176##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RO staff January 1974 (SI RO to review its medical research policy More emphasis may be placed on nutrition

CSIRO is cnrrently giv­ Professor Fenner H Iso sug­ 'This research is sometimes • influenza virus vaccine; syner~ • muscular dystrophies - Food gested that the Australian not satisfactorily exploited in gism of antihacterial com~ Research, Protein Chemistry, ing consideration to the im­ Government should: relalion to human health be­ pact of its work relating to pounds (working together o[ Nutritional Biochemistry • set lip an Australian Medical cause of the absence of effec­ antibacterial compounds with • collagens and ageing; woo] medical research and the Research Council separate tive liaison between CSIRO body (issues and substances) allergenic properties - Pro­ Executive proposes to create from the National Health and medical research workers, -Animal Genetics tein Chemistry and Medical Research Coun­ or because an organisation for e reprC?ductive physiology, en· • advice on statistical aspects a CSIRO Medical Research conducting tbe appropriate foJ-' Liaison Committee on cil, which would become the docnnolagy, polyunsaturated of many programmes of National Health Council low-up medical research does fat mCcHs and milk procJucts medical research - Mathe­ which both CSIRO and • establish an Australian not exist in Australia,' he said. - Animal Physiology, Food matical Statistics medical interests will be National Institute for Medi­ Informal arrangements were Research, Nutritional Bio­ • biomedical engineering-TriN represented. cal Research with a focus on sometimes made by CSIRO chemistry bophysies social and environmental scientists for collaboration with • climate pbysiology-Mechani­ • fsafe 1 cigarettes: wool filters Aware that many of CSIRO's medicine, under the control research workers engaged in activities arc already in fields cal Engineering, Chemical and lowering of tar/nicotine of the Australian Medical clinical or public health re­ Physics, Animal Physiology content of leaf - Textile related (0 human hcallh, the Research Council, and with Executive lust year asked Pro­ search, and specialist organisa­ • sewerage trealment and re­ Physics, Tobacco Research. CSIRO conditions of employ­ moval of viruses ~ AppHed fessor Frank Felmer, formerly ment of research staff. tions such as the Austrnlian Director of the John Curtin Biochemical Society and the Chemistry Cont'd on page 4 School of Medical Research ut Australian Society for Micro­ the AlIstnlliun National IJniN CSIRO research biology have played an im­ vcrsity, to lu'cparc a reporl for In. summarising his report, portant role in encouraging in­ the Advisory Council. Professor Fennel' said that a formal contacts between CSIRO considerable amount of basic All Divisions were consuHed scientists and medical research research in biomedical science on uny work they might be do­ workers in other organisations, ing in this field and later Pro­ was conducted by CSIRO scien­ fessor Fenner mel to talk with tists in the course of the-ir nor­ the report continued. representalives of the Executive mal work, particularly in lhose The type of biomedical re­ and the 22 n[ the 36 Divisions Divisions concerned with ani­ search which CSIRO is already that were involved in some as­ mal bealth and food· produc­ involved in included: pect of the work. Afterwards tion. Outside the Organization, • zoonoses (diseases transfer­ Professor Fenner visited some research in biomedical and able from animals to man)­ o[ the Divisions and held clinical research was conduclcd Animal Health, Wildlife Re­ mainly in tbe medical schools further discussions with the search Chiefs and scientific staff. of the St~te universities, in pJ"i~ vate meclJcal research institutes • immunology of worm and bac­ In his report to the Advisory terial infections, and asthma Council, Professor Fenner's re­ and in the John Curtin School -Animal Health, Protein commendations were in two of Medical Research at ihe parts. Those that were related A.N.U. Chemistry directly to CSIRO were that the Organization should: • establish a CSIRO Commit­ tee on Medical Research NEW CHIEF FOR 'MATH STATS' • review its olIicial attitude on medical research All Australian, "rofcssor J. Now 48 years of age, Pro­ • establish a Division of Human