Samples from 46 deposits of the known 76 occurrences of diatomite in Australia have been micropalaeontologically examined, and 27 genera of diatoms represented by 48 species have been identified from them. The distribution of these species in the various diatomites is given in Table II. The following tentative conclusions with regard to the suitability of Australian diatomites for filtration purposes are based on a study of the shapes and sizes of the contained diatoms,' in accordance with English and Californian experience. Extensive deposits of diatomite, which are dominated by the diatom Melosira and which are suitable for purposes other than filtration, are available in Queensland and New South W ales. Nevertheless, this type of diatomite is used successfully by Davis Gelatine (Australia) Ltd., as a filter medium. The commercial value of a diatomite as a filter aid, which depends on the amount necessary to give a perfectly clear filtrate, the speed of filtration, and the character of the press-cake and similar criteria, can only be satisfactorily determined by actual experiment. It is also necessary to establish a correlation between the characters determined by microscopic examination and actual filtration tests before a final conclusion can be stated.

A geological report on the Alexander, Halley's Comet, and Manolis' Workings mines. The production, grade, geology, mineralisation, ore reserves, and prospecting of the mines are discussed. Accompanying geological plans are included.

A request was made for an estimation of the ore reserves indicated to date in the King Island Scheelite Mine, and for a drilling campaign to be drawn up to prove a total of fifteen years supply of ore at an annual rate of consumption of 200,000 tons. These two matters are dealt with in this report.

The question of a geophysical survey of the Copperhead mining property at Bullfinch was discussed and it was stated that there was need for a geophysical survey to determine the detailed structure of the jaspilite bodies over a small area concealed by tailings at the eastern end of the jaspilite zone. Following preliminary tests, a detailed survey was conducted in December, 1946. The geology, nature of the problem, and results of the survey are discussed in this report. Two accompanying plans are included.

Notes on samples of limestone collected from three caves on the Nullabor Plains, the Koonalda, the Abrakurrie, and the Weebubbie, and from the surface crust in the vicinity of the caves.

The Lakes Entrance Oil Shaft is situated in allotment 21, Parish of Colquhoun, about 2 miles north-east of Lakes Entrance township. The shaft was sunk with the object of developing, by means of low pressure mining methods, the oil-bearing beds known to exist in the lower portion of the Tertiary basin in the Lakes Entrance area. It is estimated that, during mining operations, approximately 12,000 tons of Tertiary sediments were excavated. Consequently a unique opportunity was afforded the palaeontologist and geologist to study the stratigraphic sequence of Tertiary beds in the Lakes Entrance area. During visits paid to the scene of operations, extensive collections of fossiliferous material were made by the author. This report comprises notes on the scope of the micro-palaeontological investigation, the stratigraphy and the palaeontology of the Lakes Entrance Oil Shaft.

For nearly nine months of the year the river proper is confined to a narrow channel two to three hundred feet wide. During the remainder of the year, however, the river is subject to periodical floodings resulting from heavy tropical rain on its water-shed and for periods of a week of more at a time the low level bridge is covered by flood water. The dislocation of rail traffic which results from these periodical floodings has been a matter of serious concern to the Queensland authorities for many years and a decision was made to construct a high level rail and road bridge to replace the existing structure. Construction was commenced, but before it proceeded far, it was considered desirable that the depth of the bedrock, previously examined, should be established without doubt. In view of the uncertainty of the depth to be drilled and the very considerable difficulty in drilling through alternating layers of drift sand and boulder wash, a request was made by the Co-ordinator General of Public works for Queensland for a geophysical investigation of the site. A survey was carried out by the geophysical section of the Commonwealth Bureau of Mineral Resources during August and September, 1947. The investigation of the results is far from complete but the seismic method gave such concise results that this preliminary statement is justified. Geology, geophysical methods, results, interpretation, and testing are discussed in this report.

Notes on a small collection of opalized shells, bone fragment and specimen of precious opal from White Cliffs.

Report on a preliminary micropalaeontological examination of the samples, submitted by the Frome - Broken Hill Co. Pty. Ltd., on November 3rd, 1947, from the Northern Flinders Range area. The examination was made with a view to giving assistance to the reconnaissance work now in progress.

Palaeontological note on a rock sample from a bore which was sunk a few feet into a mud island, west of Pelican Point, Lake Victoria, Gippsland.