TOPOGKAPIIICAL. 33 



out the distribution of the various rock i'orniatious and delineating 

 these on maps, as tlie essential preliminary step, it aimed from 

 the outset at the economic application of geological research and 

 the realization of practical results. 



TOPOGKAPHICAL 8UKA EY. 



In such a country, much of wliich was unknown, a topographical 

 survey was found to be indispensable, in order to construct a cor- 

 rect map upon which to delineate the boundaries of the geological 

 formations, and other\\-ise represent the structural details. This 

 topographical survey whicli was combined with the geological, 

 led Mr. Murray and Mr. Howley to scale the principal water 

 courses, keeping up a connected system of triangulation from all 

 the most consj^icuous heights, and thus on their map the whole 

 of the great features of the island were accurately laid down. In 

 carrying out this work, the officers of the survey were led to ex- 

 amine the surface of the country — the character and extent of its 

 fertile belts — its forests and extent and position of its minei-al 

 bearing rocks an<l its coal beds. Their annual reports dwelt 

 largely on these, and helped to disabuse men's minds of the 

 erroneous ideas previously entertained, and to convince them 

 that the natural resources of the country awaiting development 

 were very great. An important impulse was thus given to 

 mining, by the information furnished regarding the position, 

 character and extent of the various mineral bearing formations. 

 But above all, the discovery as the survey advanced of vast areas 

 of excellent arable and grazing lands, especially in the vallej'^s of 

 the large rivers, and the existence of extensive forests of pine and 

 other valuable timber, furnished abundant warrant for the con- 

 struction of railways in various directions. Thus the geological 

 survey proved to be of great and lasting benefit to the colony. It 

 is not the province of the geologist to search for or discover 

 mineral deposits or to engage in mining, but so to direct his study 

 of the structure and composition of the rocks as to facilitate the 

 extraction of useful minerals from the earth by those who are 

 practically engaged in mining industry, and to be able to indicate 

 where metallic and non-metallic minerals may be searched for 



