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An interesting feature of the formation of the lead is that, while the 
sinking in the lower portions is from io to 20 feet in depth, it increases 
towards the higher reaches to 60 and 70 feet. I observed that, near the 
source of the “Dry” lead, which branches from Hoddle’s Creek about 
2\ miles above Launching Place, the wash is heavy., and waterworn to such 
an extent as to lead^to the inference that it has probably been derived from 
some previously existing lead!. It may have been derived from the sub- 
basaltic washes, remaining patches of which may be observed on a range 
some 2 rriles further south. 
Massey’s Reef. 
Near the junction of the “Dry” lead with Hoddle’s Creek (here 
called the “Wet” lead) a quartz reef has been recently discovered by 
Messrs. Massey and party. This is surrounded by alluvial workings. Its 
outcrop cannot be observed, as a small crushing has been taken out from the 
surface downwards, and the excavation has been filled up. This crushing, 
which consisted of a few tons only, gave a return of 30 dKvts, per ton, so. I 
was informed. A shaft has now been sunk to a depth of 80 feet, but the 
reef has not yet been intersected. The strike of this line of reef is said to 
be nearly due east and west, its dip to the south, and its width up to 
12 inches. Later information from Mr. W. Langford is that the reef, 
about 10 inches wide, carrying gold assaying 4 ozs. to the ton, has been 
found. 
Pioneer Reef. 
Five chains further south is the Pioneer reef, which has been worked by 
a Melbourne company to a depth of about 200 feet. It is now either 
abandoned or under suspension, and the workings are full of water. The 
reef is said to be small, and to have a considerable amount of antimonv ore 
associated with it. It. has a north and south course, and would junction 
with Massey’s reef, should' both these reefs continue. The rock raised 
from both these mines consists of a grey decomposed sandstone, apparentlv 
of Silurian age. 
Trinity, United and South United Mines. 
One mile further south, and about f mile east of the line of the Pioneer 
reef, are the three mines known as the Trinity, United and South United, 
all situated upon the same line of reef. The reef in the United and South 
United ground has been worked by surface cuts and shallow shafts, the 
deepest of which is, I understand, about 100 feet. The workings were 
not available for inspection. Mr. Ewart informed me that the reef averaged 
about 6 inches, and that upwards of 2,000 ozs. of gold had been obtained. 
In the Trinity lease an adit has been driven along this reef for a distance 
of about 300 feet. Near the mouth of the adit a highly decomposed dyke 
of the diorite type has been cut. I could not observe this in actual associa¬ 
tion with the quartz reef, but it is likely that sudh is the case, and it may 
have influenced the deposition of the gold in the reef. The adit workings 
are connected with a shaft from the surface. From the upper portion of 
this shaft ore returning 2J ozs. per ton is said! to have been obtained, but 
the place is not open for inspection. From the adit level no work has been 
done. The “ reef ” averages about 2 inches in thickness, and, according 
to Mr. W. Langford, has varied up to 18 inches. It has a N. and S. strike 
and dips to W. at 75 deg. 
There are surface indications of the existence of other quartz formations, 
but none has been opened up. Heavy loam caps the rock formation, which, 
as seen from the material raised from the workings, consists of arenaceous 
slate and sandstone. 
