VOLCANO STUDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 247, 18 October 1926, Page 6

VOLCANO STUDY.

In an interesting article that we publish to-daj a Wellington correspondent who has special knowledge of the subject revives the question of systematic study of Xew Zealand volcanic energy. The Government promised some time ago to institute such a study, and our correspondent says it is understood that an official of the Geological Survey is to be given this work. We hope the investigations will be started without delay, and that all reasonable facilities will be given the investigator not only to watch activity here, but to keep in touch with similar work in other parts of the Pacific, and, if necessary, to travel to see what is being done there. New Zealand has been very slow to take up this study of conditions which are not only important to New Zealand but are part of a chain that extends across the world. Our correspondent says that no official records have been taken of so well-known a phenomenon as the eruptions of Ngauruhoe. This study of volcanic conditions has two aspects — the purely scientific and the practical. In Japan and Hawaii they have been able to predict activity, and thereby save life; and there seems to be no reason why similar predictions should not be made in New Zealand. Apparently but little damaged, the Union Company's cargo steamer Kaituna, which went ashore when entering Tauranga Harbour on Thursday evening, arrived at Auckland yesterday morning. The vessel was refloated within five hours of her stranding, and was berthed at The Mount wharf to unload a quantity of coal. When cargo operations were completed on Saturday morning, she went to an anchorage in the harbour. As a precaution, before the Kaituna sailed for Auckland arrangements were made for the steamer Matangi to act as an escort. The latter vessel's services, however, were not required, the only message received by the Matangi from the Kaituna being: "All well." The exact damage to the Kaituna will not be known until she is docked in a few days' time. Dr. Cairney, of Dunedin, who has recently returned from Chicago, is reported in the "Evening Star" as saying it had been suggested in New Zealand that candidates for medical qualification should be required to hold a bachelor of art's degree before commencing medical studies. As the New Zealand B.A. degree is about equivalent to the London University matriculation, this would bring English and New Zealand students into line. It was probably the somewhat loose methods of examination in Chicago which led Dr. Cairney to add: What the effect would be of a bachelor's degree in New Zealand being required by a medical student, he was not prepared to state, but he could say that an average class of medical students in Chicago, all graduates, all selected on admission, and subjected to a further process of elimination of the less able during their first year of preclinical sciences, was very similar to an average class in the Medical School here. Their "examination papers showed clearly that a bachelor's degree was not necessarily proof of scholarly culture, and that "the process of elimination had not removed all of the weak candidates. Changeable weather was experienced at Auckland during the week-end. The conditions on Saturday afternoon were those of a mild summer day, there bein" plenty of warm sunshine and a light breeze. Early yesterday the weather became overcast, but the morning was fine. In the afternoon, however, heavy rain fell at frequent intervals, the total fall being slightly less than half an inch. To-day the weather was again fine, there being a light breeze from the south-west. The Waitemata Power Board had a discussion on a horticultural subject this morning, the point at issue being the value of a lemon tree. The board found itself interested in fruit culture owing to a minor mishap in the Birkenhead district, where, during tree-felling operations, a lemon tree was inadvertently somewhat mixed up in the process. The owner estimated his loss at £5, but the board decided to offer £2 as solace.

