GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1929, Page 2

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

G 0 VEIINMENT SCIENTISTS’ BUSH SICKNESS, WATER, AND OIL. ' Towards the middle of this month geologists of Hie Department of Scientific* and Industrial Research will set out for various parts of the Dominion to continue tiieir systematic geological surveys Although this survey as a whole has now been going on year by year for some considerable time, the work requires very great attention to detail, is necessarily slow, and cannot be done in the winter months. About one quarter of the whole Dominion lias now been surveyed and good progress was made last year in the various localities concerned.

Except for certain scheelito areas (scheelite is a valuable mineral used in the hardening of steels), all the important mineral-bearing areas have been covered already. The gold and coal areas of the South the first to be surveyed. Last year Mr H. T. Ferrar investigated the geological aspects of the as yet uncompleted Te Kuiti district.

It is hoped to link up this area in a few years’ time with the coal-bearing areas of the Waikato and the oil-bear-ing strains of New Plymouth. It is then thought that much that is at present unknown about the mineral contents of these impotranfc districts will be revealed,

FINDING OIL AND WATER

In the Wairoq district, beyond Napier, Air M. Ongley discovered last year definite localities in which geological conditions were suitable for the accumulation of oil. In this connection it is interesting to note that Taranaki Oil Fields, Limited, are now sinking trial bores in two of these recently investigated areas.’in the pumice lands Mr L. I. Grange paid particular attention to possible supplies of water in the Kaingaroa Plains. As a result, there is every reason to believe that a plentiful supply of . underground water could be tapped at no great depth in the 12-mile area between Opepe and the Rangitaiki Hotel. At present this somewhat arid district is served by only two springs. Until, however, a trial shaft is actually sunk it cannot be said definitely at wliat depth or in what quantities underground supplies of water will be found. The matter, however, is of some little importance in connection with the much discussed opening up of these pumice areas.

INVESTIGATION OF EARTHQUAKE

AREAS

In the coming summer normal field wcjrk will give way for the first few weeks to special surveys and investigations in certain areas affected by the recent earthquakes. Three parties under trained geologists will proceed to the vicinity of the head waters of the Mangaweka River. Many after shocks have been traced to this locality, and special attention will he paid to recent signs of earth movements in the area. ■When these investigations are completed survey, parties will proceed to their allotted summer field work. Mr H. E. Fyfe will remain in the South island.

BUSH SICKNESS

Mr H.' T. FeTrar, who is at present in charge of operations, owing to the absence of Dr. J. Henderson in teouth Africa, hopes to get out to his camp m the Te Kuiti district by the beginning of next month. He will continue his survey of this district. Detailed attention will be given this year to the incidence of sheep sickness; so prevalent in certain parts of the area. Work . will be carried out in this connection with a party of pasture experts and it is hoped that really useful discoveries will be made by their joint efforts. It is hoped to complete the geological survey of the Tongariro district in the coming summer. Mr L. I, Grange will also make a’ detailed survey of the Tongariro National Park. An alleged oil-bearing area in the vicinity of Taumarunui will also be examined. In the oil-bearing districts of Wairoa Mr. M Ongley will continue his general survey. Naturally a keen eye will be kept on the possibilities of new oil discoveries in this promising district. As a rule every geological survey party consists of a trained geologist an assistant geologist and two assistants. Camp is pitched in a central position in the area to be examined. Dependent upon the nature of the work and the difficulties encountered this camp is moved from time to time about once a month, to a more suitable site. On the completion of the summer surveys all /parties return to headquarters at Wellington and detailed written reports are made on the work that has been done.