have not filled them, with the exception of the Lake Cotton tanks which
are full.  Rain commenced again last night and continued till this
afternoon.

APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION.

During last week there was a little excitement and indignation amongst the
business people and miners owing to most of the leading mines making
application to the Warden for another six months' exemption or partial
exemption from work.  A petition was signed by a great many here,
objecting to any further exemptions and each case, as it came before the
Warden, was objected to.  Mr Finnerty was equal to the occasion and met
the difficulty in a way that appears to have given entire satisfaction all
round, by granting the applicants one month's exemptions each, with one
exception, Fraser's South Co., and they got three months.  This caused
considerable comment, as this claim is understood to belong to a t’other
[sic] side Co. and we were led to believe, from the first, that the
othersiders would show us the way should they acquire any property here.
This certainly does not look like it, with an immense tank of water on
their claim and plenty of teams about to carry all their machinery to the
field.  Under such circumstances it seems at the least a little queer to
me that these bloated capitalists should be applying for six months
exemption.

THE LABOUR CLAUSE.

Great satisfaction was felt here when the news arrived that the convenors
of the meeting in Perth, to petition the Government to suspend the labour
clause for another six months, had been so signally defeated, for various
reasons.  In the first place, it is looked upon as a slight on the
Warden's judgment, as the Mining Act, as it is, gives the Warden power to
protect and grant exemptions to all deserving applicants on their showing
just cause, and I must say everyone here appears to have the greatest
confidence in the Warden's judgment and impartiality, whereas on the other
hand, by a general suspension of the labour clause, claims that have been
held for upwards of two years and have not done an honest month's work,
and won't if they can help it, are still kept alive, depriving others that
would prospect the ground from doing so.  It is now time to work them or
to stamp them out.

CRUSHING.

We have had two batterys at work during the last two weeks, the Central
company and the Exchange.  The Central had been working their ten head
stamps, but unfortunately broke one of their stamp heads, and having no
duplicates are now working with nine.  This company, as is well known, are
perfectly independent of the elements for water, as they have worked all
along with salt water in their boiler, without any ill effects, and
condense all their water for domestic use from it.

It is generally reported here, in fact it is the common talk, that they
(the Central) are crushing a very inferior stone, not nearly up to the
average of stone they could crush, and which, people say who ought to
know, is available.  But perhaps that is nobody's business but the
managers and directors, of of [sic] whom there are plenty, and whose
combined wisdom the shareholders have entire confidence in.  So the public
needn't bother.  Fraser's Company have a plate to put in their boiler
before they start.  It is anticipated that will take about nine days.
They don't appear to be in a hurry, or they would have had the old plate
cut out by the time the boiler maker got here.  That is what was done on a
former occasion when they burnt a plate, and the query is, Why was it not
done this time?  Some of the shareholders might with justice ask at the
next meeting.  The Exchange mill has crushed about ninety tons in
something like a fortnight, only working daytime.  It worked splendidly
the whole time it ran, not the slightest hitch occurring.  I look upon it
as a great success, and I would advise any company that contemplates
getting a crushing plant to pause before purchasing a stamper battery, to
see the further results of this inexpensive little wonder.  Some of the
stone crushed is as hard as any on the field, and it crushed it well.
They stopped last Friday for the want of water, as this company had
insufficient provision for water.

According to some of the experienced amalgamators that have seen this mill
at work, they find fault with the size of the screens used, as they
consider them too large for a field that carries such a percentage of fine
gold, and also in the absence of after-saving appliances; but this appears
to be the general complaint here, which can be easily remedied, and I have
no doubt will before long, when the results will about double.

WATER CONSERVATION.

I mentioned before about Lake Cotton tanks being full, in fact the whole
lake is covered a few inches deep, and, considering this is only one and a
half miles from the township, people are wondering how it is that the
Government tank sinkers took the trouble to plant themselves six miles
further south at a place called Sayer's Tank, and commenced enlarging the
tank there instead of deepening Lake Cotton and making one immense tank
there, as it is the best watershed about the district.  It fills before
any other and holds, as proved by the last two seasons, like an iron tank.
 Perhaps they will say it gets brackish when low, well so does Sayer's
tank.  Perhaps they'll say the water remains thick and has a reddish
colour in Lake Cotton.  Both of these complaints are easily cured by a
shovelfull [sic]of hot ashes or a packet or two of salts.  Anyway dirty
water is better than none.  Kookerdine tank also gets brackish when very
low, which convinces me that by sinking one very large tank the freshness
of the water would be maintained by reason of the greater body of water.
Distance is another consideration, when the price of horse feed is taken
into account, and it is well known that a share of rain would fill Lake
Cotton, when some of the other tanks would only catch a few inches.
Another thing in favour of Lake Cotton is that it has an area of about 150
yards in length by about 80 yards across, the whole of which could be
excavated to a depth of 5 feet at little expense, as proved by the tank
already sunk in the bed of it, and which is now full and overflowing,
while most of the other tanks, after the late rains, only contain a few
feet.  Of course Lake Cotton can only be excavated in the dry season; but
the question is: why go so far from the centres of population to excavate
tanks, when we have proved the existence of better ground nearer home?
Can anybody answer why?

