In 1875. not long after a richgold reef was discovered...

In 1875. not long after a rich
gold reef was discovered at
Reefton, there was some minor
excitement at Muddy Creek, west
of McMahons Creek. A
prospecting party came across a
gold bearing reef which showed
promise of another rich find. It
was first worked in earnest by
Hilditch & Co. who tried a parcel
of 4 tons for a yield of 21 ounces
- Not bad! Then. when John
Ewart & Co. took over the lease
later that year. they tried just 17
Ibs. of stone which gave them
17 ounces of gold!!!. That
means 1ounce of gold for every
pound weight of quartz.
What happened between 1876
and the next crushing in 1880. is
a little hard to determine. but
during this time we do know that
a small battery was installed
driven by a water wheel. Water
for power was obtained by water
race from McMahons Creek at a
point three miles away. In 1880
Ewart & Co. crushed 120 tons for
91 ounces. still not a bad
return.The next reported crushing was not until 1885 when T.Talbot took out 17 tons for 10 ounces; then in 1886:
88 tons for 39 ounces; and in 1887 50 tons for 23 ounces.
Total from Muddy Creek 1876-1881: 191 tons for 212 ounces.
Today. on the hillside. above Woods Point Road. east of Muddy Creek, the old water race can still be
seen above a sheer cliff face whIch is the road cutting. Beware of loose and slippery ground, and a
deep incline shaft amongst the scrub.
Note: The returns quoted above are official figures as recorded by the Mines Department. Any amount
of gold which has been extracted from the mine unofficially. is virtually impossible to determine.... Cheers V