A deposit of heavy minerals on a beach near Cape Everard was reported by Mr. H. Smith of Noorinbee, and it was examined by Dr. D.E. Thomas, Chief geologist, Victorian Mines Department, and the writer on 5th and 6th January, 1949. The beach sand deposits were examined, and samples were taken for analysis. The results of these investigations, and subsequent conclusions, are described in this report.

Legacy product - no abstract available

A field party from the Bureau of Mineral Resources left Melbourne on 19th March, 1949, together with a relief party from the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition. The objects of the party's visit to Macquarie Island were the establishment of a Seismological Observatory, the determination of the secular variation of magnetic declination, and the location of magnetically suitable areas for a proposed Magnetic Observatory. The present preliminary report is concerned exclusively with an accident which occurred during the construction of the Seismological Observatory and which caused injuries to A.B. Billan, R.A.N. The building plans and choice of the site are discussed.

This report describes the results of a micro-examination of five rock samples from the vicinity of the Rocket Range.

This report describes the results of a micropalaeontological examination of three rock samples from the vicinity of the Watheroo magnetic observatory.

At present a gravimetric survey of the area between Berrigan, Mulwala, and Corowa is being made by the geophysical section of this Bureau to show the southern continuation of the sedimentary basin between Oaklands and Berrigan which contains Permian coal. Reconnaissance mapping of the area was carried out on the 4th and 5th of July to find where the bedrock consisting of granite and pre-Permian sediments outcrops, in order to facilitate the interpretation of the gravimetric survey data. The accompanying plan showing outcrops in the Oaklands - Coorabin coalfield area is included.

Black coal of Permian age has been found near Oaklands and Coorabin in the Riverina District, New South Wales. The coal is low-grade compared with the bituminous coals of Permian age at Newcastle, but has significance due to its situation in the south-western part of New South Wales, near the Murrumbidgee and Murray irrigation areas, and not far from the Victorian border. This report has been compiled mainly from field observations and from the files of the Bureau. The report gives a broad overview of the situation of the field and aspects of geology. The discovery, development, and workings of the coalfield are described. The characteristics of the coalfield are discussed, including petrography, the quality of the coal, the presence of water, and the extent of the field. Extensive data on the shafts and bores are appended. Accompanying geological plans are included.

The authors were engaged in geological reconnaissance work in the Fitzroy Crossing - Halls Creek area, during the period 16th August to 23rd September, 1948. The principal object of the investigation was to examine the area covered by the Mt. Ramsay Sheet of the Army Series. Work was extended beyond the limits of this sheet however in order to obtain information with regard to the age relationship of some formations, and a visit was made to the Wolf Creek Meteorite Crater 63 miles south of Halls Creek. During the survey, work was concentrated chiefly in mapping the distribution of rocks and different geological periods, determining their relationships and economic possibilities, and recognising areas warranting more detailed investigations. Accompanying geological plans and aerial photographs are included.

Later in September, 1948, the writer, accompanied by L.C. Noakes and an officer of the Department of Works and Housing, Mr. F.K. Hosking, spent part of a morning examining the rock in Mt. Mugga quarry. The object of the examination was to find whether the rock was suitable for aggregate, as the presence of pyrite had been reported some years ago. A set of representative specimens was collected, and these have been studied microscopically. The geological and petrographic characteristics of the rock specimens are described in this report.

The Kowan District occupies the north-eastern lobe of the A.C.T., to the north-east of Queanbeyan. The purpose of the survey was to determine the general geology and structure of the Kowen District as part of a planned mapping of the whole of the A.C.T. In addition a search was made for commercial occurrences of rock suitable for use as a building stone. Field work was extended over most of January and February, 1949. Igneous intrusions were plotted directly onto aerial photographs where possible. Strikes of beds and faults and other suitable information were measured by prismatic compass and dips and pitches were measured by Abney level or clinometer compass. Information was then plotted on a Federal Territory feature map. A full account of this survey work and its findings is given in this report. Descriptions of specimens and geological plans of the district are appended.