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Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 10

The lightest wood in the world ie balsa. It is half as heavy as cork, and is so light that a native of Encador* • South America, where the wood grows, can pick up a great log 2ft through and Bft to 10ft long, and carry it on his shoulder. And it’s strong—nearly half as strong as spruce. For its weight, . it is stronger than any. wood known. Tho change-over to Arapuni to reticulate electrical energy and\ power is gradually proceeding, reports the Auckland Star. During the week-eAd tha ' Waikato and Thames Valley districts were supplied, for the first time. Th® • districts were formerly supplied from tho Horahora station. Tho change-over was simple and swift, the mere touching of a lever making the difference, For some weeks Arapuni power has been flowing . through to Auckland, and. the amount H being increased.

Under the auspices of the Bernice Pi Bishop Museum, of Honolulu, Dr. P. H. Buck, the noted New Zealand scientist, who was. appointed anthropologist to the museum, is now in the Cook group continuing the research work in ethnology and anthropology which he commenced in 1926, states the Cook Islands report, presented to the House of Representatives. .‘Xs the group offers a wide field'for the investigation of the arts and crafts, social organisation, customs, history, traditions, language and physical characteristics of tho Maori inhabitants, Dr. Buck propose® to work in both the lower and northern groups until the end of 1929, or later 11necessary. Owing to the close of the peoples of the Cook group and New Zealand, it is fortunate that the work is being carried out by a New Zealander with expert Maori experience. When the re" suits of Dr. Buck’s research are published, they should form a valuable addition to, New Zealand’s knowledge of her island possessions, and provide the scientific derail from this locality that is necessary to tho study of the Polynesian people as a whole. Furthermore, it is fortunate that scientific ■ work that concerns ua so vitally i« being done without expense to the Adnnhistra--,: tion or the New Zealand Governn'ient.