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            [name] => Geological Department
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Based in Dunedin, but at work throughout the Province, as seen in reports and correspondence, e.g. Dr Hector to Superintendent, from schooner "Matilda Hayes", Riverton, 8 June 1863 (re exploration of West Coast of Southland), OPGG, 1863, p. 214.


Responsible Minister
Provincial Secretary 1862-65



Notes

Records created
The Geological Survey Department's 1862 annual report gives information on two types of record created, neither of which is now know to be extant;

Laboratory books
- analysis of mineral and rock specimens
- ''In conducting these examinations, books are kept in which the most minute details of the processes employed are entered to serve for future reference and to check errors either of method or calculation." (p.13)

Geological maps
- "Since 15th July [1862] a draughtsman has been employed in making tracings from the various maps of the Survey Department, to form the basis of the Geological maps, also in preparing fair copies of the sections, &c., which have been already surveyed." (p.13)
                    [custom2] => Otago Provincial Council. Ordinances, 1861-1865 (Appropriations)

Otago Provincial Council. Votes and Proceedings, 1854-1876 (Appendices)

Otago Provincial Government Gazette, 1862-1865
- especially, Annual Reports; and James Hector, ''Report on Geological Expedition to the West Coast of Otago'' (19 October 1863, OPGG, 1863, pp 435-478)
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            [history] => James Hector was appointed by the Otago Provincial Government to undertake a geological survey of the Province, and arrived on 15 April 1862. He spent much of his time away from Dunedin on expeditions, collecting samples and making detailed records of his observations for inclusion in reports and geological maps for the Government. His assistants analysed his mineral and rock specimens in the laboratory which he had built; and he foreshadowed the need for a provincial museum to house mineral, fossil and plant specimens. Daily weather observations were made at the Meteorological Observatory which he had built at Helensburn. 

Lack of finance led to the closure of the Department.
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