Gani, who hus won 1U1 interN fessor Gani received his PhD Nutrition. nnHonal rC(lutation in thc field from the Australian National of IJrobahility and sfufislics, University in Canberra in 1955 hDS been appointed fhe new and was awarded the degree of Chief of the Division of Mathe­ ~9~~.from London University in mUlieol Siofistirs. New secretary Currently, Professor Gani is He has published 60 research Dircclor of the Manchester­ papers on mathematical statis­ Sheffield Universities' School of tics and applied probability and of Probability and Statistics has written two textbooks on and in the past has held senior statistics. positions in mathematics and Last year Professor Gani statistics at universities in Aus­ came to Australia at the request tralia, the USA and Canada. of the Executive to review and report on the future activities of the Division and he will be back again early this month for a week-long planning session in More interest Canberra and probably Ade­ 'Sun Pictorial photo' laide. Because the Executive has for investors concluded that in future greater Ifs madam president now emphasis should be placed on The Directors of the Laboro­ CSIRO scientist, Ms Bar­ rested in microbiological tories Co-operative Limited in applied mathematics research, the name of the Division is' to bara Keogh, has been elected problems of the dairy in­ Canberra have reviewed the the new president of the dustry in general. current Interest rate paid by be changed to Mathematics and StatistiCS nearer the time Pro­ Melbourne Sciences Club, an The club has 1400 mem­ Phil O'Brien, Personnel Officer the Co-operative. The interest organisation in which men bers, 50 of them women, for the ACT and Northern Ter­ rates payable from 1 January fessor GRnL takes over. The headquarters of the outnumber women nearly 30 and Barbara was one of its ritory, has been elected to the will now be: to one. It is the first time foundation members when position of ACT Branch Secre­ • fortnightly deductions from Division will also be shifted to Canberra about that time but it the club has chosen a woman it started in 1968. Member­ tary of the Administrative and salary -7 per cent for the position. sbip is made up of scientists Clerical Officers' Association. is not intended that the group • short term deposits (under 12 at Adelaide will be shifted to A microbiologist, Btu·bam and technologists who be­ He has been granted leave of months) -7 per cent has worked for CSIRO for long to scientific societies absence to enable him to take the ACT en rnasse. • long term deposits (over 12 Discussing the changes with nearly 20 years and is a alliliated with the Clunies up his appointment. member of the staff of tbe Ross Fonndation. Phll joined the Head Office months) -7t per cent. the staff at a recent Division conference, Mr V. D. Burg­ Dairy Research Laboratory Members meet regularly Staff Section in 1965 and trans­ The Co-operative is inte­ of the Division of Food to discuss their work, to ferred to Canberra in 1967. He rested in arranging fortnightly mann of the Executive said that the growth of the Division in Research at Highett. Most hear guest speakers talk not has always been active In savings and term deposits from of her work is concerned only on science, but on all staff. Inquiries should be future would be concentrated ACOA activities, and for the with research studies relat­ tOPICS of community inte­ past three years has been Presi­ directed to Mr M. Bakker, more in Canberra than in other centres and that Professor Gani ing to cheese starter or­ rest, and to thrash out their dent of the ACT Division of the Regional Administrative Office, ganisms, but she is inte- problems. Council of Commonwealth Pub­ P.O. Box 500, Civic Square, would make that city the base lic Service Organizations. ACT 2608. from which he would operate. Max Planck Society concerned CHAIRMAN PRAISES WORK OF BENEVOLENT FUNDS Morc thall 4500 members of took into account the human with community relations staff (abollt 68 llcr ecnt) arc factor. now con(ributillg to the four 'People and their require­ CSIRO Benevolent ]7Ullds, 11 ments are regarded as an essen­ At a time when CSIRO is becoming increasingly aware of the effects of modern ()racticnl eX(lfcssion of fhe tial feature of the study, as science and technology on the general public and is looking at ways