SCIENCE CONGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 January 1939, Page 9

SCIENCE CONGRESS

11. G. WELLS THE BIG ATTRACTION United Press Associationl 1 INVERCARGILL, 30th January. Scientific discussions are not always ; the dry-as-dust affaii's that the layj man supposes. Though many weighty ; problems were discussed by the Australian and New Zealand Association foi the Advancement of Science at the congress held recently in Canberra, an attempt to give an explanation of an excuse for the abnormal weather in Australia and New Zealand enlivened the proceedings. A paper by Mr Inigo Jones, termed by one member of the congress as “the Clement Wragg of Queensland,” provided the most controversy, . said Dr C. M. Focken, lecturer in physics of the Otago University, who returned ‘ by the Maunganui. Other scientists were somewhat chary about accepting , the views expressed by the Queens- ! land meteorologist, and Sir George Simpson, head of the British Meteorological Office, asked him to put it forward in scientific terms. Mr Jones prophesied that there would be heavy rain while the conference was in session. but he proved a false prophet. i Dr Focken said the Liversidge Memorial Lecture, given by Professor Denham (New Zealand), on modern developments in chemistry, was one cf the features of the congress. The big attraction, however, was Mr H. G. j Wells, whose talks were most provoca- j ! tive. Those talks held the attention of | the audience right through, and when j he addressed a meeting in the Albert ! Hall, Canberra, the hall was filled to I overflowing, though it was a hot. sticky j night, and those who could not find! j room inside the hall took up positions on the lawn.