Mines and Mineral Statistics, 
63 
less of mucli importance. When this old drift has been tested 
in sifu^ it has been found rich in coarse stream tin. If the 
actual channel of the old stream could be fouliid, it might be 
found richly payable. But T would also draw the attention of 
the prospectors to where the present gullies have cut through 
the lead and redistributed its rich contents in their own channels 
a few hundred yards lower down. AYhere similar instances 
occur in Victoria, the beds of the existing gullies are sometimes 
found richer than that of the old lead they have cut through ; 
they have as it were ground-sluiced the contents of the lead 
which once crossed the present valley, and have concentrated its 
rich minerals within their own narrow channels.” 
The following table shows that the quantity of Tin Ore smelted 
in the Colony is increasing rapidly : — 
Tin. — T he produce of the Colony of IS'ew South Wales. 
Year. 
Tin — Ingots. 
Tin Ore. 
Total V aluc. 
Quantity. 
Value. 
Quantity. 
V alue. 
1872 
Tons. 
47 
904 
4,101 
£ 
6,482 
107,795 
366,189 
Tons. 
848 
3,635 
2,118 
£ 
41,221 
226,641 
118,133 
£ 
47,703 
334,436 
484,322 
1873 
1874 
5,052 
480,466 
6,601 
385,995 
866,461 
Mr. G-ower, the Mining Eegistrar at Vegetable Creelq reports : — 
It is with considerable regret that I have to announce that 
nearly all the Tin Fields are suffering from the effects of a most 
unparallelled drought, which has lasted over four (4) months, 
thereby causing almost all the mines to suspend operations till 
sufficient quantities of rain will have fallen, and has also, of course, 
been productive of a great reduction in the yield of tin ore. 
Tin-mining in this district is only in its infancy, as, now that 
the deposits of tin have been nearly worked out of the bed of 
Vegetable Creek, the course of which for 3^ miles has proved 
very rich, the stanniferous wash has been traced in most of the 
mines into the banks and adjacent flats ; which in some instances 
equals, if not excels, in richness the creek bed, and these discoveries 
have given increased confidence in the permanency and prosperity 
of this Division. 
The mine of Messrs. Moore & Speare, a property of 160 acres, 
purchased mineral land, situated on Vegetable Creek, has far 
surpassed all the others in the yield of tin ore ; in fact, it can 
