Excellency the Governor was an interesting and important event.

Doubtless the surroundings were somewhat sad and sombre, and, even had they been brighter and more exhilarating to the unscientific, there is not, much that is interesting in a collection of mineral and specimens.

We know that a very enthralling discourse has been delivered with regard to a lump of red sand-stone, nevertheless geology is essentially a subject on which it is impossible for the unscientific to work up any degree of enthusiasm. Nevertheless it has been obvious to everybody in the old Prison Chapel last Wednesday afternoon who listened to the remarks of the Governor and Premier that the formal establishment and opening of this museum is a matter of no small importance.

As the Governor pointed out, Western Australia is already a gold-producing country and a place of great mineral possibilities. The specimens on view at the museum now open to the public include rich, gold-bearing quartz from Kimberley in the north to Plantagenet in the south, besides lead, copper, tin and coal and other valuable minerals too numerous to mention. These will demonstrate, to those anxious to enquire into our wealth and prospects that Western Australia offers a large field for mineral research.

The placing of the museum the charge of a paid curator will be a great advantage, although the Rev. Mr. Nicolay deserves great credit for his valuable and gratuitous attention to the geological collection, in the past. It will be the duty of the curator to add to that collection and to do all that lies in his power for its enlargement, and we believe that Mr. Woodward is well fitted in all respects for the position he, occupies. The present day is one of small things, but there is no foretelling the extent to which the humble little museum will grow, and maybe it is the nucleus of a school of mines, and of an institution which will bear comparison with those so well established and housed in the sister provinces.

It must at once be affirmed that the sooner the museum is removed from its present temporary lodgings the better. It is somewhat remotely situated in the first instance, and in the next the prison surroundings are gloomy to a degree, and must cause an impression the reverse of favourable in the minds of visitors, and indeed induce uncomfortable comment. Gloomy as is the exterior the interior is worse, and the visitor has to pass whitewashed cells and mount iron stairs in order to reach the sombre apartment in which the specimens and exhibits are located. This lodgment should not be allowed any longer than can be possibly helped, and it may be hoped that when next the Government come before parliament they will be prepared with proposals for the erection of a museum in a central or conveniently situated portion of the city.

This museum should be devoted not merely to the housing of geological specimens, but should be for exhibits of a general character. No doubt it would be possible, by offering a reasonable sum of money in payment therefore, to obtain the highly heterogeneous collection at present jumbled together in the Mechanics' Institute, and which are palpably suffering from the effects of the dust and moth which corrupt. Well arranged and displayed the collection would be very interesting but at present it is almost an impossibility to view them properly.

It is little short of discreditable to the colony that after an existence of 60 years there is not in Perth even the nucleus of a collection of our flora and fauna. Few countries offer such opportunities to the botanist, the entomologist and zoologist as Western Australia, and without going outside our borders for exhibits a truly magnificent and unique collection of natural objects might be made and displayed in this fair city.

As it is at present we have nothing whatever of the kind to show the stranger within our gates. It is high time this reproach was removed. The Premier, Sir John Forrest, though he would scarcely pose as a scientific man, has displayed a large amount of highly intelligent interest in the collection of botanical and other specimens when engaged in his exploring expeditions, and judging by his remarks at the opening of the Geological Museum he recognizes that the colony is unduly backward, and has not done justice to itself in failing to establish ere [sic] this a [sic] Museum in Perth.

It may therefore be hoped that his Government will be the first [missing original text] … was thickly strewn with [missing original text] … and so densely covered with heavy grasses to completely [missing original text] … both sides of the soil and stones from [missing original text] … making it very difficult for horse or man to set his foot evenly on the ground, and much stumbling and many loosened horseshoes. The river contained a fine volume of fresh water, running in a broad shallow bed, with a firm bottom of sand and basalt boulders. Papyrus trees and groups of palms occupied little mounds of soil that just showed above the water, giving the whole scene a very picturesque appearance.

A CURIOUS SPOT AND A VAST PANORAMA.

