Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-16
GOLD ANDMARBLELAND
THE WONDERS OF THE CAVERNs
OF NEW SOUTH WALES,
Subterranean Recesses Which One Nav
See in the Island
Continent.
Letter to the Pittsburg Dispatch,

Letter to the Pittsburg Dispatch.
About seventeen miles from Goulburn
the metropolis Of the southern portion Of
New South Wales, is the somewhat pictur-
esque township Of Bungonia, pleasantly SIT
uated on the banks Of a wide creek, which
with three others-the Yaequa, Spring
Pond and Terrara-within a short distance
OF each other. assist in making the district
one OF an exceptionally fertile character
Many parts Of the district are aurferous
and some day will be found richly produc-
tive.
The Marulan country, In which Bungonia
is situated. has long been regarded as one
OF the future centers OF the gold mining
industry In the state. In some places the
limestone formations are of considera BILE
extent, and In the masses OF limestone rock
at some points yielding marble equal to
any imported from Italy, that obtained from
the vicinity of Marulan township being I'M
surpassed in beauty and quality, are sey
eral groups of caves, of which only por-
tion have been explored Practically the
work Of exploration was not systematically
commenced until within the last few years,
owing to the dangerous character OF the
undertaking, visitors being content with
entering the mouth Of what may be re-
garded the principal cave system, and peer
ing into the murky darkness beyond.
Scene Of Great Waterfall.
The entrance chamber, the roof OF which
Is about eighty feet above the ground, Is
known as the belfry, from its conical
shape. From here shaft some $50 feet In
depth Is descended by means of a windlass
and rope. the water-worn and polished ap-
pearance OF the sides Of the shaft bearing
evidence to the chasm having been period
icaily at no distant date the scene Of an
immense subterranean waterfall.
Proceeding along one Of two passages
couple Of large chambers are traversed,
after which, passing a distance Of some
2O feet. two more chambers, filled with
beautiful stalactites, are entered. Beyond
here the cave opens out into what may be
termed an immense natural tunnel at least
300 feet in length, and in places 100 feet in
height and 50 feet In width. The side walls
are vertical and the roof semicircular, the
whole. on account Of the smooth and true
surfaces everywhere presented. bearing the
appearance Of having been chiseled out by
man. At this point the work Of expIoratfo
has ceased for the present.
The second passage running from the bot
tom OF the shaft. although not very extern
sive. contains some interesting stalagmitic
basin-like growths. which have formed in a
series of terraces on the lower portions Of
the walls and floor. and. as would appear to
be very frequently the case, each row of
basins is filled with pure water. which drip
ping into the next series, and SO on till It
reaches the lower depths presents a pretty
sight.
Myriads Of stalactites..
Another, cave formation in the same
neighborhood has also been partially ex-
plored. y It Is entered through an opening in
the face Of the rock about 200 feet above
the bass. the entrance. from % to. 40 feet in
height and averaging 10 feet in width, ex-
lending distance Of nearly 1,o00 feet. From
the same landing rough. craggy chasm
and water extend, sasterly nearly 1.20o feet.
the roof being at q height. Of from 80 to 100