70 On the Improvement of the 



towards the south-east, in the direction where such deposits 

 would be made in the present day under the influence of 

 the prevailing gales during stormy weather. 



That such deposits have not been casual outbursts is 

 evidenced in sinking well-shafts through the strata for 

 .water. In one case, after passing through alternations of 

 this strata, a bottom was reached between 60 and 70 feet 

 from the surface, showing an ancient turf and grass surface. 



The make of the land around Emerald Hill, by deposit of 

 silt and gravel brought down the rivers and the literal drift 

 along the shores, is not only illustrated by similar action 

 within the brief period of our occupancy of Port Phillip, but 

 by analogy wdth the examples of make of the low flat 

 country of Gippsland, terminating against the sea in the 

 Ninety- Mile Beach. 



The importance and extent of the agencies in operation 

 causing these deposits can be better comprehended when it 

 is remembered that the whole of the ravines and gullies of 

 the Yarra basin, as well as those on the Gippsland slopes of 

 the Dividing Range, have been eroded by rains and melted 

 snows, and the materials washed down to form the lower 

 flat country. 



The geological evidence of these facts may be termed 

 as almost absolute and complete. 



The objections made to the large amount of the estimated 

 cost for the whole work of port and harbor formation are 

 equally untenable with those raised against the theory of 

 the river formation, when it is borne in mind that the gross 

 estimated sum is for a scheme of works extending over 

 many years, and the whole cost of which will be more than 

 recouped by the vastly increased value given to the reclaimed 

 lands, a large portion of which at the present time is of 

 little, if any, value. The works proposed, whether as a 

 whole or only in paxt, will be actual creation of a large 

 amount of valuable property in addition to the conservation 

 of the harbor and improvement of the port, leaving it free 

 for ever. 



Up to the present I have been unable to obtain informa- 

 tion as to the expenditure on the ports of London, Liver- 

 pool, or other places ; but, from personal knowledge of the 

 character and extent of the two named, and the nature of 

 the works, I have no hesitation in stating that the cost 

 cannot have been less than from 15 to 20 millions each, 

 whilst in the case of Liverpool nearly the whole of the 



