NATURAL HISTORY OF CANTERBURY WILL MARK BY-GONE ERA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 5

NATURAL HISTORY OF CANTERBURY WILL MARK BY-GONE ERA.

It is now just over seventy-five years since the foundation of Canterbury, and the Philosophical Institute as the leading scientific institution of the province, proposes to mark the event by tfre publication of an account of its natural history- This account is 1o be based primarily on the work already done, and will include short biographies of leading men of science who have passed away, and reprints of articles is sued in publications not readily accessible, so that the publication may afford a complete conspectus of the pro gress and results of scientific investigation within the provincial limits, from the time of the arrival of Captain Cook down to the present. The account will avoid recording systematic results, and while no sacrifice of scientific: accuracy will be made, the articles will be as free as possible from technicalities, so that it may be readily understood by members of the general public. The publication will thus be of use to all those wishing to obtain an authentic account of different phases of the natural history of the province. In order to carry this proposal into effect, a number of persons thoroughly competent to deal with the different aspects of the matter have been communicated with, and have assured the council of their cordial co-operation and support- The responsibilitj- for the different phases of the subject has been assigned to the following: History of the Province. Mr Johannes C. Andersen: Early History of Survey and Exploration, Sir Dudley Dobson; History of the Acclimatisation of Stock. Mr L. G. D. Acland: History of the Acclimatisation of Fish, Mr M. 11. Goclby; Botany, General Introduction on the History of Botani i.il Research, Mr R. M. Laing; Alpine and Sub-Alpine Flora, Professor A. Wall; Mosses, Lichens and Ferns, Dr 11. 11. Allan; Zoology, General Introduction, and also General Invertebrate Zoology, Dr Charles Chilton; Entomology, Mr A. L. Tonnoir; Native Birds, Mr E. F. Stead; Native Fish. Mr G. E. Archey; Forestry —Native and Introduced Timber Trees, Mr C. K. Foweraker; Geology and Physiography. Professor R. Speight; Agriculture, Dr F. W. I I.il gen do rf; The Canterbury Plains—Their Origin, Physical Features, Climate and Plant Covering, Dr L. Cockayne. In order to meet the cost of production of the book, it has been decided that it be offered on sale to members of the Institute and to the general public, but as the council would be glad to receive additional financial assistance, it is therefore proposed to open a subscription list. Those persons subscribing one guinea or more will be given an edition de luxe copy free of charge, and i. list of all subscribers will be published in this edition. If all those interested in the project make it as widely known as possible, and give it their own support and co-operation, the council is confident that the work can be published without any tax on the already strained finances of the institute. It is expected that the manuscript of this work will be in thd hands of the editorial committee bv the end of the current year, and that the book will be issued early in 1927.