by which 'future social conscience of those whQ we.ll as the need for lltilisillg shock could be 1II1eviated', it is interesting to note that overseas scientific orgauisations work for (he Ol'gnnizaHoll and the resources and for the con­ their fhoughtfulllcss for theiJ' servation of the environment.' are eqnally concerned with the sitnation. colleagues who might of some In the remote communities time he involvcd ill accidents study, the Organization was One of these is (he Mux the Government and the rest or meet with other un[orscclI embarking on 'an almost un­ l'lanck Society for the Ad­ from private sources. misfor~une. charted sea as far as CSIRO is Mention of Ihis high con­ concerned'. this programme, vancement of Science. 'But the Government doesn't In tribution rale and the feelings Ml [SU, Katherine, Kununurra, determine how spend This organisation, which has we Ollr behind the membership was Mt Newman and Dampier have money,' Professor Lust said. its headquarters in Munich, is made by the Chairman, Dt' been put under the microscope 'Wc do, however, have a Board Illude UIJ of 49 Institutes in J. R. Price, when he spokc at in a survey of human adapta­ of Trustees on which there are much the same way as CSIRO the recent fifth annual general tion to Australia's somewhat Itn,1) its 36 Divisiolls. It has a several Stale Ministers. meeting of the Southcrn Fund difTlClllt northern environment. staIT of 10,000 people, about 'The work of the Society in Melbourne. 'The purpose of the study,' 2000 of whom arc permanent covers a wide range of db;· 'We ure living in a socicty Dr Price said, 'is to acquaint scientists' or 3cndcmics in olher ci plines - from astronomy to where there are available a the public, including local disciplines, 111111 a further 2000 physics, from medicine to bio­ wide variety of means of in­ authorities and industry cxecu­ who enjoy guest sfatus. logy, from international law surance by which people can tives, with the problems of liv­ (CSIRO in eOlllparison has a to history and the arts. protect themselves financially ing in remote areas as these staIT of about 6600, abont onc­ from the unexpectcd,' he said. appear la the ordinary citizen. third of whom m'c scientists.) Guest scientists 'But despite this, there are still many circumstances in which 'Two years ago wc set up a 'If someone wants to come the rules and practices ncces~ special institute with the speci­ Professor Dr R. Lust and work with us on a guest fic aim of looking at this impact status. he has to apply and tell sary in any society do not em­ Deni scientist brace all the possibilities and of science and technology on us what he wants to do. If it ordinary people,' ProCessor Dr cmlly sCIence Wt Hers, to visit fits in with our programme, he such extraordinary circum­ the Instltutes and spend two stances pose very serious prob­ awarded US R. Lust, the President of the will be given a fetlowship 01' Society, told 'Coresearch' dur­ days at our expense seeing grant to enable him to carry lems for the individuals con­ ing his recent visit to Australia. what is being donc by the scien­ out his research. About 800 of cerned. 'It is therefore desirable that degree tists. In this way wc hope that our guest scientists comc from 'It is headed by two directors society finds other means of An interest in lhc behaViour more and more of them will outside Germany, some of them -one a physicist and the other have a better understanding: and helping its fellows who are of grazing animals in scmi-arid from Australia. a social scientist. appreciation of the scientists' caught in these circumstances environments in Australia re­ 'The staff is made up of phy­ work.' 'And in saying this, you need and this is just what the Bcne­ cently led to Victor Squires of to keep in mind thc way the sicists, social scientists and eco­ Talking about t1{e society ;n volent Funds set out to do.' the Rangelands Research Group nomists. It's too early yet to Society was originally set up ­ 'The existence of these funds, at Deniliquin taking a look genera], Professor Lust said and that was to have a place talk about the outcome of thcir tbat thc Institutes could be the support of them and their at what is happening in similar findings. They mightn't be able where the physical scientists management are all wholly ad­ cnvironments in the United divided in