Page:The geology of the Oamaru district, North Otago (Eastern Otago division) (IA geologyofoamarud00park).pdf/17



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I have the honour to transmit herewith Bulletin No. 20 (New Series) of the Geological Survey Branch of the Mines Department, entitled “The Geology of the Oamaru District, North Otago,” and written by Professor James Park, of Otago University, Dunedin. It contains 124 pages of letterpress, and is illustrated by numerous plates, figures, and maps.

The field-work in connection with the preparation of this bulletin was done by Professor Park, working single-handed, during the summer of 1915–16. The results obtained are lucidly set forth in the following pages; but it is desirable to state that although quite agreeing with most of the conclusions reached, I cannot follow Professor Park in all respects, more particularly in his views regarding the relative ages of the Oamaru and the Waitaki stones.

Professor Park’s report must be regarded as a very important contribution to the geological literature of New Zealand. In it special attention has been paid to the palæontology of the various stages of the Oamaruian System, and the lists of fossils given prove conclusively the Middle Cainozoic age of the whole of the system as developed in the Oamaru district.

Practically the whole of the molluscan determinations recorded in this bulletin have been made by Mr. Henry Suter, of Christchurch, Consulting Palæontologist to the Geological Survey. In like manner nearly all the Brachiopods have been named by Dr. J. Allan Thomson,Director of the Dominion Museum.

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, P. G. MORGAN,

The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of Mines, Wellington.