RECORDS LOST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 17, 31 October 1940, Page 8

RECORDS LOST.

PLANT RESEARCH BUREAU. (Per Press Association). PALMERSTON N., October 30. Fire destroyed the Plant Research Bureau building near Massey College early this morning, causing the loss of irreplaceable records. These, in-several cases, were the result of a lifetime’s work of research officers in the grasslands division, records which not only are invaluable to New Zealand, hut have a hearing on similar work throughout the world.

In two hours the wooden building, which cost about £BOOO three years ago, was merely a heap of cinders. The alarm was given at 1.15 mm. When the brigade had travelled two miles from the city the buildihg was a mass of flame. Difficulty was experienced in obtaining a sufficiency of water. The engine was taken to a nearby stream, from which a good supply was pumped; but the flames had too strong a hold. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The bureau was described by the Director (Mr E. Bruce Levy) as one of the most up-to-date of its kind. Twentyfour people used the main part of the building, and eight were employed in the laboratory. Most of these members of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Besearch will not be affected to a material degree, as a greater part of their work lay in field activities. Records of research stored in the building included collections extending over lifetimes of several senior members of the bureau. Also destroyed were photographs of plant life and plant development, which, along with other material, cannot be replaced in New Zealand or other conn tries. The total loss is incalculable.