Silver and Lead
Image courtesy State Library SA B-46307, dated c.1900
Camp scene at the Western River Silver Mine, worked by James Murray & Tom Clark in foreground.
[1896] NOTICE.— I intend to APPLY for a MINERAL LEASE situated at Western River, Kangaroo Island, as defined by posts and trenches.
FRED TEMPLER.
South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 28 November 1896, page 2[1897] Western River Silver and Lead Mine.
—This mining property, which many years ago was worked by the late Mr. Fitzgerald Moore, representing a Melbourne Company, has fallen into the hands of an Adelaide Syndicate, who are determined to do all that is possible to make it a thorough success. The property is situated at the Western River, Kangaroo Island, and about thirteen miles from Cape Borda. Work already done on the mine reveals stone carrying from 50 per cent, to 60 per cent, lead and about 6 oz. silver to the ton. The lode, which has only been opened up by trench, is about 5 ft. wide. On Saturday evening the Directors, accompanied by Mr. James Shaw and Messrs. M. Fitz patrick and F. Brewer, left the Semaphore by chartered steamer for the purpose of visiting the mine. They arrived on the property on Sunday morning, and after a careful inspection came to the conclusion that there was a good future before the mine, as it had never been properly opened up. It has been fully manned, and the Directors have recommended that the drive should be put in about 300 ft. below the crown of the hill, where the lode was formerly worked upon. It is expected that a permanent and well-defined lode will be picked up within 100 ft. of driving. Should it improve as expected at the lower level the mine will be most vigorously developed. Before floating the concern into a Company sufficient money will be expended to prove its value. The excursionists arrived at the Semaphore on Monday morning after a pleasant trip .
Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 20 November 1897, page 22The Western River Silver and Lead Company was registered 24 Sept 1907. The number of Shares in the Company - 100 000, of 30/ each.
Advertising (1907, September 26). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), p. 2. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5095154[1907] . . . The Western River property has bottomed at 300 ft. below the cap of the reef on a rich band of lead, 2 ft. wide, and ranging from 40 to 50 per cent. The original syndicate is now being reorganised and a new company formed with a capital of £25,000. Many of the islanders are interested in the company, and shareholders are very enthusiastic over the show. . . .
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 14 September 1907, page 44WESTERN RIVER SILVER-LEAD.
Mr James L. Bagley reports that the 50,000 contributing shares offered to existing shareholders in the Western River Silver and Lead Mining Company in the proposed new company, the option of which expired on the 19th inst., were over-applied for by the shareholders, in addition to which 65,000 shares could have been placed outside.
Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 23 September 1907, page 8[1908] Western River Silver and Lead Company closed down
Western River Silver and Lead Company. (1908, July 25). The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), p. 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191640403