CHAPTER XVI 



FURTHER EXPLORATION OF CENTRE VALLEY- 

 GLACIER ACTION 



IN the spring of our third year in Geologica we set 

 out from Lyell somewhat earlier than in the previous 

 year, as we wished to make a thorough investigation 

 of the country at the head of Centre Valley, and, as 

 it would be necessary to establish a considerable ddpot 

 at Three Forks, an early start seemed desirable. 



There was still a large quantity of flood water 

 coming down the Hutton, but already most of the 

 principal shoals had been surveyed and buoyed as far 

 north as the Lake Fault, and this considerably reduced 

 the risk of navigation. 



Work had now been commenced on the large lead 

 vein between the faults, and a small village of wooden 

 huts had already sprung up. We landed to inspect 

 the work, but as yet little had been done except in 

 the removal of the cover of loose earth from a part 

 of the vein, and the commencement of a rope railway 

 to bring the ore to the foot of the cliff, where it was 

 intended to erect a smelt mill and a refinery. 



We were accompanied on this occasion by a small 

 tug-boat carrying a party of engineers and towing a 

 couple of barges which contained a boring plant for 

 the exploration of the oil-field. We were instructed 



253 