The camp having been pitched early in the afternoon, Mr. Allen and I took fresh horses and rode several miles to the south-west. We saw a large pool of water at the bottom of a beautiful valley, contiguous to which was a large and nearly horizontal slab of sandstone rock, probably 900 square yards in extent. In the centre of this the aborigines had formed a circle of large stones, 12ft. in diameter. At the centre of this circle was an oblong stone structure. about 5 ft. long and 3ft. wide, and nearly 2ft. high, which, from the burnt appearance of the stones and quantity of ashes and cinders in the vicinity, was evidently used from time to time as an oven, or perhaps an altar. Passing this curious spot, we rode for about a
mile further up a very steep incline, and finding the rise of the country becoming too precipitous for horse-travelling, we secured our nags under a group of box trees, and proceeded to ascend the mountain in front of us on foot. Half an hour's climbing brought us to the summit, where we were rewarded by a splendid view of the surrounding, country.

The aneroid showed this mount to be 1,550 ft. above sea-level. On every side of us huge boulders of black volcanic stone rose up through the deep, dense covering of succulent green grass which clothed the mountain from base to apex. Miles away from us in various directions we could trace out the courses of creeks and lagoons by the masses of papyrus and palm trees that fringed their banks ; while further still to the west and north the prospect was bounded by terraces of rugged mountains, furrowed by numerous gaps and valleys.

The principal timber on the mountain where we stood, and apparently on the surrounding hills, was a rather small species of eucalyptus, which, for want of another appellation, our party generally called the “grey box.” The “feather-tree” also appeared in considerable numbers, and many small species of acacia, and a stunted palm with fan- shaped leaves, which seemed to grow only on the higher altitudes. We were so interested in the varied beauties of the vast panorama spread around us that we did not for some time notice the sun was getting near to the horizon ; an observation from my companion to the effect that we had but little more than half an hour of daylight, made us hurriedly return to our horses and steer for the camp. It was considerably after dark when we sighted our own fires and felt ourselves within the safety of the camp, where we sat down with vigorous appetites to devour a feast of bream that had in the meantime been caught in some of the pools of the river. These fish were very numerous, and some of them were estimated to weigh 8lb.

A DEEP RIVER AND A THUNDERING CREEK.

The following day we travelled along the western bank of the river in a northerly direction for about 15 miles, until the channel cut into an impassable barrier of sandstone rock, which lay at right angles to the course of the river and extended for several miles both to the east and west.

Before entering into this barrier the river becomes very wide at various places. One of its reaches, besides which we subsequently pitched our depot camp, was about 50 chains long, three chains wide, apparently of great depth, and containing clear fresh water, which to the eye seemed to be still and motionless, but an inspection of the rocky bars which crossed the river bed at irregular intervals showed a rapid current. It was computed that over 11,000,000 gallons per hour flowed past a given point in the stream.

Turning away from the river, we travelled along the base of the before mentioned sandstone barrier for four miles, till we came to a large creek which poured its waters in a great chasm cutting right through the barrier. The cataract thus formed by the creek on entering the chasm was carefully measured by Mr. Allen, and showed a perpendicular depth of 95ft. A strong current flow in the creek, and the noise it made in leaping from the cliffs into the troubled cauldron, nearly a hundred feet below, was something deafening. These falls forcibly reminded me of nearly similar ones described by Captain King about 40 miles northwest of where we are.

A HANDSOME TREE.

A very handsome tree, with leaves resembling a large mulberry leaf, and containing a heavy foliage, was observed growing here in considerable numbers. Our Palmerston blacks called it “Lilirimir!,” but said it was now almost extinct in their territory. I had never seen it growing on the Fitzroy or Meda rivers of West Kimberley, or anywhere in the neighbourhood of Cambridge Gulf in East Kimberley. The wood is of a bright orange colour, and is easily worked.

A REMARKABLE WALL.

Nearly half the following day was wasted in getting our train across the sandstone range, although it was not more than half a mile wide at the greatest breadth. A little valley issuing out of the range on the lower side had its outlet obstructed by an artificial stone wall, that had evidently been in existence for many years, as large trees had grown round it. It was about two chains long, reaching from one bank of the valley to the other, and originally had been between 4ft. and 5ft. high. Some of its lower stones would weigh fully a hundred weight. I could form no conjecture as to what purpose it had bean intended for. It was not nearly high enough to be of service as a kan- [end of clipping]....

has been assayed by Mr B. H. Woodward, who reports that it contains 69.5
metallic tin.

LARGE SALE OF MINING SCRIP.

On Tuesday a large sale of forfeited shares took place on behalf of the
Caledonian G.M. Company.  Some sixteen thousand shares were sold, the
highest price paid being 3 3/8d. per share.

