MINERAL CONTENTS OF PASTURES

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1928, Page 2

MINERAL CONTENTS OF PASTURES

POSSIBLE VISIT OF FAMOUS EXPERT. 'WELLINGTON, April 15). Efforts are still being made to secure a visit to Now Zealand ol Ur Orr, Dicretor of Hie Roweit institute, Aberdeen. and a world’s authority on mineral ((intent of pasture problems, who is at present visiting Australia. At the last meeting ol the Council of. Scientific and Industrial Research, the acting-chairman (Mr (,). Donald; expressed regret that cabled advice had been received that Dr Orr possibly might not he able to extend his \ isit to the Dominion, owing to Ivis inability to secure longer leave of absence. “It lias been suggested.” added Mr Donald .“that New Zealand workers should go to Australia to consult with Dr On , hut obviously this is much less satisfactory than a visit from Dr Orr liimsetf. especially as lie will lie directing from an Imperial aspect the mineral content of pasture work which has now been inaugurated in New Zealand. In view of discussions with tlie Right Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, I am, however, hopeful that Dr Oil’s decision will he reversed. While lie was in Australia |)r Realms endeavoured to make arrangements with the Australian Research Council whereby Dr Orr’s visit to the Commonwealth might he modified to enable him to have an opportunity of visiting New Zealand. Investigations into the mineral content of pasture in New Zealand have now been inaugurated, under the supervision of -Mr IS. C. .Aston (chemist to the Department of Agriculture), who has been appointed to direct the scheme, which will he carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture and M T. Rigg, of the Cawthron Institute. During his recent, tour abroad. Mr

Rigg spent some lime investigating resear«li methods at the Kowett Institute under Dr Orr. and is conferring with Mr Aston in the formulation of a scheme suitable for adoption here. Another worker is. Mr R. E. GrinimcU. of I lie chemistry division of the Department of Agriculture, who has recently returned from a six months’ course at the llowett Institute and the Cambridge annual nutrition station.

A meeting of the committee of the Research Council, which has the general control of this work in hand, will he held shortly.