Avoca Mail (Vic.), Saturday 27 February 1869, page 3
FIDDLER’S CREEK.
(From our own correspondent.)
February, 26th, 1869
Our rising township, Grantsvale, is growing rapidly ; there are no less than eight stores, one bakery, one fruitshop, three blacksmiths’ shops, three butchers’ shops, a public house, a billiard saloon, and several other business places in course of erection, besides Chinese gambling and opium houses. Stands in the street are in great demand and are selling at a high premium. There are many complaints respecting the Chinese working on Sundays, and in the forest the perpectual echo of the axe is heard all day, but the greatest nuisance is the foul odour emitted from their camping ground.
The deep lead is progressing at both ends. I am happy to report, better than ever. There is great activity at the lower end since the arrival of a great many Spring Creek miners ; the tape line is the order of the day, and several pieces of spare ground have been taken from Chinamen, and the lease taken up has been rushed in every direction. A Chinese party bottomed last week on a mullock bank, and the hole was pronounced a duffer. John took his windlass off to lead the Europeans astray, but as soon as the ground was vacant their own tribe soon took up the claims, when it was discovered they had obtained 1/2 oz. to the load. Costick and party sunk a prospecting claim, this making the third one,and got a payable prospect. Moore and party bottomed near M’Graths’ store, this party came from Spring Creek and got a piece of spare ground right in the heart of the lead, adjoining the original prospectors ; and M’Grath’s claim below them got a magnificent specimen of quartz and gold, weighing 18dwts. At the upper end, Messrs Catchpole and party obtained 4 1/2 dwt to the load with five feet of dirt. This claim will pay handsomely when blocking out is commenced. Higher up, Gunn and Co., bottomed with a capital prospect of coarse gold, 1 dwt piece besides fine gold to the dish, and four Chinese parties bottommed still higher up with similar results, The lead is more defined and coarser gold is found at this end, but I am sorry to say the ground is all taken up, to the old workings. Messrs Shaw and Sylvia, puddlers, washed five different lots for Chinamen, which averaged 8dwt to the load, but their water is exhausted. The universal cry is ” water,” and but for this deficiency the miners are well satisfied, as also are the business men.
New adventures in our reefs are turning up every week, the old Darling Reef, near Donkey Hill, has been taken up by Walter Rodwell and party, and is turning out some splendid stone, estimated to yield over an ounce to the ton.
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