THE BUNBURY T. M. COMPANY.

Mr H. C. Castilla, the manager of the above company, reports, under date
June 9th: — "I made my monthly visit to the Bunbury Tin Mine on the 6th
inst., and found matters proceeding very satisfactorily.  The manager (Mr
Hollingsworth) has now completed the water supply system for continued
washing throughout the winter.  Up to date, singularly enough, the
rainfalls have not augmented the water supply.  The heavy rains, it
appears, have been confined to the coast.  The rainfall in the Blackwood
has been comparatively slight.  I think, however, there has been a heavy
rainfall there since the 6th.  If so, every brook on the field will be
running.  During my stay the manager streamed up 15 cwt. of tin in about
an hour, completing three tons, which, I expect, will arrive here this
week.  The stripping, raising, and stacking operations, have been going on
as usual, and there is on the surface a large body of stuff ready for
treatment.  The more this claim is investigated the greater is the promise
it gives of being both a paying and a lasting concern."

ADELAIDE MINING QUOTATIONS

[BY TELEGRAPH]

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

Broken Hill, c.r. £11 11s; Block No. 10, £6 17s; Central, £6 0s 6d; Block
No. 14,
£5 15s; Souths, £7 7s; Junctions, 70s; British Blocks, £2 1s 6d.

THE ASHBURTON GOLD DISCOVERY.

FURTHER REPORTS.

A correspondent telegraphed to us, yesterday, under date Onslow, June 10: —

James Hackett arrived from the Ashburton Goldfields yesterday morning.  He
states that the route from Onslow is the best.  There is water all the
way.  The longest stage is between the River and the Field, a distance of
25 miles.  Edward Bewsher arrived last night.  He states that he worked
eight weeks, and got twenty ounces of gold.  He returns with provisions at
the end of the week.  A few men are leaving the field.

THE YILGARN GOLDFIELDS.

A correspondent gives the following particulars, which mainly corroborate
the news already published, concerning the condition of affairs on the
eastern goldfields.  He reports all quiet at Southern Cross, on his
arrival near the end of May.  The Central was crushing day and night.  Mr
Ryan had overcome the difficulty arising from the machinery getting out of
order, and was prepared to continue crushing for three months, when he
would clean up.  The Exchange was crushing by day.  At both claims the
managers seemed satisfied at the result of the crushing.  About fifteen
men were washing alluvial, and, from all he could learn, were doing fairly
well.  Altogether there were about 100 men, 26 women, and some children at
the Cross, and all seemed in good spirits.  There was a plentiful supply
of water.  The Kookerdine tank held 5 ft 6 in., and Fraser's South tank
was full.  He was informed that the Fraser's would not be ready to resume
crushing for a month, when it was expected that the necessary repairs
would be completed.  He visited Parker's Range on May 26 and 27.  There
were 22 men on the field, and all was orderly.  There was a plentiful
supply of fresh water.  On arrival at Golden Valley, about the 29th May,
he found that the place was practically deserted, only two hotel keepers
and their families remaining.  There was a plentiful supply of water.  He
reports that there was no sickness on any part of the field.  He found a
plentiful supply of water along the road when returning, and the road
itself was in fair order, excepting between Belmunger and York.  He met
six waggons [sic] and four carts heavily laden, en route to the
goldfields, and also 31 men proceeding to the same place.  He considers
that the well and pump erected by McAlister, about two miles from the York
end of Hunt's dam, are a good piece of work.  He considers that if a
couple of fenced wells with pumps, were constructed along the road, it
would put an end to any further complaint concerning the York route.
During his trip he heard no complaints either along the road or on the
fields.

ENGLISH INVESTORS AND WEST AUSTRALIAN GOLD DEPOSITS.

FORMATION OF A SYNDICATE IN LONDON.

A REMARKABLE STORY.

