79 
As the physical features of the reef in the same levels of these two mines 
are so similar, and as in the lowest cross-cut in the Queen’s Birthday mine 
no reef was found in contact with the bed forming the hanging or eastern 
wall, it may be fairly assumed that no such reef occurs. 
From the information found in the records of the company, it appears as 
if the quartz in the 527-ft. and 627-ft. levels was payably auriferous, and that 
the shoot of gold was dipping north at a fairly steep angle into the New 
Birthday ground. If this is so, then the matter of ascertaining whether or 
not the shoot continues far enough north, and deep enough, to run near the New 
Birthday shaft, is very important. To prove this the shaft might be sunk 
at least 200 feet deeper, and cross-cuts made as required. As the reef is 
now underlying west, and therefore towards the shaft, the lengths of the cross¬ 
cuts should be less than those in the 5 and 6 levels, assuming that the 
direction and amount of the underlie remain as at present known. In that 
case there is a probability of cutting the reef in the shaft at a depth of about 
700 feet, though that is not likely to be deep enough to strike the shoot of 
gold that was worked in the Queen’s Birthday mine from its main (southern) 
shaft. 
As far, therefore, as can be judged from the open workings in the New 
Birthday mine, and the information supplied with regard to the closed work¬ 
ings of this and the Queen’s Birthday mines, it seems advisable to suspend the 
cross-cutting operations which are beiug carried on to the east of the reef in 
the two lowest levels in the hope of finding the “ eastern wall ” with a con¬ 
tiguous reef, and to resume sinking the shaft so as to strike the eastern reef 
at a depth sufficient to admit of the probability of finding the shoot of gold 
worked so profitably in the Queen’s Birthday mine. 
It may also be suggested that the Tambaroora reef be further prospected 
by small trial crushings from the end of the northern drive in the 334-ft. 
level, and the drive extended a little further to see if the quartz shows indi¬ 
cations of resuming its former thickness. 
It is stated by Mr. Watts that in the Tambaroora reef payable gold was 
not found south of the cross-course in the No. 3 level, or in the eastern reef 
north of it; but, although the cross-course has probably had some direct* 
bearing upon the distribution of gold iu the reefs, there is not sufficient 
evidence to hand to confirm the opinion that it has so influenced it. Therefore, 
too much importance should not be attached to such a theory in connexion 
with future mining operations here until more evidence in support be 
obtained. 
Rough plans of lease and workings, and sections showing the eastern reef, 
are submitted herewith. 
Office of Mines, 
Melbourne, 26th November, I960. 
