60 HAYDEN : AURIFEROUS LOCALITIES IN NORTH COIMBATORE. 



Basic rocks of an intrusive character are very numerous, great 

 masses of a very fine-grained dolerite (s.g. 3"02) 



Basic intrusives. 



occurring to the east of Kadbati, between 

 Bensibetta and Bailur, while between Bailur and Pachikalwdre 

 gabbro is very common, and masses of steatite, more or less impure, 

 are found everywhere. My visit to the neighbourhood was made 

 purely to report on the auriferous localities, and I was unfortunately 

 unable to devote any time to the many interesting rocks forming this 

 igneous complex. 



2. " Porsedyke. " 



The mine known as "Porsedyke," belonging to Mr. Hamilton 

 Holmes, is situated at about \\ miles north-east of the village of 

 Porsegaundanpalayam. It consists of three vertical shafts sunk 

 beside the outcrop of a large reef which runs nearly north to south 

 along the flat top of a small ridge. 



The reef is composed of white and yellowish quartz stained with 



iron, and has been extensively worked by the 

 The reef. 



natives. In 1896, Mr. F. H. Smith of this depart- 

 ment visited the locality and reported on it, but at the time of his 

 visit the only prospecting operations which had been carried out 

 consisted of a small shaft some 30 ft. deep, in which, however, the 

 reef was not exposed. He was therefore unable to offer any opinion 

 as to its value. 



Of the three shafts at present in existence, the most northerly 



is said to have been sunk to a depth of over 



Northern shaft. 



100 feet, but no reet is said to have been found 



in it : I was unable to examine this shaft as the winding gear was 

 not in working order. 



The second shaft, which had reached a depth of 141 feet, is situ- 

 ated to the south of the first, along the strike of 

 Central shaft. . 



the reef and beside some old workings. In 



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