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This article is from the Australian Town and Country Journal, 22nd January 1870, p.15:
“Bell’s Creek, like Major’s and the Deep Creek (which runs between the two) is a tributary of the Araluen, and all three heading from the north and flowing in a southerly direction have pored their aurifer (auriferous alluvial wash) into the Araluen, and mainly contributed to the wealth of the famous valley. Now these creeks running north and south from ranges that divide them from the Jembaicumbene which runs east and west (I am speaking approximately) and the reefs traverse these ranges east and west, or almost parallel with the last creek; they would therefore cross the three creeks above named at right angles and if several auriferous reefs are discovered to do so, the reason why these creeks were auriferous almost throughout is made plain, they have been fed by the detritus of gold reefs in their banks and in their beds.
“On Bell’s Creek there are ten known reefs, all with one exception east and west. Crossing the creek, appearing on both banks, and lying between Commissioner’s Hill and Forsyth’s store a distance of about 1 3/4 mile; average distance from vein to vein 500 yards. They range in the following order from Commissioner’s Hill : -
“1. ‘The Caledonian.’ - thickness at surface 8 inches to 10 inches; dip to the south, 1 inch in 10; soft granite walls; pipeclay in seams; 33 feet down to water and hard rock. By washing this reef 12 dwts. to the load have been got. The parties at work on it are now in water.
“2. ‘The Golden Fleece.’ - The same size and characteristics as No. 1. Two parties are working on it.
“3. ‘The Vanguard.’ - Similar to No. 2 Five parties are working.
“4.Wing and Co. - Similar to No. 2 two white parties and two Chinese parties are at work, blasting in rock.
“5. Tippet and Co. - Looks abandoned.
“6. ‘Temperance Banner.’ - Several parties here at work.
“7. ‘Sam Young’s.’ - very fair reef and larger than the above. Seven or eight parties working.
“8. ‘Cohen’s Reef.’ - Looks well. Several parties at work.
“9. ‘The Chinamen’s.’ - Pronounced unusually good and wide (22 feet). Quartz and granite conglomerate which when pounded and washed is said to have gone 2 and 3 dwts. to the dish. The prospecting claim is Chinese and there are two white parties. It is near Forsyth’s store.
“10. ‘The Main’ or ‘Mountain Reef.’ - The only north and south reef here. There is about 3 feet of solid quartz in a mullocky bed, which diminishes as you go down.
“I heard nothing of work in the Deep Creek; but lying between Major’s and Bell’s it can hardly escape being included in the same list, both for alluvial and quartz. The quartz of Bell’s Creek differs from the rest in being clearer and better defined. The objection to the greater number of ‘reefs’ being that they are too young and have not attained payable dimensions. No stone has as yet been crushed, so that we are quite in the dark as to its actual value. I have a sample by me which shows fine gold distributed round minute crystals. Much of it might be simply washed with tub or sluice box, but this process it appears, involves the payment of double license to the private commissioner - the quartz reef and the alluvial licenses.
“As regards the alluvial in Bell’s Creek, it is not yet worked out, but there is no water for ground sluicing, so ‘the experienced’ register their claims for an indefinite time, and work at the quartz till the rain comes. This Creek also was very rich - one of the most resplendent finds was that by Stewart and Co., of 75 ozs. to the dish, got round a hard boulder.”
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