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beds dipping to the north-west at about 15 deg. Two miles north¬ 
west from Merino, at the Cemetery, the shale beds dip at a low angle 
to the south-west. Generally these beds appear to be nearly horizontal, 
and not to be much faulted, conditions that are favorable for boring. 
Considerable interest attaches to these beds on account of the result of 
two bore holes drilled in them many years ago by a local company. No. 
r bore cut a seam of coal 8 inches thick at 372 ft. 4 in. : total depth, 
695 ft. 2 in. No. 2 bore is in the township of Merino, and about a mile 
north of No. 1 bore; at 42 ft. 9 in., 10 inches of coal was cut; at 89 ft. 
3 in., 7 inches of coal; at 637 ft. 8 in., 1 foot of coal; and at 755 ft. 9 in., 
1 ft. 6 in. of coal. The water which still flows from this bore hole is 
very salt. These results are most encouraging, and further bores should 
be drilled on this area. Mr. Howitt has reported a good site for further 
operations, close to the Cemetery, about 2 miles north of Merino. A 
very considerable amount of drilling is required, and the importance of 
obtaining a supply of coal in this part of the State would justify the 
expenditure. 
Trachyte. 
At Coleraine, as recorded by Mr. Ferguson, there is an outcrop of 
igneous rock resembling dacite on the north side of the river near the 
bridge. Mr. D. J. Mahony, M. Sc., has identified this rock as trachyte 
after microscopical investigation of a thin slice. It is of large extent, 
spreading out in a northerly direction. On the Harrow road, 2§ miles 
from Casterton, there is a quarry \ mile west from the road, and from 
this a similar rock is obtained for use on the roads as metal. It appears 
to be of considerable extent, and possibly the whole ridge may be of this 
rock, which is of grey colour, much altered, and resembles some of the 
Lilydale dacite. Quartz veins occur in it. Height of quarry abovt- 
sea-level, 500 feet. On the road to Harrow, and 8 miles from Casterton, 
a similar rock of grey colour also crops out. Experiments were made as 
to the possibility of using these rocks as 11 slips ” or glazes, but they were 
found not to be suitable for that purpose. 
Serpentine. 
Six miles north of Casterton on the Harrow road there is a rocky 
ridge known as the Hummocks. The rock is serpentine, and it is said 
to be traceable for some miles in a north and south direction. No fine 
' asbestos was observed, but a half developed variety occurs. Some of 
the serpentine might be used for ornamental purposes. At present it is 
being used as road metal. 
Granite. 
About 10 miles from Casterton on the Wando road, granite crops out 
in the bed of the Wando River; it continues for a short distance up the 
river, and is succeeded by a belt of schist about a mile wide. Then 
dykes of close grained granite rock cut through this schist. Height at 
this point, 550 feet above sea-level. Granite covering a large area shews 
on the Glenelg between Chetwynd and Harrow. 
Ordovician. 
At a distance of 7 miles from Casterton on the £pad to Roseneath, 
and opposite the Retreat Station, yellow slates and sandstones are ex¬ 
posed on the south si A of the River Glenelg ; similar beds are disclosed 
at Roseneath where the road ascends from the river, and also at Nolan’s 