We hear, says the European Mail of May 9th, that a syndicate has been
formed with a capital of £10,000 in 100 shares of £100 each, one-half of
which will be payable on subscription, and the balance as the committee
shall direct, to assist Mr John Calvert in his gold search in Western
Australia.  Mr Calvert, who is a well-known mining expert, avows that in
no place as he come upon so rich and extraordinary a gold "bunch" as
during his expedition in Western Australia.  Within a very limited area,
he says, there is a veritable treasure, in the shape of a deposit of gold,
which, from what he saw on the ground, and from samples he brought away,
he roughly estimates at from 4 to 4 1/2 millions sterling.  This, Mr
Calvert says, "is what was in sight — it would be difficult to estimate
how far this 'bunch' went down, but perhaps not far."  The district where
this outcrop occurs, owing chiefly to the absence of water, has hitherto
remained unexplored, except by Mr Calvert, who, with the knowledge and
experience he has already gained, is now prepared to organise, and
undertake charge of, an immediate expedition to secure this treasure.  Mr
Calvert thinks he may accomplished this at a cost of £6,000, but he
stipulates that not less than £10,000, shall be subscribed, as he wishes
to provide for all possible contingencies, in order to bring the
expedition to a successful issue.  The money subscribed, or so much of it
as may be required, will be devoted solely to the payment of actual
expenses necessary for the expedition, and the remuneration of Mr Calvert,
and of all parties interested in the result, will be entirely dependent
upon the success of the undertaking.

The memorandum from which we have gleaned the above particulars for the
says that the whole treasure will be consigned to the Bank of England in
the names of a committee of five members, three of which shall be
nominated by the syndicate and two by Mr Calvert.  Out of the proceeds of
the venture the subscribers shall first be paid whatever money they have
advanced, together with a bonus of three times that amount, and Mr Calvert
shall be paid a like sum.  Thus, supposing the expenses amount to, say,
£7,500, the syndicate would receive, in addition to the unexpended balance
(£2,500), the return of the whole outlay, together with a bonus of three
times that amount, say, £30,000.  If the venture comes off as expected, Mr
Calvert is to receive £30,000, and out of the balance of profits realised,
the syndicate is to receive 50 per cent. and Mr Calvert and the promoters
50 per cent. The agreement between the syndicate and Mr John Calvert, who
has sailed for Western Australia, is to be seen at the office of Mr H. B.
Roberts, the solicitor to the company, 6 Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster,
where copies of the memorandum and articles of association of the company
can be obtained on payment of one shilling for each copy.

about tin mining.  Stream tin working is the most simple and inexpensive
of all mining, and most profitable when an ample supply of water is
available.  A cost of £10 is ample means to supply a party of six men to
send tons of tin ore to market from this shallow field; any greater
expense is superfluous until extensive works are required.

Mr Hawkes, M.L.A., of Ringarooma, Tasmania, who for many years has been
successfully engaged in stream tin mining, has inspected the principal
areas working, and from his practical knowledge and experience in that
industry his opinion should be most valuable.

The Bunbury Co's area — 82-75 — show a great body of tin bearing stuff
with rich layers of the ore.  As there is only the one paddock taken out
to a depth of 16 feet, it is difficult to say what extent there is of the
wash dirt.  The present mine manager appears competent to work in an
efficient manner.  No doubt when the little Tangye pump is set going a few
tons of tin will soon be sent to market and relieve the contributing
shareholders from further calls.

The West Australian Co's area — 82-225 — is doing more in the way of
prospecting than otherwise; getting coarse sample of tin.

At the Spring Gully Co's area — 82-230 — the new mining manager is making
good headway after the late management, and is turning out a fair quantity
of ore, considering the amount of water available for sluicing.

Bishop Gibney's area — 82-245 — shows a great width and depth of a face of
wash dirt, rich in tin.  A large heap is being raised ready for the rain.

Williams' claim — 82-332 — is being worked satisfactorily, and has 2 1/4
tons of clean dressed coarse grain tin ore ready for market.  That makes
10 tons already won from that area, and another heap is being raised.

The Greenbushes Co's area — 82-83 — is working with three men stacking
wash dirt.

The Floyd Co's area — 82-68 — have ceased working at present.  There are a
few loads of clayey wash dirt heaped up.

Cowan, Castilla & Co's area — 82-199 — is now being prospected, with a
show of tin.

Roger's & Cullinan's area is now being prospected by a syndicate, with
favourable results.

Pearce's areas — 82-335 and 82-336 — are about to be worked again.
Arrangements have been made with Adelaide capitalists.  There is a good
show of great depth of wash rich in tin on these areas.  Half a ton was
taken to Adelaide from a small space.

