A GEOLOGIST ABROAD

Otago Witness, Issue 2975, 22 March 1911, Page 82

A GEOLOGIST ABROAD

PROFESSOR PARK'S TOUR. VALUABLE HINTS FROM EUROPE. (Kaon Oua Own Corespondent.} LONDON, January 13. Leaving New Zealand in October, Professor Park crossed to Tasmania, where he visited the principal mining centres of the west coast, including, of course, the famous Mount Bischof mine. Thence he went to Victoria, and staying with his old friend Mr E. J. Dunn, well known as Government Geologist in that State, he visited the Bendigo fields with a view to becoming familiar with the famous saddle-reefs which are a feature of that field. More than seventy million pounds' worth of gold has been obtained from the Bendigo fields. OLD STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA.

In Western Australia Professor Park was welcomed by quite a coterie of his old students—men who are now holding leading positions in connection with the industry in Australia. First among these was Dr Malcolm M'Laren, who for more than a year has been engaged on an examination of the "Golden Mile" for an important group of English-owned mines. He was also cordially received and assisted by another old pupil, Mr A. J. Agnew, who, as general manager in Western Australia for the' well-known London firm of Messrs Bewick, Moering, and Co., was able to obtain him facilities to inspect mines which otherwise might not have been procurable. Prominent also among the old Thames graduates were the brothers M'Dermott, who passed out of the school to take up nositions of the first importance in the mining industry in Australia. Accompanied by Messrs Agnew and M'Laren, Professor Park was taken on a visit to the new Bullfinch discoveries, which are 23 miles from the historic mining centre of Southern Cross. The spot was reached by Mr Agnew's motor car, which was conveyed 150 miles by rail for the purpose, and before returning to the railhead the party made an incursion into the Never Never Country, in the Yilgarm goidfields, where a number of promising mines were visited. The stay in Perth on returning from this tour was a most enjoyable one. Besides renewing his acquaintance with many men who had studied and graduated under him in Dunedin, the professor made the acquaintance of most of the leading figures in the mining world of Western Australia and in public life, and he was present at -the interesting banquet given by Mr Doolette in honour of the opening of the new Bullfinch field. The Hon. Mr Gregory, Minister of Mines, was most courteous, and instructed the Government geologist, Mr Gibb Maitland, to prepare a collection of West Australian rocks and minerals for presentation to the Otago School of Mines. In conjunction with the valuable collection which was presented to the school some time ago by Mr Agnew this will form a unique and attractive feature in the geological museum of the Otago University. In Perth the professor also met his old friend and colleague, Mr F. B. Allen, M.Sc, who now occupies the dual position of Director of the Kalgoorlie School of Mines and Director of Technical Education for Western Australia. Curiously enough the last of these posts was held by Mr A. Purdie, M.A., also a graduate of the Otago School of Mines, whose good work and genial companionship were still held in kindly remembrance by his old colleagues in Perth. MEETING EUEOPE'S SCIENTISTS. On arrival at Genoa. P/rofessor Park travelled extensively through Northern Italy, Switzerland, North and South Germany, Belgium, and France, visiting most of the celebrated universities and mining schools. In the course of this tour- he renewed his acquaintance with many of the foremost scientists of Europe, and also he had the pleasure of meeting for the first time some distinguished geologists and others whom he had known by correspondence for many years. At Zurich he met his old friend Professor Helm. At Freiburg, in Baden, he spent a pleasant time with Professor Boehm. At Heidelberg he met the venerable and distinguished petrographer. Professor Rosenbushch, and at Jena he made the personal acquaintance of Professor Wilekens, Haeckel-professor of Geology and Palaeontology at that ancient university. At Bonn he made the acquaintance -of the moab distinguished palaeontologist in Europe, Doctor Steinmann, Professor of Geology at that university, who evinced the greatest interest in the geology of New Zealand. A profitable time was spent in Berlin looking over the famous School of Mines there. Professor Park enough to make the acquaintance of Professor Bernhardt, Director of the Mining School, and of Professor Beyachlag, Director of the Prussian Geological Survey, a dual position which was formerly held by Professor Park's old friend, Bergratih. Sohmeiaser, the scientist whose research first led to the development of the deep levels in the Rand goldfield. The Continental tour was brought to a close with

a visit to the well-known School of Mines at Paris. While on the Continent Professor Park took the opportunity to examine some of the noted metalliferous deposits of the Black Forest and the Narz Mountains, and the coalfields of WestJ phalia, and of Northern France and j Southern Belgium. THE VALUE OF RESEARCH. As a result of his close inquiries into the methods of teaching technological and scientific mining and geology, and consultation with the teaching staffs at the various schools, Professor Park has been specially struck with the attention which is paid to research work, more particularly in Germany. "I found everywhere," he said, "that research counts for more than a university degree. In fact, I may say that in Germany the university degrees of the higher order are not given for mere routine attendance.' at university classes, keeping of terms and the passing of annual examinations. j These degrees are only granted for re- ! search work. The student may go to the j university and keep terms and so forth, but he only gets the final reward of his ! labours in the shape of the higher degree fo.r doing something to exhibit his aptitude for research. Further, the work done must show some real advance of knowledge in the branch of science selected for the thesis." j OBSERVATIONS IN THE OLD COUNTRY.

Arriving in London two days before Christinas, the professor went straight through to Scotland, and besides visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow, he has examined the shale deposits between those two cities and other places of interest to the geologist—Oban, Fort Augusta., Inverness, Aberdeen, and the East Coast. Before leaving for home he proposes to revisit Cornwall and the coalfields of South Wales.

Since coming to London a few days ago Professor Park has interviewed his publishers, Messrs Charles Griffin and Company, of Exeter street, Strand, a firm with whom he has had the most friendly relations for a period of 18 or 20 years, though this is his first opportunity of meeting the principals personally. They have published three of Professor Park's books, in nine editions, and two editions are at present in the press.- The professor is naturally gratified to find that, by reason of the wide use of his books as text-books in universities and schools of mines, he is not unknown in Australia and the Old Country. In London also he has bad the pleasure of renewing his friendship with a very old colleague on the geological survey in New Zealand, Professor S. H. Cox. Professor Cox, who was under Sir James Hector, is now in charge of the new mining school at Kensington which, when the new building is completed, will be the most up-to-date and best-equipped in Europe or America.