43
faulting, but from the meagre information at hand it is difficult to form any idea as to the exact nature of the fault movement. The general opinion of the old miners seems to have been that the worked portion of the block had been normally faulted with a downthrow to the eastward, and that thus the lost part should be found to the westward of No. 7 level. This theory of the occurrence was probably correct, but only vary half-hearted attempts were made to prospect for the lode in this direction. Three crosscuts were run out westerly from No. 7 level, but none of them was carried nearly far enough to effect the desired purpose. If the work done in the three had been done in one, good might have resulted. Years
later the New Alpine Company extended a drive from the end of the most southerly of the crosscuts, which came to a point vertically under the spot where the block cut out, but no indication of reef was noted. It is to be regretted that more vigorous search was not made for the lost portion of this block, as its rediscovery would have given the mine a much longer and more profitable life.
A number of other companies, among them the Break of Day, the Tyrconnell, the Croesus, and the United Italy operated mines in the vicinity of the United Alpine, but in practically all cases they merely worked small rich leaders, some of which were only 2 in. to 3 in. wide, no considerable body of quartz being found in any of them.
