Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/190

 clay of the slate rock, and produces sulphate of alumina.

" 'I believe gold is occasionally found in this rock in minute grains, but I have not examined these specimens for the purpose of discovering that metal. Perhaps some part of the bed at Maryborough may be suitable for the manufacture of alum, and in that case it would lead to the development of an important branch of industry when labour is cheap.

" 'It is a profitable manufacture at Whitby, in the north of England; but there the alum slate belongs to the Carboniferous group.

" 'I have the honour to be. Sir,

" 'Your most obedient servant,

" '

" 'To W. H. Wright, Esq., " 'Secretary of the Gold Department, Melbourne.' "

And whilst thus we recount the progress and fortunate advancement of the Gold Fields, it is also most pleasing to see, from the returns of the agricultural and pastoral districts, that they also are making a like progress, and, from the bountiful harvest of the last year, it is to be hoped that the necessaries of life will be at reasonable prices, and still fully remunerative to the farmer and grazier.

As we before stated, hundreds have taken advantage of the facilities now open to them, of purchasing land, and in every district new farms have risen, as