YILGARN G.M. COMPANY.

We understand that highly satisfactory reports have been received from the
manager of the above mine.  At present, crushing operations are being
carried on by a spring dolly, and by this primitive means only the
crushing averages show from 4 1/2 oz. to 5 oz.  By the last mail from
Yilgarn, a parcel of gold weighing 8 1/2 ounces was received, and it is
now expected that the returns will pay the working expenses, besides
providing for further opening up and developing the property.

the Pilbarra Goldfields:—

I have the honour to make the following report on the Pilbarra Goldfields
for the information of His Excellency the Governor.

WHIM WELL.

There are a good many men at work on the copper mine here, which is being
tested by an English syndicate with a view to the purchase of it, if the
test is satisfactory. I went round the workings with Mr. Swete the manager
but h& could not give me any information as to the prospects of the mine
until he has made his report to his employers. He certainly seems
determined to thoroughly test the property.

MALLINA

I met Mr. Fone the manager on his way to Port with about 55ozs of smelted
gold, which he reports having obtained from about 20 tons of stone put
through in three weeks. Mr. Argles is expected here stortly [sic] with the
new machinery for the mine.

EGINA.

Very little is doing here, there being only about twenty men gaining a
poor subsistence, and some at, them are leaving.

PILBARRA.

I arrived here on the 4th inst. and found only about twenty men on the
field, most of whom only just pay their way, but a man picked up a nugget
weighing about 91ozs a few days before I arrived.  The men who were
working the puddling machine had to abandon it as the water in the well
gave out.

WESTERN SHAW

I arrived here on the 15th inst. and found about one hundred men at work,
some of whom are doing fairly well, and all seem to be making a living.
The prospectors have knocked off their well at about 70ft. without
striking water and are now dry blowing their reward claims with I believe
very good results. The old reef here is likely to be worked by a Roebourne
syndicate, who will probably arrange to have the Huntingdon Mill now at
Pilbarra put on the property in the course of a few months if the testing
which is now going a turns out satisfactorily. A new reef or a
continuation of the old one has been found about a mile to the Southward
and four claims have been registered upon it since I came up. It appears
to be a well defined reef on the top of the razor back range to the West
of the reward claims. The gold shows freely in the stone and the reef
seems to widen out as it goes down. It runs nearly north and south with a
high dip to the westward. The holders intend to sink shafts to test the
reef as soon as explosives can be procured.

The alluvial workings about eight miles to the north west of the main camp
have been abandoned, but another flat has been found about half a mile, to
the eastward of Grassy Flat, and a good many of the men are working on it.

The Coongan.—The rush that was on to the Coongan when I left town has
ceased now, and most of the men who left here for it have returned
disgusted. They report that the claims held by the prospectors who
discovered the place are undoubtedly rich, but that with the exception of
a few claims adjoining the reward claims the field is barren of gold.

Since I arrived here, there is a report of another rush in the
neighbourhood of "Talga Talga," but there is no excitement here about it.

I purpose to leave here for the Nullagine about Tuesday next, and to go on
from thence to the Coongan as there is said to be .some difficulty in
getting across from here on account of the scarcity of water on the road.

I have no authentic news from the Nullagine since I wrote my last report.

There has been no rain as yet in this district, with the exception of very
slight drizzling showers which do little or no good to the feed,
consequently feed for horses and other stock is very scarce, and
provisions are likely to be scarce and dear shortly.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has received the following report, dated
Hillside Station, July 17th, from Mr. L. R. Davies acting Warden of the
Pilbarra goldfield :—

I found that I could get across to the Coongan from the Western Shaw's, so
I now have the honor to make the following report on the workings there,
for the information of His Excellency the Governor :—

There are some forty men now working in the vicinity of the “Marble Bar,”
on the Coongan, which is the site of the rush I reported by telegraph from
Roebourne, in May last.

There were some four hundred men on the find during the rush, but some
returned to Western Shaw and Nullagine, and the majority of the remainder
left for a new rush on the Watershed, between the Talga Talga and Little
de Grey Rivers.

On, my arrival at Marble Bar, I heard that the find at Little de Grey was
a failure, and that most of the men had left there again, some going to
the Nullagine and a good many to the country round Coppin's station, on
the De Grey River. Report says that there are about one hundred and eighty
men prospecting around Coppin's, and obtaining
their supplies from the station.

