C.—2c,

2

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. Summary of Field Operations. During the field season of 1924r-25 detailed topographical and geological surveys were carried out in the following areas : — (1.) Motueka Subdivision, Nelson, by J. Henderson, M.A., D.Sc., 8.E., A.0.5.M., Mining Geologist; L. I. Grange, M.Sc., A.0.5.M., and E. 0. Macpherson, Assistant Geologists. (2.) Eodney Subdivision, North Auckland, under the charge of H. T. Ferrar, M.A., F.G.S., Geologist. (3.) Kaitangata Subdivision, East Otago, under the charge of M. Ongley, M.A., B.Sc., Assistant Geologist. Brief visits were made by me to North Blackwater, Waihi, and Muir's Reefs (near Te Puke). I also spent a fortnight in Taranaki, principally with the object of collecting additional data for a report on the Egmont Subdivision, which is now being prepared for publication. Dr. J. Marwick, Palaeontologist, made visits to the Wanganui-Nukumaru and North Otago districts in order to collect representative suites of fossils from known horizons. Progress of Areal Surveys. During the twelve months ended 31st May, 1925, approximately 1,201 square miles was examined in detail. Of this area 440 square miles is in North Auckland, 367 square miles in Nelson, and 394 square miles in east Otago. Since the reorganization of the Geological Survey in 1905 an area of 20,049 square miles has been geologically surveyed, but the results of nearly half these surveys are still unpublished. Rodney Subdivision. The survey of the Rodney Subdivision has been completed by Mr. Ferrar, and, since its geologj is similar to that of the adjoining Dargaville Subdivision, he is now writing a detailed report on the two subdivisions considered as one area. A brief account of the work done last season is given on a later page. Waiapu Subdivision. The Waiapu Subdivision was geologically surveyed during the years 1920-23 by Messrs. Ongley and Macpherson. Last winter a draft report was written, and this is now being revised for publication. Lately options over large areas in the Gisborne - East Cape district have been obtained by oil speculators, and therefore every effort will be made to issue the Waiapu report and the geological maps that are to accompany it at an early date. Tongaporutu-Ohura Subdivision. A detailed report on the areas in north Taranaki geologically surveyed during the years 1920-23 has been written by Mr. L. I. Grange, the geologist who did most of the field-work, and this is now being prepared for publication. Owing to the oil-prospecting now in progress in Taranaki the early publication of Mr. Grange's report and of the geological maps which will accompany it is very desirable. Egmont Subdivision. Field-work in the Egmont Subdivision was practically completed in 1917, but recently I spent nearly a fortnight in the subdivision, collecting new data and checking some of the former surveys. The preliminary report written by Mr. W. Gibson has been rewritten and enlarged by me, but much work has yet to be done before it will be ready for publication. The numerous other duties to which I have to give attention will probably prevent this report from being completed before the end of the year. Motueka Subdivision. Owing to the difficulties of transport, the bad season, and inadequate labour, the survey of the Motueka Subdivision has not progressed so far as was hoped. A detailed report upon the country surveyed during the past two seasons is in hand, but a small additional area has yet to be mapped, and in order to complete the examination of the marble-bearing districts of Nelson an extension of the survey northward is necessary. It is proposed to embody the results of this in a separate report. Geological data of considerable value have been obtained during the survey of the Motueka Subdivision, and the asbestos and other mineral deposits have been closely examined. An account of the work done during the past season is given on another page. Kaitangata Subdivision. During the past season Mr. Ongley, as stated more in detail later, has examined aress to the west and north-east of the Kaitangata Subdivision as originally planned, but the Green Island Cop Iff Id still remains to be surveyed before a complete report can be written. Very interesting results, pone of which will be of importance to the coal-mining industry, are being obtained.