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geologists. Of the practical good that has come of the 

 enliglitened application of theoretical knowledge of geology, I 

 may refer to the many successful artesian wells, which but for 

 the aid of the geologist would never have been sunk. There- 

 fore, let the practical man believe in and respect the slowly 

 and carefully-reached conclusions of geologists, certainly to 

 take them into consideration, so far as to comprehend them 

 and to govern himself by them in his own collection and 

 collation of facts relating to his own pecuniary interest. 



Here I must crave your indulgence to refer once more to 

 the great importance of commencing a geological survey of the 

 province. In January, 1877, this Society brought this question 

 under the notice of the Government ; later on a resolution in 

 favour of such a survey was carried in the Assembly with the 

 express approval of the Ministry then in office, but no steps 

 were taken to give effect to those resolutions. Now, after 

 a lapse of nearly five years, we look back with regret at the 

 many opportunities which have occurred in which the services 

 of a geologist would have been of inestimable benefit to the 

 country. Perhaps at no time in the industrial history of thi& 

 colony could we have realised the value of a systematic survey 

 more than at the present. 



Though undoubtedly the chief object of a survey is to con- 

 struct a geological map, yet the basis of a map may vary 

 according to the special requirements. It may be a purely 

 scientific one, whereon the stratigraphical features are depicted 

 — that is to say, the map may be coloured to represent areas 

 occupied by strata of different epochs ; or it may be coloured 

 to represent lithological features, in which case it is indus- 

 trially valuable because it indicates the different rocks and 

 soils, irrespective of their geological age. It is an advantage 

 that the geologist should precede the discoverer of minerals, 

 for though he is not necessarily a prospector, yet he indicates 

 the regions where prospectors will be more likely to find 

 what they are in search of. Where the geologist precedes 

 the miner or cultivator of the soil he gains information which 

 will enable the agriculturist the better to select his land, or 

 the miner to search for mineral treasures. 



The chief object of a geological survey is to represent on a 

 map the rock features of a surface, from which any intelligent 

 man would deduce the absence or presence of any useful 

 minerals, the nature of soils, the sources of subterranean 

 drainage, and also the nature of waters. It indicates the best 

 routes for roads, the proper sites for dams. The attention of 

 the geological surveyor is given, among other matters gene- 

 rally beneficial to the progress of a great community, to the 

 materials for the construction of roads, houses, bridges — such 