The alluvial workings at Marble Bar are situated about four miles east of
a “bar” or dyke of flinty quartz, which crosses the Coongan, where it
breaks through a high range chiefly composed of diorite. The gold is found
in low-lying slatey country, intersected by numerous quartz reefs and
blows. The quartz is honeycombed, end apparently highly charged with iron.
Some of the reefs show good prospects, and already five claims have been
registered upon them

The extent of the alluvial gold is limited, being chiefly confined to one
gully, in which the prospectors have their reward claims, but the country
is very likely to turn out a good reefing field, judging by the opinion of
miners on the spot.

The water supply is wholly inadequate to the requirements of the field, as
it has to be brought from the water holes, formed by the water falling
over the “Marble Bar,” which are not permanent. I have no doubt that many
more miners would prospect both for reefs and alluvial gold if water was
to be obtained on the spot. Judging by the appearance of the country water
could be obtained at a small cost.

All provisions are very scarce on the fields, and they have to be packed
from the surrounding stations, for although a very fair road can be
obtained to the port of Condon from the field, some of the stages between
water upon it are so long as to be impracticable for loaded drays. Two or
three wells sunk at suitable spots would be of great convenience both to
squatters and diggers, and I do not think the cost of sinking them would
be great, certainly under £150.

THE MURCHISON GOLDFIELDS.

INSPECTOR TROY'S REPORT.

The first gold workings we came to are called Bayley's, and are situated
on an island in Annean Lake. The island is about one mile long and half a
mile wide, the direction of its length is north and south. Along the
eastern side of the island there is a ridge of ironstone and quartz, and
at different spots to the west of this ridge quartz crops out, and farther
west the island is composed of red sand covered with mulga trees and
saltbush. Bayley's patch is close to the south end of the island, and is
on a gentle slope covered chiefly with ironstone, and is about 150 yards
in length by 50 yards in width, and was discovered on the 30th June by
Arthur Bayley, and his mate James Taylor. On that day they picked up 230
ounces of nuggetty gold upon the red surface; then they commenced digging,
and had obtained up to the 6th instant about 500 ounces of gold.

The gold is all coarse or nuggetty ; one piece weighed 34 ounces, and they
got several others from 12 ounces downwards.

I found 15 men digging here. A few were doing well, but the majority
complained that they could get but little gold. The work was what the
diggers called “surfacing,” and only from 6in. to 1ft. in depth.

Gold was found in small quantities at different points along the whole
length of the island From the island, about a quarter of a mile of the
lake has to be crossed to the mainland where an ironstone range commences,
and extends a few miles about north-north-east, and then, after meeting a
granite range turns away north-east. Four or five rich patches of alluvial
gold and some leaders have been found on the south and eastern slopes of
this range and near the lake.

The “Home Rule” line of quartz reef, over a  mile in length, runs north
and south (nearly) down the slope, and its southern end dips into the
lake. Four protection areas are taken up on this line of reef, and upon
one of these (Gillis Macpherson's) rich gold specimens have been found,
and apparently payable gold reported.

Half a mile east, and nearly parallel to the Home Rule line of reef, is
another line of less extent, also supposed to be gold-bearing. Two
protection areas have been taken up either upon or adjoining this reef.
About 200 yards further east another line of reef can he traced by
numerous outcrops in the bed of the lake. I found Macpherson and his mate
Peterkin working on their reef, and they were getting good gold. The
remainder of the diggers were engaged fossicking around the above-
mentioned two patches, and a few were scattered out a little in search of
something fresh. Most of them expressed them. solves dissatisfied with the
result of their labour. One young fellow told me he had worked hard a week
for half an ounce. The only sinking done on the field was what Macpherson
and his mate did when putting shafts of 9 feet or 10 feet down on quartz
leaders. They told me that the leaders carried gold near the surface only,
but in one case I knew a digger to get 3 ounces of gold in one day out of
the bottom of one of those abandoned shafts. I made a short excursion
along the, ridge and eastern aide of the range for about eight miles, and
found the country of similar character to that at its southern end, except
that I did not meet with such extensive outcrops of quartz, but I came
upon two a [sic] three little hills, of dull white quartz which trended
north-easterly.

