OUR VOLCANIC VENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12483, 26 June 1926, Page 4

OUR VOLCANIC VENTS

SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION NGAURUHOE AND WHITE ISLAND OFFICER TO BE APPOINTED During his speech on the Address-in-Reply in the Legislative Council yesterday, the Hon. G. M. Thomson expressed gratification that it was intended to permanently establish a member of the Geological Office at a point between the Ngauruhoe and White Island volcanic vents. Some years ago, the hon. gentleman stated, the then Minister for Internal Affairs had proposed to establish a volcanological observatory at this spot, but the matter had been shelved till recently, when the Public Service Commissioner had informed him of the decision he had mentioned. The officer would take daily records of volcanic activity, earthquakes, and hot springs, and if his work was eventually developed to such a stage, the approach of earthquakes could be anticipated. If such facilities for detecting the approach of. earthquakes had been available in 1886, the Tarawera eruption would probably have done less damage. Who could say what would be saved {lio country in the future? The Hon. Mr Thomson also ndvotr close observance of the lino of ocean rift, which, ho said, lay between the Bay of Plenty and an island in the Samoan Group. If the New Zealand Division of the Navy could bo prevailed upon to take soundings there (for it W'as the greatest rift’ in the earth’s surface), co-operation would bo forthcoming from the United States Navy on that side of the ocean.