38 
locality (Plate IX.) shows the positions of the known caves, the geological 
formations, the old shaft, and the adit in the bank of Cave Creek, 
a tributary of Spring Creek. 
The geological formations in the area are Lower Devonian porphyries 
(felsites), tuffs, &c., and Middle Devonian limestone. The limestones 
overlie the porphyries and tuffs, and are found on the eastern side, with a 
dip to east, at from 30 degrees to 35 degrees. 
Cave Creek traverses the area from the southern boundary of the Min¬ 
ing Reserve till joining Spring Creek, towards the northern boundary. The 
limestones occupy the whole of the area east of Cave Creek to the boundary 
of the land applied for; they also extend for a few chains in width to the 
west of the creek for the whole of its length in the reserve. 
The largest caves are on the eastern side of Cave Creek, about 200 
yards to the south-west of the north-west corner of allot. 5 A., of C, as indi¬ 
cated on the plan. 
They have been described by Mr. James Stirling, Government Geologist, 
in “ Notes on the Buchan Caves,” in the Report of the Mining Registrars 
for the quarter ending 31st December, 1889. 
I made a personal examination of them, and found that, though the 
chambers explored hitherto have been greatly despoiled of their treasures 
by acts of pure vandalism, there are still many objects of beauty and inter¬ 
est in the shape of stalactites, stalagmites, mantles, columns, terraces r 
grottoes, caverns, &c., which make them most interesting to the scientific and 
curious visitor. The caves have never been systematically explored, ana 
I have no doubt whatever that careful examination and labour will reveal 
numerous additional chambers adorned with beautiful stalactites, stalag¬ 
mites, and stalaetital drapery. In several places along the explored pas¬ 
sages there are small openings, which probably! lead to larger passages and 
chambers. The adoption of proper means to preserve any of such new 
openings from destruction is very desirable. 
Besides these rather extensive caves there are two others a short distance 
higher up' the creek, also on the eastern side. One descends from the bank 
of the creek into the hill for some 20 or 30 feet; but I was unable to ex¬ 
plore it further, owing to fallen rock, which requires removal before pro¬ 
gress is possible. The entrance to "the other is near the creek level, and is 
at present blocked up with drift wood. 
I recommend most strongly that the portion of the Mining Reserve as 
indicated on the plan attached, be set apart as a Caves Reserves.* 
In the limestones, near their junction with the porphyries and tuffs, 
there is an old shaft, which was sunk some vears ago for copper, while in 
the western bank of Cave Creek an adit was driven to work a little silver- 
lead ore occurring in the limestones. Neither lead nor copper, however, 
probably occurs here in payable quantity. 
The approximate boundary between the limestones and the felsites is 
shown on the plan, and by reserving the area indicated thereon the probable 
local occurrences of such minerals will be included. 
[Report sent in 20th July , 1900.] 
Buchan Township Area. 
While examining the cave areas in the Buchan district, in connexion with 
on application by Mr. Gould for the purchase of certain Crown lands fn the 
township of Buchan, I made an inspection of the unsold western portion of 
the township, particulars of which are submitted. 
* The Department of Crown Lands and Survey has temporarily reserved 119 acres 1 rood 15 perches of the 
Mining Reserve.—See Government Gazette of 20th January, 1902, p. 498. E.J.D., 1.10.06. 
