FOREST PESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23215, 8 December 1938, Page 23

FOREST PESTS

STUDY IN DOMINION OXFORD. EXPERT'S VISIT IMPERIAL INSTITUTE LECTURER [«Y TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] ■ WELLINGTON, Wednesday v A scientist whose life work 13 the study of forest posts,and their destruction, Dr. H. X. Chrvstal, entomologist 1111' d lecturer in zoology at the Imperial Forestry' Institute, University of Oxford, arrived at Wellington by the . Awatcn. Dr. C'hrystal said lie had como to study New Zealand forests and their insect life. He had already a certain connection with the Dominion, having carried out scientific researches as a result of which it was possible for tho Imperial Instituto of Entomology to supply tho Gawthron Institute with a parasite for woodwayp. This insect had formerly caused havoc to pinus ins'ignis, but had now been brought under control by parasitism- Ho had made a moving picture of tho woodwnsp. parasite nt work. Tho. Imperial Forestry Institute, said Dr. Chrystal, was established in 1925 | to study forestry problems confronting tho Dominions and tho Old Country. It trained men for work overseas, advised on points on which it was consulted, and dealt generally with interesting and important forestry subjects. It kept in close touch with developments in the Dominions. "1 have planned this trip for years," said Dr. Chrystal. "My wish is to see something of your forests afld particularly of tho insect aspect of them." Ho said his desire to visit New 'Zealand had been strengthened by Mr. Ncvillo Wright,'scientific liasion officor at New Zealand House, London, who was secretary of tho newly-created Empire Forestry Bureau. Mr. Wright was himself returning to tho Dominion on leave and was expected to arrive shortly. Dr. Chrystal said 110 himsolf had come by way of Australia, where he . had had a Government mission to carry out. Dr. Chrystal was met on arrival by Mr. T. T. C. Burch, of tho ' State Forest Service, who, when an undergraduate at Magdalen College, Oxford, had.studied under Dr. Chrystal at tho. Forestry Instituto. Dr. 'Chrystal cartje equipped with fishing rods, having heard of tho reputation of tho .Dominion's trout' streams.