Seven samples were collected from the 16-mile Government bore, 16 miles west of Alice Springs, and forwarded for examination. This report gives a detailed description of these samples.

The core sample of grey marl was collected from the No. 2 Bore, Parish of Glencoe South, and came from the depth of 110-125 feet. The results of a micropalaeontological examination of the sample are described in this report. The species of foraminifera recognised in the sample are listed.

Geophysical work commenced at the beginning of September 1949, and was completed in December. Of this period, ten weeks were spent at Hermidale and five weeks at Girilambone. The operations comprised both geomagnetic and self-potential surveys. The geology, history, and the results of the work for the areas surveyed, are described in this report.

Legacy product - no abstract available

In the vicinity of Roma about 3000-4000ft. of Mesozoic sediments overlie a basement consisting or granite and -metamorphic rocks. Permian rocks outcrop about 70 miles to the north of Roma. Considerable flows of natural gas, and small quantities of oil, have been found since 1900 in many of the bores which have been drilled in the Roma area; but no major commercial supplies have been developed. The sediments are mostly obscured by soil. Experience also suggests that pitting and shallow core drilling have limited value. It is therefore difficult, using normal geological methods, to determine geological structures in the region and to work out, except in the broadest way, the geological structure in the areas tested by drilling. In the present survey, gravity and magnetic methods were applied in an attempt to gain some indications of basement topography, which might be related to possible oil-bearing structures. It was found that the major geophysical anomalies are not related to known basement topography, but are probably due to variations of rock-types within the basement or other causes. However, it was possible to isolate some- gravity anomalies which might be related to high basement features. These anomalies are being tested by seismic methods to locate possible drilling targets.

This report has been written as the result of conversations between the writers and officers of the Joint Coal Board in Sydney, Lithgow and Cessnock, and with similar assistance from the Geological Survey of New South Wales. The writers visited the Western and Northern coalfields during August and inspected most of the operating open-cuts. The results of the enquiries are presented in five tables which are set out at the end of this report and which contain, in statistical form, the greater part of all the information elicited. The text matter of the report is explanatory of the tables and also discusses the methods which have been used in arriving at the estimates of coal reserves. In the ensuing discussion emphasis has been laid on coal reserves available for open-cut mining, and all enquiries directed to the Join Coal Board were concerned with open-cut coal only.

The Zeehan silver-lead-zinc field is in the West Coast Region of Tasmania. Following on the geophysical work carried out for Zeehan Explorations in 1947-1948, the Bureau was requested to carry out a survey on the Mariposa lease held by North Broken Hill Ltd. The purpose of the survey was to examine the Mariposa area for possible magnetic and gravity effects associated with the known mineralization and thence to determine the extent of this mineralization; and also to investigate the swamp covered limestone area for hidden mineralization. Further, it was considered that the results of the survey and behaviour of the instruments in the difficult terrain would serve as a guide to the usefulness of the magnetic and gravity methods in other similar prospecting areas in the Zeehan field. An account of the geophysical work and its results is given in this report.

During May, 1950, a sample of granitic material was obtained from a dump on the Sunnyside goldfield, and showing a few flakes of a green mineral similar in appearance to torbernite, was forwarded to the Department of Mines, Melbourne, by a miner working on that field. The Mines department tested the mineral and proved that it was uranium-bearing, and submitted a sample to the Bureau to test for radioactivity. After confirmation of the presence of radioactivity in the sample by laboratory tests, a brief visit was paid to the field by a party from the Geophysical Section. One day was spent for conducting tests on the field. The opportunity was taken of visiting the Maude and Yellow Girl mine, and testing ores and concentrates for radioactivity.

The writer, accompanied by Mr. W.L. Hawthorne of the Geological Survey of Queensland, visited Longreach between 6th to 16th July, 1950, to inspect an area embracing Oakley, Cleeve and Kelso Stations, 8 to 14 miles north-east and east of Longreach. The purpose of the inspection was to re-examine the area previously mapped by Oil Search Ltd., and, if at all feasible, to recommend sites for deep drilling or scout drilling. In all an area of about 18 square miles was examined in sufficient detail to confirm Foster's mapping and to indicate that surface mapping could have little but negative value. The general geology of the area and previous investigations are described. An account is given of the present field investigation, and its results, together with recommendations for future work.

The island of Timor has attracted the attention of geologists for more than one hundred years. The first geological investigations were carried out on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands East Indies as early as 1829. This report has been compiled using information obtained during previous geological investigations, and the data supplied in existing geological reports, and comprises notes on the stratigraphy and structure of the island, with reference to oil prospects.