SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 January 1926, Page 6

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

NEGLECTED FIELDS OF WORK FUNDS AND TIME NEEDED.

Although, a university is regarded nowadays as primarily a teaching in stitution, it sliould also be a seat of learning and of research in order to meet the demand for teaching. The charge is not denied, but all lour affiliated colleges are doing the best they can with the very meagre funds iliat are available for research work. The Auckland University College, in two of its departments —chemistry end engineering, is carrying out not only valuable investigations, but also testing and other work of direct value to people outside. A university owes a duty to the cause of learning, and to its students first of all, and to. expect it to keep immediate practical utility in the forefront of its research work is noth unwise and unfair. However, when such an institution can help people outside its walls without neglecting immediate obligations, it certainly ought to do so.

'f ile department of chemistry at the college has carried on a creditable amount of research in the past year, in spite of many difficulties, including lack of time and money. One of the most interesting investigations concerns the chemical products of the k.-iuii tree. This is being conducted by Mr .1. IT flushing, J3.Cc., a national research scholar. Mr Hashing has now completed that section of the work relating to the essential oils present in the leaves, and has discovered an interesting new chemical substance, which is being further investigated. He is also engaged in an analysis of the freshly-exuded or ‘‘bush” gum, and of various fossil gums, with a view, to determining the changes that take place in the gum through the agency of time and burial in earth. When full information is obtained, it may perhaps be possible to convert freshlv-bled gum into a more valuable product resembling the best fossil gum. The investi. gation is primarily scientific, but it may also prove to lie of some industrial importance The cost of the work is being defrayed to a large extent by the scholarship of which Mr. Hosking is the holder.

Another investigation, this time into the essential oils of two species of manuka, has been completed by Mr. W. F. -Snort, M.Sc., lecturer in organic chemistry, and the results will shortly be published. Part of the expense has been paid by a grant obtained by Professor F. P. Worley from the New Zealand Institute. I'he two species of manuka investigated show considerable differences in trie composition of their essential oils. Representations are being made to the authorities concerned with a view to investigating the essential oils of other New Zealand plants, and it is hoped, in the course of such work, to compare the essential oils of hybrids with those oi the original pure species. Another research of considerable scientific importance is being made by Mr. J. C. Andrews, B.Ss., as part ox iiis honours course for the M.Sc. degree. It relates to certain of the properties of glucose. The work is of a highly technical nature, and the results obtained differ in some respects from those secured by investigators in Great- Britain, Germany, and the United States. S-ome work is being done up-on the properties of New Zealand clays for ceramic purposes. Some years ago an investigation of considerable practical \ alue into the properties of clays found in the neighbourhood of Auckland was varied out by Dr. Jameson, a national research scholar. This work unfortunately could not be carried to completion, and it- is hoped to finish it when means become available. Tlie results would undoubtedly be of value lo the brick and pottery industries. In addition to what has been mentioned, certain highly technical scientific investigations have been carried out by Professor Worley and Mr. Short

Professor Worley, like other university authorities, holds that much importance should be attached to research in New Zealand, and that more financial help should be given for the purpose. In discussing the question he said the college staffs should include research demonstrators, whose principal duty should be investigation along new lines. The staffs in general should have more facilities for research. At present their members had no time for it during term, and whatever they did had to be done in the vacation. This was not right. Constant research should be the basis of work in a chemical laboratory. Unless it was actively carried on, the whole of the teaching tended to become academic and lacking in inspiration. A number of scientific and industrial problems in New Zealand awaited solution, continued Professor Worley, but there was a difficulty in finding highly-qualified investigators and enabling them to carry out the work. “However, the importance of research is being steadily more appreciated,” lie added. “In my opinion, when an investigator of real ability is found, every effort should be made to enable him to carry on the work for which he is qualified. The tendency now is to divert him into the teaching profession, because in the past there has not been openings in this country for scientifically-trained investigators. Still the position is improving. During the past year a former Auckland student. Mr P. 0. Veale, has been appointed -.o the important post of director of the laboratory which has been established at Hawera by the Taranaki dairy farmers. Others are already in industrial laboratories in Auckland, so that the outlook is at least better than it was some time ago.”