The Capon and Heath area — 82-481 — Capt.  Broad is blasting granite rock
supposed by some to contain tin-stone.  As far as my opinion is worth
anything, that appears amongst the most absurd works on the field.

Greenbushes, April 9th.

THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF PERTH.

The following are Saturday's quotations, the figures given representing
buyers' prices except where otherwise stated: Gold — Central, 28s. 9p.;
buyers 26s. 6d; Central Extended (pro.) 1s,; Caledonian (con.) 3d.;
Fraser’s 2s. 6d.; Fraser’s South (pro.) 20s.; do. (con) 5s.; Two Brothers
1s.; Union 1s.  Tin. — Bunbury (pro.) 6s. 3d., buyers 6s.; do. (con.)
buyers 1s. 6d.; Greenbushes (pro.) 1s.3d.; Spring Gully (pro.) 1s. 3d.
Investment Stocks. — W.A. Fire 19s. 6d.

THE VALUE OF FINE GOLD IN PERTH AT THE PRESENT TIME.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, — With 11oz. 1 dwt. of alluvial gold — the hard gleaning of upwards
of two years' exertion and privation on the southern goldfields — a friend
of mine, one of the earliest of the pioneer prospectors, arrived in Perth
a day or so since, almost exhausted with his long tramp and want of water
on the road, to turn his pure gold into current coin.  After wandering
from pillar to post, from bank to bank, the agreed all round price proved
70s. per oz., thus demanding about 20 per cent profit on the purchase.  I
trust this state of things will catch the eye of gold buyers from the
other side in order that lucky and unlucky gold diggers may get the full
reward of their labour, and that this Round Robin system of buying pure
gold may be broken up.
Yours, &c.,
LEWIS HASLUCK.

PARTICULARS FROM MR A. ARGLES.

We have received from Mr A. Argles, an account of some of his travels and
experiences in the Nor’ West, accompanied by a description of the
geological character of the country he passed over.  Mr Argles has the
reputation of possessing considerable experience as a mining expert, and
has, we are informed, reported on many of the most important mines in the
other colonies.  Since he came to Western Australia he has acquired
several mining properties in the Nor'-West, the most important being the
Martin and Carrington claim at Mallina.  This he has worked at his own
expense for some time, having expended a considerable sum in placing
machinery on the ground.  The results of recent crushings have proved so
good that he intends proceeding to Sydney immediately, with a view, as we
stated recently, to floating the concern into a company.  Particulars of
the mine and its apparent prospects will be found later on in this article.

Mr Argles landed at Cossack in January of this year, and after a day or
two's rest, proceeded on his way to the goldfields.  Of his adventures on
the journey, he gives a rather amusing description, for which, however, we
regret to say, we have no space.  Between Cossack and Roebourne he saw
some hills of manganese and haematite iron, which, if prospected, would,
he thinks, yield some rich finds of gold.  The reefs resemble those of Mt
Morgan, and there are also indications of alluvial, which he predicts
will, when discovered, be nuggetty.  He spent a couple of days at
Roebourne, and then proceeded on his way to the fields.  Eight miles out
of Roebourne, he passed Mt Hall, a small basaltic hill which was, he says,
originally thrown up by a volcano.  The country exhibit signs of having at
one-time been subjected to the action of the sea-waves, which by constant
washing have reduced it to its present level.  The formation is mostly
haematite iron, showing jasper, cornelian and agate stones.  Journeying
on, he crossed the plain country, after which he passed large outcrops of
pure, white quartz, showing from the hills on his right.  These run for
miles, and are all true lines of reef, of a gold and copper formation, and
he considers them well worth prospecting.  Passing Fisher's station, he
came to some excellent mineral country, where, he says, cinnabar, chrome,
and nickel should be found.  Six miles farther on, he came to Mr Meare's
station, previously belonging to Mr J. Withnell.  The country here is
still the serpentine country, marked with basaltic nobs, and giving
indications of bismuth, asbestos, and cobalt.  At the Sherlock River, one
comes upon syenite granite country, with outcrops of micaschists carrying
large quantities of titanic iron, and Mr Argles says he should not be
surprised if a good find of tin and silver was made there.  He also
expects precious stones will be found there.  Six miles on, he passed
through slate country, where the copper-finds were made, and where, so far
as material is concerned, there would be a good opening for a slate
quarry, as the slate can be split to any size and thickness.  This, he
adds, is an excellent country for gold.  A little further on, a dividing
hill "of pure iron" is reached, with large outcrops of basalt shewing
[sic]carbonates of lime shoes all, or calcite, shewing [sic] it to be true
volcanic rock or lava, or volcanic mud thrown from a thermal spring, and
cooled down and petrified by the action of the air.  This overlies the
lower Silurian, which is a true gold-bearing formation.  Here are to be
found sulphide and carbonate of lead, arsenical pyrites and alumina clay.
Having passed ever some more syenite granite country, the formation of
which is favourable to the discovery of garnets and other gems, a creek
named Poverty Crossing is reached, and here, Mr Argles believes a lead of
gold would be found by sinking in the creek till tho [sic] deepest part,
or a "concentrated gutter," was found.  This part of the country is
covered with hopper lime which, owing to the action of a thermal mineral
spring, has formed a kind of cement.  From its appearance, he judges it to
have have [sic] being washed, while in solution, from a higher-level,
until it reached its present surface, and coming in contact with the iron
and the atmosphere, has formed into cement containing lime, sulphur,
magnesia, potash, and salt.

