In the years immediately preceding the present war, 75 per cent of the world's production of tungsten concentrates came from southeast Asia; approximately 50 per cent came from China. This production consisted almost wholly of wolfram. With the entry of Japan into the war in 1941 and its occupation of Indo-China, Thailand and Burma, these supplies were cut off from the United Nations. This cessation of supplies made it necessary that all countries amongst the United Nations should make intensive efforts to increase their production of tungsten ores and concentrates. In Australia, the effort was necessary in order that as much tungsten concentrate as possible could, after domestic requirements were satisfied, be exported to Great Britain and the United States of America. As the King Island Scheelite Mine was (and still is) the largest producer of tungsten concentrates in Australia, the possibilities of increased production from the that mine were among the first to be considered.

On the 5th February, Mr. A. A. McLeod, General Superintendent of King Island Scheelite, N.L., telegraphed that it was desired to obtain further information about the ore structure to the north-east of cross-section line 13, and suggested the drilling of two diamond drill holes. Three possible sites and holes were discussed. In response to a request from Mr. McLeod, a visit was paid to the mine on the 26th and 27th ultimo, when returning from Mount Bischoff mine, Tasmania. The whole position regarding the above portion of the deposit and open cut were reconsidered, and problems regarding drilling further west on the northern side were also investigated. A short statement was prepared while at the mine which forms the basis of the remainder of this report.

Rumbalara is a small siding on the Adelaide-Alice Springs railway line. It is about 120 miles by rail and 143 miles by road south of Alice Springs. The mine is 35 miles by road northeast of the siding. The object of the visit was to determine, if possible, the extent of the deposits and to decide whether they are likely to be able to supply the requirements of the Australian paint industry, particularly during the present war. The period 29th July to 2nd August, 1943, was spent in the field. During this time a plane table survey was made of the deposit and its environs. The underground workings were surveyed by chain and compass. Half a day was also spent at the field on the 18th January, 1944, in collecting specimens and making a brief inspection of new workings.

Notes on granite and structural features following an examination of the granite outcrop at Balladonia Station. A sketch plan of the outcrop is included this report.

Results of micro-examination of samples from Bore No. 3825 on E.W. Langbien's property near Bourke, from 950 feet down to 1200 feet.

Red ochre of high quality has been produced from deposits in Ophthalmia Range since 1937. The bulk of the production has been derived from one lease, No. 37OH, the deposits on which are the subject of this report. The locality was visited in June, 1944. This reports comprises notes on access, topography, geology, economic geology, and production. A geological plan of the vicinty of the ochre deposits accompanies this report.

Report on the possibilities of underground water on Piney Creek pastoral lease. This report follows a visit to the lease conducted in response to a request for advice regarding water supply.

The presence of quartz crystals in the dump of an old gold mine, known as Black Charlie's mine, in the Strathbogie Ranges led to the reopening of part of the workings in the search for crystal suitable for piezo-electric applications. To date the search has met with success, and has resulted in the discovery of a second crystal deposit adjacent to the old workings. The mine which is now named the Crystal King mine was visited in December, 1944. The locality, topography, geology, economic geology, and production of the mine are discussed in this report. A sketch section of the mine is included.

The presence of asbestos at various places in the Harts Range has been reported from time to time, and, in recent months it was reported that the largest of these deposits consisted of Chrysotile. A brief examination of this deposit was made in October, 1944, and specimens of the asbestos then collected were specifically identified as anthophyllite. This report comprises notes on locality, geology, and mineral occurrence, and includes a locality and sketch plan.

This report deals with an investigation of the electrical resistivities of a variety of wet surface soils, gravels and sands. The work may be regarded as preliminary to an investigation by Mr. R.F. Thyer into the detection of electrically resistive bodies buried in wet soils at shallow depths. It was required to determine the range over which the resistivities of surface soils vary, and also the changes that may be expected in any one type of soil between measurements made within any 1 foot of each other. Measurements were made in four localities, three being in the bed or on the banks of the Molonglo River, where the surface materials are sand, gravel, silts, and in some places, clay. The fourth locality was near the head of Sullivan's Creek, where the soil is a heavy black clay.