Alexandra Times at KellyGang 11/6/1869 (4)
As the result of my observations, I am of opinion that the above remark will apply generally to the vicinity of the goldfield, and that no unusual mining difficulty will be met with either on account of the depth of the sinking, or the flow of water in the drifts.
“With regard to the prospects of the gold field. I may remark that the alluvial gold hitherto found appears to have been derived from auriferous veins and strings of quartz in the immediate vicinity of the workings. It is generally very nuggetty and but little waterworn, and the leads or gullies appear to fall off in the yields as they are traced downwards. Like other parts of the same district, there is very little quartz detritus to be seen anywhere, and 1 do not, therefore, think that the quartz veins can be very numerously distributed over the country, It is most likely that they lie in particular belts and that where these belts occur patches and isolated lead of payable gold deposits will be found, and that of the existing quartz veins many will prove to be highly auriferous.
“Prospecting operations have not yet been very much extended in the neighborhood, but I am informed that some valuable quartz veins have been discovered at wide distances apart, and that some important discoveries of alluvial gold are likely to be made at Middle Creek, about two and a half miles distant from the Godfrey's Creek diggings.
"Owing to the easy nature of the mining operations, the introduction of capital into the district will no doubt rapidly determine its value as a goldfield.
"I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
"THos. COUCHMAN, Chief Mining Surveyor."
[Captain Couchman being an authority on mining matters we publish his letter in full, from a Melbourne paper. There is a good deal of the "may or may not" style in the letter. The writer avoids committing himself to any very definite opinion. He is clearly wrong, however, on one point when he states that there is very little quartz detritus in Godfrey's Creek. The Working Miners' white lead is absolutely nothing but quartz, 10 tons of which was lately crushed at Blythman and Roberts's machine, and yielded 32 dwt. The valley of the creek is soft alluvial soil, and well covered with grass, but the hill sides and the banks of the creek show a large quantity of quartz.]
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