-g [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



chosen words by Mr. Walter Chambers, C.E. The President 

 replied in a neat and somewhat humorous speech. Mr. William 

 Gray, M.R.I.A., favoured the meeting with an address on the flint 

 flakes found in the district, of which he possessed some choice 

 examples. At the close of Mr. Gray's address the proceedings 

 terminated, and the party adjourned to the station in time to catch 

 the 8-10, arriving in Belfast at 9-15, all highly pleased with their 

 afternoon trip. 



BALLYCASTLE. 



The eighth and last excursion of the Summer Session took 

 place on the 7th Sept., to Ballycastle coal mines, and Mr. Robert 

 Welch, M.R.I. A., acted as conductor for the day. Notwith- 

 standing the early hour of the start, forty-two members and visitors 

 met on the platform of the Midland Railway Co., and travelled 

 down by the 8-25 Portrush express to Bally money, where the party 

 changed to the narrow gauge, and, taking the 10-15 train, reached 

 Ballycastle in due course. Having picked up three members at 

 Ballymena, six more were waiting the arrival of the train at 

 Ballycastle, making a total of fifty-one taking part in the excursion. 

 A number of large brakes awaited the party, which were soon 

 mounted, and the drive commenced. On reaching the outskirts 

 of the town, anciently known as Baile-cashlin, the remains of the 

 Castle of Dunayannie could be seen on the bold headland a little 

 beyond the pier. 



The party drove to Ballyvoy to visit the new colliery opened 

 up recently, and were shown over the works by the courteous 

 under-manager — in the absence of his chief — who kindly 

 explained the mode of working. Of the value of the coal there 

 seems to be a difference of opinion among experts, but of the 

 value of the fire-clay there can be no doubt, it being very rich in 

 silica, and the bricks turned out being of first-class quality. In 

 addition to the coals and fire-clay, the amount of cannel coal and 

 iron carbonate produced is certain to pay. 



