Radio-active Cobalt Coming to N.Z: Bush-sickness Research

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1948, Page 5

Radio-active Cobalt Coming to N.Z: Bush-sickness Research

Reed. 6 p.m. London, Jan. 16 The most extensive and radio- 1 ] active sample of cobalt ever sent ; to New Zealand is at present' being prepared for shipment, to ! the Dominion s by the atomic • rgy establishment at Harwell. This sample, which is to be used lor further research into the problem t of bush sickness among stock on cobalt deficient soils, is more radio-active than the total supplies of uranium at present in New Zealand. In order to prevent radium emanations during ‘ transit, (lie sample, which will be despatched by sea toward the end of next month, will be enclosed in a ' special lead container.

Although the relationship between cobalt soil deficiency and the incidence of bush sickness among, stock has been established for some time, certain factors affecting the transmission of cobalt from the soil through the pasture to the animal are still unknown. It is hoped that through the use of radio-active cobalt to be able to study these factors, and that the treatment of bush-sickness by counter-acting soil deficiencies will become less expensive. The High for New Zealand in London (Mr. Jordan), accompanied by the New Zealand Scientific haison officer in London (Doctor E. Marsden) visited Harwell this w£ek to inspect the sample. While at

. the station Mr. Jordan met Messrs. I. | N. Walker, G. Page and J. Fergusson (Auckland), A C. Dalton (Te Avvajmutu), N. B. Manssen (Christchurch) | and Miss Marjorie Palmer Brown (Wanganui) all New Zealand scientists who are working there on various aspects of atomic research. During a luncheon party given by the director of the establishment (Sir John Cockroft) to mark Mr. Jordan’s visit, Sir John referred to the valuable work done at. Harwell by the New Zealand scientist workers and particularly by Mr. C. N. WatsonMunro, who was responsible for the construction of Britain’s first graphite low experimental pile at the station. Mr. Watson-Munro is now en route iback to New Zealand,