REVIEW.

Otago Witness, Issue 918, 3 July 1869, Page 11

REVIEW.

The Ooldfields and Mineral Districts of Victoria; with notes on the Modes and Occurrence of Gold, and other Metals and Minerals. By R. Brough Smyth, Esq., F.G.S., Melbourne. Published by command, 1869.

Hitherto the mining interest of these colonies has received but little aid from scientific research. The miner has been left to grope his way in the dark without the assistance of those landmarks provided by nature as beacons for the development of herhiddenresources. Whatmaybe considered still more remarkable, nospecial medium has been secured for that healthy interchange of opinion which contributes largely towards the interests of such as are embarked in a common pursuit. To some extent this neglect must be held responsible for the nomadic character of our goldfields population. It has brought them to regard auriferous deposit in the %ht of a windfall rather than of a fixed principle in the law of geological phenomena. Hence, mines of auriferous wealth have been passed over, while a few patchos of surface gold have been eagerly sought after. Such has been the experience of other goldbearing countries besideß that of Victoria and New Zealand. It has been found that whenever the defect was remedied, a return of mining proaperity ensned.

For reasons like these wo are bound to welcome the volume published by Mr R. Brough Smyth as a step in the right direction — one which is likely to prove an incentive to further undertakings of the kind. Tho primary object of the work — as stated by the author himself — is " tho dissemination of authentic information for the üße of minors." At tho same time, it opens up an important branch of study, designed to prove the fallacy of certain theories now generally accepted respecting the exhausted state of the older diggings. On this branch of the Btibjocfc, tho following remarks aro made in a prefatory note — "So long as mystery and what may be regarded as superstition surround tho observation and darken tho view, but litilo prospoct remains for advancement. But as thoso thick fogs get cleared away, it will come to bo acknowledged, ovon by tho oldest teachers, that whore tho dust of gold is found thero must bo somo more of it, and that not vory far distant from the spot whoro tho gold sands were got." Thoao remarks show that Mr Smyth has brought to bear upon his labours a just appreciation of some of the more latent causes that, havo conduced to stagnation on tho gold fields ; tho appreciation being that of a shrewd observer combinod with tho practical knowledge of an expert. Tho work is a comprehensive one ; it is arranged in port*, each Dart treating tho subject from a distinct point of view. For example, tho composition and configuration of tho country — moro especially in so far as it can bo identified with the existence of iniuoral deposits-- aro fully doscribod, nnd a variety of scientific thoorioi deduced therefrom. Tho modes

atid'oeo^e^ noticed. ; Thedpferent aspects i under which it has .teen found are „. brought' under review.^ naturally leading to various speculations regarding the probability of new discoveries. In other words,, the first obvious appearances having been disposed of," the more complex question of auriferous layers and mineral strata is taken up and discussed in relation to such Erinciples of geology as may be estabshed by observation. Here the practical miner will find some well-defined axioms, a knowledge of which cannot fail to render him valuable aid in prosecuting the more intricate branches of his calling. So closely are they woven into one grand principle of cause and effect, that any extract, such as our columns could admit of, would be almost unintelligible. The remainder of the work is of a rather more practical kind. It embraces a narrative of facts connected with the various methods employed for extracting the gold from the soilj at the same time it furnishes an interesting picture of the progress of mining pursuits in the colony of Victoria. Commencing with surface or shallow sinking, it goes on to sketch the process of hydraulic mining, deep sinking, tunnelling, quartz reefing, and cement working. It is in the perusal of these chapters that we are brought to detect the real characteristics of the calling, as distinguished from those vague and imperfect ideas by which the outside public are prone to surround it. Further, it shows the extent to which mining in this colony is indebted to Victorian experience ; and, if we are not mistaken, it displays a degree of similarity between the mining interests of the two countries with which they are rarely credited. To proceed, however, with the book : the shallow alluvia, as they are found on the various diggings, together with some of the more remarkable incidentß connected with their development, are chronicled with much apparent minuteness. The different strata through which they pass are compared with each other, the results being so arranged | that for prospecting purpose* a more valuable guide could not be readily obtained. Indeed this section of the work appears to be admirably suited for the prospector, and to such we would earnestly recommend its study. The writer remarks, regarding these alluvia, that "they are not only valuable because of what they yield, but because they indicate with clearness the nature of the rocks from whence their debris and detritus have been derived ;" and then he proceeds to bliow that the veins intersecting the bed rock r/here these shallow drifts are to be found, are the depositories of the gold, and that such veins are so rich, and so extensively distributed, that there would be no reason to despair of the future, even although the whole of the shallow drifts were exhausted.

