52 
pitch. This work is deemed advisable, as the saddle at this level may be of 
sufficient size and value to work. Below this level nothing except shaft¬ 
sinking has yet been done. At 420 feet from the surface a plat is being cut. 
At the 420-ft. level it is advisable to put in a drive southerly along the axial 
line in order to intersect any formation existing between the shaft and Speci¬ 
men Hill. On account of the steep northerly pitch, 2 feet of driving will 
be equivalent to 1 foot of shaft-sinking, and from surface workings sufficient 
encouragement exists to warrant this work. The German saddle at this depth 
will lie about 500 feet north from the shaft. It is advisable to continue the 
north drive at the 297-ft. level around the saddle before driving north at the 
420-ft. level. 
The zone of the Specimen Hill formation will not be reached in the main 
shaft until a depth of about 1,000 feet is reached, but before this depth is 
attained the zone of Shank’s reef will be passed. Shank’s reef lies about 
midway between the main shaft and Specimen Hill. Several crushings of 
payable stone were obtained from it, and to intersect it a former South Wattle 
Gully company drove a cross-cut east 356 feet to intersect it at 320 feet from 
surface. 
Two small saddle reefs with payable stone on the caps were worked below 
the German saddle, but have not been seen in the main workings, unless a 
leg which was passed through in the 297-ft. cross-cut at 30 feet east of 
the shaft is a part of one of them. A drive south in the centre country 
at the 228-ft. level should locate the cap of these reefs within 50 feet of 
driving. 
Recently a shoot of stone, which was payable in part, was discovered at 
the tunnel level, and some stoping was carried on above and below this level. 
This shoot appears to be identical -with one the lower portion of which was 
worked at the 141-ft. to 195-ft. levels some years ago. 
Accompanying the centre country a dyke shows in an open cutting 
at Specimen Hill, and can be traced throughout the whole of the 
workings. 
[28.10.12.] 
MAGNESITE AT HEATHCOTE. 
By E. J. Dunn, F.G.S ., late Director, Geological Survey. 
Many years ago an extensive area of ground on the south side of the rail¬ 
way line at Heathcote was sluiced away by the late Hon. J. A. Wallace. 
Among the pebbles, blocks of ironstone, and pieces of quartz left on the sluiced 
ground, were fairly numerous concretionary lumps of magnesite, up to 20 or 
30 lb. in weight. About four years ago Mr. A. Wolskel inquired about this 
mineral, and was referred to this locality, and advised to sink along a certain 
line, with the object of ascertaining what quantities were available below the 
surface. 
Since then prospecting work has been carried out principally on the north 
side of D. Woods’ block C1 d, about 1 mile south-east from the Heathcote 
