290 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [July 
mile (1/63,360). Numerous manuscript maps on the 6 in. scale (1/10,560) 
have been compiled, and copies of these are available to the public for 
reference at the offices of the Survey in London or Edinburgh. One may 
here remark that the mile-to-the-inch scale for geological maps is perhaps 
hardly large enough for local use, and is inadequate for the requirements 
of miners and others who are interested in mineral deposits. 
Since the beginning of the war nearly all the work done has had a 
direct economic bearing, and numerous reports on economic minerals have 
been published. Educational propaganda is carried on to some extent 
by means of the Museum of Practical Geology, which, however, was 
closed during the greater part of the war. 
A feature of the British Geological Survey is that frequently a number 
of geologists are associated in the survey of a comparatively small district, 
and combine to write a joint report of moderate length. Discussion 
among the authors no doubt tends to well-considered reports and the 
elimination of doubtful statements Hypothetical views and impeachments 
of the work of other geologists are almost absent from the reports, which 
as a rule are evidently intended to embody nothing but facts. The 
writer is of opinion, however, that the system is not economical of effort 
or, on the whole, conducive to the highest degree of efficiency. As a 
rule, two geologists will do better work in the survey of an area of small 
size than a greater number. 
The field methods of the British Geological Survey, as described by 
Sir A. Geikie in his Field Geology , are presumably those in use at the 
present day. They are, of course, not altogether suitable for thinly 
populated and partly unsurveyed countries like New Zealand. 
Outside criticism avers that the Geological Survey of Great Britain 
receives poor Government support. It is known that the salaries paid 
to members of the staff are not commensurate with their abilities and 
scientific attainments. It is said that the Survey does not fulfil all the 
functions that might be expected of it, one reason for this being that it 
has no connection with the Home Office, which has charge of the mining 
industry of the country. Without much doubt, however, one may lay 
the blame for the disabilities and shortcomings of the British Geological 
Survey at the door of that short-sighted commercial spirit which gave 
Napoleon the opportunity for his famous gibe that the British people are 
‘‘ a nation of shopkeepers.” According to a report by Sir Lionel Phillips/ 5 
the Geological Survey, so far as its limitations permit ,f is well organized, 
and has rendered very valuable service to the country. 
Continent of Europe. 
Previous to the war probably all European countries except some 
of the Balkan States had official Geological Surveys. The Belgian 
Geological Survey, although organized in its present form only since 1896, 
ten years later had completed and published a geological map of the 
whole of Belgium, on the scale of 1/40,000. A manuscript map of the 
whole country on the scale of 1/20,000 was also available to the public.{ 
It should be noted, however, that official surveys in Belgium began as 
* Summarized in the Colliery Guardian, vol. 116, p. 1087, 22nd Nov., 1918. 
•j* Italics those of present writer. 
j Michel Mourlon, “ Le Service geologique de Belgique, son But, son Organisa¬ 
tion, ses Resultats,” p. 4, 1906. Extract from Annates de la Societe geologique de 
Belgique, t. xxxiii, Memoires. 
