Two earlier reports on this subject dealt with this industry on the basis of information then available and virtually omitted from consideration the activities of the producer and consumer subsidiaries of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. This company has now supplied detailed information, particularly on its plans for production and it is therefore necessary to review the industry afresh. The production and consumption of asbestos in Australia are discussed in this report.

A visit was paid to Gidleigh Station on Saturday, January 12th. The ten bores previously put down on the property were examined. Details including depth, flow, elevation, and the results of observations made at the site, are given in this report.

The extent, structure, and thickness of the Coorabin coal measures are discussed in this report.

A report on the results of a micropalaeontological examination of samples taken from the depth of 2,000 feet down to 3,132 feet. This series is in continuation of that reported upon on 19/3/46.

In consequence of planning, by the South Australian Government, to develop and mine the coal seams it was considered that the outer limits of the seams should be known with reasonable accuracy so that neither railway lines nor other permanent structures should be built over coal-bearing ground. An accurate knowledge of these limits was desirable for another reason, namely that in the peripheral zone the ratio of overburden to coal was more favourable than elsewhere. At the request of the South Australian Director of Mines the Commonwealth Government agreed to carry out a routine survey of the periphery of the basin, following the completion of preliminary trial surveys. These were carried out between January and April, 1946. Magnet, earth resistivity and gravity methods were used, of which only the gravity methods proved useful. The history of the field, geophysical problem, gravity instruments, testing, and results are discussed in detail in this report. Accompanying geological plans are included.

This report concerns a geological reconnaissance made of a portion of the Kosciusko area and the preliminary geological plan compiled from air photographs and field observations. General geology, engineering geology, water problems, and proposed works for the hydro-electric scheme are discussed in the report. Three geological plans are included.

The operational history, orebody, workings, grade, tonnage, and financial considerations relating to the Chesney mine are discussed in this report. Two geological plans are included.

Five occurrences of ferruginous bauxite near Rosevale were examined and two of them (Nos. 3 and 4) mapped in detail on a scale of 100 feet to 1 inch. It was felt that Areas 3 and 4 which offered some slight chance of successful development should not be abandoned until a few test-pits had been sunk to confirm or disprove the conclusions reached from the surface inspection. Descriptions of the general geology, individual bauxite occurrences, and testing results are given in this report. A locality plan is included.

Five leases were taken up by the Commission in the Parishes of Jeeraland, Traralgon, Budgeree and Yinnar in the County of Buln Buln. These notes give brief descriptions of three of these leases and also contain some recommendations relative to prospecting on them. Two geological sketch maps are included.

The geophysical test survey of this field was commenced on 5/6/45 and operations were terminated on 6/8/46 when it was considered advisable to await the results of the drilling campaign for guidance in planning the future geophysical programme. The most intense work was done on the south-east gossan area where the methods used included, electromagnetic, potential-ratio, spontaneous polarisation, magnetic and resistivity. This interim report is supplementary to a detailed report of the survey and refers in detail only to some of the results on the south-east gossan area.