IJov. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 793 



The Cawthron Institute of Scientific 

 Research^ Nelson^ New Zealand* 



What wealth, directed by appreciation of the value of science, may do for 

 industry generally and for any community iu particular is indicated in 

 some degree by an institute that has lately been founded in New Zealand, 

 and that might well suggest to some citizen of New South Wales a direction 

 in which he could serve his country. 



The Cawthron Institute of Scientific Eesearch, located in the town of 

 Nelson in New Zealand, has come into existence by reason of the foresight 

 and generosity of Mr. Thomas Cawthron, a well-known citizen of Nelson, 

 who died in 1916, leaving the residue of his estate, after the payment of 

 certain legacies, for the purchase of land and the erection and maintenance 

 of a technical institute and museum. 



The trustees under the bequest (the Bishop of Nelson, the Mayor of 

 Nelson, the member of the House of Representatives for Nelson, the Chair- 

 man of the Nelson Harbour Board, and Mr. William Rout, the younger), 

 deferred action during the war, allowing the interest on the principal to 

 accrue, so that the capital available now approximates £200,000. A private 

 commission appointed by the trustees to advise on the subject considered 

 that the testator's wishes would be most suitably given effect to by establish- 

 ing in or near Nelson, an institute, which should include a museum illus- 

 trative of the industries of the Nelson provincial district, but which should 

 chiefly give instruction in and perform scientific research in subjects 

 definitely related to the industries of the Dominion, paying special attention 

 at the outset to agriculture and particularly to fruit-growing, but, as funds 

 permitted, taking up systematic research in the chemistry, physics and 

 biology of the soil, the development of forest lands, afforestation, utilisa- 

 tion of minerals, the fishing industry, and such other subjects as might be 

 deemed important from time to time. The commission in concluding its 

 report, emphasised the educational value of the institution it thus sug- 

 gested, and considered that the value of research as a factor in education 

 had been quite insufiiciently recognised in New Zealand, and, indeed, 

 throughout the British Empire. 



Proceeding upon these lines, though with some necessary variations in 

 detail, the trustees at the close of the war, appointed an advisory board of 

 seven members, a director, and a staff consisting of scientific ofiicers and 

 their assistants. The Director, Professor T. H. Easterfield, brings to his 

 task ripe experience, business ability, and tact. He has paid much attention 

 to the chemistry of the native flora of New Zealand, and is as well known 

 to the manufacturers as to the scientific men of the Dominion. Mr. Rigg, 

 the Agricultural Chemist, has carried out chemical reseai-ch work in the 



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