I was informed there is auriferous country stretching for miles north-east
of the existing workings, and also east and south. The country near Lake
Austin is said to be very promising, and a prospector named George Woodley
has applied to register a protection area near West Mount Magnet. Between
Coodardy Station (Townsend's) and the present field there are four or five
belts of country which I crossed, and which I consider worth prospecting.
When I left the field on the 6th inst., there were about 60 men there, and
I passed 142 men en route to it .… Messrs. Cruikshank & Co. had opened a
small store on the field, and also a butchering business.

The main camp of the diggers is situated about 2 ¼ miles west from Nanine
Well, and a tree marked on the chart X4. A watercarrier supplies the men
with water at 3d per gallon  . . . . . The total quantity of gold obtained
on the field since November last amounts to 1709 oz., by the
undermentioned persons, namely:—Macpherson & Peterkin 800 ozs, Bayley &
Taylor 650 ozs, Harris 56 ozs, Robinson 70 ozs, Baldwin 30 ozs, Dugles 50
ozs, Kilkenny 20 ozs, Woodley 20 ozs, Burdett 13 ozs; total 1709 ozs. The
above is exclusive of what was obtained by the less fortunate diggers. The
road from Geraldton to the diggings is good, except about 30 miles of
heavy sand. There is water at every stage, except the three last, which
are 30 miles apart. Grass is very scarce. . . . During my absence, and
until other arrangements are made, I left Police Constable Binning to
carry on my duties as agent for the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

In conclusion, I beg to state that notwithstanding the large quantity of
gold which has been obtained the existing alluvial workings were almost
exhausted when I left, and up to that time no new ground had been found
which would support the number of men already gone to the field. The area
of the present field is 3 ½  miles long by about one mile broad at the
North end and runs to a point at the South end.

P. TROY,
Inspector of Police.
August 15.

In a footnote to his report, Inspector Troy states that the total distance
from Geraldton to the field is 300 miles.

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.

and with the latter improved taste in architecture and decoration; and so
it has been with this colony.  A musical society has for some years
flourished here, and a few months back in society for the encouragement of
painting was started — yclept [sic] the Wilgie Club.  This Club, although
in its infancy, determined to hold an annual exhibition of paintings in
oil and water colors [sic], and has met with much encouragement, for the
collection which Lady Fraser has graciously consented to open on the 4th
June next will comprise a large number of paintings by modern English
painters who exhibit regularly at the Academy and other London Galleries,
as well at the Salon in Paris, and also many pictures from the collections
of residents in Perth and the neighbourhood, in addition to the
contributions of members of the Wilgie Club.  The exhibition will, we are
confident, be highly appreciated, and we trust that it will meet with such
success as to ensure its annual repetition and the founding of a West
Australian School of Arts, and so prove that we are not behind the Eastern
Colonies in our love of the beautiful and true.  We understand that the
Hon Secretary, Mr Bernard H. Woodward, will be glad to receive intimation
from any gentlemen, who are willing to lend any pictures in their
collections for this exhibition.

It would be the duty of this Department to see that the Geological Survey of the colony, which is being apparently somewhat neglected of late, was systematically pushed on, and that any conflict of opinion or doubtful point, such as that which has arisen in connection with the Irwin and Collie Coal fields was set at rest with as little delay as possible.

The establishment of a Mining Department in Western Australia, will certainly be a good advertisement for the colony, and would emphasise the fact that its mineral resources are of great and growing importance.

An agricultural bureau is also required in Perth, where intending settlers can get all the information of which they stand in need on their arrival in the colony, and a function of which would be to disseminate information as to the agricultural condition of the colony, in the shape of pamphlets and reports, and distribute special seeds for experimental purposes to those needing them. At present information on agricultural matters is hard to obtain, save from the admirable report of the Agricultural Commission presided over by the Hon. H. W. Venn. Such a bureau might be allied to the Mining Department, with a view to the future appointment, of a Minister of Mines and Agriculture. That they are both greatly needed no one will attempt to deny, as upon mining and agriculture the colony's future mainly depends, and both industries require to be, carefully fostered ill their infancy and systematically guarded as years roll on.

GENERAL NEWS.

Mr. R. S. Haynes has resigned the City Solicitorship, and it is rumored
that he will offer himself as a candidate for the North Ward at the
forthcoming election. Councillor Courthope intends seeking re-election,
and his address to the ratepayers appears in another column. It is also
stated that Mr. W. H. James will contest the representation of the Central
Ward with the outgoing Councillor—Mr. Crowder.

