208 



he was aware of its contents. The date is 25th June, 1891. 

 " But a few miles to the south of the main road the Tertiary de- 

 posits become thicker, and form the undulating plains-country 

 between the ranges and Menindie. In these deep deposits in 

 places artesian water of good quality is likely to be obtained. 

 The formations consist of the recent Tertiary, gravelly, ferruginous 

 clays like those at Caulker's Well ; then below these the Older 

 Tertiary lacustrine lignite-beds, resting on the Older Tertiary 

 marine beds, in which the best fresh water may be obtained ; 

 possibly some of the Cretaceous beds may underlie these. Several 

 years ago I prepared a map for the Lands Commission, showing 

 the probable extent of these older water-bearing formations, and 

 advised the putting down of bores for artesian water to the N. W. 

 of Meninrlie, on the Broken Hill road between the Darling and 

 the outcrop of the slates." This very accurate forecast is com- 

 pletely verified by the facts above-mentioned. As to the possi- 

 bility of the Cretaceous beds being found underneath the Older 

 Tertiary, I can only say that up to the present, as far as I am 

 aware, no evidence pointing that way has been discovered. 



Annexed are two estimates of the cost of utilising the water 

 for the mines at Broken Hill. The tirst is by an eminent mining 

 engineer, and the second is by the representative of Messrs. 

 Simpson & Co., the makers of the triple-expansion Worthington 

 pumping-engines. Each provides for the delivery of 1,000,000 

 gallons per day on the mines, and the distance is taken at 26 

 miles, neither would exceed £100,000. And the enormous com- 

 mercial advantages which are evident and may be grouped under 

 the following heads, apply to all the mines more or less, though 

 it seems superfluous to mention them : — 



1. Concentration of the large bodies of low-grade ores will add 

 very largely to the weekly outjDut without increasing the cost of 

 fuel. 



2. Amalgamating kaolin ores, saving £3 to £4 per ton on 

 some. 



3. Leaching. 



4. Making it possible to condense the fumes. 



5. Water-jackets and boilers will last much longer. 



