VISIT OF EMINENT GEOLOGIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 32

VISIT OF EMINENT GEOLOGIST.

THE FORMATION OF THE SOUTHERN

ALPS. (F2OM Oun Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, February 2

The two eminent Swiss geologist', Dr J. Haundhauscn and Dr A. Heim, who arrived in New Zealand some weeks ago, have ieturned to Chrislchureh after paying a visit "io the Southern Alps and the regions surrounding Mount Cook.

In conversation with a local interviewer, the doctors stated that they had collected a vast, number of important geological specimens of all sorts. These they were carefully labelling and packing away for transport to Germany. Geologically, they said, the New Zealand Southern Alps were of quite a recent date, yet they are none the less interesting for all that. It is their intention, when they return to Switzerland, to systematise the result? of their New Zealand, researches, and publish them fcr the benefit of the scientific world generally. " How," asked the interviewer, " does the New Zealand scenery compare with the Swiss?" "In the upper regions," Dr Heim replied, " the 'scenery is very similar to the Alpine, and in the lower regions it is a hundred times ;<iore beautiful."

Dr Heim added that the tourist .facilities for getting about were not what they should be, and the arrangements for reaching Mount Cook could be made much better. The roads also were very indifferent, and could be much improved upon. Dr Heim •was enthusiastic over the Sounds, and avowed that Milford Sound was finer than anything he had seen in Norway. The two geologists will be lea\inpr New Zealand very shortly, and will proceed with their specimens to Switzerland. They were very much struck with what they conEidered the extreme honesty of the New Zealand country people. ■• It appeared to them most remarkable that men should be able to leave their swags by the roadside for a few horn's and return to find everything .ntact