The Cawthorn Institute.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1921, Page 1

The Cawthorn Institute.

OPENED RY LORD JELLICOE

NELSON, April 3

The Cawtlioru Institute for Scientific Research was officially opened last evening by bis Excellency the GovernorGeneral Lord Jellicoe, before a great gathering, in the School of Music. The Bishop of Nelson (Dr Sadlier,) chairman of trustees, presided. The chairman outlined the history of the Institute, and said that the capital so far had not been touched. One thing of which lie was particularly proud was that the scientific library would make Nelson the Mecca of the scientific men in Australasia. Tho Institute was only in its babyhood at

present. Lord Jellicoe, who was informally welcomed by the Mayor (Mr V. V . Snodgrass), was loudly cheered. He referred to Mr CaV thorn as a true patriot. He was, he said, very much impressed with what he had seen of the Institute, which, lie said, would benefit the whole Dominion to an immense extent.

The Director, Professor Easterfield, in outlining the work of the Institute, said they were dealing with matters that affected New Zealand as a whole, and not merely the Nelson district. In the chemical department, the agricultural chemist, Mr Theodore Rigg, was conducting experiments over a very wide field of study. From these, soil maps covering the Waimea County were being prepared. Field experiments, covering crops, fruit trees, etc., bad been initiated. Mr N. McLelland carried out the comparative study of New Zealand mineral oils, more particularly with the object of determining the usefulness of their constituents for other purposes than fuel, namely, the preparation of insecticides and explosives. Other work in this department included the study of the problem of the utilisation of flax waste, and the organisation of a cool store. Experiments were to bo conducted by engineers in conjunction with fruitgrowers. In the biological department, under Dr Tillyard. experiments were being made to a.sceitain whether certain (rests could not be more satisfactorily controlled by inject ions than by spraying. The closest at trillion was being (laid to tiro blight.

iiinl its relation to hawthorn hedges. The problem of the rapid deterioration of Lire New Zealand trout fisheries was receiving attention. Eight papers dealing with fossil insects, etc, bad been contributed to American, Australian, and New Zealand scientific joinnals. The assistant entomologist, Mr Philpott, had collected and mounted several thousand specimens, the study of which would considerably advance our knowledge of New Zealand entomology. The biological department was in touch with the leading biological institutes of the world, receiving large additions from them by way of exchange. The mysologisl, Dr Kathleen Curtis, was consulted daily regarding plant diseases, particularly those relating to (lax, potatoes, tomatoes, lemons, peaches, apples, pears, Cape gooseberries, strawberries, and several timber roes. The life history of several fungoid (tests was being ca refull.' studied, and the question ot immunity or artial immunity was being investigated, particularly in the case ol brown rot in stone fruit, and black spot in apples. In the matter of toiestiy, pirpnrations had been made for the establishment ot an arboretum for the study of problems in connexion with the growth of native exotic timber trees in New Zealand. The scheme suggested by Sir David Hutchins had met with the approval of Capt Ellis and of Professor Wilson, of the Arnold Arboretum of America. The museum, library, and photographic work was in charge ol Mi \y (' Davies, whose energy and effectiveness had greatly aided all departments of the Institute. Professor Easterfield concluded by stating that in all the work of the Institute, the various scientific departments ol the New Zealand Government had given the greatest help, in particular the Director and the Department of Agriculture, especially Mr B. C. Aston, Dr Alfred Cockayne, Professor T. W. Kirk, and the orchard instructors, who had done all in their power to forward the work (l f the Institute. The Director of Forestry, Captain Ellis, and Mr Philip Turner, secretary of The Department, had given valuable assistance. Mr T. A. 11. Field, trustee, thanked those public-spirited citizens who had made valuable bequests.