39 
The whole of this area is crystalline limestone of the Middle Devonian 
series. In the cliffs on the northern side of Spring Creek, at the point 
marked thus x on plan (Plate IX.), are large caves, known as the Green 
Caves, on account of the shrubs and ferns near the two entrances. They 
are of considerable extent, as far as explored, and probably extend for a 
much greater distance into the cliffs. On the top of the cliffs, and on the 
strike of the same beds that contain these caves, are two large sinks, and 
one smaller one, indicating a settling down of the surface into cavities dis¬ 
solved in the limestone. A little further to the west, on the same cliffs, 
is a large sink, about 60 feet long, by 40 feet wide, and 60 feet deep. 
There is every probability that all these sinks are connected with the known 
caves, and, if so, there should be extensive passages and chambers in them, 
and a very fine series of caves would probably be opened up with a little 
time and labour. 
On the southern cliffs of Spring Creek, opposite to, and almost due 
south from the Green Caves, is a fair sized sink, with an entrance from the 
cieek, apparently connected with it. This entrance is at water level, apd 
at the present time is nearly full of water, precluding any examination. 
Another cave occurs in the high cliffs on the westeijn side of the Buchan 
River, a little above the junction of Spring Creek, but its entrance is at 
present submerged. 
In several other places on the southern side of the creek and on the 
northern slope to the creek a number of small sinks may be seen, while 
in the Police Reserve a basin-shaped gullv has every appearance of indi¬ 
cating a solution cavity. 
Near the junction of Spring Creek with the Buchan River, in the ex¬ 
treme western corner of R. Duke’s allotment 18, parish of Buchan, another 
cave occurs. A small stream of water continually runs through it, and it 
has a passage nearly 600 yards in length, according to Mr. Jas. Stirling, 
who has examined it, as well as the Green Caves. Local report states that 
the stream is perennial, and shows no appreciable diminution in volume 
during the summer months, or increase during floods. Extended observa¬ 
tions are necessary to speak with certainty on this matter, but, if correct, 
it is of considerable interest. 
At the present time Cave Creek is a strongly running small stream over 
the felsite area near its source, but it becomes completely absorbed and 
ceases to run on the surface shortly after reaching the limestone area, ex¬ 
cept during floods, when it flows with considerable volume. 
Spring Creek, also, ceases to flow during the summer after reaching the 
limestone area, although it is a large creek, in the felsite area lying to 
the west. 
Taking into consideration the great probability of a fine series of caves 
being found in the cliffs on the northern side of Spring Creek, and also 
good ones on the southern side, I would very strongly urge that the applica¬ 
tion for the purchase of the land be refused, and the whole of the unsold 
portion of the township area be reserved for cave purposes* 
The known limestone caves of considerable extent are so rare in Vic¬ 
toria that it is very desirable to retain for the Crown all areas where there 
is any reasonable probability of discovering caves, especially when remem¬ 
bering the great numbers of tourists who annually visit the Jenolan (Fish 
River), Yarrangobilly, Wombeyan, Wellington, and other caves in New 
South Wales, and the Chudleigh caves in Tasmania. 
[Report sent in 23rd July /, igoo?\ 
* The Department of Crown Lands and’Survey has temporarily reserved 160 acres, the unsold portion 
of the Buchan Township area.—See Government Gazette of 19th July, 1901, p. 2772. E.J.D., 1.10.06. 