Four miles farther, Mallina is reached.  The first sight here which greets
the traveller is the Mallina Reef claim, discovered some two years ago.  A
mile from this is situated the Alfred Argles G.M. Co's reef, late Martin
and Carrington claim.  Mr Argles says that before he acquired it, it had
been lying by a long time, the proprietors having been told they could do
nothing with it, as the ore would have to have been sent home to England
for treatment, and sold for antimony ore.  Mr Argles was asked to inspect
the mine.  He has had considerable experience in refractory ores, and
after examining it, he entered into an agreement with the owners to work
it.  Without delay, he imported a large battery with the necessary engine
and pumping-gear, and had it erected at the mine at once.  This cost them,
he says, £2,500, and the result has been most successful.  This claim
consists of 25 acres of land, being 12,000 ft long by 500 ft wide.  The
reef runs through the entire length of the claim, and has been tested in
seven places.  In varies in width from 2 ft to 14 ft on the surface.  Bulk
samples taken from the Western and near the middle yielded from 2 3/4
ounces to 4 ounces per ton, when assayed in the Ballarat School of Mines.
The middle shaft, which is 20 ft deep, gave 5 ozs to the ton at a depth of
10 ft.  The next shaft is where the battery is erected, and has been sunk
to a depth of 70 ft, the reef being from 3 ft to 8 ft wide.  A crushing of
20 tons of average stone taken here, yielded 60 ozs of smelted gold from
the plates.  The blanketings had not been treated, and are expected to
yield 2 ozs per ton, giving a total of 5 ozs to the ton, valued at £4 2s.
per oz at the Sydney Mint.  The cake of gold taken from the plates has
been for some time on view in Mr V. E. Nesbit's shop-window, in Hay Street.

Mr Argles expects to leave for Sydney, this week, to float the mine into a
company.  It is to be registered as a no-liability company of 150,000
shares, of which 25,000 will be offered to the public.  It is intended to
place more powerful machinery on the ground.  The mine will be kept
working, and it is expected to turn out at least 100 ozs, per week, by
placing 15 head more stamps with a 30 h.p. engine and winding-gear on the
mine.  During Mr Argles' absence, the mine will be worked by his manager,
Mr A. Jacobson.  Besides the gold, from every five tons of stone 60 per
cent of antimony can be picked, and is worth, he says, £20 per ton on the
ground, and this alone would pay the working expenses.

Five miles east lies the Peewah reef claim, which has also been taken up
by Mr Argles.  Two shafts have been sunk, the one 30 ft and the other 45
ft deep.  In the former, which is 300 feet distant from the latter, the
reef is 6 ft wide, and gold is discernible with the naked eye.  In the
deep shaft the reef is 3 ft wide, and shows good gold.  About 40 tons of
stone are at grass, which will be crushed at the battery.  For this mine
Mr Argles has ordered a ten-head battery from Sydney.

