IMPORTANT DISCOVERY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11436, 5 February 1923, Page 5

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY

HAFNIUM OCCURS IN NEW ZEA, LAND BLACK SAND. “IT MAY BE VALUABLE.** Bv Telegraph.—Prase Assn.—Copyright. Pubiiahe* in "The Tlmw.* (Received Februarv 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON', February 2. The announcement of the isolation of the new oxide of hafnium from black sand from New Zealand by Dr. Alexander Scott in the London Laboratory, was speedily followed by a statement by the Copenhagen chemists that they had ascertained the existence of an unknown element of the metal group, wherein titanium and zirconium occur in Norwegian zirconium, but had not yet isolated it. Dr. Scott announce® that he has been analysing New Zealand black sand since 1913, but was too busy to examine the deposit which had been collecting, until he heard of the Copenhagen discovery, when tests proved that the oxide he obtained was hafnium. The achievement is regarded as the meet important since the isolation of radium. It is pointed out that there is a black sand deposit in. New Zealand seven miles long and of a depth unknown. If hafnium, commercially valuable, can he produced in bulk, it may be valuable in making gas mantles. Dr. Scott suggests oberonitrm as a better name than hafnium. Dr. Scott is constantly consulted by Lord Carnarvon regarding the preservation of the Tutankhamen reties.