Sir Thomas Mitchell diary

Sir Thomas Mitchell diary, with comments on the discovery of gold, especially in the Bathurst
district, 1851


[Page 1]
N: 51/268

Colonial Secretary's Office
Sydney 21 May 1851
Sir,
It being considered of great importance that the extent and productiveness of the Gold field
reported to have been discovered in the County of Bathurst should be ascertained with as much
accuracy and with as little delay as possible; I am directed by the Governor to inform you that His
Excellency is desirous that you should yourself undertake this duty; and to request that you will
therefore proceed at your earliest convenience to that District for the purpose.
2 The following are the points on which I am desired more particularly to request your report.
1 The longitudinal extent of what may be deemed the auriferous ridges, as they stretch from
Canobolus towards the North.
2 The general form in which these auriferous ridges have been elevated, which may be explained
by vertical transverse sections as far as they can be given, the object of procuring information in
this particular point being to ascertain whether Gold has been washed down to any extent from
both sides of the auriferous chain.
3 The greatest height of the auriferous chain at various points, the average height of the whole
line, the average height of the plain of Guyong above the level of the sea, and of the plain on the
Western side of the auriferous chain.
4 The average angles of the declivity on the East and West sides of Auriferous chain and more
particularly the angles of declination at which the particular Streams and Creeks run down to the
Eastern and Western plains from their sources on the Mountain.
5 The number and general volume of these several Streams or Creeks with their names, and
whether they are often subject to floods.
6 The richness of the matrix near their several sources, to be shown as far as possible by
specimens broken off from the sides of the mountain in the vicinity of each source and with their
localities carefully marked.
3 His Excellency also requests, that in addition to report on these heads, you will furnish such
further information on the subject, as you may consider desirable.
I have etc.

The Surveyor General.

For full report download the PDF delow

http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2011/D00227/a1843.pdf