30 
Mines and Mineral Statistics. 
sects tlie Laclilan and Billabong Gold Pields near the centre 
cropping up on the limestone ridges abont one mile to the west 
of Porbes, it again appears in the midst ot siirfacing at the head 
of one of the main tributaries of the Bushman’s Lead, reappears 
near tlie Layspriug reef, where its eastern margin is intersected 
by trappean dykes, and again conics to the surface to tiie nox’th- 
ward of the No Mistake lead, whence it passes onward through 
untried country. 
The most productive auriferous leads both on tlie Lachlan and 
Billaboug Gold dhclds have been opened on tho hanlvs of the 
belt of limestone referred to, and the leads now being worked to 
the south of the Gool>ang Creek on the Keserved Gold Field of 
the 22nd of June, 1874-, follow the same course and are similarly 
situated with respect to it. Nuggets of gold weighing from 2 
to 9 ounces are fre([ucntly obtained from these leads enveloped 
in what appears to be a decomposed silicate of lime. 
In the centre of the snrl'acing previously mentioned a cavernous 
opening was discovered in the limestone, about GO feet in width 
and 120 feet in length, the walls on all sides being per 2 )endicular. 
This cavity was fdled Avith tlie ordinary Avash dirt which had been 
di’ifted into it, and has been Avorked from the surface to a depth 
of 50 feet Avith payable results ; as yet no liottom or bprizontal 
opening has been reached. This cavern must at some former 
period have received tho drainage of a Avide valley ; the gravel 
and debris forming the surrounding surfacing appears to have 
been a lacustrine deposit. Tliis limestone may haA'e exercised 
a strong inllueiice over the trappean formations reposing upon 
its flanks, and to some extent it ma}' be acceptable as a guide to 
UGAA'' discoveries. 
Large quartz reefs may be occasionally obscrA^ed where there 
has been but little disturbance of the schists, but as a rule they 
are not metalliferous. 
Thus far I haA'e endeavoured to convey some idea of the litho- 
logical formation of this Division of the District, so that the 
]jrogress made in its development as a gold-mining country may 
be the more clearly understood. 
At the commencement of the year, the gold-mining population 
having largely increased, and the Bushman’s and Welcome Leads 
with their tributaries being nearly exhausted, numerous prospect- 
ing parties spread tliemselves along the range of hills already 
described. The result was the discoA'ery on the south-Avesterii 
slopes of the London, the Ben Nevis, and M'Guiggan’s, with 
many other aurifei'ous leads of minor importance. These leads, 
as they descend to the valleys and flats, become deep, narrow, and 
tortuous ill their course ; their source generally is iii surfacing 
or shalloAV ground on the slopes, and it required much labour 
and perseverance to trace them into the deep ground Avhere 
