier, and 
there is very little “ branny ” gold present. 
So far the washdirt treated has been from the outside of the elbow 
or bend in the lead, and as the best yields of gold are found on the inner 
side of the bends, the gold yields may be expected to increase the further 
the ground is worked towards the north-west from the shaft. The richest 
washdirt should be found on the opposite side of the gutter tO' that on 
which the shaft is situated. 
The main western bottom level has now reached a point from which 
the washdirt right in the bed of the gutter can be tested, as the levels 
here are as low as any obtained in boring. 
Mr. Bryant, the manager, suggests a programme for proving the value 
of the washdirt that recommends itself. It is to rise 50 feet from the 
end of the western bottom level, drive 200 feet west from the rise, and 
200 feet east, 200 feet south, and 200 feet north, and then drive right 
round this block of wash so as to cut out a block 400 feet square. Then 
truck roads could be driven and the ground could be panelled. The total 
amount of driving to cut out the block of 400 feet square would be 2,400 
feet. The truck roads would be in addition. An area of 4,400 fathoms 
of washdirt would be made available; the washdirt ranges from 6 inches 
to 3 feet thick. 
Estimated cost of the rise ... ^50 
The washdirt drive ... ... 2,160 
Haulage and surface costs ... 1,200 
This work would take from three to four months. 
Eight parties of nine men in each party would panel 60 fathoms per 
fortnight each party, so that the whole block would take about four 
months to work cut. 
While this work was being done the main bottom west level would be 
driven still further west, and the next bottom level to the north could also 
be extended west, so as to open the mine up. 
