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Lyttelton Times, Volume XII, Issue 712, 3 September 1859, Page 4

Mo one who has .read the report of Dr. Hochstetter's lecture on the Geology of the Province of Auckland can fail to be struck % the-value of a scientific exploration of any portion of the Islands of New Zealand conducted by So industrious and able a man as the sayant t of the Novara expedition. When the Austrian frigate visited Auckland k the course of her scientific voyage, it was agreed, at the-request of the Province, that Dr. liochstetter should remain behind after the departure of the Novara, to examine at leisure the geological phenomena and the mineral deposits of Auckland. The result of his labors was summarised in the very interesting lecture which we re-published in a late issue from the Auckland Provincial Gazette. Dr. Hochstetter carries home with him a large collection of geological and other specimens. In his own country, with every opportunity for eoni-

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paring- these specimens with the- formations of other countries, and for consultation with .men experienced'iii different branches of science, Dr.. Hochstotter proposes to give further attention to the subjects*'on which he has lectured at Auckland. ' He holds out a ho]>e that in a few years ho may be able to publish a geological and topographical atlas of the most interesting portions of .the, North Island, with sketches of remarkable features and other illustrations. We .cannot be surprised at Dr. Hochstetter's apparently perfect mastery of the English tongue, when we hear of his addressing the Maories fluently in their own language, though lie has been but six months in New Zealand. His knowledge of New Zealand history, and his allusions to native customs and traditions, as well as his enthusiastic description of the surveys and phenomena of the country he has visited, lead the colonists >to believe "that our Austrian visitor takes a very deep interest in the new field of enquiry open to him in these islands. It is much to be regretted, as much for the sake of science as of local interests, that the time Dr. Hochstetter can devote to New Zealand is very limited. If local interests alone were in question, it would of course be •idle to expect that an officer of a foreign country could linger any longer amongst us. But the investigations already made have shown that these islands present a geological appearance in many respects new and interesting to the old-world student. As there is a field here comparatively unexamined before, Dr. Hochstetter may consider it not incompatible with his .duty to extend his researches a little further in this island. He is now at Nelson, and has visited the copper and gold mines, as well .as the coal fields .of that Province.

A jonrneyfthrough the gorges of the Wairau and the Clarence into this Province would amply repay,the, labour of a geologist, and to this Province, a,.scientific report on the geological formations, the rocks, and the coal of the country, would be invaluable. A knowledge of the leading-characteristics of the different districts would be a saving of much time and money hereafter, when we .attempt to develop our mineral resources.

We are glad to hear that the Provincial Government has forwarded a pressing invitation to Dr. Hochstetter to visit this Province before .he leaves the island. The public will heartily concur in giving every assistance within the means of the Province to that gentleman in any scientific explorations he may be induced-fa) make within our boundaries.