Notes on the Discovery of some Keys. 33 



Art. X. — Notes on the Discovery of some Keys in the 

 Shore Formation of Corio Bay, near Geelong. 



By T. Eawlinson, C.E. 



[Read 16th November, 1874.] 



In a conversation with Mr. Alex. F. Mollison, some few 

 days ago, he informed me of a statement made to him 

 in England, by Mr. C. J. Latrobe, formerly Lieut. Governor 

 of Victoria, of a singular incident which occurred about 

 1845 or 1846, namely, the discovery of some iron keys in 

 the vicinity of Corio Bay, embedded in what presented 

 all the characteristics of an old sea beach, and overlaid by 

 15 feet of diluvium, at a level of 10 feet above the present 

 high water mark in the Bay. 



Mr. Mollison was at Geelong the day after the discovery, 

 and personally examined the locality, and to this extent 

 can confirm the statement made ; and owing to his know- 

 ledge of the occurrence so far, he, on the occasion of a recent 

 visit to England, requested Mr. Latrobe to narrate the 

 circumstances in writing for him. Mr. Latrobe complied 

 with this wish about four years ago, by dictating to 

 his daughter the particulars as set down in the accompany- 

 ing paper. 



The high character of the narrator, his known keenness 

 of observation, and bis shrewdness in sifting facts, combined 

 with the confirmation of the statements to a certain point 

 by Mr. Mollison, a well-known colonist of many years, 

 gives an importance to the narrative which it would not 

 otherwise possess unless so vouched for ; and beyond all 

 this there is the want of motive for Boucher to attempt 

 trick or deception in practising on Mr. Latrobe's credulity. 

 To reject the statements made, vouched for as they are by 

 persons of undoubted integrity, involves to my mind a 

 much greater degree of hardihood than then acceptance. 

 The statements may be at present inexplicable, but I have 

 yet to learn that this is a valid reason for their rejection. 



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