From Peewah, Mr Argles, in company with the Warden, proceeded to Pilbarra,
the first halt being at Wattle Creek.  Here is the division of the slate
and serpentine country, with an overlapping of the diorite formation.  It
is a good country for gold, and there is plenty of wood for machinery.
Farther on, the great gold-bearing country is reached.  Here it is of a
true slate formation, belonging to the Upper Silurian, and has every
appearance of being water-worn, the slate hill having been divided and
worn away at one period of its existence, the stream depositing the gold
so deep in the shingly slate which is collected at the base of the hill,
as to puzzle the prospector in his search for the precious metal.  The
leads of gold will, however, be found here, and Mr Ayles [sic] predicts it
will be twenty times as plentiful as the finds made heretofore in this
country.  The country, right from Mallina shews [sic] indications of a
richly auriferous nature, and needs only population and capital to work
it.  Farther on, ironstone country is reached, and promises some
difficulty to those engaged in the search for gold, as the metal is so
very much coated with oxide iron and sulphur, as to render it no easy
matter to distinguish it from ironstone.  Some of the stuff shewn [sic]
him was half gold and half iron.  After travelling a few miles further,
they came to some splendid gold-bearing country, with the ironstone
shewing [sic] in long ridges, and promising looking gulleys coming out of
the ranges.  The ridges are of the kind known as "razor-back," with great
gaps washed through them, and are mostly of haematite iron formation, with
manganese, rhodonite, and silica of manganese.  A few outcrops of diorite
shew [sic] here and there.  The ridges once passed, Pilbarra is reached.

The first claim Mr Argles inspected at Pilbarra was the Broken Reef claim
on the Broken Hill.  The hill is about three miles in length, and is one
mass of quartz, and runs along the division of the granite and Silurian
slate.  Some rich specimens of gold have been found in patches all along
this hill, and the gold formation, which is about half a mile wide,
extends into the hill for a great distance.  Five miles away, the Silurian
is overlapped by basalt.  Only comparatively light work has been done on
the field, and he is of opinion that real systematic work will yield grand
results.  He advises miners to follow the iron Silurian formation westward
for alluvial gold, which he considers the more favourable direction.  If
there are any permanent reefs at Pilbarra he believes they will be found
to the east, as the country there is of a truer reefing character.  He
next inspected the Bowbon Reef machinery, which worked well, and will put
through about 50 tons of stone.  If they can get a yield of only 8 dwts.
it will pay, he says.

Mr Argles did not go on to Nyullagine, as he had no time, and cannot,
therefore, pronounce very decidedly upon the country.  Judging, however,
from the specimens he has seen, he differs from those who call the
formation a conglomerate, and considers it to be nothing more than eroded
wash caused by the action of the iron in the water upon the original
formation.  He considers the formation a very likely one for a permanent
field, as it is one of the old beds, and resembles the Made Cement Hill in
Victoria.

Having returned to Roebourne, a few days later, Mr Argles set out
eastwards, in the direction of the Ashburton rush.  He traced the country
for 40 miles, and says that right through to the Ashburton it consists of
five different strata running parallel with each other.  The first is a
belt of ironstone, then one of granite quartz hills and diorite, then an
iron carrying carbonates of lime, and lastly serpentine.  He spent a week
at Mr Clarkson's and had a man out prospecting the country, which he
compares to both Mt Morgan and Broken Hill.  He found lead, copper,
silver, and gold, the latter being found in large outcrops of haematite
and magnetic iron.  This visit finished his inspection of the fields and
before leaving the Nor'-West, Mr Argles caused a large box to be packed
with specimens of minerals from his mines, and from other parts of the
district, and for the Mining and Metallurgical Exhibition in London.

DISCOVERY OF SILVER NEAR ALBANY.

A discovery of silver Tuesday, reports the Advertiser (Albany) of June
9th, has been made on the Candyup estate of Mr Campbell Taylor.  The ore
is found on the surface, and specimens sent away for assay have, we
understand, given encouraging results.  The stuff has been used at Candyup
for many years in the cleaning of rusty harness [sic], being very suitable
for that purpose.  Whether the mineral deposit is in any large quantity
has not yet been ascertained.  A party of gentlemen proceeded to Candyup
to-day to be present at the taking of further specimens for assay; and
should the results again be sufficiently promising the ground will be
thoroughly tested.  The find was made on the freehold land of …

(Note: the article has been cut and finishes abruptly at this point.)

party a good supply of water, sufficient to enable them to continue
operations throughout the summer.  Mr Pearse's and the West Australian
claims are also well supplied with water, but difficulty has arisen with
the latter in respect to the labour supply, hands being very scarce.  With
the approach of the rainy season, however, we shall doubtless find a
supply equal to the demand.  Spring Gully are washing with very fair
results, and Bishop Gibney's claims are being got ready for winter, and
good work being done in them in preparation for the early rains.  The
prospecting party on the Eureka Tin Mining Company's claims are meeting
with very encouraging results, and blasting operations on the higher
grounds have given satisfactory prospects.

weighing 64 1/2 ounces, and the other 75 ounces, all very nearly 140
ounces in all.  So far as can be calculated, this was obtained from the
crushing of 115 tons of stone, but of that, it is supposed there were
somewhere about 20 tons more or less rubbish, which it was necessary to
put through.  The crushing is the result of eleven days work with a five-
head damper.  No difficulty whatever was experienced in separating the
gold from the amalgam.  It is also stated that salt water was used in the
boiler without any ill effects, and it will be used in the future.  It is
to be hoped that the Government will see their way clear to take steps to
acquire these two bars of gold for the Crystal Palace Mining Exhibition.

