2 
Isles may be ascertained by any man of ordinary 
capacity and observation. It is impossible to 
oyer estimate the importance of this varied in- 
formation to the landed proprietor, to the 
■would-be purchaser of land ; to the farmer, to 
the minor, and to the man whose fortunes 
may be low, and whose health may re- 
quire resuscitation. Before we possessed 
the knowledge which geology alone can 
impart, or before men’s prejudices per- 
mitted them to use it, many fortunes 
were lost in the haphazard search for 
minerals in the British Isles j and it 
is equally true that, guided by the light 
which this science so liberally diffuses, many 
fortunes have been, and are being made, from 
lands whose grazing and productive powers 
yielded but a poor return for the capital 
invested. The iron master, the potter, the 
coal proprietor, the lime merchant, the copper 
miner, as well as the land proprietor and 
farmer, are laid under heavy obligations to the 
geologist, and also to the paternal government 
of Britain by enabling them through the es- 
tablishment of an efficient Geological Depart- 
ment to make the researches of science avail- 
able for these purposes of national utility. 
The institutions of the mother country 
gradually, but surely, spring up in colonies of 
British origin, characterised by British spirit 
and energy. Thus we find New Souih Wales, 
New Zealand, Tasmania, and Victoria following 
in the steps of the parent country j and glad 
should we be were the discussion of this ques- 
tion at the present suitable time, to help to 
induce this colony to initate such worthy ex- 
amples. In the first-mentioned colonies the 
geological departments, if they can properly be 
so designated, are limited in their operations, 
and inexpensive in their management. So far 
as can be learned from the New South Wales 
“ Blue Book” for 1865, there are only two 
gentlemen, besides the gold commissioners, who 
can be said to be engaged geologically 
in that colony, and that at the rate of about 
£1,000 a year. In Victoria the English geo- 
logical department has been taken as a pattern, 
and, consequently, the establishment is organ- 
ised on a broad basis. There is a well-eelecced 
staff of practical men, under the efficient di- 
rectorship of Mr. Selwyn, a distinguished pupil 
of Sir Roderick Murchison, and the sections 
and geological maps produced by them are 
engraved by first-class artiots, printed from the 
stone in great numbers, and sold at a cheap 
rate to the people. 
I have been favoured, by the courtesy of Mr. 
T. Ham, Chief Engraver to our Government, 
and formerly Chief Engraver to the Geological 
Department, Victoria, with some specimens of 
the sections and maps referred to, and which I 
now beg to place on the table for the inspection 
of the members. 
The geological department in Victoria has 
done much to guide and assist the development 
of the mineral treasures of that colony. 
It would be superfluous to dwell on the fact, 
attested by men of science, partially demon- 
strated by private enterprise, and believed in 
by everybody, that Queensland, one of the 
healthiest of the Australian group of colonies, 
is also one of the richest endowed by a benefi- 
cent Providence. 
In many districts coal of good quality, and 
some of it really excellent, abounds ; and 
though it is not much sought after at the pre- 
sent time, yet it will, we are confident, befere 
long be extensively worked for the supply of 
coasting steamers, and the steam fleet that is 
destined to make Torres’ Stiaits the commer- 
cial highway between Australasia, the Dutch 
Settlements, and the Eastern Dcminions of her 
Britannic Majesty. At a time when England 
is expressing great concern regarding her coal 
supply, we may congratulate ourselves on the 
fact that when our vast primeval forests have 
yielded to the axe, and given place to cctton 
plantations and sugar estates, our coal fields 
will furnish fuel for the consumption of mil- 
lions of people, for countless generations. 
Here is a mine of wealth of untold value, and 
not the less real because it is at present an un- 
important interest, and amidst the numerous 
claims on the men of enterprise and capital, all 
but overlooked. 
In the northern parts of the colony copper 
ores are believed to exist in great abundance : 
and in more than one locality the lodes have 
yielded a high per centage of the pure metal. 
There is no doubt that copper mining will, in 
time, occupy a portion of our energy and 
capital, but for the present the want of inde- 
pendent investigation, and of authoritative 
reports such as would emanate from a Govern- 
ment official, impedes the employment of both. 
As regards gold — that most potent of mo- 
tives to stir up human energy — scientific men, 
who have only partially examined and studied 
cur mountain systems, and old miners from 
the South, who look upon matters with a prac- 
tical eye, agree in declaring that, unless nature 
belies herself, the auriferous deposits in this 
country are both extensive and rich. No syste- 
matic effort has been put forth to test these opin- 
ions end appearances, and yet the results of limi- 
ted, isolated, and tco often fitful attempts have 
gone to prove the opinions of the geologist and 
miner to be comet. There is a glorious future 
to Queensland in the extension and improve- 
ment of her pastoral interests ; in the growth 
and establishment of her semi tiopical agiicul- 
tuie ; and in the development of her mineral 
treasures. 
At the present time attention is very gene- 
rally directed to the mineral resources and 
auriferous deposits of this colony. His Excel- 
lency Sir G. F. Bowen, in the vice-regal speech, 
makes the following hopeful and encouraging 
