Part I. deals with Devonian coral faunas from the West Kimberleys, the East Kimberleys, and the Carnarvon Basin of Western Australia. Of the 30 species described and illustrated from the West Kimberley's, 22 are from the Pilbara Limestone, and of these fifteen are from the main (lower) part of the Limestone of Givetian age, but there are five from the Atrypa beds of Teichert which the Bureau of Mineral Resources equates with the upper part of the Pillara Limestone and which may be late Givetian or possibly Frasnian; one Disphyllurn occurs in Atrypa beds referred by Teichert to Oberdevonstufe (Frasnian). This Pillara Limestone fauna (lower and upper) is dominated by Disphyllum with Hexagonaria, Thamnopora, and Alveolites also important. The overlying Mount Pierre Group, of Frasnian (Oberdevonstufe I) and early Famennian (ll and III) age, and the Bugle Gap Limestone (IV), have a strikingly different fauna mostly of small slender solitary corals. A new genus of Rugosa, Catactotoechus, type, species C. irregularis sp. nov., is described and figured. The East Kimberley corals are the Upper Devonian Palaeosmlia contexta sp. novo and Syringopora patula Hinde. From the Carnarvon Basin only four species are known, all from the Gneudna Formation; the genera to which they belong are those dominant and characteristic in the Pillara Limestone of the West Kimberleys, and in upper Givetian and early Frasnian faunas elsewhere, so that the Gneudna Formation Is probably of this age; the lack of identical species between the Carnanon and Kimberley Basins may be due to differences of province rather than time. The Western Australian Givetian coral faunas contain no species in common with those of eastern Australia, and many of the genera characteristic in eastern Australia, such as Endophyllum,, Sanidophyllum, and Heliolitcs, are absent in Western Australia. Part II deals with fragmentary coral material from the Silurian limestone, near Kiandra, southern New South Wales, including Halysites brevicatenatus sp. nov.; only two species are identified with previously described Australian forms, but the age indicated is probably Wenlockian, possibly Ludlovian.

In connection with the use of airborne equipment for the detection of deposits of radio-active minerals, the Bureau has successfully used a DC.3 aircraft for the rapid coverage of large areas. It has been frequently suggested that a helicopter would have the following advantages over a conventional aircraft: (i) It can fly safely at lower heights and slower speeds than an ordinary aircraft, thus obtaining greater sensitivity from the detecting apparatus; (ii) It can be used effectively and safely in mountainous areas, in which low flying by a conventional aircraft would be impossible; (iii) It would enable the observer to locate exactly and identify from the air any small area on the ground showing radio-activity. In order to assess the performance of helicopters, a programme of test helicopter-mounted equipment over selected areas in New South Wales was carried out during March, 1953. The areas selected were: (i) Carcoar. This is a hilly area, but not timbered; (ii) Wunglebung, near Tenterfield. This is a mountainous, heavily timbered area; (iii) Broken Hill. This is a relatively flat featureless area; (iv) A test run was also made over Plen's deposit at Toongi, near Dubbo, in order to obtain and check on the sensitivity of the detecting instrument. The survey techniques used and the results obtained in the several areas are discussed in detail below.

Geophysical surveys of the magnetite deposits of Australian Magnetite Pty. Ltd. at Gulgong were made by the Bureau in 1952 and 1953, and revealed that the Tallawang deposit was the most important one. The present report gives the results of a detailed magnetic survey which was made over this deposit in August, 1953. Results show that three concentrations of very strongly magnetic material exist within the Tallawang deposit. The southern concentration is unlikely to contain considerable reserves beyond those in sight. The central concentration has been partly worked and could yield reserves of ore from the west wall of the quarry. The northern concentration, which has not been worked, could yield limited reserves. It is shown that the deposit, as a whole, pitches northwards. Some exploratory drilling is recommended on each of the three concentrations.

This report deals with the application of geophysical methods (other than radiometric) to the Coronation Hill Radioactive Deposit. Results of radiometric gridding of the surface and costeans, field sludge assays, and radiometric drill hole logging are not treated as these are included in entirety in R.B. Allen's report "The Coronation Hill Uranium Prospect," Bureau of Mineral Resources Record 1954/17. Structural indications from magnetic evidence are discussed. These comprise several faults, or zones of weakness, one of which may coincide with the axis of the surface radio-activity. Several interesting magnetic features for which no cause can be proposed are also noted. The highly uncertain nature of the deductions made is emphasised. The method of approach to geophysical applications at Coronation Hill is detailed, and recommendations are made for possible future work.

Mr. H. B. Owen forwarded specimens collected by Dr. G. Sleis from "somewhere near the base of the Buldiva Group about 50 or 60 miles north-east from Katherine", Northern Territory for palaeontological examination.

The earliest recorded geological work on the area covered by the Minilya four-mile sheet was that of Woodward (1907) who examined the country north of the Minilya River and noted the limestone on the west flank of the Giralia anticline. In 1909 A. Gibb Maitland described the Carboniferous and Permian succession in the area drained by the Gascoyne, Lyons, Minilya and Lyndon Rivers, but referred the whole sequence to the Carboniferous. Geologists of Oil Search Ltd., under D. Dale Condit, examined the Carnarvon Basin in 1932, 1934 and 1935. Raggatt (1936) described the stratigraphy of the Permian in some detail and subdivided the Cretaceous sequence. Raggatt and Fletcher (1937) examined the fauna of the Permian of the Carnarvon Basin. Teichert did detailed stratigraphic work in the Wandagee area from 1938 to 1940. Geologists of the Bureau of Mineral Resources mapped the Minilya Sheet from 1948 to 1951, using R.A.A.F. aerial photographs. The present sheet is entirely the result of the mapping of the Bureau geologists although much of the stratigraphic nomenclature is adapted from Raggatt's and Teichert's work.

A seismic reflection survey was carried out in the Parish of Darriman, Victoria. The survey was planned to investigate a gravity anomaly, which may be an indication of a structure within the sedimentary section favourable to the accumulation of oil or natural gas. For the most part reflections were exceptionally good, and it was possible to trace one reflecting layer over most of the area. Contouring showed the presence of an anticlinal structure, plunging to the east, but rising and broadening to the west. On the flat crest of the structure, there is probable closure in two places. The thickness of the Tertiary sediments may be a maximum of 6,000 feet, but may be only 3,000 feet on the crest of the structure and 4,000 feet on the flanks.

This report deals with the radioactive prospect known as the Burrundie Prospect and with the area surrounding the prospect. Mapping carried out in this area to date (June, 1954) has been of a reconnaissance nature only and the report and the accompanying plans are designed to assist future work of a more detailed character. Significant radioactivity in the Burrundie area was first discovered on 20th May, 1954, by a party engaged in regional mapping and including geologists B.P. Walpole and J.G. Best. Since that date further anomalies have been located in the area surrounding the initial discovery.

Report on the activities of the administrative and technical sections in the Katherine-Darwin area, to August, 1954. A brief account is given of geological and geophysical operations. The results of prospecting and development work are summarised.

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