West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 24 November 1887, page 3


THE GOLD DISCOVERY AT THE

YILGARN HILLS.

A member of our staff had an interview, yesterday, with Mr. Colreavy, the leader of the Government prospecting party just returned from the Yilgarn Hills. The party reached Northam on Monday night after having fulfilled their contract' which was to make a three months prospecting trip to the country round Lake Deborah. The party were appointed by the Northam and Newcastle Settlers' Association into whose hands the Government had placed the arrangements for the trip. It consisted of Mr. Colreavy as leader, and Messrs. Fraser, Swanson and Glass. They were provided with saddles and pack horses, and a dray carrying rations also travelled with them for the greater part of the journey. A start was made from Northam on August 24, and the road being a good one and water found at easy stages, they were able to do daily journeys of about 20 miles. About eighty miles out they came to Mr. Glass's sheep station called Mudgekine and when eleven days out from Northam reached Mr. Lukin's Wilgaon station. The dray was left at the latter place and the party pushed on with their pack horses. From Wilgaon they proceeded to the Yilgarn Hills, which are about forty miles away. They camped at Enouing, at one station belonging to Mr. Lukin. This was the beginning of the auriferous country. The Yilgarn Hills run from north to south for a distance of about fifty miles, and have a varying breadth of from two to six miles. The hills, which are of slate formation, are enclosed within a country of granite formation. At both ends the range is cut off by transverse ranges of hills and at the end a salt lake, Lake Deborah being one of them. The Yilgarn Hills are scarcely the height of Mount Eliza in Perth. Quartz shows bare in them in many places, but it is chiefly of a crystalline appearance. The party were taken across the hills by one of Mr. Lukin's natives to a point seven miles beyond, where there was water. They camped there for two days, but as the water then became scarce, they drew closer into the range. As soon as they reached the bills, Mr. Colreavy began

to prospector gold both in reefs and in the

alluvial. First the Eastern side for about twenty miles was prospected, but no indications of gold were found. A great many quartz reefs were found, but none of them were of an encouraging character. They were all found to be very deficient in metals of any description or metallic black sand. They never went further down than two feet upon the reefs. The gullies and ravines, also, were all prospected thoroughly for alluvial deposits, but the colour was never found. The party then tried the North West side towards Lake Deborah, but again did not meet with any success. The lake at the time was dry and one day they crossed it at its narrowest part-one and a half miles but seeing nothing to induce them to stay, returned the same day. Prospecting on the north-west side of the range was continued for two days, and then the party returned to Enoning, where they continued prospecting in the' vicinity of the station. the water at the north end of the range was getting scarce, the party went there, intending to return to Enouing to pro-spect about the middle of the range. After leaving the northern part of the range, however, they did not come back till evening,, but went prospecting through the country towards Mr. Glass's station. They found several reefs on the way and took several specimens, but in none of them was "the" colour visible. Between Mahgouine and Yarragin, at a spot called Cowardine, Mr-, Colreavy came upon better indications than he found in the hills. The quartz has that honeycombed, rough appearance which so much characterises good quartz. Specimens from reefs here were taken, and Mr. Colreavy has no fear but that gold may be found in them. Wherever they went, the colour in the alluvial was sought for, and at one place, the party went down 13ft. 6 inches without result. The party were now gradually working their way back and had reached Mangorine when they met Mr. Anstey's party on their way out. That was about October 13, and about ten days later, Mr. Anstey returned alone, and he was making his way quickly for Perth. Mr. Colreavy surmised that he had found some gold. The party continued prospecting in the neighbourhood of Mr. Glass's place until about November 12, when Mr. Anstey returned from Perth, Mr, Colreavy and one of his men returned to the Yilgarn Hills with Mr. Anstey to see the reef. They found that it- was situated two miles to the eastward of Enauing, which is on the west side of the range. Mr. Colreavy's party had actually prospected for alluvial gold in a gully running to the South from the reef. The reef lies near the foot of the hills and runs along a flat topped ridge.. The cap varies in height from a foot to 18 inches, and is about a foot to eighteen inches wide. A hole, three feet square and two feet deep had been dug upon the reef, which is about three feet wide, and is very solid. The specimens which were got first of all by Mr Anstey formed part of the cap. During Mr Anstey's absence his men had prospected for other reefs, but had found none showing gold. While Mr. Colreavy was there, Mr. Anstey's men got out about 1 cwt. of stone and broke it, but only came upon one piece showing gold. Mr. Colreavy thinks the stone in this reef is fairly promising, and believes there must be a good deal of it. He saw the reef cropping up from three to four hundred yards to the north, but to the south it dips. . Mr. Colreavy only stayed for two hour's at the reef, and then returned to his party, When he left, Mr. Anstey had no intention of returning until he had tested the reef properly, and also prospected the country about it. After prospecting around Mr. Glass's place for some days longer, Mr. Colreavy's party worked their way back to Northam, and in two or three, places noticed some portions of country which seemed worthy of attention from prospectors. These, however, they could not visit, as the time for which they were engaged had expired. Mr. Colreavy brought back with him several of Mr. Anstey's specimens, some of them showing gold, and also specimens of his own some of which contain the colour. Though unsuccessful so far as the finding of gold was concerned, Mr. Colreavy thinks the country he has visited is well worthy the attention of prospectors and thinks that payable gold and also silver may be found there. He did find slate fit for roofing purposes. It would be unwise he considers to send out parties at present, as the water supply is failing and, believes that Mr. Anstey will be obliged to return soon, unless there are thunderstorms.

