These notes deal with a brief experimental seismic survey undertaken by the Bureau of Mineral Resources for the Victoria Railways. The object of the survey was to determine whether the seismic refraction method was suitable for subsurface exploration in the area between Dynon and Footscray Roads, West Melbourne. The information desired by the Railways was concerned with the existence or otherwise of a "foundation" rock capable of supporting constructions associated with railway sidings and marshalling yards. Records of seismic refractions were obtained along three traverses.

The sample of diatomite submitted for micro-examination came from a low bed on Beach Range at 1,110 feet above sea-level. The results of the examination are described herein.

During the period 19th November to 22nd November, 1952, severe earth tremors were felt in the Gunning District, and, less severely, over a considerable portion of south-eastern New South Wales. As officers of the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Canberra, the writers were detailed to investigate the tremors.

Details and results are given of a seismic refraction survey made at the request of the Hydro-Electric Commission of Tasmania, to investigate the site of the western portal of the proposed Mossy Marsh Tunnel. The tunnel is part of the No. 2 Tarraleah Canal project to transport water from Lake King William to Tarraleah Power Station. The primary object of the survey was to determine the thickness of till overlying the dolerite bedrock, and hence contours of the bedrock surface.

A total of 16 rotary cored bores were sunk by the Bureau in Portions 14, 15, 16 and 17, Parish of Wallarah, Northumberland County, 5 miles south of Swansea. Approximately 1,100 ft. of "Test and Define" drilling proved a possible maximum of 960,000 tons of coal, or a minimum of 750,000 tons in the Wallarah Seam under an average overburden coal ratio 5:1. The overburden is mainly conglomerate. The geology of the area and mining are discussed in this report. The results of drilling are detailed in the accompanying plates, stratigraphic logs, and descriptive bore logs of the Swansea South area.

A phenomenon, thought to be a possible "gas blow", occurring in the Sirunki - Laiagam area, 9 miles west-northwest of Wabag, Western Highlands, was investigated by the writer in August, 1952 after it had been reported to the Senior Geologist at Port Moresby by the Assistant District Officer stationed at Wabag. The writer was accompanied into the area by Patrol Officer T. Dwyer. Pace and compass and time and compass methods were used to record observations on the patrol. A geological reconnaissance map accompanies this report.

This report is supplementary to a report on the Kuridala Copper Field, Cloncurry district, Queensland, by C.J. Sullivan and R.S. Matheson (1950) and should be read in conjunction with that report. Sullivan and Matheson showed that, in the known deposits, ore occurs in the Hampden Fault, where slates in the hanging-wall of the fault are thrust against the resistant amphibolites occurring in the footwall (western side) of the fault. The rocks to the west of the fault were known, from mapping carried out by Broadhurst (1936), to be folded into a synclinal structure and it was postulated by Sullivan and Matheson that further ore may be found where the fault intersected amphibolites occurring stratigraphically below the amphibolites near which the known ore occurs (Sullivan, and Matheson 1950, Plate 1, Regional Cross Section). It was realised by Sullivan and Matheson that the prediction of a position of the amphibolites, at depth, involved considerable uncertainty and it was thought that further mapping of the Western Syncline might enable a reasonably accurate interpretation of the position of the amphibolites to be made. The [present] field work was carried out between 20th August and 18th September, 1951, by K.W.B. Iten and R.A. Searl of the Bureau of Mineral Resources and J.H. Brooks of the Geological Survey of Queensland. The general postulations by previous investigators concerning the relationship of geological structure to ore occurrence were checked but no detailed investigation was made of the size, shape and grade of known ore-bodies; the present investigators consider that the interpretation by Sullivan and Matheson (1950) of the structural controls of ore deposition may be correct.

Samples submitted from this bore were taken from the depth of 25 feet down to 475 feet. This report comprises a synopsis of the lithology of the samples after washing, together with notes on the samples.

Existing sources of water supply are described. Proposals for improving the supply of town water are considered. Further investigations are recommended with respect to tapping the southern lobe of the local basin, surface conservation, underground water resources, and the selection of a possible dam site.

The area covered by this investigation, totalling approximately 100 square miles, surrounds an occurrence of radio-active minerals which was discovered in 1950. The deposit is 30 feet east of the Stuart Highway, 21 miles south-east of Pine Creek, Northern Territory, and 40 miles north-west of Katherine. It is one third of a mile north-east of the Fergusson railways siding. Mapping of the area was undertaken consequent upon an examination of the Fergusson River Crossing Deposit by H.J. Ward in September 1950 and by Ward and R.S. Matheson in November 1950. Although the prospect itself was not considered to warrant further work, it was thought that further occurrences might exist in the area, particularly along the shear which had localized the known deposit. Mapping and prospecting of the area was therefore recommended. This report records the results of that investigation.