130 ON THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF KILKIVAN ; 
at ‘‘ Black Snake,” in rich patches, where, it is said, on the 
prospectors turning over a log, three black snakes were 
disturbed from their lair, and some pounds weight of gold 
exposed to view, which fortunate circumstance originated 
the gold and other mining enterprise of the neighbourhood, 
and gave it the name which, under any other circumstances, 
would not have conveyed any very pleasurable sensations, 
nor have had a very welcome reception by the diggers or 
any other class of bushmen. 
Silver has also been found in the neighbourhood; some- 
times associated with gold, sometimes with copper and 
other minerals, and occasionally in thin lodes of galena, 
which, with the lead and sulphur, generally carries a small 
percentage of silver. The silver, however, constitutes the 
most valuable and only product likely to make galena lodes 
worth working, under the peculiar conditions of labour and 
carriage attendant on the utilization of minerals in the 
remote and hilly districts outside the general line of railway 
communication ; although the time is not far distant when 
the township of Kilkivan will enjoy the benefit of railway 
connection with the rest of the colony, as it is now 
blessed with telegraphic, when it is to be hoped that 
great impetus will thereby be given to the prosecution of 
an industry in which the district gives abundant promise. 
In addition to gold, silver, and lead, copper may be 
incidentally mentioned, and to win this a considerable 
amount of work was done in erecting furnaces, sinking 
shafts, &c., but, unfortunately for the district and the 
colony, the difficulties of labour and transit, and the low 
price of the metal, effectually prevent the prosecution of 
such an enterprise at present. 
Touching another of the metallic ores found in the 
neighbourhood, a much more hopeful and promising con- 
dition of things appears to exist. Some years ago certain 
veins of cinnabar were discovered, and for some little time 
worked with the most primitive appliances, and, as is usual 
on new mining fields, under very great disadvantages. 
With the assistance of an old oil-drum, fora retort, however, 
as much as 2} per cent. of mercury was, I am informed, 
obtained from the ore. Now, when it is understood that 
one per cent. is nearly equal in value to 1 oz. of gold per 
