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or other it got wind that the raw material was auriferous. O n e evening an old w o m a n accidentally smashed a flower-pot recently bought at the manufactory, and on trying to glue it together she fancied she saw some signs of gold glittering in the cracks. O f course she could not retain such an important secret, and whispered it to her neighbours. O n opening shop next morning the pottery-man was surprised to see a crowd outside the door. All the satisfaction his curiosity could obtain was that everyone there was disposed to invest in pottery, but particularly inflower-pottery.Such an inexplicable demand induced him to raise his price, notwithstanding which his shop was rushed like a run on a bank, and his stock-in trade cleared out in no time. After all was over he was told the reason, and laughed heartily at the pack of fools, whilst he jingled the unusual takings so unexpectedly transferred to his pockets. The Sturt-<r«;«-White expedition returned after being at the Plenty, where they m a d e a thorough exploration, penetrating gullies, wading through creeks, and climbing ranges, even to the summit of Mount Disappointment. They had dug, picked, grubbed, and sifted amongst stones, earth and roots, washing the sand, and hammering away at every breakable solid they encountered, for two whole days, without so m u c h as finding a speck of gold or anything else that could be taken for auriferous; they seemed disposed to think that there was not a trace of gold there at all, and never had been. The country was even destitute of the auriferous indications said to be prevalent at Bathurst and California. They had traced the wheels of Mr. F. Stephen's vehicle, and they met with some hundred persons gold-seeking, not one of w h o m had found anything except plenty of mica. In consequence of the doubt thus cast by the official report upon the veracity of Stephen's previous statement, Mr. John Yewers, a confectioner, published a statutory declaration in effect that he had picked up by the side of a rivulet in the Plenty Ranges, opposite Kirk and Harlin's, a piece of gold and some quartz. A n interesting meeting of the Gold Committee was held on the 9th June, at the T o w n Clerk's office, with the Mayor as Chairman. Mr. Dent, from the Plenty, produced a specimen for examination, and after being handed round and scrutinized, some of the Committee doubted whether it was gold. It was decided to have it analysed. T h e Mayor, Messrs. John Hodgson and A. H . Hart, were appointed a deputation to interview the Superintendent, and ascertain from him what encouragement the Government would be prepared to give in promoting the c o m m o n object in view. It was also resolved to offer a reward of 200 guineas, independent of what the Government m a y do, for the finding of a workable gold mine or deposit within 200 miles of Melbourne, capable of being wrought to advantage. T h e Committee was strengthened by the addition to its number of Dr. Webb-Richmond and Messrs. H . J. Hart. T h e last-named was appointed Secretary, M r . J. Hood, Treasurer. Dr. Ronald and M r . Henry Frencham arrived from the Plenty on the 13th June, with several specimens of " native gold," which Frencham asserted had been found by him and Mr. Walsh (a jeweller) in the ranges near Bear station, some five-and-twenty miles from town. The specimens, in weight about 3 lbs., were streaked with quartz, and contained a few ounces of gold. Where they had been found there were large veins of the same (supposed) auriferous surface; and if Frencham could be believed, a valuable gold-field had been discovered. He formally demanded the 200 guineas reward, and delivered the specimens to the T o w n Clerk, by w h o m they were sealed up and kept for analysis. At 7 p.m. of the 14th the Gold Committee assembled at the T o w n Clerk's office to inspect the specimens. There were present the Mayor, Dr. Greeves, Messrs. J. O'Shanassy, R. Heales, D. Young, A. H . and H . J. Hart, W . K. Bull, P. Davis, J. Hood, John Crate, and J. A. Gumbinner. T h e samples of quartz and sandstone belonging to Frencham were produced, and the claimant was in attendance. H e described the circumstances under which the find was effected. H e felt sure that gold abounded to a large extent at the place, which was easy of access, and he was prepared to point it out. A n analysis had been previously made by Mr. Crate, w h o was a jeweller, and Mr. Hood, a practical chemist, but the experts were divided in opinion. Crate declared that he had gilded a copper coin by a quicksilver process from some of the gold,