AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AN AMAZING FORECAST,

SYDNEY, Oct. 20. A letter which Mr F. R. Field. : New Zealand scientist, wrote to a Sydney journalist last month reveals the correctness of his amazing forecast that a new island would appear out of the Pacific. Falcon Island, a volcanic islet in the Tongan group, it is just now announced, has appeared Irnin the ocean into which it had previously sunk.

Mr Field's letter, in the light of this announcement, is interesting. It was dated .September 25th. and runs “ I shall he much astonished if the next fortnight or so does not prove a very lively period. Volcanic eruption may he experienced in New Zealand, and to the west, east, and north of us, under the sea. It is quite probable that a new island may appear near Tonga.” lie was right. Although Mr Field is regarded as unorthodox in his methods, English experts have expressed the view that lie is on the verge of great discoveries in seismologieal and other fields. N( )T COLLECTING- ENDOWMENT TAX. SYDNEY, Nov. 4. The State Cabinet decided not to collect any more taxation under the Child Endowment Act from October 3rd. to the end of the financial year. This means a reduction of taxation to the extent of about two million sterling on industry.