124 
from tlic surface stone, and in the second place to tbe comparatively nutn^jer °f 
European miners then on the field, who had been originally attracted by the a luvial 
diggings. The reefs, however, at present show signs of increased activity an p 
ductivenes^s. of alluvial gold reached its maximum in 1875, the third year of 
the existence of the field. The bulk of the total output of 1,2 10,598 oz. of alluvi 
gold from 1873 to 1890 has, unfortunately, been reaped by Chinese . i 
North of the Palmer Eiver the auriferous rocks are covered by a horizontal caH 
of the Desert Sandstone (Upper Cretaceous). This Desert Sandstone, there are “gen 
geological reasons for believing, may cover extensive deep leads of concentra 
auriferous wash, which may yet prove even richer than the old alluvial 
Palmer. It may be mentioned that the alluvial gold m many cases is found in localities 
where it is impossible to believe that it can have come from local reefs ; and everything 
points to the old land-surface now covered by the Desert Sandstone as its original 
source. (See Chapter on Desert Sandstone.) 
Yield or Palmer &old Field. 
Tear. 
Alluvial Gold, 
Eeef Gold. 
Total. 
*1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
1883 
1884 
1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
... 
Oz. 
58,829 
150.000 
250.000 
185.000 
167,760 
112.000 
79,998 
58,513 
45.171 
33,092 
21.171 
13,764 
9,960 
6,521 
5,000 
5,692 
4,298 
3,829 
Tons Quartz. 
4,766 
4,949 
4,061 
4,814 
3,016 
3,170 
2,704 
2,702 
1,902 
1,676 
1,101 
1,477 
2,216 
3,079 
5,675 
Oz. 
200 
400 
15,000 
11,811 
8,233 
10,002 
6.920 
6,789 
4,247 
2,918 
1,873 
2,953 
2,066 
1,981 
10,732 
12,563 
6,860 
Oz. 
58,829 
150,200 
250,400 
200.000 
179,571 
120,233 
90,000 
65,433 
51,960 
37,339 
24,089 
15,637 
12,913 
8,587 
6,981 
16,424 
16,861 
10,689 
Gl-i*and totals ... 
1,210,598 
47,308 
105,548 
1,316,146 
» Deduced from data In Keport of Department ot Mines for 1881, p. 10. 
CANNIBAL CREEK TIN FIELD. 
Up to 31st December, 1881, 2,373 tons of tin ore, valued at £102,300 10s., ha<i 
been exported from the Palmer Gold Field, chiefly from alluvial workings on Granite 
and Cannibal Creeks. Although this stream tin was collected from slate and greywacke 
country and in the neighbourhood of the Cannibal Creek lodes, it probably came, 
the most part, from the granite range to the east. Tliis range, which is a stronghold o 
the Aboricrines, has never been sufficiently prospected tor lodes. The lodes on Cannibal 
Creek are°large quartz reefs, running E. 15° S., through a country-rock of «late ano 
greywacke, and containing some tin ore. The formation of a company to work thes 
lodes resulted disastrously, as expensive machinery was erected before the mines wei 
proved to be payable. 