three sections:- could do work that was not so to give LIS satisfactory answers mirable and I can do no more States. While there he com­ to our qucries at all. but at 1& the humanities easily done in the universities. than thank all of you who are pletcd a PhD programme at least we've made a start into • biology and medicine When an outstanding scientist concerned with thcm and their Utah Statc University. • physics, chemistry and engi­ came along we wanted to have the research we feel this needs. I administration.' During his travels he visited neering. a way hc could be employed Because he had been asked many research centres and par­ IThen there is onc group solely to do his research with­ to discuss some of the wider ticipated in the Internationa! Communication which is completely indepen­ out having to go to a university aspects of CSIRO's conccrn Symposium on Useful Wild­ dent of the rcst. Their task is where at the same time he with the problems of pcople, land Shrubs at Logan, Utah. < In the meantime, Professor to sea rch through the work of would have to accept teaching Dr Price outlined two of the He also presented papers at the Lust sajd, a practical way of responsibilities. communicating the work of the other institutes to sce if newer ideas on research which Water-Animals Relations Sym­ scientists to the man in the any of their achievements are 'Most of our directors were being undertaken by the posilllJl at Twin Falls, Idaho, street was bein~ undertaken worthy of production in some though, do in fact have part­ Organization. Thcse included and carried out a short course through the Socicty's public re­ form or another. time positions at the universi­ the South Coast Survey and the on 35 mm photography at Bill­ lations group, ties. For instance, in my own study of remote communities ings, Montana. casc, I work in the astrophysics in the northern regions of the From July to October Vie 'We have the staff going into Research section at the University of country. was on a special assignment in the various Institutes, discover­ 'Our work is based on funda­ Munich.' The South Coast Survey, hc Tchran, Iran, where he com­ ing exactly what our scientists mental research which the said, was using the standard pleted a rangc survey in the are doing and then translating scientists themselves want to do. methods which had been pio­ Karadj Dam catchment. This this into lay language for ordi­ Wc don't accept requests from Appointment neered many years ago coupled was at the invitation of an in· nary people to understand. In say industry Or agricultural Dr J. Kowalczewski will be with new techniques which ternational firm of consultants. this way we're trying la gel organisations to work on speci· the acting Chief of the Division 1 bettcr communication between fie projects as does CSIRO. of Mechanical Engineerin~ fol­ scientists and the general public. The Society has an annual lowing the appointment of Mr 'During the year wc also jn~ budget of $US220 million, 85 Roger Morse as Director of the Max Bourke leaves 'Keep your roof vHe groups of journalists, cspe- per cent' of which comes from Solar Energy Studies Unit. Minister's staff Mr Max Bourke who has anI says Building been science ]iaison officer to the Minister for Scicnce, Mr W. L. Morrison, for the past Research 12 months, has resigned from Pursuing a vigorous policy of CSIRO to take up a position as communicating research find­ Director of Community and ings to the building industries, Media Services for the Depart­ the Division of Building Re­ ment of Urban and Regional search at 11ighett has in the Development in Canbcrra. past two years organised a Max, a former editor of number of well attended semi­ ' 'Coresearch , will be involvcd nars, the latest of which was in press liaison and public rc­ entitled 'Keep your roof on', lations for the Departmcnt as ({(~aling with wind damage to well as moving into the area of domestic and other construc­ research and intelligcnce field tions in Victoria. work where oflieers will be sent Ollt into the field to discuss the Booked to capocity, the Department's programmcs and seminar was a highly success­ needs. ful aCInir, particularly in the He will take lip his duties free-ranging panel discussion next month after his return which concluded it. from an overseas trip. This is Those attendiug included 23 mainly for pleasure and Max builders. 