[ Gold mining in Queensland, Australia. ] Four Autograph Signed Reports (two by S. L. Hister, one by W. H. Mallett and one by G. H. Irvine) relating to properties 'in the Gympie Goldfields district'. With two more related items.

All six items in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. In 1886 Hester, the author of the first two reports, had been described in the London St James's Gazette as 'a miner of experience in the Quicksilver mines of California'. His two reports are crude in comparison with those of Mallett and Irvine. ONE: Autograph Report Signed by 'Sam L Hester | Manager'. Kilkivan, 8 April 1898, on letterhead of the Freehold Goldfields of Queensland, Limited. 3pp., 4to. Addressed to 'C E Morton Esqr | Secretary | D-Albevelle Estate'. Receipt stamp dated 12 April 1898. The report begins: 'Just returned from Devils Mt after examining the North boundary of the D-Albevelle Estate adjoining the Crown Lands where considerable activity is visible upon the newly discovered Reefs.' Later in the document he states that 'The said Crown lands are to be proclaimed a gold field shortly under the title of "Sexton" gold field. | Sexton being the name of the Railway siding some four miles distant.' TWO: Autograph Report Signed by 'Sam L Hester | Manager | Queensland Mines Agency Ltd.' Kilkivan, 8 December 1899. 5pp., folio. Addressed to 'D. G. Macfie Esqr. | Managing Director | Associated Mines Proprietary Ltd.' Receipt stamp dated 12 December 1899. The report begins: 'Herewith find result of my examination of this Companys Property situate in the Wide Bay district in the Colony of Q-land and distant some 18 miles Westerly from the well known gold field of Gympie'. The report concludes: 'This property being easy of assess [sic] by High Road, and Rail Road, and surrounded as it is with known gold bearing Lands causes wonderment that such a property has remained so long without development'. THREE: Autograph Report Signed by 'W H Mallett. ME | MM.' Devils Mountain Freehold, 20 August 1902. 3pp., folio. Addressed 'To the Directors'. The first page headed in another hand 'Folio | Grampian Estate'. The report begins: 'Gentlemen | I have the honor in reporting Development operations since I have been in charge of the above Property from Oct 1900 up to the present date. As you are aware this great Freehold Property is situated some 18 or 20 miles in a north westerly direction from Gympie Goldfield and still further to the West is situated the Kilkivan Goldfield some 15 miles distant - and on the north west we have situated Running Creek Gold Mines - also The Black Snake some 12 miles distant: (Running Creek has lately been acquired by a Powerful Scottish Company of Scotland and large works are now being erected for treating their ore:) and adjoining your Freehold on the North are situated Devils Mountain Gold Reefs some of which are working at the present time'. Forty-five reefs have been discovered of an 'auriferous nature and probably as many more', of which 'four at least give encourageing [sic] results from prospects and are exceedingly promising and as an investment to mining men can with confidence be recommended as a legitimate venture to the Speculator'. FOUR: Autograph Report Signed by 'Geo Henry Irvine | M.I.M.M. | London | Late Manager & Metallurgist | The Mt. Morgan G.M. Co Ld.' London, January 1904. 3pp., folio. Addressed to 'The Directors | The Grampian Estates Ld. | Salisbury House, E.C. [ London ]'. The report begins: 'Dear Sirs/ | Having in company with your Mining Manager visited and examined a number of the Blocks on the above I have much pleasure in reporting thereon viz: | Situation. This large Freehold Property of some 1300 acres is situate in the Gympie Goldfields district not more or less than six (6) miles from Sexton R'way station on the Gympie Kilkivan line'. Sections are headed: 'Exploration Work', 'Timber Water', 'Machinery Sites', 'Future Developements [sic]' and 'General'. FIVE and SIX: Typed 'Ore Purchase Note No 3823. | Duke of York Reef [last word amended from 'C.M. Coy'], | Mr W. H. Mallett, esq | In a/c with | Sexton Siding | The Queensland Smelting Coy, Ltd.' 1p., 4to. Dated from 'Aldershot [England] 14th October 1901.' Signed and stamped. With signed and stamped manuscript receipt (1p., 4to) by the Queensland National Bank Limited, for 'Twenty six ounces 1 dwt.' of gold, received from 'Mr D G. Macfie for safe custody'. Dated 'H. O. | 18th. Oct. 1901.'