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1893
26 October 1893
GULGONG.
An important mining industry in Gulgong is the Junction Lead Syndicate, which is a London company under the management of Mr. Frame Fletcher, a gentleman of considerable experience. This mine hitherto has not been a success, mainly through the machinery not being powerful enough to cope with the incoming flow of water, but they are now erecting new machinery. The plant consists of a 10-horse power portable engine, driving an 8-inch force-pump, capable of throwing 6000 gallons an hour, and a 9-inch Cornish draw-lift, which will be driven by a 25-horse power horizontal engine; the two pumps will then be capable of throwing 15,000 gallons per hour throughout the 24 hours. By this means the water will be effectively got under, and it is then expected that the drawlift will be able to do the work itself, when the pump will be removed, and a winding shaft used in its place. The size of the shaft is 9ft 6in by 3ft 6in in the clear, and is timbered with 2-inch ironbark planks and centered. There is also in use a 10-horse power winder and a Park and Lacy Australian economised steam engine, which will stand a 90lbs pressure, but is never used at more than 75lbs. The area of ground used is 200 acres, in eight blocks of 25 acres each. The shaft worked at present is about the centre of the property. When sinking the shaft some very valuable diamonds were found. The nature of the ground is as follows: - 25ft. of alluvial from the surface; 15ft of soft basalt; this brings you on to a hard basalt, 110ft in thickness; the remainder is principally drift until you reach the washdirt at a depth of 180ft. The management are most sanguine as to the result, and are confident their efforts will be crowned with success; well, they certainly deserve to be rewarded, as this company has expended a large amount of English capital in the district. It is expected the mine will be in full operation in about a month, when about 25 men will be employed. I recently paid a visit to Home Rule, which at one time was an extensive and prosperous goldfield; but what a falling off is there! It is now but the shadow of its former self. The town consists now of one store, run by Allen and Garland; one pub., by Host Wells; a post-office, in charge of Mr. Maroney, and a public school, which is an exceptionally good building in comparison with its surroundings; this school has a muster-roll of 50 scholars, but where, in the name of mystery, all the youngsters came from, is a problem best solved by the Home Ruleites themselves. The teachers are Mr. and Master Hamilton. There are a number of fossickers about here, but, I was informed, only one claim on gold.
Morrow and Prye's dirt, a trial machine of 11 loads only, went just 4½dwts. per load, and it is quite possible that this party may do well in their ground yet.
Burrows and party, on the Helvetia, and Egan's party, in Morrissey's paddock, will shortly wash up at Canadian. The latter are not making more than £2 a man per week, so that the blow of £5, a week should not be heeded. It takes a wonderfully good claim to pay six men £5 per week, and certainly no ground in this district is giving any such yield.
Paines' crowd, in Smith's paddock, have suspended work, pending either reconstruction or dissolution, as the dirt was too poor altogether.
Wolfmüller's party are now raising dirt from a lower level, which they think will go something better than their last two lots and truly there is room for improvement. - Guardian1
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