This report describes the results of a micropalaeontological examination of samples taken from a depth of 3 feet to 802 feet down.

The area under investigation forms a portion of a coastal sandy belt 1,500 to 2,000 feet wide, which extends from Main Beach (Southport) to South Nobby (North Burleigh), and is about 5 to 15 feet higher than the low-lying coastal plains adjoining it on the west. The known deposits and probably all of the deposits of heavy minerals between Southport and North Burleigh occur either on the present sea beaches or in the eastern half of the sandy belt. Preliminary boring and sampling of the area was carried out early in 1948. Bores were put down to water level using a post hole auger. When the sand brought up from a borehole appeared to contain appreciable quantities of heavy minerals it was sampled by quartering. An account of the investigation is set down in this report. The distribution of heavy minerals and the tonnages available for mining are shown on the accompanying geological plans. Estimates of the quantities of heavy minerals have been tabulated.

A survey of deposits of radio-active minerals was carried out in an area between Coongan and Yule Rivers, Pilbara Goldfield, W.A., during September and October, 1948. This was a continuation of the survey commenced in the previous year (Record 1947/078). The survey was mainly confined to an inspection of localities from which radio-active minerals had previously been reported. Some other mineral localities were inspected, and the Geiger counter was used extensively on many types of rocks and detrital materials in the areas examined. In this way an occurrence of radio-active columbite was found at Mount Francisco, and columbite and tantalite were therefore included among the minerals to be investigated. Alluvial samples were all concentrated by means of a yandie. Rough estimates of the reserves of radio-active minerals were made. The findings of the survey are outlined in this report. The geology of the area and the occurrence of radio-active minerals are described. Accompanying geological plans are included.

In January 1949 a brief examination was made of the area bounded by the Port Moresby - Rouna Road, the Rigo Road and the coastline between Port Moresby and Bogora Inlet, with the object of determining whether supplies of water and raw materials for the manufacture of cement were available. Possible quarry sites were chosen and specimens of the likely raw clay materials, of the limestone at Boatless Inlet, of reef limestone and limestone from the Main Road (or "Nine Mile") Quarry collected. Fourteen of these specimens are being analysed for silica, alumina, lime, iron, magnesia, carbon dioxide and water and total alkalies. As the suitability of the various raw materials examined depends largely on their chemical composition, this report must be regarded as only a preliminary one until these results are received. In this report the availability of raw materials and the general geology of the area are discussed, and a description given of the deposits of raw materials examined in the course of the visit.

In 1946 and 1947 the writer had excellent opportunities to study the effect of lateritisation in the course of geological reconnaissances in Northern Australia. From field evidence which has been collected on several aspects of lateritisation - origin, products and relationship to geomorphological processes - a detailed account of lateritisation in Australia can be given. Lateritisation and the occurrence of opal are discussed in this report.

Black sand on beaches in Knocker Bay, near Black Point, and at Record Bay, Port Essington, has been noticed from time to time by Captain F.E. Wells, who mentioned these occurrences to the writer. Opportunity was taken during a recent visit to the locality to secure a sample from the beach at Record Point. The presence of black sand on a narrow beach between Black and Reef Points was confirmed by observations from the ship through binoculars. The locality, general geology of the area, and the occurrence of black sand at Record Point are described in this report. The results of the laboratory examination of the sample are recorded.

A collection of fossils from Canowindra was sent to the author for examination. The results of the examination are recorded in this report.

This report describes the results of a micropalaeontological examination of samples taken from the depth of 1,260 to 1,480 feet down. This series is in continuation of that reported upon in Records 1948/065 and 1948/050.

The "Trough" area extends parallel to and 200 to 300 feet west of the eastern beach from approximately 4800 feet north of the zero-line shown on the locality plan, to 6000 feet south of the zero line. A previous report (Record 1948/067) has given an estimate of the quantities of heavy mineral occurring from 2100 feet north to 1100 feet north. The following report deals with the remaining areas. The area was sampled during 8th and 9th September, 1948. Where the heavy minerals were at or close to the surface, samples were obtained from shovel holes. Where the mineral was at some depth below the surface, the samples were obtained from bores put down with a post-hole digger. Estimates of the quantities and grades of heavy mineral concentrates, the quantities of overburden, and the quantities of each of the heavy minerals are tabulated in this report. The data sets from which these estimates are derived are appended.

This report describes the results of a micropalaeontological examination of rock samples from the Giralia Area. The stratigraphic and faunal features of the collection are discussed.