ABSTRACT REPORT OF THE PROG-RESS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW ZEALAND DURING 1866-7.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 898, 7 December 1867, Page 3

ABSTRACT REPORT OF THE PRO-G-RESS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW ZEALAND DURING 1866-7.

To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sih, —l hare the honor to make the following abstract leport of the progress which has been made during the past year in the geological survey of New Zealand in anticipation of full reports, with illustrative sections and plans, which will be published uniformly with the First Report on the Coal Deposits whenever the Government press is available. During the ensuing recess I propose to publish memoirs on the geology of Otago, and on the geology of the Northern district of the Province of Auckland, and. to bring out a series of illustrations of the fossils characteristic of the different formations in New Zealand which have been discovered since the publication of Dr. Hochstette.r's geological work, the translation of which will be shortly issued. The geological map of New Zealand, which was ready for publication last year, has hot yet been printed owing to the pressure of other business in the lithographic office where the work was undertaken, and it will now be necessary to make several v changes in it to embody results obtained since its preparation. My prolonged absence m the field is a serious obstacle to the proper publication of the results of the survey, and the service of a competent assistant, who would be able to carry on the field survey, under instructions and with occasional inspection, is mucji required. I should then be able to render available the work of the department], without interfering with the progrell^of the survey. Having now obtained a general survey of the auriferous deposits in the South Island, I am anxious, in the ensuing season, to examine the country interior of the North Island, where it. is rumoured that gold is found ; and also, if practicable, to visit the Mokau and Kawhia districts, as several points of theoretical importance depend on the examination of these localities. An exact geological survey is very much required of the following districts : — 1. Mount Davy Mountains on the Grey River. . 2. Collingwood district. 3. Waikava and Mataura districts in Otago. ' L 4 Kaipara to the Bay of Islands. The careful survey of these districts is most likely to lead to important practical results by the discovery of available coal seams. These special surreys will each occupy several months, and as. the work is of a kind that can be performed by an assistant, it may be carried on without interfering with other general work, whenevei\the funds are provided for.the employment of the necessary staff. —l have, &c, James Hector, *' Director.