122 
Mines and Mineral Statistics, 
Mr. Dalton continues — “ A band of argillaceous limestone of 
an unascertained depth and width, in which no fossils have been 
as yet discovered, extends from the bank of tlie Lachlan Eiver 
due north, and intersects the Lachlan and Billabong Gold Fields, 
near the centre, cropping up on the limestone ridges about one 
mile to the west of Forbes. It again appears in the midst of 
surfacing at the head of one of the live tributaries of the “ Bush- 
man’s” Lead, reappears near the “Dayspring” Beef, where its 
eastern margin is intersected by trappean dykes, and again conies 
to the surface to the northward of the “No Mistake” Lead, 
whence it passes onward through untried countr}^ 
“ The most productive auriferous leads, both in the Lachlan and 
Billabong Gold Fields, have been opened on the flanks of tliebelt 
of limestone referred to and the leads now being -worked, to the 
south of the Goobong Creek, follow the same course, and are 
similarly situated with respect to it. Nuggets of gold weighing 
from 2 to 9 ounces arc frequently obtained from these leads. In 
the centre of the surfacing previously mentioned, a cavernous 
opening was discovered in the limestone, about 00 feet in width 
and 120 feet in length, the Avails on all sides being perpendicular; 
this cavity Avas flllcd Avith the ordinary -vA'ash-dirt Avhich had been 
drifted into it, and has been Avorked from the surface to a depth 
of 50 feet Avith payable results ; as yet no bottom or horizontal 
opening ha.s been reached. This caA'ern must at some former 
period haA'e received the drainage of a Avide valley. 
“ The alluvial leads discoA^ered and AA'orked up to the close of 
1873 are nearly exhausted ; their total yield Av^as about 50,000 
ounces of gold.” 
Five leads lately opened on the south side of Goobong Greek 
seem to be tributary to a main channel, as yet undiscovered. 
Some of these leads yield from 3 to 13 dwts. per load of Avash- 
dirt ; but ou M'Guigan’s Lead on the north side of that creek, at 
a depth of 103 to 115 feet, 1 to 2 ounces of gold per load is no 
uncommon return from the puddling machine. This lead is the 
most important discoA^ery during 1874. The “ bottom” is a i^ipe- 
clay, AAuth occasional patches of compact claystone, sandstone, 
and decomposed diorite. The fine nugget of gold (hereafter 
mentioned) Aveighing nearly 23 ounces Avas obtained from this 
lead. 
“From the Great Northern Block four men obtained 800 ounces 
of gold ; six men from a claim, in Avbich there is still eighteen 
months Avork, 600 ounces ; four men, for four months labour, 450 
ounces ; and four men, in return for four months work, 350 
ounces. 
“ During the past year 126,000 loads of auriferous drift have 
been passed through the puddling machines, at an average cost 
of 3s. 3d. per load, or a total cost of £20,507 10s. The average 
