the question had been thus set at rest. He could, however, assure the Committee that the piece of gold he held in his hand had been smelted from a lump of quartz found in the same place as the specimens just tested. M r . Morrow (Clarke's representative) was asked to favour the Committee with a fuller explanation than previously given. H e replied that he had received the gold from Clarke, with an intimation that it had been found at King Parrot Creek, twenty miles beyond Kilmore, where there was plenty more of it; that Clarke had been three days exploring, and might have obtained much more than he did had not the Creek been up. So soon as the Creek should go down he was to be on the hunt again. Clarke's searching had been stimulated by a letter from a brother in California, describing the localities in which gold was found there, between which and King Parrot Creek there was a resemblance. A resolution was passed to communicate with Mr. Clarke then resident at Kilmore, and ascertain if he would place himself in further communication with the Committee, and supply such fuller information as would entitle him to the reward. Several suggestions were offered as to the best mode of testing the reliability and extent of the King Parrot Creek deposits, and it was resolved to notify to the public the existence of such a probable goldfield, when such persons as m a y have a notion of leaving for Bathurst and others, would be likely in preference to try nearer home, and so personally test the workableness of King Parrot. Thanks were voted to Messrs. Stephen, Frencham, Walsh, and others, who had sought to find gold at the Plenty, and it was proposed to open a special subscription to reimburse any pecuniary outlay incurred in such endeavours. Messrs. Stephen and Frencham declined to accept any such repayment, whilst Stephen assured the Committee he had acted in thorough good faith. H e was positive of the existence of gold at the Plenty, and when the floods went down, he should try his luck again there. Mr. H o o d stated that a properly equipped party was preparing to set out in a few days to prospect the slope of the Pyrenees towards the Murray, and there was strong reason for believing in its success. It may be remarked that the Clarke specimens were of the purest description, quite solid, and not embedded in any other matter. They were picked up in the slate. O n the 27th June the following communication was received :— " Pyrenees, 24th June, 1851. " Dr. George W . Bruhn, geologist, has the honour to send for the inspection and analysis of the Committee of the Mining Company at Melbourne, two samples of quartz-rock, containing gold, and another grey ore which also seems to include some gold. T h e said quartz-rocks form large and extensive veins, the outside of which is richly covered by particles and small veins of the gold. " A s Dr. Bruhn makes his geological excursions quite alone on horseback, and, of course, is not able to carry with him the tools and implements for the digging, he could not yet examine the ' inside ' of the said quartz-rock veins, but according to the geological features of the same, he rather thinks that they m a y turn out a good gold mine. Dr. Bruhn has the intention to return to Melbourne in the course of 10 or 14 days, and he will feel very happy to communicate to the Committee his meaning about the above-mentioned gold. " H e has the honour to be the Committee's obedient servant. " T o the Committee of the Mining C o m p a n y of Melbourne."
The Committee held a meeting next evening, when Dr. Bruhn's enclosures were submitted. They consisted of two whitish quartz specimens in which gold was plainly visible. M r . H o o d tested one piece, and pronounced the unmistakable presence of gold therein. Dr. Webb-Richmond concurred, and added that if the specimen produced were a fair sample of the quartzose rock, and that it was easy of access, not being embedded in a harder rock, there could not be any doubt that the workings would be profitable ; but that these points must be ascertained, as if the auriferous rock were embedded in a harder material, the gold would be so difficult to be got at as to be hardly worth working, except by a company possessed of the necessary machinery. M r . A. H . Hart suggested that a deputation of the Committee should go to meet Dr. Bruhn. T h e Mayor was for letting those go that liked, and the rest stay at home. Mr. A. H . Hart was very anxious that some decisive steps should be taken in the matter, but, in accordance with the general opinion, it was determined to wait until Dr. Bruhn arrived in town, which, by the terms of his letter, would be in about ten days, and the Mayor promised to communicate with him on his arrival, to give notice to the Committee of the result, and, if need were, to call a meeting. M r . H o o d roughly estimated that a drachm of the richest specimen contained
