PEARL CO.
BAILEY STREET LONG GULLY, GREATER BENDIGO CITY
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
How is it significant?
Why is it significant?
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PEARL CO. - History
In the mid 1870s, the ground owned by the Pearl Company was reported as extending for about 500 yards along the line of reef. The lease was originally held by the Nil Desperandum Company, who worked it for about ten years, viz from 1866 to 1876. The Pearl Co. was formed into 24,000 shares. Operations were commenced immediately after the formation of the company, by cutting down an old shaft and re-timbering it. This is now the main or engine shaft, and is doubled-centred in three compartments , with a permanent ladderway, and now is down a depth of 1,400 feet. After cutting the shaft to a depth of 162 feet, a double-winding plant was erected at a cost of £4,400, including an air-compressor, subsequently erected. They continued prospecting by sinking and driving, and it was not until the depth of 1,000 feet was reached that gold was first seen. The reef being worked was from 60 to 70 feet in width, and from June 1887 to December 1888, yielded profits to the amount of £15.600, which was paid to shareholders in the way of dividends. In addition to this, a very complete and extensive crushing plant was erected at a cost of £6,740, and a dam constructed which cost £415. The crushing plant consists of six batteries of five stampers each. Bendigo Goldfield, Dept of Mines, information states that in the 1930s mining revival, a new company worked from a main shaft, a south shaft and an east shaft, obtaining 48,700 oz. of gold, and paying £25,800 in dividends. The main shaft was sunk to 1,630 feet, a saddle reef being worked at 827 feet, and a system of spurs at 1,000 feet. The south shaft was sunk to 1,560 feet, and spurs of an east back were worked, these being 30 feet wide from 934 feet to 1,200 feet.PEARL CO. - Interpretation of Site
1930s mine site which still retains some concrete machinery beds. It does have an impressive tramway embankment which is a relatively rare type of historic mining feature.
Heritage Inventory Description
PEARL CO. - Heritage Inventory Description
Operated 1880's to 1913. Machinery site - 80m long tramway embankment. To the north of this is a concrete boiler setting and concrete winder base. Also a filled shaft. Relatively intact large mullock heap. Also a battery site with scattered brick rubble and exposed sections of rough concrete footings.
Heritage Inventory Significance: Regional - see report.
SiteCard data copied on 08/07/2024: An 80m long tramway embankment leads to a mullock heap which has six dumping lines. The heap is being damaged by 4WD activity. At the terminus of the tramway is a machinery site (concrete boiler setting & 8ft square concrete winder bed). There are also some other concrete features hidden under pepper trees.
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PRIMARY SCHOOL NO. 2120Victorian Heritage Register H0968
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CALIFORNIA GULLY PRIMARY SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H1623
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LIDDELL'S PYRITES WORKSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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