NOTED GEOLOGIST

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19112, 22 September 1927, Page 7

NOTED GEOLOGIST

AUSTRIAN PROFESSOR'S

VISIT. WONDERFUL FIELD FOR ! STUDENT. A noted geologist at present in Christ-church is Professor F. X. Schaffer, • -who holds the Chair of Geology at the University of-Vienna, and who is.also the Director of the Natural Museum there.

Professor Schaffer. who is making a world tour, §ays # that, from his point of view, New Zealand is one of the most interesting countries in the world. Geological wonders abound ana many of its features are Among these are the thermal regions which are not eclipsed by anything m the world. There are also vast heMs of work for the botanist and etlinologist. _ ' In conversation yesterdav, the professor explained that geologically there was a, link between Austria and New Zealarri. In 1861 his predecessor in the chair at- Vienna, Professor Hochstetter, visited the Dominion, and collected material for a book which was now ■ recognised as the standard, work on the subject. He also took back t° Vienna 'many New Zealand specimens which .were greatly priaed. Later another Austrian geologist, Professor Reischek, came to New Zealand to advise on the-building of the Christchurch 'Museum, and lie remained twelve years-in this country.: In the Vienna Museum were several -fine examples of Maori art, and also a fins specimen of a moa. . Apart from interests in New Zealand's wonders, Vt'he Austrian people were • .interested in the Dominion's social. conditions, for they : regarded these as very. advanced. •Professor Sohaffer is collecting material for the third of a series of volumes on geology, the first two haying already appeared. This volume will contain much about New Zealand. He is. also writing articles of general interest about New Zealand for Austrian newspapers.