57 
However, in the year 1887 a gleam of hope shone from the Eastward, just 
when it was most needed; for what had the Colony to depend on ? Kangaroos 
and sandalwood were getting scarce. The imports exceeded the exports. We could 
not even compete with the importation from Eastern colonics of flour or meat, 
both of which had therefore to be taxed, and even then could And a sale. 
This was the discovery of gold by Mr. Anstey at Yflgarn, about 200 miles 
East of Perth, but unfortunately this flrst and two or three subsequent finds 
proved themselves to be of no value ; fortunately, however, they led to a permanent 
and payable field being found a few miles further South. 
A little later than this, gold was found in the North-West to the Eastward of 
■Roebourne, which proved since to extend over a considerable tract of country. 
Some rich deposits of alluvial gold were also discovered on the Ashburton River 
in the year 1889, and a large quantity was sent away in a short time. 
Early in the year 1891 some very rich gold-bearing stone was found on the 
Upper Murchison. A large number of men at once- proceeded there, and dis¬ 
covered very many rich reefs and a large quantity of alluvial gold. 
The most sensational discovery was made in the year 1892 by a man 
named Bavley, about 100 miles due East of Southern Cross. This patch has 
produced a very large quantity of gold, but the one reef has been the wonder of 
the colonies; whilst another goldfield, called the Jlundas, was proclaimed in 1893. 
Thus six goldfields have been declared during the last six years, each of 
which has proved to be rich, permanent, and of great extent, and there is every 
prospect of even more extensive fields being discovered further to the Eastward. 
Rich deposits of tin ore have been discovered both in the Blackwood Distiict, 
in the Southland the Roebourne District, in the North ; and a coal seam of good size, 
quality, and considerable extent is now being tested on the Collie River, about 
30 miles from Bunbury. 
This Colony has therefore proved at last to be rich in minerals, and promises 
in the near future to rank with the other colonies as a mining country. 
GOLDFIELDS OF THE COLONY. 
GOLD. 
Peterwangey Hill. 
Gold was found in the year 1868 in the alluvium on the North side of the hill, 
where the spurs are capped with large deposits of red clay, sand, pipe-clay, ana 
nodular ferruginous clav-stones; judging from its highly waterworn appearance anc 
the fact that the mineral veins of this locality are not auriferous, it has proba i y 
been derived from some old stream bed which passed across tins countiy in a 
different direction and at higher level than the existing rivers. Nothing eer am can, 
however, be stated on this point until the district has been examined in . ? ‘ al . c \, 
ah the old water-courses mapped. The rocks here arc mostly 
hykes and occasionally quartz reefs of a highly crystalline chaiac ei , 
bules lower down the river, and also further to the Eastward, the com. ' ‘ . ‘ 
a more promising aspect for gold, the rocks being moie s< ns ost ‘ , ± \ 
many nice-looking quartz and ironstone lodes, , though none have vet proved tc be 
auriferous, 
