SEARCH FOR OIL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1932, Page 7

SEARCH FOR OIL

AUSTRALIAN AERIAL SURVEY. The Australian Minister of the Interior has issued a statement by the Commonwealth geological adviser, Dr. W. Gi. Woolnough, regarding an aerial geological survey recently conducted by him in conjunction with the t ßoyal Australian Air Force. Dr. Woolnough says that the fight lasted two months and embraced a journey of about 12,000 miles, during which some 200 scientific photographs were taken and developed. On the journey to Darwin .photographic records were obtained! of the vast area of promising oil country of Western Queensland, and an expedition along the North Australian border ais far as the Toko Ranges enabled geological observations to be carried out over the little-known area. Proceeding from Darwin, an operating base was established at Fitzroy Crossing, where for more tha.fi a week flights wel'e made ir ' varioais directions as tar afield >a.f Wyndliam and! Gregory’s Salt Sea.

it was known that the basin of the Eitzroy River offered prospects for oil development second to none in Australia. This fact was more than confirmed as a result of the aerial survey, and it is believed that the da 1 of discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Australia has been brought much nearer. More than a dozen likely looking; structures were found anc l delineated! by means of aerial photo graphy.