1919.] 
New Zealand Institute Science Congress. 
297 
of labour. Besides field geologists well trained in stratigraphy and 
geological mapping, some, if not all, of whom ought also to be experts 
in economic geology, an official Survey needs one or more palaeontologists, 
chemists, draughtsmen, &c., and, in countries that are not thoroughly 
mapped, topographical surveyors. In this country it is not necessary to 
have botanists, zoologists, or anthropologists attached to the Survey, as 
is the case in Canada, for totally unexplored areas are small. Biological 
material ought, however, to be collected as far as possible by field 
geologists working in out-of-the-way districts, and submitted to experts ; 
but experience shows that the systematic collecting of plants, animals, &c., 
imposes a heavy additional burden on the geologist, and not much in 
this direction ought to be expected. If, as often happens, functions which 
are distinct from geology are tacked on to a Geological Survey, the staff, 
of course, needs to be correspondingly enlarged. 
The salaries paid to the technical officers of a Geological Survey ought 
to be on a generous scale. In their determination due regard ought to 
be given to the following facts :— 
(1.) The preparatory training of a geologist, more especially in economic 
geology, takes many years. 
(2.) Field-work requires a geologist possessing a high degree of physical 
endurance, considerable organizing-power, some ability to control 
men, and other qualities which are rarely found combined in one 
and the same individual. In order to obtain good results, long- 
hours have to be worked. 
(3.) The hardships and dangers of field-work in rough unsettled 
country are considerable. 
(4.) The long-continued separation of field-workers from their families 
and nominal homes involves some very real disadvantages. 
(5.) The preparation of long geological reports requires intense applica¬ 
tion and some literary ability, the latter a quality which not 
every scientist can be expected to possess in a high degree. 
The life of a field geologist in many countries is a hard one, and 
provision to enable him to retire from it when his physical powers begin 
to wane ought to be made. 
Hardly any one will dispute the view that appointments to the staff 
of a scientific organization ought to be made by its head, or with his 
advice, and in the manner and under the conditions that he thinks will 
produce the best results. In particular, the permanent officers as a rule 
require to be carefully tested by a probationary period during which 
they are entirely on the footing of temporary employees. A set of 
rules suitable for clerical appointments is not likely to be suitable when 
technical officers are to be chosen, yet this condition prevails in New 
Zealand. 
Occasional visits to foreign countries are highly desirable in the case 
of scientific workers, and this statement applies with great force to New 
Zealand. The Civil Service Regulations make some recognition of the 
principle involved, but the authorities are obviously hampered by the 
effort to meet the requirements of a vast clerical and miscellaneous staff, 
and by the idea that a visit to a foreign country for the purpose of 
obtaining useful knowledge is, after all, really a holiday, of far more 
benefit to the individual than to his employer. 
The most important point in the organization of a State Geological 
Survey is to secure an efficient control. In practice the first requisite is 