There was a beautiful sight in the heavens yesterday evening, at sunset. An aurora Australis has been reported from the South, and one could easily imagine such phenomena being about, after seeing last night's colours. Just as the sun was about on the horizon there appeared in the east a perfect, rainbow. Frequently ofle may see a rainbow of fine colour, but not complete in shape. Last night's bow stretched from just north of Rangitoto, made a great horseshoe in the sky and came to earth again away out by Remuera. There wasn't a break in it, and at one time there was a double bow on the northern side. The western sky was full of a golden glow. As the sun dropped below the horizon ithe rainbow disappeared and the eastern sky turned a most beautiful metallic blue, wonderfully rich. The whole appearance of the skies was most striking. During the day a good deal of rain had fallen, especially during the afternoon, and, although it ceased towards evening the atmosphere was heavily charged with moisture —which was really the cause of the splendid colouring. "No attempt has yet been made to make a systematic soil survey of New Zealand," said Professor H. G. Denham in an address on "The Relation of Science and Industry" at Christchurch (reports the "Lyttelton Times"). "Until this is done, there is no guarantee that the method of fertilising is anything in the nature of that which will give a maximum result for the outlay. Indeed, j the whole question of fertilisers and their production from atmospheric air i is worthy off most serious consideration, for it must be remembered that the general level of production of English land was raised nearly 50 per cent between 1840 and IS7O (20 to 30 bushels ; per acre) by the use of artificial fertilisers. This subject is now receiving very careful attention in America, where it has been calculated that the leading crops absorb annually 17,000,000,0001b of ammonia, phosphates and potash, that the farmers return 8,700,000,0001b, and that farmers supply 2,400,000,0001b of fertilisers, leaving an annual deficit of 5,900,000,0001b. This has naturally shown itself in reduced production." The death of Mr. A. E. Copping, which occurred at Stratford on Wednesday night, will be greatly regretted by newspaper men in all parts of the Dominion as well as by a large circle of friends outside the fourth estate. Before going to Stratford in 1904 to take charge of the "Post," Mr. Copping had long journalistic experience in the South Island and the Wairarapa, which helped him to materially raise the standard and influence of the "Post." He was a hard and conscientious worker, possessed a good judgment and a personality which earned him the respect of all and the affection of those who knew him best and were most intimately associated with him. The joint editorial and managerial control imposed a heavy burden upon him which undermined his health, and he was a very sick man when he resigned about a year ago aud sought a change and lighter responsibilities at Gisborne. For a time his health improved, though he never really recovered, and his death, much as it will be deplored, was not altogether unexpected by his friends, whose sincere sympathy will be extended to his wife and family. During the winter, the staff and employees of the Chelsea sugar works took a course of St. John Ambulance instruction. The lectures were given by Dr. J. W. Craven, of Birkenhead, while members of the stretcher-bearer corps from Auckland imparted instruction in the various phases incidental to that department. The class of thirty-two entered for the recent examination in first aid, with the very creditable result that the whole of them were successful in passing, some with an excellent percentage of marks. While at Rotorua, the Hon. R. F. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs) discussed the matter of the care of soldiers' graves with members of the Returned Soldiers' Association.' The Minister, referring to the inscriptions on the tablets, said it was desirable that these should be made indelible, and promised to refer this matter to the war graves division of his Department. Arrangements for the coming fishing season at Rotorua and Taupo, under the new conditions arising out of the Governments agreement with the natives, are now in active preparation, and all is expected to be in readiness for the opening on November 1. An officer of the Internal Affairs Department is about to visit Tokaanu to lay out camping sites along the Tongariro River and in its vicinity, and, in order to prevent poaching, about which there have been many complaints, the Department is about to appoint an official ranger, a position for which many applications have already been received. Three of the Presbyterian Church institutions in Dunedin benefit under the will of the late Margaret Lin sou Glendinning, shares in the firm of Ross and Glendinning being bequeathed as follow: 200 shares to the Glendinning Home for Boys, 125 shares to the Ross Home, and 125 shares to the Theological Hall funa. The Railway Department is now conducting tests of the eyesight of its employees, these being carried out by an officer of the Department, Mr. T. Glasgow, who will visit all parts of the Dominion for the purpose. The tests are carried out in a specially fitted car, in which are patterns of the regulation lamps, so arranged as to give views in miniature of the signals which railwaymen have to read. According to a letter read at the last meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Government of Fiji is anxious to enter into a reciprocal trade agreement with New Zealand. The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) states that as soon as he receives a communication from the Fijian Government on the subject it will have careful consideration. In accordance with the wishes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of England, Young People's Day was celebrated in the various churches of that denomination yesterday. Special addresses to the youth were delivered at both morning" and evening services, particular reference being made to Bible classes. •A veteran tramp, known throughout North Otago as "The Shiner," is spending the eve of a romantic life in the seclusion of his home in Oamaru. Just how many miles he has tramped, with his bundle on his shoulder and his billy in his hand, it is impossible to say. Some old settlers hazard the opinion that h< walked well over 50.000 miles during the half century he was on the road. Even now he is restless, and a few days ago took it into his hend to walk about 30 miles. His nomadic habits have : trained for him a reputation far beyond ■ the limits of the province in which he ; js so well known. It was reported at a meeting of the - Waitemata Power Board this morning ; that power from Horahora would be J available during the first week in December next.