28 HENKY DEANE. 



monopoly in this colony, has resulted in the successful introduction 

 of the process on many of the New South Wales gold fields. 

 The output of coal during the past year from our mines was the 

 largest on record, and the quantity shipped to foreign ports 

 exceeded anything since the opening of the fields in 1829, showing 

 that this colony has little to fear from Japanese competition, 

 where very extensive deposits of coal are being cheaply worked. 

 The commencement of sinking operations by the Sydney Harbour 

 Collieries Company Limited, Balmain, is worthy of passing notice. 

 This valuable seam is expected to be tapped about three years 

 hence, at a depth of some 3,000 feet. The development of this 

 seam at such a great depth, will be watched with interest by 

 scientific men. 



Geological Survey of New South Wales. — During the past year 

 Mr. E. F. Pittman, Government Geologist, in addition to direct- 

 ing the work of the Geological Survey Staff, sat as a member of 

 the Royal Commission on the Spontaneous Combustion of Coal 

 Cargoes and in conjunction with Professor Threlfall issued a report 

 on that subject. A considerable amount of field work was also done 

 in connection with an examination of the Gunnedah coalfield, and 

 together with Professor David, a geological survey was made of 

 the country around Tamworth. This work was of great interest 

 owing to the abundant occurrence and great thickness of radio- 

 larian schists, limestones and claystones, and also of the great 

 development of sill structure. With regard to radiolarian rocks 

 Professor David says: — "It has been proved that a great part of 

 the Dividing Range from the Jenolan Caves to Barraba is com- 

 posed of radiolarian remains. The radiolarian beds are about 

 9,000 feet thick and radiolaria are present throughout the series 

 in the proportion of about one million to the cubic inch." Mr. 

 Pittman further informs me that the district around Tamworth 

 contains rocks belonging to both the Carboniferous and Devonian 

 systems, and there is no doubt that the working out of the tract 

 between Tamworth and Somerton will greatly simplify future 

 geological work by establishing definite horizons. Mr. Pittman 



