BY JOHN FALCONER, ESQ. 



133 



The result of 20 years observations in Queensland, has led to 

 the conclusion, that gold and ofther minerals, have been deposited 

 or aggregated on certain lines, and these lines, in Queensland, 

 run parallel with a line drawn north and south, 3i degrees 

 east of north of the Magnetic Meridian of the place, and it 

 will be found that, if this line is drawn through any gold field 

 or mineral deposit, the line if extended either north or south, 

 will pass through some other gold fi.eld, and also indicate where 

 deposits are likely to be found in future. I have also observed 

 that gold increases in the reefs and leaders in the direction of 

 the magnetic dip. 



Since I first thought I saw the appearance of some law regni- 

 lating the deposit of gold, I have watched for discoveries on 

 kn^own lines and found them verified. I had an idea that one of 

 the lines would pass through two islands in the South Seas after 

 passing through gold fields in Queensland, I communicated with 

 some of the Government Agents, and Mr. M'Murdo, and Mr. 

 Thompson, Government Agents, brought me specimens of stone 

 from these islands, with the anticipated result. 



I find also, that all i-anges, or spurs, running parallel with 

 this magnetic direction, contain mineral deposits, and that in 

 gold reefing country, the gold lead keeps this line, irrespective 

 of the direction of the reef, and when there are several parallel 

 reefs, the gold as it were seems to hop from reef to reef, if the 

 reefs are at an angle to this magnetic line ; the gold remains in 

 the reef, so long as the direction of the reef, and this line coincide. 

 This holds good in Gympie, Caliope, Cania, Crocodile, Charters 

 Towers, Gilbert, Ravenswood, Hodgkinson, and Normanby River. 

 Where exceptions occur, the alteration is due to Secondary Reefs 

 of later formation, crossing the ground, and cutting the older 

 reef at an angle. Secondary Reefs occur at Gympie and the 

 Hodgkinson. 



"Where a reef running north and south and dipping west 

 carries gold, the gold will be found on the foot wall, and visa 

 versa. Where a secondai-y reef cuts an older reef, running 

 east and west, and dipping north, the gold is alway found 

 adhering to the hanging wall. 



Most reefs are filled up earth cracks, and during the cracking 

 process, one side of the crack, in some instances, drops 2 or 3 

 feet, and at the same time launches end ways 2 or 3 feet, there- 

 by bringing the projecting points, on either side, in many 

 instances into contact, and so acting as natural dams, which 

 check the flow of reef matter, during the process of filling 

 up ; in this case patches or deposits of gold, or otlier minerals, 



