SCIENCE CONGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 24, 30 January 1939, Page 9

SCIENCE CONGRESS.

MR. H. GL WELLS' LECTURES. WEATHER PROPHET ASTRAY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, this day. Scientific discussions are not always the drytas-dust affairs that the layman supposes. Though many weighty problems were discussed by the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science at the bi-annual congress held recently in Canberra, an attempt to give an explanation or an excuse for the abnormal weather experienced recently in Australia and New Zealand enlivened the proceWiilgs. "A paper by Mr. Inigo Jones, termed by one memter of the congress as the Clement Wragg of Queensland,' pro-, vided the most controversy," said Dr. C. M. Focken, lecturer in physics at Otago University, who returned by the MaunganuL "Other scientists were somewhat chary about accepting the views expressed by the Queensland meteorologist and Sir George Simpson, head of the British Meteorological Office, asked him to put them forward in scientific terms. Mr. Jones prophesied that there would be heavy rain while the conference was in session, but alas, he proved a false prophet. "Several prominent New Zealand era took part in the discussions," said Dr. Focken. "These included Dr. E. Kidson, Professor R. Speight, Mr. Gilbert Archey, director of the Auckland Museum, Professor H. G. Denham and Dr. Patrick Marshall, of Wellington. Dr. Marshall was elected president for the next congress, to be held in Adelaide in I#4l. Professor Denham gave tiie important Uversiflfee Memorial lecture by invitation. He dealt with modern developments in chemistry, his lecture being one of the features of the congress. The big attraction, however' was Mr. H. G. Wells, whose tallcs were most provocative and well attended. His talks held the attention of the audience | right through, and when he addressed a meeting in the Albert Hall it was filled to overflowing, though it. was a, hot stieky night. Those who could not find room inside the hall took up positions on the lawns.