STEWART ISLAND TOPOGRAPHY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 16

STEWART ISLAND TOPOGRAPHY

Research Planned By Student

Originality is a requirement of advanced research. It has been shown in preparations being made by Mr Kevin Piper, a student of the University of Canterbury With a great deal of help from his family he ‘ has restored a motor-boat and, during the long vacation, he will use it for studies of lesser-known parts of Stewart Island.

Mr Piper is planning postgraduate topographical research in areas where a boat will give the quickest access, and also bring equipment more readily to the scene of operations than overland packing. The 16ft plywood hull to be used was bought damaged and restored, Mr Piper's father and brother doing a major share of this work. It has been designed for open-water cruising and the 10 horse-power inboard engine has given good performance in trials. The controls have been set well forward for convenience in navigating unknown bays or rivers. Fitting of the boat for its new role has taken a lot of sparetime work since October. The motor-boat wiU cross to Stewart Island as deck cargo on the ferry and then go to work for about six weeks after Christmas. The boat will be able to carry a good quantity of survey equipment. photographic gear, and stores.

Mr Piper will be accompanied by a small group of friends.