9 engineers, or archi­ will be skiing in Norway, but tects, 32 representatives of whilc he is away he will take manufacturers of building mate­ advantage of the opportunity rials, 16 pcople from various to visit Europe to sec the ways educational institutions and 10 other authorities handle en­ local government officers. vironment and urban informa­ The Dung Beetle Unit's South During thc time Dr Watcr­ Tribe, Frans Malebye, Adrian tion services. African station in Pretoria has house was there he gave a Davis, Dr G. F. Borllcmissza t Max has been replaccd on been playing host to a llumb0r cocktail party la commemorate Iau Temby, WiIliam Molapo. the Minister's staff by Mr Terry of visitors recently, including the completion of a laboratory Miehael Mokotedi, Dr Water­ Healy who is on secondment house, Karen Paschalidis and their Chief of the Division of building which has been built for 12 months from Ihe patents, Honour Dr Macqucen, who was on his licences and contracts group of The degree of Doctor of Entomology, Dr D. F. Water­ by CSIRO from Australian way to Australia to join the Head Omce. Terry, who al­ Philosophy has been conferred house, Dr M. A. S. lanes, the Meat .Research CommiUee Dung Beetle Unit in Brisbane, ready holds a degree in science, upon Dr J. J. Mott of the Divi­ Executive Omcer of the Aus­ funds. Quecnsland. passed his finals for his law sion of Tropical Agronomy tralian Meat Rcscarch Com­ This picture, takcn during the Dr Bornemi8~.[a, Omcer-in­ degree at the Australian from the University of Western mittee, and Dr Angus Mac­ function, has just reached us Charge of the station, is one National University at the end Australia. His thcsis was en~ queen o( the Division's Long from Pretoria. From left: of the recipients of the of 1973 and earlier in the year titled 'The Autecology of an­ Pocket Laboratories, who joined Har{mut Aschenborn, a univer­ [973 Encyclopaedia Britannica was registered as a patent nuls in an arid region of Wes­ the Division recently. sity vacation student, GeolY awards. attorney. tcrn Australia'. 176-1974 Scientists' work will There's a dish at Parkes ... The Parkes 210 ft radio tele­ help New Hebrides scope is attracting about 80,000 visitors a year, many of whom A Hoyal Society expedition to the New Hebrides made come from overseas. Among in 1971 could have far-reaching resnlts for the people o! those who recently signed the visitors' book was a group of tllO,se islands if the plans of Dr Ken Lee of the Division New Zealand journalists. Les o! Soils, Adelaide, cOllie off. Fellows welcomed them on be­ half of the OfJieer-in-Charge, ((cn "vas {he leader of (he Ken's interest in the Pacific Mr John Shimmins, and ex­ CXIJcdilion which included 26 Islands stems from the time of plained the display centre to scientisfs from nine different his arrival in ] 965 in Adelaide thern and Mr Frank Trett then counJrics, including Russia. to join the Division. In New too k lhe men on a tour of the Their interests ranged from soil Zealand, his home country, he telescope. zoology to forc,IJ(l'y, from hioM had built up a reputation as a logy to botany null until they soil zoologist and had become The journalists expressed in­ descended on the New an authority on earthworms terest in the work that was be­ Hebrides, IUlOwledge of (he there, He had by then also ing ~arried out at the time by disfTihutioll of plants nnd ulli­ published his first book on the Dr F. Gardner and Dr J, m~ds of 'he islands that make subject, 'The Earthworms of Whiteoak who were looking for up the condominiUlU' was vcry New Zealand' for which he was formaldehyde absorption in the hu'gely a blank. awarded his D,Se, galaxy NGC 4945 and DrWhite­ oak look time out to describe Ken is now busy organising a Ken came across the Tasman the observations. conference for later this year in to start the soil zoology section London at which those who of the Division, and found that Discussing the operations took. part in the expedition will his chosen discipline was al­ side of the telescope, the men meet to discuss the results of most unknown in this country. were surprised to learn that their work. lIe expects that He had only just beguu his visiting astronomers from over­ anything up to lOO papers will work for CSIRO, however, seas were allowed time on it be written on