SCIENCE DEVELOPING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 109, 1 February 1935, Page 13

SCIENCE DEVELOPING

Melbourne Conference on Physics

WEATHER FORECASTING

Some interesting developments in the science of physics were.-discussed at the recent Melbourne conference of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science, according to Dr. C. Coleridge Farr, who returned to Christchurch this week. Dr. • Farr mentioned the possibility of forecasting weather by locating the direction of wireless atmospherics, which were associated with thunderstorms. Professor P. W. Burbidge. of Auckland, and Professor Jack, of Dunedin, had already made a start on the study of this question, and Dr. Farr was of the opinion that it was a promising field of investigation. He said that information could have been afforded to airmen by this means whereby recent mishaps might have been avoided.

Referring to the development of synthetic wool, Dr. Farr said that he had spoken of the matter to several growers in Australia, all of whom seemed little concerned. He felt, however, that there -was quite a probalility of the commercial manufacture of this product in European countries such as Germany. Nowadays, wherever there was a likelihood of profit, there was very quick growth from small beginnings : inventions such as wireless and aeroplanes, which had been laughed at not many years ago, had quickly advanced to positions of great importance. “We may be growing forests in a few years’ time where we are now raising sheep," said Dr. Farr, “though in Australia this would not be practicable on a large scale.” The conference was the biggest and most successful yet held, Dr. Farr added; and though he had not an opportunity to attend lectures outside his own section he heard praise of the value of the work on all sides. In the physics section there had been many useful contributions, though much of the work was of interest only to the trained scientist. The association had now 1100 members, and there was a very large attendance at the conference.