gutter

n.

in Australian goldmining, «the lowerand auriferous part of the channel of an old river of theTertiary period» (`Century'). «The lowest portion of a lead.A gutter is filled with auriferous drift or washdirt,which rests on the palaeozoic bed-rock.» (BroughSmyth, `Glossary of Mining Terms.')

1864. J. Rogers, `New Rush,' p. 55:

«Duffers are so common And golden gutters rare.»

1871. J. J. Simpson, `Recitations,' p. 23:

«Privations and hardships you all have to suffer

Ere you can expect to get on to the gutter.»

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. viii. p. 81:

«If we happened to drop right down on the `gutter' or maincourse of the lead, we were all right.»

1890. `Goldfields of Victoria,' p.23:

«The Company . . . are putting in a drive to strike the old Shakspeare gutter.»

1891. `The Australasian,' Nov. 21, p. 1015:

«Evidently both claims had been driving for a `gutter.' Oneof them had got to the end of its tether before reaching it.»