QUARTZ CRYSTALS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 39, 9 November 1940, Page 10

QUARTZ CRYSTALS

Government Seeking Information VALUE IN WAR EFFORT (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, November S. The presence in New Zealand of crystals of quartz suitable for use in connexion with radio was referred to in an interview tonight by the Minister in Charge of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr. McMillan, who said there was an urgent demand for crystals of that wind, and it would be regarded as a valuable contribution to the war effort if any persons who knew of suitable crystals would forward samples to the Department of Scientific and' Industrial Research, Wellington.

“Investigations carried out with a view to obtaining local supplies of suitable crystals have so far not been successful,” Dr. McMillan said. “I would lie very grateful, Hierefore, if persons who have knowledge of, or might discover suitable material, could notify my department and forward samples so that tests could be made. “It is well-known that crystals of this kind are in existence in New Zealand, but the exact localities are not so well known. When I visited the Takaka (Nelson) district last week I was shown a very fine specimen, but the possessor was not certain where it had been found.’’ The Minister added that only crystals of large size and of clear quality were suitable for the purpose for which they were required, and any samples of crystals conforming with that standard would be welcomed by the department.