and geological investigation of the important question of the under- 
ground water-supply of the Goldfields, was impressed upon the 
■Government by its scientific advisers. The work of the Depart- 
ment during this period extended from Albany to Kimberley, 
though the issue of geological maps in illustration of the various 
reports seems to have been confined to the later years of the 
'Survey. They include the CoLLie and Irwin coalfields, the tinfields 
of Greenbushes, the country between Nannine and Esperance 
Bay, Goongarrie, Cue, Yalgoo, and the Murchison Goldfields. In 
.1894 Mr. Woodward issued what is still perhaps the most recent 
jgeological map of the State ; this was published in London, on 
the scale of 50 miles to an inch. At the date of its publication 
this map added very materially to our knowledge of the geology 
of the State, as far east as the 120th meridian. With such a 
limited staff, still more limited appropriation, the difficulties pre- 
sented by the vast area of the State, and the practical absence of 
railway communication, the Survey, under Mr. Woodward, was 
able to issue twenty-one voluminous reports and six geological 
maps. 
It will thus have been inferred from the above historical 
I information that for some years before the establishment of the 
I present department its need had been realised by many of the 
more intelligent people of the State, and that its origin was really 
inspired by a true appreciation of the value to the nation of its 
natural resources, upon the exploitation of which the welfare of 
the community so largely depends. 
Work. 
The Geological Survey as at present constituted was created 
in 1896 for the purpose of the investigation of the geological 
structure, mineral resources, mining industries and underground 
water supplies of the State, and to this end it became necessary 
to prepare geological maps and reports such as might be used 
by the Government and the public in dealing with all general 
questions which arise from time to time. In such a country as 
this, the progress of which depends so much upon its mineral 
wealth, the Survey has, naturally, endeavoured to devote itself 
to the investigation of those problems in economic geology which 
it is essential should he solved -if that be possible, without, how- 
ever, neglecting purely scientific questions ; for, of course, the 
economic and scientific aspects cannot be readily separated. 
It was pointed out to the Government that if the work of the 
staff was to be of that service to the country which the public 
had a right to expect, the officers of the Department should not 
be sent touring the State on every wild goose chase suggested or 
become parts of a mere prospecting machine, but so far as con- 
sistent with the resources available, an attempt should be made 
to carry out the operations as an organised whole. Should, of 
course, any important discovery be made, or new interests rise 
