and there for the talisman. Not successful in those places, they forced their way boldly into the more inhospitable deserts. Explorers had said that here were formations suggestive of gold. Laboriously and determinedly they went beyond the ken of men until they saw the quartz formed so many ages before. Although they observed a little gold, it did not realise the bright anticipations of persistent rumour. Not daunted, they penetrated the sandy desert wastes, through stunted thickets, and by old-time salt lakes, and reached other white outcrops. From quartz reef to quartz reef, granite hill to granite hill, they pushed their curious exploitations, and then returning, the earth rang with their gladsome news. The gold deposits were discovered. Enduring vicissitudes and performing toil almost worthy of a Hercules, they had at last learnt the secrets of nature's storehouse.
To the prospectors is due the most glowing praise. Attracted by the wealth which they believed existed, they laboured hard and long, and while some received their reward, others lost all the riches they had. It was not for the latter to draw the lucky ticket in the lottery of wealth. Western Australia, and may be the world, enjoys the fruits of prospectors' efforts, and should present indications be fulfilled, the almost universal symbol of wealth will be materially augmented by the goldfields in this colony.
We now intend to describe the career of Mr. John G. Dunn, F.R.G.S., one of the most hardy, determined, and fortunate prospectors Western Australia has seen. John George Dunn comes of a family of prospectors. He was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne on 16th February, 1860, but when he was two years old his father, Mr. George Dunn, left England, and brought his family with him to Victoria.
Mr. G. Dunn, who is still alive, and possesses a large station in New South Wales, prospected on the Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, and Fryer's Creek Goldfields for many years, and did not relinquish this pursuit until some ten years ago. Thus the boyhood of John G. Dunn was spent on the famous goldfields of Victoria, and it can well be conceived that the excitement of prospecting permeated his whole being. As a child he was rocked to sleep to the sound of many batteries, and as a youth he was wont to daily see his father go from place to place in search of gold, which at any time he might find in large proportions. Indeed, Mr. George Dunn was a successful gold-digger. Under such conditions it would be a surprise if his son had not followed in his footsteps. When fifteen years of age Mr. John G. Dunn began prospecting on his own account at Castlemaine. He met with sufficient success to encourage him to continue, and from Castlemaine he prospected at Fryer's Creek and Muckleford. In these places the work was principally in the alluvial. After he had attained manhood he went to New South Wales, and being considered an experienced man was placed in charge of Government prospecting parties. He was engaged under the Government for five years, and then passed five subsequent years in private prospecting in the mother colony,
On an auspicious day he decided to come to Western Australia to exploit this colony, and he arrived in Fremantle in February, 1890. At this time promising gold had been found at Southern Cross, while miners were also busy on the Murchison and at Kimberley. Prospectors were going into the interior, and Mr. Dunn was not to be behindhand. He brought with him such credentials that some of the most prominent men in the colony, whose biographies are published in this work, formed a syndicate and placed him in charge of an expedition. With good equipment and well provisioned—Mr. Dunn always considers these as absolute necessities to successful prospecting—he went to the Murchison, and from there up to Townsend, principally in search of alluvial deposits. For about four months he prospected over considerable country with varying luck, and then going further north he explored the Gascoyne district. He at last determined to make his way south, and constantly replenishing his provisions, he prospected around Coolgardie, Lake Barlee, and Mount Magnet. When he came upon likely places he worked there, and sent his Afghans with their camels to the nearest water and by this means he was able to have regular supplies. While they were away he worked with his brother William among the quartz outcrops sinking shafts, and around them be searched for alluvial. It was no easy life, nor at the time had it much charm, but the successful prospector, looking back after he has given up the work, is apt to dwell with pleasure on his many experiences. Occasionally he was troubled by the blacks, and while at Lake Carey, near Mount Weld, he had an encounter with a dusky tribe. Numbers of them approached him with warlike demonstrations, and he and his two Afghan servants were compelled to fire upon them. This had the desired effect of frightening them away. At most of the above-named places he obtained a little gold, but not sufficient for him to peg out leases. From Lake Barlee he took a southerly direction towards Coolgardie, which Bayley and Ford had just about found. While prospecting one day he came upon a good reef, which he named the Brilliant. This is situated about twenty-eight miles north of Coolgardie, and a little south of Cashman's Find. He pegged out a lease, and worked it for some time, until the property was floated into a company, and he and his brother obtained an encouraging share in the profits of the sale. Mr. William Dunn, who had accompanied him in all his trips, was now quite satisfied wih his good fortune, and relinquished prospecting. He asked his brother if he intended to go further, and the reply came that he was not yet satisfied. The work of Mr. John G. Dunn was not finished.
He prospected in the surrounding deserts and on one occasion went as far as the South Australian border. He thereby explored much new country, and was enabled to enlighten colonists on the nature of the country passed through. His brother gone, his only companions were now two Afghans with their camels. Sometimes he went for months without seeing white men, and encompassed by the enduring silence and
