N.Z. Contribution To Hydrology Programme

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30499, 22 July 1964, Page 10

N.Z. Contribution To Hydrology Programme

A 10-year world-wide scientific programme to investigate and improve the use of water resources is to be implemented in New Zealand by a national committee under the chairmanship of the senior engineer hydrologist to the Ministry of Works (Mr A. P. Campbell). The programme, which is promoted and co-ordinated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (U.N.E.5.C.0.). is named the International Hydrological Decade. It will start officially at the beginning of next year. The national committee has advised the International Hydrological Decade secretariat in Paris that New Zealand’s contribution will emphasise the following:— (1) Soil-water-plant relationships; water resources; erosion and stream-bed evolution; ground-water hydrology; hydro-meteorology; and quality of water. (2) The need to work with neighbouring countries or countries with similar problems.

(3) The hydrology of outlying Pacific territories, especially where water sup-

plies are critical, and of the Antarctic. (4) The education and training of hydrologists. The national committee has five technical sub-committees, dealing respectively with snow, education, groundwater, hydrometeorology, and special research in certain river catchments. Canterbury representatives on the national committee or its sub-committees include Professor F. M. Henderson, University of Canterbury (main committee, hydro-meteorology and education); Mr J Y. Morris, New Zealand Forest Service, Rangiora (snow and experimental basins); Mr B. Douglass, Lincoln College (experimental basins); Mr L. E. Oborn, Geological Survey, Christchurch (education and ground-water): Professor T. W. Walker, Lincoln College (education); Professor R. S. Waters, University of Canterbury (education); and Mr D. R. Wilkie, Department of Agriculture, Christchurch (education). A symposium on water, organised by the New Zealand Institution of Engineers, will be held at the Victoria University of Wellington on December 1 and 2.