A PROFESSOR ABROAD.

Southland Times, Issue 16692, 22 March 1911, Page 5

A PROFESSOR ABROAD.

OTAGO MINING SCHOOLS STANDING. PROBLEM OF VANISHING IRON. (Special to the “Times.”) DUNEDIN, March 21. Professor Park, director of Otago School of Mines, who left Dunedin last October for a visit to the Commonwealth and Europe after an absence of thirtysix years from England, has returned to Dunedin. In the course of an interview the professor said that the primary objects of tlie tour were in the first place to study more recent developments in mining school educational methods in the Commonwealth and Europe, and in the second place to observe and note the various systems adopted for the working of coal and metal mines on these continents, more particularly in respect Of methods of equipment, ventilation and sanitation. In the course of his journeys he visited most of the leading schools of mines and many of the universities in the Commonwealth, continental Europe and Britain.” Professor Park was surprised to find that in the matter of students taking full courses in mining and metallurgy Otago School of Mines compared favourably with the leading mining schools in Australia and continental Europe. It was everywhere recognised that in such a highly specialised profession as mining engineering it was not quantity, but quality, that counted. Hence the standing of different mining schools was determined by the quality rather than the quantity of graduates turned out. In respect of status he was gratified beyond measure • to find that Otago School of Mines was by common consent looked on as the premier mining school in Australasia and the other oversea dominions. In point of standing It was placed next to the Royal School of Mines, and after his investigations abroad Professor Park is satisfied that it is rightly placed. -The A.O.S.M. of the Otago School of Mines is held in high repute everywhere, and its graduates have secured lucrative and highly responsible places. In all the continents and even in London itself he found our graduates competing successfully as consulting engineers with associates of the best mining schools In Europe. - The professor stated that tb« tion of iron matter was exciting the greatest interest amongst st-Uv ... economists at Home. It was estimated by competent authorities that in 150 years the iron supply of the world would be exhausted, and the question was, what is to take Its place? At the present time there was no known metal to take its place in shipbuilding and railway and steam engine construction. The natural problem was causing no little anxiety in Europe and America. In the latter country it had been estimated by Commissioner Hayes of the Department of the Interior that at the present rate of consumption the iron ores of America would be exhausted within sixty years. Steps were being taken to conserve the iron lands, and practically nothing more could be done.