material collected when he was asked to join a for observations without having by the expedition. Snmmarised Royal Society expedition to to pay for the service. papers presented at the con­ the Solomons to work on They were given an outline ference in London will he pu b­ earthworms, soil fauna and of the role the Parkes tele­ !ished by the Royal Society, pedology, scope played in the Apollo Above: Lyn Newton, one of the brightest stars occasionally Deserting, as he put it, his moon missions and the way it observed at Parkes when she comes across from Ihe Division of is making a significant contri~ wife, family and the Division Radiophysics in Sydney where she is one of the computing team, almost immediately, Ken took bution 10 major themes of olf with the blessing of the modern astrophysics, including Organization, for the islands. Below: Mr, Mlchael Forbes, deputy editor of the 'Christchurch the life cycle of stars, the Like the New Hebrides were Star', Mr Frank Neate, 'Greymouth Evening Star', and Mr Gordon study of the Milky Way galaxy to prove a few years later, the Stepto, publIc affairs officer for AII' New Zealand In Sydney, take and the radio study of galactic Solomona turned Ollt to be a look at a moon model in the visitors' centre, chemistry. 'pretty rugged'. 'Sometimes we would be landed by boat on the shore of an island and left to our Dairy Research own devices for up to a month,' Ken said. lWe learned what it was like to camp in the jungle, man's work trek miles over high mountains and exist in rainfall that on recognised Or Ken Lee one occasion reached a peak of 112 inches in nine days.' Back in 1962, Mr loe Czulak of the Dairy Research Labora­ 'This shoold give the autho­ When he returned to Ade­ rities in the New Hebrides ac­ tory of the Division of Food laide, Ken sel about establish­ Research, Highett, was asked cess to all the informalion we ing the soB zoology section and have on their country,' Ken to help solve the problem of began his collaboration with an making cheese from buffalo said. 'The Society has also pro­ English scientist, Dr Tom vided the money for a sI!lall milk in India. Joe took off for Wood, on the association be­ that country under Colombo herbarium to be set up in Yila tween termites and the soil. by the Department of Agri­ Plan arrangemen(s and after This work resulted in another comprehensive investigation de­ cullure and a collection of book 'Termites and Soil, and veloped methods for the manu­ plants from the expedition has numerous papers being pl1b~ been established there.' faclure of Cheddar and Gouela lished, type cheeses. Ken is also hoping to en­ Currently he is working on The Indians wanted to ex­ courage members of the expedi­ the effects of termites on de­ press their gratitude for his tion to write a book on biology composition of organic matter efforts and the University of of the country for llSC in the in soils and their effects on Sadar Patel in Gujarat State islands' schools. 'The students soil profile formation and plans decided to award him an badiy need such literature on to sel up a small unit in Towns­ honorary degree of Doctor of their own region and the vil1e which will be specifically Science. Joe flew to India last British Administration has said interested in the effects of soil month to recelve the award Adelaide Divisions back they are very keen to see this animals on organic matter de­ which was presented to him on \york completed. l composition in tropical soils. ] 5 December. historical railway plan

An old T class locomotive are interested in this project, will pufT again along 12 miles we'd be delighted to hear from of railway. line-unused for them.' nearly 18 years - if some of The plan to restore the Pichi the stalf of thc Division of Soils Richi line evolved after the in Adelaide have any say in South Australian Railways an­ things, nounced that for economic rea­ They are taking part in a sons no more steam trains campaign to restore the old would be allowed to run on piece of narrow gauge track State lines, even for pleasure linking Quorm and Woolshed trips, after 1975, Flat through the Pichi Richi The ARHS normally runs Pa.. in the Flinders Ranges. abollt 30 trips a year between Giving them additional sup­ the months of March and Octo­ port is a small number of en­ ber (none are allowed during thusiasts from the