TIN-MINING IN NORTH QUEENSLAND. 
375 
or the principal object, of mining for these ores ; and, as above hinted, 
has suffered in price, and that to such an extent as seriously to 
interfere with the regularity of mining operations in that behalf. 
The value of the production for the four years is given as £157,302, 
but curiously enough the Customs return for the year 1893 shows a 
far higher value exported than the production of all the four years. 
Can it be that our silver- miners are in such a good financial condition 
that they accumulate stocks for several years before realising; or in 
what wav can we export so much more valuable material than we 
raise from the mines ? 
The productioiiof tin during the past few years has not quite kept 
pace with previous years. The value for the first four years of the 
seventh quinquennium somewhat exceeds half-a-million sterling, and 
therefore indicates a decrease of about 25 per cent, on that of the 
previous period. The decline is in part due to the declension in the 
price of that commodity, but is also to some extent due to diminished 
production, for a decline in the price operates both in showing a less 
value for the same quantity, and by discouraging production where 
that operation would be unprofitable. 
I have endeavoured to put before you some of the results of 
geological science applied with art to the production of the metals 
and minerals useful to civilised humanity. I am aware that I have 
departed somewhat from the primary objects of our association, “ The 
Advancement of Science’’; but “ the mere extension of our knowledge 
is of comparatively little importance, however sublime the truths 
developed, or however hidden the secrets disclosed, unless they 
promote the comfort, or convenience, or happiness of mankind,” and 
the science of Geology is recommended, not only by the sublimity of 
of the facts which it brings under our observation, but it is of the 
greatest utility to mankind in a civilised state, as it affords the means 
of more readily procuring the substances to which I have referred — 
as well as the indispensable substance, the subject of the very excellent 
paper brought before us by Mr. Jack yesterday morning : substances 
to the production of which the science of Geology has been of essential 
service in this colony, and without which civilised society in its present 
state could not possibly exist. 
11. — NOTES ON TIN-MINING IN AND ABOUND HEBBEETON, 
NOETH QUEENSLAND. 
By JOHN MU NBA Y, Mining Engineer, 
Tin is found in the Herberton district both in massive and 
stratified rocks. It was first discovered in the granite hills of 
Tinaroo, about midway between the coast and Herberton, in the year 
1878 ; and in 1880 the prospectors extended their operations to 
Herberton. The Kangaroo Hills tin country lies 120 miles to the 
south, and to the north are the tin-bearing ranges stretching towards 
Cooktown. 
Prom Herberton as a centre, lode-mining bas been extended 
westward to Watsonville, Irvinebank, Eureka Creek, and Koorboora, 
and south-westward to Coolgarra, Glenlinedale, and California Creek, 
