Geological Report on the Taumarunui Area.

This report deals with PPLs 40-45 inclusive lying between Ongarue in the N and Raetihi in the S and from the Main Trunk Railway in the E to beyond the Wanganui River in the W. The area exhibits two distinct topographical types, the high volcanic plateau on and beyond the eastern margin contrasting with the usually very rugged tertiary hill country covering most of the area. The area was condemned and abandoned mainly on account of the absolute absence of all gas and oil indications and the intensely broken and faulted nature of the structures. All horizons are exposed and in such intensely faulted country one would expect to find signs of impregnation somewhere. It is doubtful that oil forming has occurred anywhere.