3

H.,—12

One of the trips organized by the Pan-Pacific Union for the visitors to the Conference was to Kilanea and the Volcano House on the, Island of Hawaii. There I was personally conducted over the crater and the interesting surroundings of the wonderful locality by Dr. Jaggar, the eminent resident volcanologist, and particularly was shown over the observatory, and saw the nature of the work done there. Dr. Jaggar subsequently wrote to me on the question of establishing a volcanological observatory in New Zealand, and this matter I propose to make the subject of a separate communication. On my return to Honolulu I had a lengthened conversation with Rear-Admiral John McDonald, commanding the United States Naval Station at Pearl Harbour, who presented to me the charts used by him in a paper read before Section II of the Conference, on the " Hydrographic Work of the United States Navy." We discussed the question of obtaining an extensive series of soundings in the Pacific by means of the new sonic sounding-apparatus, especially in its bearings on two points — (1) round the coast of New Zealand as far as the 100-fathom line, as a valuable contribution to the development of our fishing industry, and (2) on the deep-sea line of volcanic activity between the thermal region of New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands. This line passes nearly through the Samoan Group, and is closely associated with the volcanic and seismic activity of the whole region. An observatory at each end of this line, in touch with the geo-physical observatory at Apia, would be greatly aided by the establishment of a complete! chain of deep-sea soundings. It was suggested that perhaps New Zealand might undertake to obtain soundings between the Dominion and Samoa, and that the United States Navy might complete the line from Samoa to Hawaii. I wrote the Admiral on the subject, and he has forwarded my letter to the Hydrographic Office of the United States Navy in Washington, with the request that the Chief Hydrographer would reply to me directly. After the Conference closed I spent a week on the beautiful Island of Maui. I am satisfied as a result of that visit that it would be worth while for our Agricultural Department to make a trial of pineapple-growing in the North Auckland district. Grape-fruit (a variety of the shaddock) could also probably be cultivated there profitably. I refer in my supplementary report to these matters. In conclusion, I desire to express my appreciation of the unbounded hospitality of the people of Honolulu, from His Excellency the Hon. Wallace R. Farrington, Governor of Hawaii, downwards; also to Mr. Alexander Hume Ford and his staff for their self-sacrificing labour in the interest of all the visitors. Nothing could exceed the kindness and attention shown both to the Hon. Mr. Cohen and myself. We did our best to uphold the credit and prestige of New Zealand, and trust that as a result of our stay in Hawaii some good work has been done in drawing closer the bonds of friendship and goodwill between the peoples bordering the Pacific Ocean. We believe, as a further result, that many Americans will be induced to visit our Dominion. I am, &c, Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs. Geo. M. Thomson.

APPENDIX I. MEMORANDUM FOE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE. Section 111, Fisheries, Marine Biology, and Oceanography, under the presidency of Dr. Barton W. Evermann, Director of the Steinhart Aquarium, San Francisco, was one of the most active sections of the Conference, both in regard to the subjects discussed and the large attendance of delegates. The following resolutions were submitted and passed by the General Conference : — Resolution 11. Whereas meteorology occupies an important position in the safeguarding of commerce and navigation through the dissemination of warnings of typhoons, hurricanes, storms, and general weather conditions ; and whereas, for the preparation of forecasts and warnings of adverse weather conditions, it is essential that weather reports be received by radiotelegraph from as many ships at sea as possible : Be it resolved, That this Conference recommends to the various Pacific nations that all ships, while at sea, transmit regular observations of the weather by radio -tele graph to those national agencies already established for the purpose of issuing forecasts of the weather and warnings of storms ; and that the sending of such reports from ships to the nearest land radio-telegraph stations be free of tolls, and handled as ships' business. This resolution, while of a general character, is one which should commend itself to the Minister: If carried into effect it would tend to reduce risks and losses at sea. Resolution 18. f Whereas the pollution of many coastal waters, bays, estuaries, harbours, and rivers, resulting from the discharge into said waters of oil, ashes, and other contaminating substances by oil-tankers, oil-consuming motor-boats, and other craft, and of waste from shore plants of oil companies and industrial plants of various kinds, has become a serious menace