Obituary— Richard Daiiitree, C.M.G., F.G.S. 431 



sediment. The subsequent plication and desiccation of the sediment 

 caused fissures, into which the mineral waters percolating, the 

 boundary rocks flowed and were decomposed, and their mineral 

 contents were precipitated, possibly by magnetic currents, thus 

 causing mineral veins." 



The geological and other scientific acquirements of Eiohard Daintree 

 were not lost upon the Queensland Governnient, for in 1867 they 

 requested him to make an examination of the Cape River district, 

 which resulted in the opening up of the Cape River Gold-field.^ 

 In 1869 he was appointed Government Geologist for North Queens- 

 land, whilst the late Mr. C. D'Oyley H. Aplin was appointed to a 

 similar post in the southern part of the same colony. The Queens- 

 land Government were able to secure the latter gentleman's services 

 through the parsimony of the authorities of the Victorian Colony in 

 breaking up one of the most complete Geological Surveys ever 

 organized, except perhaps that of the United States Territories, under 

 Dr. F. V. Hayden. During the three years intervening between 

 1869-71, Mr. Daintree examined large areas in North Queensland, 

 including those of the Gilbert^ and Etheridge Rivers, and the 

 Eavenswood district, which have since proved highly auriferous and 

 remunerative to those employed on them. 



The importance of proper and efficient representation at the London 

 Exhibition of 1872 was not lost upon the Queenslanders, for in 1871 

 Mr. Daintree was appointed Special Commissioner, and in consequence 

 left the colony. The wisdom of the Colonial Government's selection 

 cannot be better borne out than by the admirably organized and 

 arranged Queensland Annexe of that and succeeding Exhibitions, in 

 the administration of which Mr. Daintree took the entire super- 

 intendence and most active part, although latterly much broken in 

 health. The office of Agent-General in London to the Colony of 

 Queensland falling vacant at this time, the subject of our notice was 

 appointed to it in March, 1872, a post held by him until 1876, when, 

 in consequence of ill health, he was obliged to resign. It is gratifying 

 to find that the services rendered by Mr. Daintree to the Colony in 

 his official capacity, and to Colonial Science generally, were so far 

 recognized by the Home Authorities, that it pleased Her Majesty, on 

 his retirement, to confer on him the well-merited honour of C.M.G. 

 It was hoped by his friends that rest and change would, to some 

 extent at least, restore his shattered health, but notwithstanding a 

 residence at Men tone during the winters of 1876 and 1877, and all 

 that professional attention and affectionate family care could do, he 

 gradually sank, and shortly after reaching this country in May last, 

 he passed away. In a letter to a mutual friend dated Mentone, 

 November, 1876, Daintree wrote thus : — "Thanks to hard work and 

 rough food in a tropical climate, I managed to damage my liver, so 



1 Eeport on the Cape EiverDiggingsandthe Latest Mineral Discoveries in North 

 Queensland. By R. Daintree. Folio, pp. 7, Map. Brisbane. 



2 Eeport on the Gold Discoveries in the Gilbert Eanges, -with Sketch Map. By E. 

 Daintree. Folio, Brisbane, 1869. Eeport on the Gilbert Eanges Goldfield, with Maps. 

 By E. Daintree. Folio, Brisbane, 1869. 



