76 EIGHTH PACIFIC SCIENCE CONGRESS 



OCEANOGRAPHY IN NEW ZEALAND 

 By A. W. B. Powell and G. A. Fleming 



I. Introduction 



The years 1949 to 1953 have seen important advances in organiza- 

 tion and performance of oceanographic work in New Zealand. A re- 

 view of New Zealand oceanography presented in 1947 (Hefferd 1950, 

 Trans. Roy. Soc. N. Z. 77(5): 212-21) indicates the state of research 

 just prior to the 7th Pacific Science Gongress. The stimulus provided 

 by the activities of the Oceanography Section of the 7th Gongress in 

 New Zealand in 1949 has undoubtedly contributed to the advances 

 made since that date, which are documented by the bibliography of 

 New Zealand Oceanography 1949-53, compiled by the N.Z. Oceanogra- 

 phic Committee and tabled with this report. 



In October, 1949, on the arrival of the naval survey vessels, 

 H.M.N.Z.S. Lachlan in New Zealand, her Commanding Officer, Com- 

 mander J. M. Sharpey-Schaefer, R. N., offered to collect data and ma- 

 terial for New Zealand scientists. To co-ordinate requests for data and 

 distribution of material, an Interdepartmental Committee on Ocea- 

 nography was formed, with representatives of Victoria University Col- 

 lege, Dominion Museum, Marine Department, and Department of Scien- 

 tific and Industrial Research. The Committee drew up a programme 

 of sampling and observation, and supplied the ship with bottom sam- 

 plers, containers, scientific log sheets, and arranged for analysis of wa- 

 ter samples, distribution of collections, mechanical analysis and petro- 

 logical examination of sediments, and perusal of echo-traces. In June, 

 1950, the Interdepartmental Committee pressed for the formation of 

 a National Committee fully representative of the many New Zealand 

 oceanographers attached to different institutions and departments, to 

 act as a national body competent to speak for New Zealand in ocean- 

 ographic matters. 



A further stimulus to oceanography in this country was provided 

 by the opportunities afforded for some deep sea investigations arising 

 out of the visits of three oceanographic vessels— R.R.S. Discovery II 

 (1950-51), H.M.S. Challenger (1951), and the Danish Research Ship 

 Galathea (1951-1952). 



The New Zealand National Committee on Oceanography (Secre- 

 tary J. W. Brodie) was formed in September, 1950, as an advisory re- 

 search committee of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 

 and has since operated in effecting liaison, sponsoring research pro- 

 jects, and in advising the New Zealand Government on oceanogiaphic 



