3 
remarks : “ Tire export of gold during the past 
year amounted to £85,561. As compared with 
the neighbouring colonies, we do not at present 
rank high as a gold producing country; but 
when it is remembered that but little capital 
has been hitherto invested in machinery, the 
amount just quoted tends to show that the em- 
ployment of the methods adopted elsewhere 
would in all probability confirm the opinion 
entertained by scientific observers, that our 
auriftrcus deposits are both extensive and 
abundant.” We quite agree with His Excel- 
lency that “ the methods adopted elsewhere,’! 
judiciously employed here, would speedily re- 
sult in the increase of our gold fields, the ex- 
tension of our machinery, and consequently in 
the general prosperity of the people, We have 
briefly referred to the methods adopted in the 
Southern colonies, and we trust that our autho- 
rities may see tleir way to adopt them here. 
It is well known that the Government have 
already off 1 red a handsome reward (£5,000) for 
the discovery of a paying gold field, and they 
have also announced that £1,000 will be paid, 
on ceitain reasonable conditions, to the person 
who discovers the existence of oil bearing 
shales. This is so far good ; and it shows at 
once the interest taken in these matters by our 
rulers, and indicates the prevailing feeling 
among the people. But this is not enough ; 
nor, in truth, is it the most likely “method” 
by which the end contemplated will be speedily 
gained. The other colonies have, indeed, 
voted money and offered rewards ; but they 
have done more. They have engaged compe- 
tent men of science to surviy, geologically, 
the most likely plac> s where the precious 
metals were to be found; 8nd these men ha\e 
reported to their respective governments, and 
thus provided, in many instances, a sure guide 
both to the Government and the public. 
Believing that this is the tiue method by 
which our autiferous deposits are to be dis- 
covered, and the people guided in the workii g 
of them, we venture to suggest that the re- 
wards now generously offered by the Govern- 
ment should stand good for other twelve 
months from this date ; and 1 hat a competent 
person — an experienced field geologist — should 
be at once appointed, with the title of Govern- 
ment Geologist, and having at least one scientific 
assistant. Ibis officer should lake the field 
without delay, that both the Government and 
the public may have reliable information re- 
lative to any given locality. His special duties 
would Le to carefully examine the local 
strata, ascertain their relation to the general 
geological system, learn the character of the 
quartz reefs, and the alluvial deposits, and 
trace the general geologic features of the ce un- 
try. A brief report should accompany each 
feature-map, and both should be issued to the 
public with the least possible delay. The sale 
of the maps would pay for their production ; 
and the reports could be placed before the pub 
lie through channels that would incur nr 
expense. The people wish to know where gob 
may be found in paying quantities, that the’ 
may go and work for the support of thei 
families and themselves ; and, therefore, it is 
advisable that all official information should be 
promptly and widely published. A vote of 
about £1,500 a year would suffice for the effi- 
cient working of such a staff as is here sug- 
gested. 
The following reasons may be given for the 
appointment of a thoroughly competent geo- 
logist by the Government : — 
1. It is the duty of the Government to 
adopt the most approved methods for the 
developing of the natural resources of the 
country, over which they have been appointed to 
rule. This is, indeed, a truism ; but it is, per- 
haps, on that ground apt to be npglected. The 
lulers of a pec pie can be justified in disre- 
gaiding this pldm and primary duty, only on 
two grounds, neither of which exists in our 
case, — the inability to procure, and the in- 
ability to employ the requisite instrumentality. 
The instrumentality is within reach — com- 
petent men are to be found, — if not in these 
colonies, at all events, among the ranks of the 
English geologists. And the expenditure 
which a suitable staff would incur, is neither 
beyond our ability nor contrary to onr will, as 
witness the rewards at this time offered by 
the Government. 
The question may he raised, — “ Which is the 
best method — is it the offering handsome re- 
wards, and waiting, as^ it were, for chance to 
discover the aurifercus deposits ; or is it by 
bringing science to our aid, and thus compel- 
ling Old Nature to unloek her treasures ?*’ 
Reasoning from analogy, and walking by the 
experiences of other countries, both in the old 
and new world, we shculd decide in favour 
of science. It is the more certain process, and 
it is probable that it will be mme speedy in 
securing satisfactory results. What science 
has done for Britain, what science his done for 
Victoria, science will do for Queensland. The 
Government must be sure, however, that they 
obtain true and clear-eyed science, not the old 
fogyism of departed theories. 
In this case much of the success depends on 
the type of man, and the ec-h< ol in which be 
lias been bred. Every man who may claim 
seme acquaintance with the science, is not fit 
to perfoim with success the functions cf this 
important cffice. We hate been 1< d to speak 
of these two methods, but we do not place the 
one as antagonist to the other. Both might 
be employed with advantage, for while science 
went coolly and philosphically to work ; 
prompted by tberewaid, many hands and eyes 
would be scanning the likely localities for the 
precious treasures. But if a choice is to be 
made — if we can properly afford to employ 