The following report, supplementary to that which appeared in our columns yesterday morning, has been supplied to the Chairman of the Settlers' Association, by Mr. Col-reavy: Northam, Nov. 23, 1887. Supplementary report. To the Chairman Settlers' Association. SIR-It is most exigent that the Government, with as little delay as pos-sible, procure a water supply in the vicinity of Mr. Anstey's gold discovery At the present time there is only a small tank of water belonging to Mr. Lukin and a well twelve miles off, not permanent. There is, I think, sufficient inducement to justify a limited expenditure for a water supply, which may be found permanent at a depth of from 50 to 100 feet. As storms are prevalent during the summer months, it, would be ad-visable to conserve tbe storm-water by making tanks. If that is not done, prospecting must cease till the rainy season, which is about June, Now that gold is found and reported it is advisable that prospecting should be continued till found payable. It is often wisely remarked that specimens are only specimens, and do not always prove payable. Such, I regret to think, may be the case in Mr Ansteys's rich specimens and I trust the many geological specimens that we col-lected will be interesting and of much

value . The equipment' of both horses and supplies, were highly satisfactory..

Everything required was amply provided for the three months with some to spare, which I left in charge of three settlers -Mr. Lukin, Mr. Adams and Mr. Glass. The tools are left at Mr. Glass's for safe keeping, I must remark that three months was not sufficient time to thoroughly prospect so extensive a part as Yilgarn Ranges and back to Mr, Glass's. The scarcity of water compelled us to hurry and leave places untried, which was unsatisfactory, but we did our very best

under the circumstances. I will give the '

route from Northam to Yilgarn Range, where gold is found by Mr. Anstey's party. The road is very good and level ; water at short stages in many places ; water not permanent: From Northam to Quilguilan (Heaten's) 20 miles, permanent water ; thence to Goomaling (Slater's), 13 miles, permanent water ; thence to Bearding 10 miles, sand hole, water not permanent ; thence to Nemar 10 miles, permanent water ; thence to Binjabery 10 miles, no permanent water ; thence to Wildecatchem 6 miles, water not permanent ; thence to Corrologgin 5 miles, no permanent water ; thence to Mur-imbuding 6 miles water not permanent; thence to swamp 14 miles, water not permanent ; thence to Tranning 7 miles, water not permanent ; thence to Glass's 5 miles, water not permanent ; thence to Yarragin 6 miles permanent water ; thence to Mangonine (Adam's) 12 miles no permanent water; thence to Barbla 6 miles permanent water ; thence to Danjening 14 miles water not permanent ; thence to Calcalan 10 miles no permanent water ; thence to Yilgarn (Lukin's) 10 miles, water not permanent ; thence to Mallangubtin 9 miles, no permanent water ; thence to Elighbuding 8 miles, water not permanent ; thence to Wolgamonding 9 miles, no permanent water, thence to Irwin (Lukin's out-station) 168 miles, water not permanent; thence to Anstey's gold find, 2 miles, water not permanents am c, B. N. COLREAVY.

MR. COLREAVY'S OPINION.

Mr. Colreavy concludes his report to the Northam Settlers' Association as follows: After three months' prospecting I may be permitted to give an opinion. Firstly, it is unlikely there will be much alluvial gold, from the absence of alluvium and disintegration of the rocks. Secondly, if gold is found payable it will be at a depth, especially at Yilgarn Range, where the gold is found at present. It is likely to be found rich in hematite and argentiferous lodes, covered with iron hats, which are very plentiful and require systematic prospecting by sinking and tunnelling. Injudicious rushing the place will do much harm and be a source of great misery to many. The prospector will require to cart water 12 miles from a private well of Mr. Lukin's that becomes dry in the summer time.