H.— 34.

positions. Among those connected with the Geological Survey in its early years were William Skey (Chemist), F. W. Button, E. H. Davis, S. Herbert Cox, Alexander McKay, and James Park. Julius von Haast (Canterbury Provincial Geologist), F. W. Hutton (who became Otago Provincial Geologist after his retirement from the Geological Survey), and others made examinations and reports for the Survey from time to time. Until the end of 1885 the Geological Survey was attached to the Colonial Secretary's Department, when, as mentioned above, it was transferred to the Mines Department, a connection that lasted for over forty years. A list of the publications of the Survey from 1866 onwards (not quite complete) is given in the first annual report (1907) of the present series. In 1903 Sir James Hector retired from the various official positions held by him, and several important changes took place. The New Zealand Institute Act, 1867, was superseded by The New Zealand Institute Act, 1903, and the joint control of the Geological Survey and Museum came to an end. For over a year the Geological Survey was represented only by Alexander McKay, who held the position of Mining Geologist in the Mines Department. Towards the end of 1904 Dr. J. M. Bell, of Canada, was appointed Director of the Geological Survey, and on his arrival in New Zealand in February, 1905, the Survey was reorganized, a permanent field and office staff being appointed. The work done by it since then is stated in its annual reports and other publications. Summary op Field Operations, 1926-27. The field season of 1926-27 was a busy one, and detailed topographical and geological surveys were carried out in the following areas : — (1) Rotorua Subdivision, Auckland, by L. I. Grange, M.Sc., A.0.5.M., F.G.S., Assistant Geologist. (2) Wairoa Subdivision, northern Hawke's Bay and southern Gisborne, by M. Ongley, M.A., B.Sc., Geologist. (3) Murchison Subdivision, Nelson, by J. Henderson, M.A., D.Sc., 8.E., A.0.5.M., Mining Geologist, and H. F. Fyfe, 8.F., A.0.5.M., Assistant Geologist. (4) Central Otago (m conjunction with soil survey), by H. T. Ferrar, M.A., F.G.S., Geologist. Visits for various purposes were made by me to Piopio and neighbourhood (Waitomo County), Rotorua district, Te Puke, Waihi, Hastings, Taradale (near Napier), and Gisborne. Dr. J. Marwick, Palaeontologist, visited the Mokau and Patea districts in order to collect representative fossils that would assist in correlating the Miocene strata of New Zealand. Mr. L. I. Grange made a special visit to White Island in order to obtain geological data, and to report on its sulphur and gypsum deposits. Progress of Areal Surveys. During the twelve months ended 31st May, 1927. approximately 1,370 square miles in the Rotorua, Wairoa, and Murchison districts was examined in detail. In addition Mr. Ferrar and his party, besides making a soil survey of roughly 554 square miles, geologically examined in moderate detail about 860 square miles. It is estimated that since 1905 to date 23,056 square miles (59,712-6 square kilometres) has been geologically surveyed in complete or fairly complete detail. Dargaville-Rodney Subdivision. Field-work in this area was completed in the autumn of 1925. Mr. Ferrar's detailed report on it will be prepared for publication during the winter. Rotorua Subdivision. For a number of years past the establishment of a vulcanological observatory in the volcanic region of the North Island has been strongly recommended by several scientists of note, and the proposal has received a good deal of support from the general public. No detailed geological survey has ever been made of any part of the volcanic region, and therefore I urged that such a survey was of prime importance, and should precede or accompany systematic vulcanological observations. This view has, I think, been generally accepted, and last October Mr. L. I. Grange, Assistant Geologist, was instructed to begin a detailed geological examination of the Rotorua and adjoining districts, special attention to be given to hot-spring and other volcanic phenomena. From Mr. Grange's summary report on a later page it will be seen that some valuable data have already been obtained or a,re in sight, and I venture to think that the course adopted will be fully justified by results. Incidentally the geological mapping will assist the soil surveys now being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture. Towards the end of last January I visited Rotorua, and in company with Mr. Grange or alone inspected much of the surrounding country. Tongaporutu-Ohura Subdivision. Mr. Grange's detailed report on the Tongaporutu-Ohura Subdivision, and the geological maps that accompany it, are about to be issued. Important coal deposits in the Waitewhena district are described. The occurrence of petroleum in commercial quantity is suggested as not unlikely.

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