The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-08 00:00:00

IHE NOVA SCOTIA GOLD FIELDS.

We learn from the Toronto _Leader, of Aug. 22, that the
latest accounts from the gold fields of Nova Scotia are satis-
factory, although there are no tales of extraordinary yields
such as those wafted to us across the continent from British
Columbia. The diggings in the Sherbrooke district had
become also deserted, when a new " lead " was struck, the
working of which promises to be exceedingly profitable.
A correspondent of the Halifax Chronicle, writing from
Goldenville on the 4th inst•P says •
- •

" During the past week there has been great excitement
caused bf the discovery of a gold-bearing quartz vein,about
one and a
,half miles north-west of the Post-office which is
supposed to be a part of the Blue Lead (of which I gave
you a description in my last), and all the land has been
taken up on this range—about 30 claims. This lode has
proved very rich in places, and certainly gives indication of
being the richest in the province. One company, in break-
ing up four tons of quartz for the crusher, took out about 40
oz. of gold in nuggets; and four pounds weight of quartz
from the next shaft was mortared by our friend Mr. Rogers,
and produced over 9 oz. of clear gold. But the reader must
bear in mind that those rich spots are unfortunately only
the exception, and much of the quartz from this lead will
not yield over one oz. per ton, and some will not pay the
expense of crushing. Such is the uncertainty of quartz
mining in this locality, and it is impossible to tell what the
average produce may be from this lead when it becomes ex-
tensively worked."
The same correspondent gives the following information :
" The Sunday lead, lately discovered on one of the Lon..
don and Nova Scotia Mining Company's lots gives very fa-
vourable indications of being a profitable one. All the
quartz crushed from the M'Coy lead has averaged about
five oz. per ton, and this, like many others, will no doubt
be a profitable lead if properly mined. The Fraser, Metro-
politan, and other new companies are commencing more ex-
tensive and systematic operations in mining, and the busi-
ness of quartz mining here is slowly assuming an appear-
ance of permanence; and although thousands of pounds have
been expended in prospecting apparently worthless claims,
and many small companies, after having expended their
limited means, have abandoned the diggings as profitless,
yet the fact is being established that there are many ex-
tensive leads here that will prove remunerative if worked
extensively ; but skill and capital are required before any
very profitable returns can be expected, and the rule has
been here so far, that if a lead did not pay all expenses from
the surface, it has been abandoned as unprofitable."
The following extract from a private letter is given to
show the value of the diggings in the Sherbrooke dis-
trict ;

" The Sherbrooke diggings have not received from the
press that notice that would encourage persons of means
to invest capital in working the mines, although they are
by far the best in Nova Scotia. Joined with this, a num-
ber of persons expected to find a fortune on the surface,
and being very much disappointed as regards their first
impressions, have gone back and spread the idea that there
was something exaggerated in the statements that have
been made with reference to the locality. Such reports
are, however, sufficiently disproved by actual transactions.
The very rich leads already discovered, and not enough
commended, are convincing enough of the value of the
Sherbrooke gold area ; but the others brought to light
during the past fortnight set the matter quite at rest. I
refer more particularly to the new lead called the Blue
Lead,' Competent judges who have worked in California
and Australia, acknowledge that the discoveries upon it
vie in richness with any they have ever seen in those
places. I make no mistake in this assertion, and have no
existsinten hetiwonorfe i
t doeshumbu aggeitn i
g personshe mere fa
m' thetoetthat, belief ththatin thegold
past two or three days, some 12 claim
wilsl tell so forthree-quarter me of
acre each, have been taken up'
articular lanocaldityae.emaThtee
, of '
the riches thatexist In
that
everapl p
lead
has been
be rich throughout. A considerable quantity of the quartz
struck several
taken from some of the claims on this lead has been sold at
fabulous prices. The surface of the quartz presents the ap-
pearance of seams of gold running through the rock—very
encouraging sights to those who are labouring to extract
the precious metal. Also the whole aspect of the place pre-
sents many signs of improvement ; more energy has been
inspired and displayed, and more cheerful countenances all
round show that hope is strong of having a profitable time.
I would sayto you do not allow yourselves to be discouraged
by mere reports but hold on to your claims."
A correspondent of the Chronicle at Tangier writes :
" I have again to report a very extraordinary yield from
the South Lead. The value of Leahy's claim has been fre-
quently asserted ; it only therefore remains for me to pro-
duce the proof. Twelve tons of quartz from the North or
Big South Lead, were sent to Barton's crusher. I attended
during the process of amalgamation and cleaning up, but
was compelled to leave on other business before the conclu-
sion, satisfied that the result would be very great. Mr.
Leahy's business taking him to town early next morning,
he requested the local commissioner to state to me, that the
12 tons of quartz had yielded, including specimens sold and
on hand, equal to 325 dols. per ton. This is enormous I
magnificent 1 cheering 1"
Another correspondent, writing from Wine Harbour,
says :
" Our motto is still onward and downward, with the ex-
pectation of by and by reaping the harvest. The Hattie
Lead has been discovered in four places, near Cameron's
shanty, since my last, with good washings and very good
specimens taken from the quartz. All parties interested in
those claims are very much encouraged. A new lead was
discovered a week ago by Beckwith, a little to the east of
Rubar's house, which very much resembles the Hattie lead,
but it cannot be the lead in question, as it is upwards of
250 feet north of the Hattie range, although there might be
such a thing as the lead not running straight. Gold has
been found in several of the veins on the surface of the
rock.. Yesterday M'Kay discovered a lead between the
Middle and Hattie's lead, to the north of Rubar's house, of
several veins averaging from lin. to 3in. in thickness,
within a space of bin. in width. Nearly all the veins are
good bearing, and no doubt will prove rich on going down.

The Halifax Reporter of the 7th says :
" A large lump of gold worth at least 800 dols. may be
seen at the store of Mr. W. Kandick, Hollis-street. It was
taken from the claim of Mr. Philip Leahy, Tangier, and is
the product of one-fourth of the quartz which he has got
out within the last 15 months. The rest of the quartz is
considered to be quite as rich as that already crushed. We
are informed that Mr. Leahy's machinery is of the simplest
description, and that the further down the claim is worked
the richer it becomes. Presuming that the quartz now on
hand is as rich as that portion which has been crushed, to-
gether with many fine specimens which Mr. Leahy has got
out, he will realise something like £1,500 for his 15 months
work. Mr. Leahy has two others besides himself working
on his claim.