SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 April 1929, Page 13

SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

RESEARCH IN DOMINION.

WIDE SCOPE OF ACTIVITY.

DESTRUCTION OF RAGWORT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1

WELLINGTON, Thursduy

A meeting of the Board of- Scientific and Industrial Research was held on Wednesday, the Minister in charge of the department, Hon. H. Atmore, being present for the first time since taking ollice.

In a report to the board the chairman, Mr. G. Shirtcliffe, said a big factor in the ultimate success of ragwort destruction with moth would be the mass distribution of large supplies as early as possible in the next season before parasites had an opportunity of establishing themselves. It was unfortunate from the point of view of noxious weeds research work that they were losing to Australia the services of Mr. Tonnoir. The question of his replacement was a difficult ono owing to the dearth of qualified entomologists, and it appeared that there were 110 suitable investigators available locally without robbing other important lines of work. Dr. Miller had reported that the acclimatisation of the gorse parasite insect was showing more promise in the experiments now under way at Flagstaff Hill, Dunedin. The plans for a foi-est biological research station were still under consideration.

Investigations at the dairy research institute were being concentrated on the problem of open texture in cheese. Regular experimental shipments of fruit (apples and pears) had been forwarded by vessels leaving for the United Kingdom. These shipments would be examined on arrival by the staff of the Low Temperature Research Station, Cambridge, England. The plant research station at Palmerston North was now functioning fully. Work on plant selection and hybridisation was proceeding at Massey College. Distillation trials on New Zealand coals were being pushed vigorously forward, West Coast coals at present being under investigation.

The wheat research laboratory at Lincoln College was in full swing on investigations connected with the present season's grain. Some 1000 samples of wheats from all parts of the grain-grow-ing districts of both 'islands had been assembled at the laboratory for physical, chemical and baking tests. An interesting report had been prepared by the director of the meteorological branch on the relation of meteorological conditions to wheat yield. Investigations concerning the use of additions such as milk products to flour used in bread manufacture and into causes of staleness in bread also were being undertaken at the laboratory. A scheme to deal with the very difficult question of wool research bad now been evolved after careful consideration by the committee. The presence in tho Dominion of Dr. J. E. Nichols was of great assistance in formulating a plan of local research allied with an Empire scheme of investigations. Reports were to hand from Bradford and from Torridon on the characteristics of New Zealand Romney and Corriedale wools, and these would be placed before the respective associations along with suggestions for research into the issues raised. Investigations had been commenced at Massey and Lincoln Colleges on sectional problems of the sheep and wool industry. Dr. Scrivirier was pursuing a research into the relation of wool yolk to environment and feed, and Dr. Dry was investigating problems connected with fleece development. The negotiations connected with the laboratory of standards bad been advanced a further stage and the question was now under discussion with the Manufacturers' Association and Engineering Society.