Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand

Abstract

THE twelfth annual report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand, includes the Minister's statement, together with the Secretary's report, and the reports of the various research committees, institutes or bureaux under the Council. Some account of research work at Canterbury Agricultural College is included, and also of the work of the Geological Survey Branch, the Meteorological Branch, the Dominion Observatory and the Apia and Magnetic Observatories. Referring to the work of the Meteorological Branch, the Minister emphasizes its growing importance as a result of the rapid expansion of commercial aviation within New Zealand and the development of trans-oceanic aircraft. The Geological Survey Branch has gained importance through the Government's proposals in regard to the establishment of an iron and steel industry, and also through the recent activity of oil prospecting, with its emphasis on the importance of accurate data on geological structure and mineral resources of the Dominion. During the year, the Soils Survey Division of the Department has carried out an extensive programme of work in Hawke's Bay, North Auckland, Blenheim, West Coast and Bank's Peninsula, the results of which are being published. The Soils Survey Division has also contributed important data collected in the course of soil surveys which bear on the problem of soil erosion and land deterioration in New Zealand.