III,—Miocene.

This is an extensive formation in this district, and it consists of [unclear: blue]-clay containing large irregular-shaped concretions, or cement page 8 stones, and occasional bands of conglomerate composed of fine sea-worn gravel and frequently of broken shells. This formation is about 700ft. in thickness, and forms rolling downs with soil of good quality. It only shows at the surface where there are outcrops of the shell-conglomerate or cement-stones, as, for instance, on the sloping spurs from the Port Hills toward the Hurunui. The shell and gravel beds form an impure limestone that will make fair road-metal The cement-stones are very tough, but can be broken into excellent rubble adapted for culverts, retaining-walls, and foundations. Some of the clay-bands will afford excellent brick clay.