12G 
across two hills and two gullies, for a distance of 1,300 feet, by occasional exposures 
of galena. In the worlcings the galena ore runs from nine inches to three feet in 
thichness, is occasionally associated with anglesite, 7.inc-blende, and pyrites, and is 
accompanied by a brecciform gangue of broken country-rock. The ore, although more 
than payable, is not nearly so rich in silver as that of Mount Albion. The mine.s at 
the Orient Camp, six miles north-east of Moiint Albion, produce a similar class of ore to 
that of Silverhill. 
Smelting works have been erected on Cummings Creek, Mount Albion, by 
Messrs. .lohn Moffatt and Co., and the ores have been very successfully treated. The 
earthy ores of Mount Albion are mixed in due proportions with the galena ores of the 
Orient and Silverhill, and with ironstone and limestone from the Dry Eiver. The 
bullion is cast into ingots of lead containing generally about GOO oz. of silver to the 
ton, and exported in this form. 
Some confusion has arisen, owing to the Mineral Lands Commissioner having 
given in 18S5 the amount of ore raised, while in 1886 only the amount smelted is given. 
Probably the amount smelted in the latter year included some of that raised in the 
former, so that the returns are defective for statistical purposes. The following notes 
embody all the information obtainable : — In 1885, 2,028 tons of ore were raised, con- 
taining 218,450 oz. of silver. Estimating the value of the ore on abasia of 3s. 6d. per 
oz. of silver, the value would be £38,229. In 188G, 1,4 tOj tons of ore smelted, yielde 
223 tons of bullion, estimated to-contain 88,224 oz. of silver ; at 3s. Gd. per oz. of silver, 
the value would be £15,439 : 340 tons of ore, valued at £22,446, are said to have been 
raised during the year. In 1887, 4,849 tons of ore were smelted, yielding 1,041 tons o 
bullion, estimated to contain 272,863 oz. of silver, and valued at £54,572 12s. 
much was raised during the year is not stated.* In 1888, 5,347 tons of ore were smelted, 
yielding 1,083 tons of biillion, estimated to contain 229,308 oz. of silver, and valued a 
£42,000. In 1889, 5,801 tons of ore were smelted, yielding 896 tons of bullion, 
estimated to contain 221,374 oz. of silver, valued at £55,683, besides 527 tons o 
sulphide ore exported to England for treatment, estimated to contain 96,818 oz. o 
silver. In 1890, 4,017 tons smelted, yielding 888 tons of bullion, estimated to contain 
155,000 oz. of silver ; besides 425 tons of sulphide ore exported, estimated to contain 
65,621 oz. of silver; and 128 tons of ore forwarded to Aldershot, estimated to contain 
10,368 oz. of silver. 
These total values, for obvious reasons, cannot be added together. 
BEY RIVER SILVER EIELB. 
This field lies in the belt of mineralised stratified rocks which extends south- 
eastward from Mount Albion. The slates and greywackes w'hich form the mass of the 
strata strike mainly north and south. The principal lodes — the Try-no-More, Dunn s, 
Silver Streak, Target, Silver Valley, White Star, .and liainbow — trend on an averag© 
from north-west to south-east, and underlie to the south-west. They have, as a rule, 
caps of ferruginous gossan showing lead oxide, galena, sulphate of lead, and carbonate 
of copper. In the Try-no-More, the ore at a greater depth is somewhat complex, being 
composed of copper pyrites, grey iron pyrites, galena, and zinc-blende. The other mines, 
however, yield chiefly argentiferous galena, with occasional zinc-blende. A smeltinS 
company commenced operations in 1883, and suspended operations in 1886. There i® 
no doubt that several of the mines are distinctly payable. The failure of the field i® 
* Except in T.ible A, where 1,041 tons and .£.14,512 are given, evidently by mistake, as the amonH*' 
of ore raised and its value. 