A meeting of the Refreshment Committee in connection with the Children's
Festival will be held in the Town Hall this evening, at five o'clock.

In the ball-room of Government House this evening Sir John Forrest,
K.C.M.G., will deliver his annual address to the W.A. Natural History
Society. The meeting commences at 7.30 p.m.

A correspondent writes: “Your morning contemporary hits out rather wildly
in its criticism on Wednesday night's meeting. His assertion that the
larger ratepayers were not among the speakers is curiously at variance
with the fact that Messrs. Traylen, Quinlan, Courthope and Molloy are each
liable for the rates on properties assessed at the least at about £1000
annual value, while the first-named gentlemen are probably the largest
contributors to the municipal revenues in the whole city.”

Our business columns to-day contain full particulars of the railway
arrangements in connection with the Proclamation festivities.

of a scientific congress held in Perth recently stated that in the use of
the Museum by school children, W.A. easily showed the way to the rest of
the Commonwealth. Secondly, the Museum is extensively patronised by school
children. I have not heard of any having been refused admission. Thirdly,
the whole of our Museum is arranged from an educational standpoint, and a
series of cases in the mineral gallery was specially arranged for school
work. Fourthly, the fish room is closed to children only because finances
do not permit of the provision of cases to protect the specimens. Even so,
none of my students have been refused permission to enter it unattended
when engaged on special work. Fifthly, both Mr. Glauert and Mr. Pitt-
Morison (though very short-handed) spend much time escorting parties of
children through the Museum and lecturing on the special exhibits they
have prepared.

The only difficulty I have experienced with regard to children using the
Museum is that owing to the very limited staff it is necessary to close on
two days every week. I venture to say that if D.C.C. will make inquiries
he will find that on a population basis there are twice as many children
use [sic] our Museum as any other in the Commonwealth. Even schools as far
distant as Fremantle send their parties from time to time.—Yours, etc.,
HAL M‘KAIL.
James-street, June 15....

Arnold, a sister of Mr. A. F. Grace, who painted “Back to the Old Home,”
for which the Gallery was two years ago indebted to the same generous
donor. The copyright of “Harmony” is the property of Messrs. Thos. Agnew
and Sons, who have kindly allowed this copy to be hung, on condition that
it be neither copied nor photographed.

It does not appear to be sufficiently well known that anyone may draw or
paint in the Art Galleries from any of the works that are not copyright,
on the condition customary in all the important Art Galleries of the
world. Application for permission must be sent in writing to the director.

thrown open to the public in the new gallery :
 

• Myrmecobius fusciatus, the banded ant-eater from the Coolgardie-road, presented by Mr. Frank Reed ;
• a large carpet snake, a dab-chick, and a delicate owl by Mr. F. H. Hayllar ;
• two specimens of jarrah, in excellent preservation, although portions of
• piles over 30 years in Bunbury Harbor, by the Hon. R. W. Hardey, M.L.C. ;
• a white-goshawk, by Mr. S. O’Grady, of Kimberley ;
• an Echidna aculeata, the native porcupine, by Mr. E F. Robins of Newcastle ;
• auriferous quartz from the Rand, South Africa, by H. Taylor Esq. ;
• a small carpet snake by Mr. J. W. Harris.

The latter is mounted on the branch of a fig-tree in the act of swallowing a silver-eye. These are quite harmless and in fact, useful friends to fruit-growers and so should be protected instead of being wantonly destroyed. If there be any poisonous snakes in the colony specimens will thankfully accepted ; in fact, any mammals, birds, reptiles, or fish addressed to the Curator will be set up at once by the Taxidermist, Mr. Otto Lippert [sic], and duly acknowledged to the donor both by letter and on the labels in the Museum. Specimens of minerals, rocks and ores and also native weapons and implements will be gladly received.

architect. The director (Mr. Bernard H. Woodward) states that the entrance
to the lecture-room is in Beaufort-street. The suggestion to change the
day from Friday to some other evening is under the consideration of the
committee, and steps are being taken to ascertain which evening will be
most convenient to the majority of those attending, but it has been
pointed out that the convenience of the lecturers who give their services
freely has to be considered in the first place.