The Gamp Fault again Lead Ore 



on the altitude of several stars, and by comparing Lyell 

 time, which we were still able to obtain with accuracy 

 from the star shell which was fired into the air from Lyell 

 Observatory every evening at 9 p.m., with the local time. 



We also very carefully laid off a true north and south 

 line across the flat top of the hill. 



It was not our intention on the present expedition to 

 attempt anything in the way of an accurate survey 

 that was to be left to others or to a later journey, when 

 we should have more time at our disposal. 



It was of considerable importance not only to our- 

 selves but to the political party in power that our 

 expedition should result in some pecuniary benefit to 

 the State, as even before we left Lyell we heard rumours 

 that a general election would probably take place at the 

 end of the year, and that the existing Government had 

 been accused of extravagance, one of the most criticized 

 items of expenditure being the provision for this " new- 

 fangled idea" of a geological survey. 



What was the use of sending a costly expedition into 

 the wild and mostly barren country to the north ? was 

 asked by the opponents of the scheme. Was not the 

 rich and fertile land between Lyell and the sea enough 

 to support not only the present inhabitants but also any 

 increased population which was likely to settle for many 

 years to come ? 



It was therefore desirable that we should cover as 

 much ground as possible, so as to get a general idea of 

 the land and increase the probability of our happening 

 upon something of value. 



The first part of our journey lay between low banks 

 of alluvium, with here and there a shallow gorge cut 



191 



