31 



No. IIL 



FINGAL AND EAST COAST. 



Hohart Town, 8th November, 1848. 

 Sir, 



In compliance with instructions conveyed to me in 

 your letter of 28tli August last, I have examined the 

 Coal Basins in the District of Fingal, and at the Douglas 

 River; and I have now the honor to report thereon, in 

 connection with the geological character of that part of 

 the country generally, for the information of His Excel- 

 lency the Lieutenant-Governor, — premising only, that 

 the weather proved so extremely unfavourable as to 

 render repeated visits necessary, and seriously to impede, 

 and at times almost to frustrate, every attempt at explo- 

 ration . 



The area falling under observation is bounded on the 

 eastern side by the Qcean, from Wabbs' Bay to St. Helen's; 

 on the northern side by the Mount Nicholas range of hills, 

 which extends nearly to the junction of the South Esk 

 and Break-o'-day Rivers ; then onward in a westerly 

 direction, by the chain of rounded granite hills which 

 limits the course of the South Esk on that side, nearly to 

 the confluence of the St. Paul's with that river at Avoca ; 

 upon the south-west side it is bounded by St. Paul's 

 Plains ; and on the south by the extensive flat country 

 stretching from Swanport by the head of Moulting Bay 

 to the ii*acific. 



