NEW ZEALAND’S ORIGIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1071, 4 March 1913, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND’S ORIGIN.

INTERESTING THEORY,

Auckland, March 3

Professor Percival, of Freiburg University, who came to New Zealand to study thermal activity, interviewed, stated that comparatively recently, judged by geological periods, New Zealand was raised from the bottom of the sea. Evidence of this could be adduced from the fact that there can now be found on Mount Eden shells of living specimens. This upheaval of the ocean’s bottom, he said, took place probably in what is known as the Pliocene period. At that time the long-lost continent of Atlantis was in existence. The Isthmus of Panama did not exist, and North and South America were separate islands. All the evidence points to the fact that numerous islands such as Easter Island, with its wonderful stone figures, must have been part of one continent, otherwise the inhabitants could not have gained their architectural knowledge. Owing to some great volcaniq activity, the centre of which it was impossible to trace, this continent was submerged and New Zealand raised above the surface of the ocean. For some time the numerous volcanoes in the district had been active, but gradually they became quiescent. The Professor’s conclusion's, as far as New Zealand are concerned, are decidedly reassuring. He says that volcanic activity throughout the world is on the decline. Volcanic belts tend to become less and less active as time goes on, quiescence starting from the ends of belts towards the centre. As Auckland is on the extremity of New Zealand’s volcano area, it is extremely unlikely that any further disturbance will be experienced.