294 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [July 
value of geology, and that geology as an instrument of economic research 
was poorly equipped during the period under discussion. As a rule, the 
surveys were begun in the expectation that great economic results would 
follow almost at once, but usually disappointment followed hard on expec¬ 
tation, Since the Federal Survey got well under way the State Surveys 
have gathered strength ; old Surveys have been revived, and new ones 
started. In 1911 thirty-six State Surveys were in existence, and since 
then the number has been increased. Only four States have never had 
a Geological Survey of any kind. 
The organizations of the State Surveys are varied. A co’mmon plan is 
to control the Survey by means of a board composed partly of politicians 
or their nominees, and partly of technical men, including the State Geo¬ 
logist. Quite often the State Geologist is Professor of Geology in the State 
University, and devotes only part of his time to official surveys. In that 
case he may control one or two permanent officers, but more often perhaps 
is assisted only by his senior students. Under these circumstances the 
grants for geological surveys are generally not very liberal. In other cases, 
especially of late years, the State Geologist and his staff are permanent 
officers of the State, and generous appropriations for geological survey are 
made. 
Extremely good work has been done by some State Surveys, and in 
recent years the results obtained in other States have been almost without 
exception creditable. At one time and another many State geologists have 
worked under great difficulties, and good results may be attributed rather 
to their abilities and personal sacrifices than to the system under which 
they were compelled to work.* 
Political influences have had a great deal to do with the fortunes of the 
State Surveys, and, as can be easily imagined, have often exercised an evil 
effect upon their work. 
Australia. 
A Federal Geological Survey for Australia was suggested a few years 
ago, and in 1910, at the request of the Australasian Institute of Mining 
Engineers, a scheme of operations was drawn up by Dr. J. M. Bell, at that 
time Director of the Geological Survey of New Zealand. This, together 
with a supplement by Professor E. W. Skeats, was submitted to a com¬ 
mittee of the Institute, but nothing came of the proposals. At the present 
time the Federal Government has a petroleum geologist (Dr. Arthur Wade) 
with assistants at work in Papua, and till recently had a geologist in the 
Northern Territory. Whether anything further in the direction of a Federal 
Survey will be done now that scientific research is so much discussed, even 
by politicians, remains to be seen. 
All the Australian States have Geological Surveys of their own, most of 
which were begun many years ago. The various organizations are similar 
in general principle. The control of the Surveys rests in a Minister of 
Mines, under whom, in charge of the Mines Department, is an Under¬ 
secretary of Mines or similar official, generally a non-technical man. The 
Geological Survey is a branch of the Mines Department, consisting of the 
Director or Chief Government Geologist and several other technical officers. 
The larger Surveys have a palaeontologist, a chemist, and in one case a 
* For accounts of State and Federal surveys in the United States see G. P. Merrill, 
op. cit. ; 21st Ann. Rep. of U.S. Geol. Survey, pt. 1, pp. 19-21, 1900; U.S. Geol. Survey 
Bull. No. 227, 1904; and U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. No. 465, 1911. 
