SCIENCE IN INDUSTRIES

Evening Star, Issue 19637, 17 August 1927, Page 6

SCIENCE IN INDUSTRIES

STATE OFFICIALS VISITING OTAGO Dr E. Marsden, secretary of the Industrial and Scientific ilesearch_ sectioui of tho Department of Industries and Commerce, camo to Dunedin on Monday night, accompanied by Mr J. W. Collins, secretary of tho department, and spent yesterday and to-day in visiting a number of Dunedin manufacturing establishments—Mcthvcn’s, Shacklock’s, Sargoods’, boot factory, Farra,s’ Brinsley’s, and others—in order to see to what extent scientific methods arc employed, and to form an idea as to how far those and related concerns may need further scientific aid. 'there is in mind also the possibility of Jinking up with research associations in the Old Country.

Dr E. Kidson, director of tho New Zealand Meteorogical offices, arrived from Wellington last nighl. He is looking into the question of establishing proper observation stations throughout Mow Zealand, and as Central Otago is one of the places suggested, ho will visit that district. This afternoon Dr Kidsou had au appointment with Mr Tannock to inspect the Opoho observation station.

Both olliccrs leave for tlie Central to-morrow.

Mr B. B. Teuuont, instructor in'agriculturo, is to accompany them. Dr Kidson will inquire into the possibility of counteracting the effects of frost in tile orchards, and with Mr Tennent will discuss on I lie spot certain problems relating to the irrigated areas of Central Otago, such as soil physics, etc. Dr Marsdcu and Dr Kidson also hope to discuss with the Central folk tin; possibility of setting up establishments for the dehydrating of stone fruit. Dr Kidson, who has newly arrived from Melbourne, remarked in tho course of a. short chat this morning that the work of the Meteorological Office is not hy any means confined to the forecasting of weather. The most important duty of tho service is to secure long and accurate records of meteorological phenomena from suitably-distributed stations. It is highly essential that Iho observation stations be on sites which can be retained indefinitely and are suitable to tin' purpose. Having seemed the records, tho next duty is to discuss them and make them available to all interested—which is equivalent to saying that they must be available to everybody, since in our modern civilisation there is scarcely any industry that is not a fleeted hy meteorological conditions. To establish a. satisfactory service thn Meteorological Office needs tho co-operation of the Post and Telegraph Department. It would be unfortunate wore the meteorologist prevented from receiving or disseminating valuable information through inability to meet the cost of telegraphic or wireless messages.