Reports of the Mining Surveyors and Registrars (Victoria)

Abstract

THESE reports show that the mining operations in Victoria continue to be assiduously prosecuted, the total yield of gold during the three quarters being estimated at 1,055,808 oz. 4 dwt. 4 gr., of which 524,990 oz. 7 dwt. 21 gr. were got from alluvia, and 530,817 oz. 8 dwt. 7gr. from qu artz reefs. The quantity of gold, the produce of the colony, exported during same quarters, amounted to 916,114 oz. 6 dwt. During the quarter ending June 30, the greatest yield of gold occurred, and the largest quantity was exported. But the yield and export of each of the three quarters approach pretty nearly to the same figures, indicating that the working of the mines has got into a settled state, and that the produce for some time to come may be expected to be proportionate to the capital employed. A number of tables give some interesting details relative to the number of miners, the machinery in use, and its value, from which may be gathered some idea of the extent and importance of the several gold fields in the colony. Of these fields, that of Ballarat appears at the head of the list, showing a total number of miners employed of 13,892, the approximate value of mining plant being 516,825l.; 1341/2 square miles of auriferous ground are actually worked upon, and 189 auriferous reefs have been proved. In this district also occur the deepest shafts, two of which reach the depths of 866 ft. and 900 ft. respectively. The price of Ballarat gold varies from 3l. 13s. 6d. to 4l. 2s. 6d. per ounce, the latter appearing to be the highest price obtained for any gold in the colony. In this mining district 78,502 tons 10cwt. of quartz were crushed during the last quarter of the year, yielding 5 dwt. 19.42 gr. of gold per ton; the average yield in the different gold fields being very variable. But in considering the relative importance of each district, we are reminded by Mr. Brough Smyth, the Secretary for Mines, that the table relating to machinery should be examined and compared, from which it appears that it is not always the mines that show the greatest yield of gold which give the largest return to proprietors. An interesting feature in these reports is the description by Dr. F. von Mueller (Director of the Botanic Garden of Melbourne) of certain new vegetable fossils which are met with from time to time in the deep auriferous drifts of older Pliocene age. These consist of the fruits of plants which, according to Dr. Mueller rejoiced in a milder climate, and displayed forms of tropical grandeur now foreign to the spot. Five genera are described and illustrated with beautiful lithograms. Of these, among fossil genera Phymatocaryon comes nearest to the extinct Cupanoides, Tricarpellites, and Wetherellia of the London Clay. Another genus, Trematocaryon, bears no very close alliance with any genus among living or fossil plants. The remaining genera are Rhytidotheca, with some affinities to Chloroxylon and Flindersia, Plesiocapparis, the real affinity of which is doubtful, and Celyphina, which appears to belong to the order of Proteaceæ. We are glad to learn that many other fossil remains have been secured, and are now under examination by Dr. Mueller. For the collection of these fossils palæontologists are indebted to the enlightened zeal of Mr. John Lynch, mining surveyor and registrar. When one looks over the long list of surveyors and registrars employed by the Colonial Government in gathering statistics, we can only hope that some, if not all, of these gentlemen will follow Mr. Lynch's example, and thus be the means of increasing our knowledge of the “old world” of Australia. Reports of the Mining Surveyors and Registrars (Victoria) for the quarters ending June 30, September 30, and December 31, 1871. (Melbourne, printed by authority.)