We left Geraldton 6th October, 1890, to proceed eastward on a prospecting
trip.  About a month afterwards we arrived on this field and found payable
gold on small patches, which 50 feet square of ground would cover. We
discovered four such patches, all of them being within an area of a mile
square. Most of the gold we, obtained on the surface and from 2 to 3
inches below it. In the gullies we found nothing but “colors.” The
description of the gold is what is called specimen gold, and chiefly
containing quartz, and there were very few pieces of clean gold. We
continued, working until the 11th or 12th March last, then we left to
proceed to Perth. We left in order to procure provisions and other
necessaries The reason we did not report our discovery was because we did
not consider we had found anything good enough to give publicity to, and
so cause a rush, of men to a place which, so far as we could judge would
not support a large number of diggers. We will not name the exact quantity
of gold that we obtained between November and March, but we will state
that we got over 300 ounces. During this time we worked four quartz
leaders, one of which was not of much account They were isolated leaders
and had no connection with the main reef. We sunk on the reefs 10 to 12
feet, when they ceased to carry gold, and we left them

We returned to the field from Perth about 10th June last, and found a man
named William Douglas here engaged in digging in one of our old workings.
We could not find then or since that he had discovered any other gold than
what we left in our old workings. During our absence at Perth two other
men, named George Woodley and Herbert E. Baldwin, had visited the field
and gone away. Baldwin subsequently returned, and remained here until a
few days ago, when he again departed. We have seen no trace of Woodley or
Baldwin having discovered anything new, and when the []er returned he set
to work in our old []und. Since our return on the 10th  []we discovered
two new patches, also []ery small extent, and within the area named
before. We have recently discovered a reef, on which we now working, and
have found good specimens that have been shed from the reef. As yet we
have not found the source or main reef from which these specimens are
supposed to have come. The specimens weigh about 300 ounces.

The only other find we know of is that made by Bayley on June 30th, which
is situated about 2½ miles south from the spot where we are now working,
and on the same line of country cropping out in the form of an island in
Lake Anneen. The reef we are now employed upon is likewise within the
before-named area. Since our return on the 10th June we have obtained
between 400 and 500 ounces of gold.

The formation of the country is identically the same as that of the
Southern Cross portion of the Yilgarn goldfield. The strike of the country
is about north 10 degrees West, and dips into the lake at the south end,
where the range terminates, but a small island, partly of same formation,
occurs in the lake, and it is here that Bayley discovered his patch. About
a mile North from our present workings the country changes in character
and trends more north-easterly. The country is waterless, excepting the
few wells belonging to the squatters, and only one such well is convenient
to the gold country—this is Nanine well, which is 2¼ miles east from the
main camp.

We wish to state, in the strongest possible way, that our knowledge and
experience of the country made it an imperative duty of ours, in the
interest of humanity, to warn the public against rushing to this field,
where we are convinced there is not sufficient gold to support a large
number of people who, if they come, are sure to meet with great
disappointment and much hardship. We desire to add that if they come after
this warning, which is honestly given, they must blame themselves for the consequences.

Note :— The above statement was taken on the 31st July, and on the 4th
August Gillis MacPherson registered a Protection Area, including the reef
on which I found him working. The next day he officially reported the
discovery of apparently payable gold in the main reef.

The following are the names of the stopping places along the road to the
Gold Field and the distances between the several stages. I might mention
that as far as Gabyon station there is some grass to be got for horses but
beyond Gabyon there is nothing but old patches of very old grass. There is
no grass between the wells.
P. TROY.

FROM / TO
Geraldton - Petts Hole     18 miles.
Petts Hole - Tibraddden     6 miles
Tibradden - Greenough crsng     8 miles
Greenough crsng - Y Thicket     4 miles *
Y Thicket - Cockatea Tank     15 miles
Cockatea Tank - Wolya     2 miles
Wolya - Mullewa     11 miles
Mullewa - Eda Well     9 miles
Eda Well - Pinda Spring     9 miles
Pinda Spring - Carlo Springs     8 miles
Carlo Springs - Brumbwin Well     8 miles †
Brumbwin Well - Coorarra Well     11 miles
Coorarra Well - Becaddie Well     7 miles
Becaddie Well - Gabyon Station (Lacy's)     12 miles
Gabyon Station - Beeling Well     10 miles
Beeling Well - Pindie-thoona Well     13 miles
Pindie-thoona - Coora-goo Well     11 miles
Coora-goo Well - Ginabic Well     5 miles
Ginabic Well - Gulara Well     8 miles
Gulara Well - Mula-coothara (Rock Holes)     6 miles
Mulacoothara - Yowalie Well    10 miles
Yowalie Well - Wheelarra S Station (Lacy's)     14 miles
Wheeelarra Station - Bullara Well     8 miles
Bullara Well - Woolgerong Well     8 miles
Woolgerong Well - Kalli Well     14 miles
Kalli Well - Coodardy Station (Townsend's)     8 miles
Coodardy Station - Well     20 miles
Well - Well     20 miles
Well - Fields     20 miles ‡
            
TOTAL - 293 MILES

* Nearly dry.  †Small supply.  ‡ 20 for teams, 15 for horses.

RICH AURIFEROUS AND ARGENTIFEROUS SPECIMENS FROM THE NORTH.

A prospector of extensive experience has lately reached Perth, from the
far-northern districts of the colony, with some very rich mineral
specimens, of both gold and silver, in his possession. Of the specimens of
gold the largest and most valuable, as well as the most water-worn, are
those he obtained to the eastward of Roebourne—probably (he thinks) on a
branch of the Oakover River. All the silver specimens are from East-
Kimberley, and contain a very high percentage of metal and show crystals
freely. The prospector in question, who purposes following up his
discoveries at Wyndham, claims that these specimens of silver are richer
than any that have yet been found at Broken Hill, or indeed in any part of
Australia.