The Ordovician age of the limestone at the Belubula River was recognized by the present writer from fossils collected by Mr. N.C. Stevens, University of Sydney. Thought, in the opinion of A.A. Opik, the first collection examined was completely convincing, Mr. Stevens approached the Chief Geologist, Dr. N.H. Fisher, early in 1951 for further support in the field. It was then decided that A.A. Opik, being responsible for the age-determination of the fossils from the Belubula River, Cliefden Caves area, would accompany Mr. Stevens on a field excursion to collect more evidence for the age of the limestones and to look for an occurrence of Silurian fossils in the same area. The results of this examination are given in this report, comprising a description of the Ordovician sequence, and a summary of the stratigraphy and correlation of the Ordovician Belubula River.

The present report summarises the progress in the study of Cambrian fossils from the Northern Territory and north-west Queensland. The material being studied consists of large collections made in the Barkly Tableland by members of the Bureau of Mineral Resources, and a selected set of fossils borrowed from the Australian Museum. In addition, a comparatively complete collection from the Ord River and Mt. Panton is available for comparison. This report provides an overview of the work being carried out. Brief summaries are provided of the present state of research done by A.A. Opik, and of papers planned by other authors.

The samples from Margaret Bay were collected by H.B. Owen during a recent visit to the northern coast of Australia. The collection was made with the hope that microfossils may be found in the rocks which were collected from a twenty foot section exposed at Margaret Bay. The results of the micropalaeontological examination are discussed herein.

At the request of the Government Geologist of Western Australia some gravity observations were made near Bullsbrook, a small township on the Perth-Geraldton road, 27 miles from Perth. It was thought that the gravity observations would help resolve a problem connected with the water supply of the township on which the advice of the Geological Survey of Western Australian had been sought. Because the gravity method had proved successful elsewhere in determining the thickness of sediments overlying dense basement rocks, it was though that some estimate of the thickness of sediments underlying Bullsbrook could be made by using the method. This report gives an account of the operations and their results.

A reconnaissance geological and radiometric survey of the Mt. Cavenagh area was carried out by B.P. Walpole and J. Sleis of the geological section and J. Daly and D. Dyson of the geophysical section of the Bureau of Mineral Resources. The objects of the survey were to examine reported occurrences of radioactive minerals in this area and to determine whether further prospecting of the area for radioactive orebodies was warranted. The general geology of the area, and the economic geology of the six prospects examined, are described in this report.

Nine samples of clays from Western Australia were received from R.S. Matheson for micropalaeontological examination. No microfossils were found in these clays. A description of these samples is given in this report.

Legacy product - no abstract available

This map has been prepared to display the probable form of the Isogonic Lines in the regions surrounding Australia, the boundaries being the meridians 85°E and 180°, and the parallels of latitude 10°N and 60°S. This report contains explanatory notes to the isogonic map.

Four days were spent in the area, observations being severely limited, firstly by lack of knowledge, on the part of the observer, of overall topography such as could be obtained from aerial photos or viewing the area from an aircraft and secondly by the dense fog which covered the area for the greater portion of the time spent there. Captain Fox of Q.E.A. had previously informed me that during the aerial inspection made by Mr. G.A. Taylor, three areas of "burnt" ground had been observed. Mr. Jones during his stay in the area had located two of those and in addition, two more minor areas. During my stay in the area those fumarolic areas were inspected and in addition, the third area located and inspected. The three major areas shall be referred to as the lower, middle and upper fumarolic areas.

The object of my trip to the United States of America was to discuss problems of micropalaeontology with various authorities in that country, to visit the palaeontological laboratories of the United States Geological Survey and National Museum, State Universities, Museums and laboratories of oil companies and to enquire into the latest techniques used in oil-field laboratories. I was also to attend the joint Annual Convention of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Society of Economic Palaeontologists and Mineralogists and Society of Exploratory Geophysicists at St. Louis. This report gives an account of the institutions visited by the author and the principal results of the visit.