WATER DIVINING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21984, 20 June 1933, Page 8

WATER DIVINING

TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Speaking at a meeting of the geological section of the Wellington Philosophical Society in condemnation of the practice of water divining, Dr P. Marshall is reported as having said that 30 years ago he had exposed the failure of water divining, and blamed lack of publicity of his disproofs for existing public ignorance of this subject. May I ask you to publish Dr Marshall’s findings up to date on water divining, since there appears to be quite widespread misconception regarding it?—l am, etc., Lux. Oamaru, June 17.

[Our correspondent would need to apply to Dr Marshall himself for the information which he desires. Dr Marshall’s remarks last week were made ip the course of a discussion, in which speakers emphasised that water underground could not be accurately located by any method other than by study and investigation of the geological nature of the strata where water was thought to be. Mr M. Ongley, of the New Zealand Geological Survey, mentioned unsuccessful attempts of water diviners to find water recently at Mangamaire. Several confirmed each other’s finding that water would be found at the shallow depth of 12 feet from the surface, but when wells were sunk water was not even found at a depth of 36 feet. A similar thing oc-

curred when attempts were being made to find water at the Mangatainoka dairy factory, Mr Ongley said. Diviners had “ located ” water at certain spots, but when wells were sunk water was not found 1600 feet below the surface. Mr F. W. Furkert, ex-chief engineer of the Public Works Department, said that diviners at Arapuni had indicated an underground stream of water as being the cause of the trouble there, but drilling showed that no water was present.— Ed. O:D.T.]