230 ON THE GEOLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY OF BATHURST, N.S.W., 



of biotite were fraying out, and the large hornblendes were honey- 

 combed and had quite lost every trace of polish. Disintegrated 

 granite is used extensively about Bathurst for walks and gardens 

 in the same way as gravel is used in other countries. 



Basalt. — The basalt is used extensively for road making, for 

 which it is admirably suited. It is fortunate that there is so 

 large a reserve of this useful rock in the vicinity of the town. It 

 is sometimes used for building purposes. The basalt can be easily 

 dressed with a hammer into rectangular blocks, and buildings in 

 which it is used must be of an enduring nature. Its very dark 

 colour is its only fault. It is as durable as any building stone 

 need be. Some that has been in use for fifteen years shows no 

 trace of weathering, being so dense and compact that not even 

 a lichen had taken hold on its surface. 



Kaolin. — The deposits of kaolin have been frequently tested and 

 condemned, chiefly on account of a rather high percentage of iron 

 that they contain. When good fire-clay and kaolins are so easily 

 procurable in the colony, it is hardly likely that the Bathurst 

 article will prove of economic value. 



Copper. — The lodes of copper about Cow Flat were at one time 

 extensively worked. Many who are familiar with the under- 

 ground workings are of opinion that they will yet prove a source of 

 wealth. The whole country about Cow Flat is highly favourable 

 for mineral deposits. A belt of highly mineralized country runs 

 from here along the granite boundaries. Large deposits of pyrites 

 occur in highly metamorphosed slates. Very little has been done 

 to test their value. 



To the north of Bathurst the country about Pe^l seems favour- 

 able for auriferous reefs. Odd samples of copper-stained rocks are 

 occasionally found in the metamorphic rocks round Duramina. 

 These point to the occurrence of copper lodes not yet discovered. 



Clays. — Excellent clays for brick-making are found all along 

 the alluvial flats. Where the alluvial material mingles with the 

 decomposed basalts the bricks improve both in quality and colour. 



