43 
To preserve the beauties still remaining, and others that may be found, 
it is desirable to prevent uncontrolled visiting. This can only be done by 
fastening the entrances in some way. 
The Spring Creek caves, being much more accessible to visitors gener¬ 
ally, on account of their proximity to the township of Buchan than any 
of the others, have suffered most damage, but they are most admirably- 
formed for preservation, as only one entrance, which is high but narrow, 
exists. On this entrance a door or gate could very easily] be fitted and kept 
locked when not in use. In the case of Wilson’s caves there are three 
entrances, which would require building up before being fitted with gates or 
doors. 
Dickson's and the Green caves have each two entrances. Those of 
the former could easily be secured; those of the latter would require a little 
more work, but nothing considerable. 
O’Rourke’s cave entrance was blocked by the Buchan River in flood at 
the time of my examination, so I cannot speak of it, while the Murrindal 
caves, as far as explored, are ruined. They, however, were never as 
beautiful as the others. 
Basin Creek (Slocombe’s) caves, owing to the very praiseworthy interest 
taken in them by Mr. Slocombe, the Crown lessee of the land they are on, 
are the only ones that have not suffered spoliation. He allows no one to 
enter them except in his company. The largest cave is at present se 
cured by a locked door, placed there by Mr. Slocombe, so I have been in¬ 
formed by Mr. A. M. Howitt. 
The desired supervision of the caves is a question off policy; but I 
would strongly urge that, to commence with, doors or gates be fitted on 
to the entrances of those specified. Then some local resident, thoroughly 
familiar with the caves, might be retained at a merely nominal allowance, 
the keys of all the caves except Dickson’s and Basin Creek to be in his 
charge. A special day in the week might be set apart for visits from 
district residents, while strangers to the district might make their own 
arrangements with the guide, under fixed charges for such services, cost of 
lighting, &c. 
In the cases off Dickson’s and Basin Creek caves the same arrangement 
might be made with Mr. R. Proudlock, the Crown lessee of the land the 
former are on, and with Mr. Slocombe with regard to the latter. 
The expense connected with this arrangement would be trifling, and 
the preservation of the many beauties of limestone caves—of such restricted 
occurrence in Victoria—be assured. Then, as the district became better 
known to, and popular with, tourists, exploratory work and the lighting of 
the chambers could be gradually carried out. 
It may be mentioned that, in New South Wales, caves of similar cha¬ 
racter are very carefully protected, lighted by electric light and placed 
under the charge of experienced guides. The result is that thousands 
of people annually visit them, and they are known all over Australia and 
in many other parts of the world as well. 
The limestone country generally in the Buchan district has a very pleas¬ 
ing aspect. The rounded grass hills, clothed with healthy manna gum 
and yellow box trees, have a beauty all their own, different from anything 
in other parts off Victoria. The numerous caves in various portions of the 
district, the frequency and extent of areas where “ sinks ” abound—caused 
by the subsidence of the surface into caverns created by the removal of the 
underlying limestone—and the picturesque river views, with their bluffs and 
cliffs, through one of which the Murrindal River bodily flows, all furnish 
objects of great interest to the lover of the beautiful in nature, and to the 
scientist. 