Under the head " hydraulic mining," the change wrought by a copious supply of water is exemplified in a variety of ways, Indeed, it is brought out in its true character as the sine qua non of our mining interest. The subject of saving gold in the sluice is also commented upon ; and as that happens to be a subject of more than ordinary interest to the miner we append the writer's remarks. " Judging," he says, " from ray own experience in sluicing, I do not think that fine gold could be carried far by any natural force now operating in the country. Combined mechanically with other substances, it might be otherwise, but I cannot speak of that, as my experience has been with fino gold. My sluicing operations have all been on granite country, the gold of which is always in the form of spangles, many of them so thin a»d light that, when dry, they would float on the surface of water. If my exSorionco goes to show that this gold is with ifficulty moved by water, what can be said of gold of which the particles have a compact cubical form ? Indeed, 1 have known instances in whioh heaps of washdirt were carriod away by the floods, but as far as could bo ascertained there was no loss of gold, about as much having been gathorod from tho ground on which tho heaps lay as the dirt was expected to yield." Again, referring to the different modes of constructing Bluices, wo have an account of an ingenious method, which we are not aware has as yet been introduced into Otago, unless it bo at tho cement workings on Wothoratonos Flat : — "Another dovico for saving gold in sluices is tho undercurrent box. It is oomposod of a grating of iron bars on the bottom of tho box near tho lower end of the sluice, and under tho grating is anothor sluice, with an additional supply of clean water, and with a lower grade. Tho grating allows only the fine material to fall through, and the current being moderate, any particles of gold that would bo otherwise lost aro savod. Somotimos tho matter from the under current box U «d book to tho main sluice." Tho subjoot of doop loads follows. The

author admits ""at. the, outset; > that it is beset by many; difficulties. "Where," he says, "as they * often do, they pluuge under an escarpment of the basalticrcck, or get losfc in a wide expanse I 'of level plain, the knowledge of the geologist or practical minerals sometimes at* a loss to trace them." So far as the theory of deep leads in Otago has yet been discussed, the flats have monopolised the largest .share of attention. Some years ago a prospecting shaft was put down on Wetheratones Flat, and the bed-rock found at a depth of 450 feet. Payable gold not having been struck, the work of driving was lately commenced. The following suggestions by Mr Smyth may be useful in prosecuting the search.

" Where leads are covered by basalt, as atßallarat, it is quite impossible to determine their course accurately, except by expensive explorations under ground ; or approximately, otherwise than by boreholes. The indications on the surface are more likely to mislead than to serve as a guide ; but in some localities —as at Myer's Creek and Huntly — the direction can be determined for theoretical purposes within reasonable limits, because the outcropping bed-rocks on each side can be seen, and their height above the wide low valley fixed. Yet in such places as these it is not easy for the miner to follow the run of the rich gold ; and where the width is a mile or two miles it is easily lost. A number of small claims on the supposed course prove unremunerative, vast labour is expended uselessly, and the place is perhaps abandoned — but the lead is surely there, and by co-operation — by making bores across the valley so as to determine the depth of the bed rock, it would be easy to save unnecessary labour and trace the gutter for miles onward."

In another place we find the following, which Beems to be singularly applicable, to the valley of the Molyneux :—" Wftlre the river follows the ordinary shape of a horse-shoe bend, the probabilities aro that the stream must have at different periods overflown and denuded every part of tha» peninsula around which it passes. Th# water having finally succeeded in cutting a direct course with the lapse of time, the old channel round the peninsula becomes obliterated. The detritus in it lies at a much higher level than the more recent alluvia ; and when still further changes have taken place, its origin may scarcely be traceable. Small bends of this shape occur often in the alluvia of valleys subject to floods, and where, in consequence of the level' character of the country, the bed of the stream is liable to be silted up."

On the subject of quartz mining, Mr Smyth has expended a great deal of pains. He has brought together a lar^e collection of the more popular theories upon the origin and formation of such veins, and these he has submitted to the practical test of such experience as quartz reefing in Victoria furnishes. Altnoivh it cannot be said that the one thoory thus advanced against the other produces any net result, still it furnishes material for the speculations of such as are uctively engaged prosecuting this branch of their calling. The work is supplemented by a review of mining legislation, a glossary of mining phraseology, a schedule of assaying results, &c, &c Although strictly speaking it is of Victorian application, ii is not by any means exclusively so. On tho contrary it contains a fund of valuable information well worthy of being studied by the mining community at large. As a work of art, it has claims of a very superior order. It is illustrated by maps, plans, sketchsections, and othor devices for shewing tho modesof theocourronceandcharacter of tho different strata and rocks, bosides othor drawings of a highly practical chiirnctor. In short it is one of tho most successful efforts of tho kind that has yet lieon brought bofore tho public, and no mining institute or goldfields library should bo without a copy.

Wo obsorvo by tho Southland Times that Mlas Dolly Green's Monologno Entertain* mont is greatly appreciated by the Invercargill public. Tho paper mentioned sporvka in high terms of tho performance Wo understand that It is Miss Grocn's intention shortly to present; it to a Dunodin audienoo.

A now cool pit has boon oponod by Messrs Cameron «nd M'ltitosk, on tho ground of Mr Gallon at Lovcl'a Flftt, According to tho Bruco Herald, tho coal is wrought in an opon face, at pruaont about 15 yards wkio. Tho •com is 12 feat thick, with a stripping of from one to six foot of soil. From borings taken, tho hill is boliovod to be all oo«3, but the depth of team throughout is un. known, as they havo as yet boon nnat h to bottom it Enough, howovor, hu boon ascertained to show that there is an Almost inoxhauntiblo supply of coat Tho coal cor* tainly is of a very superior quality ; bams oloarly and briskly, throwing out a ntrong heat, and is entirely free from nil rubbish and dead smouldering lamps so froqtuntly found mixed with colonial ooal.