MAN-MADE WEATHER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5178, 14 September 1927, Page 4

MAN-MADE WEATHER.

SIR OLIVER, LODGE’S PROPHECY. RESULT OF INVESTIGATIONS. The startling pronouncement by Sir Oliver Lodge that man in the near future yvill be able to control his own weather is not without foundation in the light of some recent research (says the Glasgow Herald). According to an investigation carried out in the Indian Meteorological Office at Karachi, rainfall statistics for a number of years past seem to show a marked diminution round those quarters of the globe where the sea is constantly being polluted with the mesisy refuse of oilbearing ships. It is common knowledge that a small quantity of oil soon spreads itself over a relatively large surface area of water, forming a thin film which very effectively retards evaporation; and in proportion as the evaporation is reduced so also will be the condensation in the form of rain, hail, and snow. Additional weight is lent to this ingenious theory by t'he fact that in some cases where pronounced raipfall changes have been noted these could actually be adduced to. the wreck of some oil-bearing ship in the immediate vicinity. And what has happened by chance can surely be utilised scientifically to control meteorological conditions. On© day it may be possible to sprinkle oil over the seas of our coast, so that we may be assured of suitabie weather for our holidaymaking.