From Mr McMurty he received the following report:-
"Council of School of Mines and Industries, Adelaide, 7th March, 1890.  
Dear Sir , I have the honour to inform you that the sample forwarded by you on the third of March, 1890, for the determination of the quality of the coal, has been examined with the following results:-

(1).  The amount of fixed carbon is far below that of an anthracite; it is about equal to what is known as a good house coal.  
(2).  The flame given by it is a luminous smoky one, differing altogether from that of an anthracite.
(3).  The coal does not coke, and in this respect it is like an anthracite.

I remain, yours faithfully, G. C. McMurty, A.R.S.M., &c.,
Metallurgist."

supposed to contain valuable minerals to perform a qualitative analysis of
any mineral that had a likely look about it, and it sems to me, that what
is wanted is a preactical dissertation, either by lecture or written
articles, that would give the information necessary to render pospectors a
little less "practical" in the sense used by the lecturer.

It is not possible, in article, to give the details that might be shown
with the aided diagrams, such as the formation of the country where
different minerals might be expected, and the appearance of true and false
indications of the precious metals, but perhaps it might be useful in some
degree if a short account were given of the way in which tests my [sic] be
made for half-a-dozen of the principal metals, in a manner that is easy
and cheap, and it is the more necessary as there seems to be a tendency to
consider gold the only thing worth seeking, Tuesday the experience of
several places in the other colonies, where fortunes have been unwittingly
thrown aside to be picked up by the first comer, who has the wits to try
for other metals than the one.

I do not claim the slightest originality for tests given below; they are
about as old as chemistry itself, but they may perhaps be given in a
little plain form them is found in a book of chemical formulae.

Our prospector, therefore, should provide himself with the following articles.

Nitric Acid.
Muriatic Acid.
Sulphuric Acid.
Ammonia.
Potash.
Chloride of tin.

The acids and the ammonia should be in six oz. stoppered bottles and the
others in wide mouth 4 oz. bottles, also stoppered.  Take also —
6 test tubes, 5 or 6 inches long, and thin.
Small pestle and mortar.
Strip of zinc.

The four bottles containing the liquids do certainly cause some anxiety if
not well packed, and I have myself ridden for days holding them in my hand
for fear they might get broken, but if they are packed in separate
divisions in a little box and spaces filled up with sawdust, is safe
enough to put them away in one's kit.

When a simple of likely-looking stuff is found, first break it up pretty
fine with the head of the pick, and then grind some of it as fine as
possible in the mortar.  Put enough of the powder into one of the test
tubes to fill up about three quarters of an inch and fill up another two
inches and a half with nitric acid.  Warm it with great care over a
candle, if you have one, or bit of the fire, and always heat from the top
downwards or probably the whole contents will be discharged over your
fingers.  The best way to hold the test tube is to fold up a piece of
paper about a foot long and two or three inches wide into a spill and
double it in the middle of its length; this is twisted round the top of
the test tube and held by the ends.

When the powder and acid have simmered for two or three minutes let them
cool and settle.  When clear, very carefully poor half an inch of the
clear fluid into another test tube and add one or two drops of muriatic
acid.  It will perhaps turn cloudy and settle to the bottom after a little
while.  If this has happened pour off the clear fluid, leaving the white
deposit, and pour in an inch of ammonia, shaking it up well with the thumb
on the top of the tube.

If the deposit has disappeared you have found silver.
If the deposit has turned black, Mercury.
If the deposit has not changed, Lead.

If however there was no result when the muriatic acid was added take
another half inch of the original fluid in a fresh tube and add an inch or
more of ammonia.

If it turns Blue it shows Copper.
If it turns Cloudy-white it shows Mercury.
If it turns Red it shows Iron.

Perhaps you have still no results.  Then take another half inch from the
original fluid again add a drop or two of muriatic acid and dip it into
the strip of zinc.

If it turns deep black it shows Antimony.

Try again if nothing has yet turned up.  Take a fresh half inch from the
original liquor, and drop in one drop of sulphuric acid.

Cloudy-white means Lead.

