432 Geological Survey, New Zealand. 



The collections accumulated, under the regime of Dr. Hector, 

 probably exceed a hundred thousand specimens, of which very few 

 have been described, but happily they all bear locality labels. 



It is gratifying to learn that the post of palaeontologist to the 

 Geological Survey of New Zealand has been offered to and accepted 

 by Mr. James Allen Thomson, M.A. (N.Z.), B.A. (Oxon.), E.Sc. 

 (N.Z.), E.G.S. (lately of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia), who has had 

 the advantage of an admirable University training in Geology and 

 Palaeontology both in New Zealand and in Oxford, and will come to 

 the arduous task of working up the old and new collections with the 

 courage of one who is determined to win his way to the front, feeling- 

 assured of the earnest support and good wishes of all his fellow- 

 geologists here as well as in New Zealand. 



Too great praise cannot be accorded to the Colonial Government 

 in consenting to the appointment of a palaeontologist, which in all 

 mining countries is looked upon rather as an ornamental office. 

 Many years since, the Minister of Mines asked the question in 

 Sydney: "Mr. Etheridge, paleontologist: what's that?" The 

 Director replied : "A gentleman who can break rocks and understands 

 fossils." "Oh!" said the Minister; "a labourer at two dollars 

 a day could do that." They don't say that of Robert Etheridge of 

 the Australian Museum now ; he is one of the burning and shining- 

 lights of the Survey and the Museum, and in January last was 

 "awarded the 'Mueller Memorial Medal' for his great services to 

 the cause of science, especially in connexion with palaeontology 'V 



No doubt in the progress of time the Australian Association, or 

 some other learned body, will be able similarly to commend the 

 palaeontologist of the New Zealand Survey for work accomplished. 

 "We feel sure that the Dominion may obtain much help if the 

 Survey make a friendly appeal to specialists in palaeontology in this 

 country to assist by the description of certain collections, subject 

 of course to the specimens being returned to Wellington. (There 

 are lots of duplicates.) Such groups as the Vertebrates, the 

 Cephalopoda, the Graptolites, and the Mesozoic plants may serve as 

 illustrations where assistance will certainly be needed. 



A library of palaeontological works will also have to be provided, 

 for which help would doubtless be forthcoming in many quarters if 

 the Survey make a suitable appeal. 



H. W. 



Geological Survey of India. 



Applications are invited for the post of an Assistant Superintendent 

 in the above Department. Candidates should have a first-class all- 

 round knowledge of geology and a good general education ; age not 

 to exceed 25 years. The candidate selected will be required to leave 

 for India towards the end of the year. Further particulars may 

 be obtained from the Secretary, Revenue Department, India Office, 

 London, S.W. 



1 See Geol. Mag., May, 1911, p. 240. 



