58 
t 
of the water. Under a lens it is clearly discernible that this gold is 
crystalline in character. It corresponds in appearance with the gold found 
in sandstone pebbles at the Caledonian Lead, Indigo, and probably it has 
had a similar origin, that is to say, the waters draining through the gravel 
were charged with a small proportion of gold in solution, and this solution 
when it came in contact with suitable conditions in the bedrock forming the 
floor of the lead or in pebbles lying on it, was deposited in a crystalline 
form of microscopic size. In removing the floor of the lead, this gold is 
most likely introduced into the puddling machine, and being in such fine 
particles, it escapes with the slimes. The presence of limonite appears to 
be favorable to the deposition of this form of gold, for it is always 
present in the bedrock and in the pebbles in which the gold has been 
crystallized and in contact with the minute crystals. Some of this gold 
was mounted for microscopic examination and measured by Mr. H. J. 
Grayson, of the Melbourne University, and he found that the particles range 
from T6 Vo in - t° towo* d - greatest length. The most interesting feature 
about these minute particles of gold is that every one is a perfect crystal 
with sharp edges and polished faces. 
Perhaps the best method of saving such finely divided gold would be to 
bring the slimes- largely diluted with clear water over tables covered with 
cotton plush. 
The length of the old river course opened up from this No. 2 shaft, 
and along which the width of the channel has been determined is 9,600 
feet. The width of the wash-dirt ranges from 1,100 feet to 220 feet, 
averaging 577 feet. In the softer country the bed of the river was wide. 
Where the rocks were hard it contracted. 
In the 9,600 feet length of the lead, taking the average width and an. 
average thickness of 2 feet of wash-dirt, the total quantity of auriferous 
material is 410,311 cubic yards. 
Although some gold occurs throughout the wash-dirt, it is not by any 
means evenly distributed, but as explained in my report on the Moolort 
mines, the wash-dirt that is worked on the inner sides of the elbows is far 
richer than the rest. In such mines it is desirable to obtain the wash-dirt 
from a number of faces at the same time so as to maintain an average 
yield of gold. In this mine nearly all the gold is within a few inches of 
the bedrock. 
Besides gold in the wash-dirt, cassiterite is found in sufficient quantities 
to be of economic value. Titaniferous iron, topaz, both white and blue 
sapphire, and very occasionally ruby and corundum, and also garnet, black 
tourmaline, &c., occur associated with the gold, but only in very small- 
well rounded pieces that are of no value. These have undoubtedly been 
furnished from the granite area, as they did not occur in the lead above 
the junction of the Barambogie branch, which drains the granite area. 
Diamonds were found in the Lancashire Lead workings at the head of 
Barambogie Lead, and it is reasonable to suppose that some may occur with 
the wash-dirt now being worked. The screenings from the black sand is 
where they should be looked for. 
The Golden Bar Mine. 
The total depth of shaft is 558 feet and the bottom level is 425 feet 
from the surface. From this level there is a cross-cut east 30 feet. The 
beds dip 49 deg. W. There is also a cross-cut west and at 140 feet in, No. 1 
reef is cut. A level is driven northerly along the reef for 220 feet. The 