If still unsuccessful take a final half inch, but before doing so dissolve
in a separate test tube some potash in a little water.  Then pour this
potash gradually into the other liquids.

If it turns blue there is Cobalt.
If it turns green there is Nickel.
If it turns cloudy white there is Zinc.

I should perhaps have given the test for gold first as it most likely
would be tried before all these.  The best one is as follows:

Put about half an inch of the powder mineral into a test tube and stand it
aside for a few minutes while in another tube you pour
Two inches of nitric acid,
Half an inch of muriatic acid.

Pour this on the powder and heat as in the other experiment.  When cool
and settled pour off the clear fluid, and having previously dissolved a
very little of the chloride of tin in water in a separate tube, drop a
little of it into the other one.  If there is any gold the colourless or
yellow fluids will turn a deep purple color [sic].

If chloride of tin is not to be purchased, sulphate of iron will do as
shown in the recent lecture, but the test is not nearly to [sic]
satisfactory.

These are all the tests necessary for proving the existence of nine
principal metals.  Of course the quantity analysis is a different affair,
but after some experience and particularly if the same quantities of
chemicals are used every time the prospector can gain a fair idea of
payable or non payable discoveries.

While using the expression of length, such as inch, etc., to indicate the
quantity of liquid in the test tubes, it is only to be considered
approximately except in one case which is that of the mixture of nitric
and muriatic acids in the test for gold.  These must be exact, and I have
always found a good way is to lay a foot rule against the tube and measure
the contents by it.

While the blow pipe is, in the hands of an expert, more convenient and
superior to the above mentioned methods, these tests are certainly more
suited to the ordinary prospector, who only needs ordinary care and
observation to enable him to decide as to the presence of one or more
metals, and he can thus have a sure guide as to the prospects of the
ground he is investigating, avoiding, on the one hand, the annoyance of
carrying samples to town only to have them declared valueless, and, on the
other hand, saving himself from the frequent and fatal error of passing by
valuable ground as worthless because it contains something that he does
not understand nor has the means of analysing.

The cost of chemicals and apparatus that are mentioned she would hardly
exceed £1, and would last for a prospecting trip of a month or so for one
man.

Hoping that this may prove of some service to those intending to go up
country, I am,
Yours, &c.,
JOHN W. ROCK.
Perth, August 6, 1888.

respected Australian firms, ought to be of interest: — "I have the
pleasure to hand you the following report upon the samples of Australian
mica you left with me.  I find the quality to be exceedingly fine and only
slightly stained or spotted; uncut or natural plates, slabs or sheets of
this quality would vary in price is from about 6d a lb to as high as 8s or
10s a lb.  The small sizes that would answer to ship would be about 3 by 4
inches: this size, if spotted or stained, would be worth about 6d, rising
gradually in value as the plates were larger; if about 3 or 4 inches wide
by 8 inches long, would be worth say 3s a lb, and if from 6 inches wide by
10 to 14 inches long would be worth from 8s to 10s a lb.  Of course,
between 3 by 4 inches and 6 by 14 inches there would be many intermediate
sizes and values too numerous to specify in this letter.  In the event of
your shipping any absolutely clean and free from spots, I could value same
from 1s to 15s a lb.  I could also give you a higher valuation in clear
quality for sizes cut into squares and rectangles, according to the
demands for various trades, for which I have orders to the extent of
several hundred thousand pounds, but I would not at present advise you
trying your hands at cutting it up until you have shipped a few tons in
its natural state, so that I could examine same and advise you what would
be most profitable to your interests.  Labour in India for mica cutting
does not exceed 3d a day, and I doubt if labour in Australia would be
under 10s a day, in addition to your requiring special tools and
machinery.  As prices in London might be considerably affected by the open
receipt of supplies from Australia, I would strongly advise your shipping
this article as quartz or minerals, not openly as mica, or ship the same
to Liverpool or some other port, when it could be easily brought to London
and not affect the market.  To commence with, I would advise shipments to
be made in its natural state as mined or found, taking care not to send
any rubbish, quartz or rock with it, but as far as possible sound blocks
of mica, and the larger the better.  On arrival in London I would be
pleased to instruct the Dock Company or warehouse keepers as to sorting it
and preparing it for market, when you must be prepared for a heavy loss in
weight, but I feel convinced this course will be better than having the
work done in Australia, at all events for a commencement ."  Mr Richard
Baker further advises a few tons as a trial shipment, and that no box
shall exceed 100lbs in weight.  It is understood that large quantities of
mica are arriving in London from Australia, consigned to various houses,
described as "minerals."