nearby Divi­ the summer months because of sion of Mathematical Statistics. the danger of fires) and faced Members of the Pichi Riehi with the prospect of owning Society include translator Dave four old locomotives but with Eddy and Trevor Lawson from no lines to run them on, a num­ Transport Section of Soils, both ber of enthusiasts gathered of whom also take a close together and decided to work interest in the affairs of the on the Pichi Richi idea, Natur­ South Australian Branch of ally enough, they have the the Australian Railway His­ backing of the ARHS, torical Society, Members nf the Adelaide 'To pay the cost of the old Divisions frequently take part locomotive, TNo228, we've in the trips organised by the bought, restore its boiler and Australian Railway Historical CSIRO staff on Adelaide railway statlon ready to go to Victor Harbor by a train hauled by the Mountain fix up the line wc need at least Society, onc of the latest being Type Engine 520, the biggest and heaviest steam locomotive stili operating In Australia, Left to rIght: $10,000,' the men said, 'We've on the 60 mile track to Victor Oavid Eddy, translator; Trevor Lawson, clerical assistant; Christine 019hton, clerical assistant; John already had assistance from H.arbor. All are hopeful that 019hton, technical assistant; Ros Bott, clerical assistant; Hugh Holloway, senior clerk; Bemle Foster, people outside the State and if the Pichi Richi venture will be storeman, All are from the Division of Soils except for Ros Bott who is from the Division of there are any other railways en­ a sLlccessful one so that they Mathemalical Statistics, thusiasts within CSIRO who continue their regular outings.

176-1974 led Trickett has MIA Letters to the Editor in flat spin S~llar energy Sir- We in the Centre have long There has been an outbreal, of spinning in the MurruIII­ been aware of solar radiation bidgee Irriga.tion Area. And only one IJIUU cun really be and welcomed Roger Morse's held responsible for this-Mr Ted TrickeU of the Division timely article on solar energy research. However, we could of It'rigation Research. not cODlly accept his claim that Around the Division, Ted's different groups, which led to a because our annual insolation bearded face, quicksilver mind demand for spinning wheels. is only 40 per cent above that und enjoyment he gefs (rOlu Ted started impDrting them in of MelbDurne, we had little to occasionally wielding: n wooden kitset models from a New Zea­ ofTer. I think it relevant to SIJOon arc weU known. But land flrm and while these proved pDint out that during July in­ now hc, his wife Thcodora, and satisfactory in many respects, solation at Alice Springs is 2.3 schoolboy sons, Mark and he felt that a steel onc might times that in Melbourne. Un­ John, arc being equally rc~ be better for Rivcrina condi­ less energy is to be stored from cognised beyond lite confines tions. season to season, this difIerence of CSIRO and lheir home for is surely relevant. When energy He bought a couple of bi­ becomes more expensive, may~ (heir prowess at the slJilllling cycle wheels and began produc­ wheel. be Melbournians will see the tiDn of a new type of wheel. light and move a little nearer It all started when Ted, a 'They've proved fine for spin~ the Centre. measurements engineer, became ning wool" he said, 'but I think - Max Ross, Alice Springs. involved with the measurements lhe women prefer the 10Dk of Ted Trickelt spins wool on one of his home-made spinning wheels. of fibres, which, he said, was a the wooden ones.' natural corolla ry to his profes­ A primary schDDl in Griffith sional work. became interested in having the Brazilian project ends Aboriginals 'I wanted to know more ehiidren take up halldcrafts and Sir- - about fibres and I'd beeDme in­ Ms Triekett was asked to give I was very pleased to read in trigued with textile physics and several hours a week to show­ Coresearch ND 174 that three their problems of objective ing the girls how to spin their for NSL officer YDung Aboriginal students will measurement. I felt the only OWIl wool and then knit it up. The project, which was later be trained as technical assist­ Mr Edmund LaytDIl in the anls by the DivisiDn of Wild­ way to get a real appreciation In the same way, the Trickett Applied Mechanics Section .of approved, will provide the of fibre and its fineness was to life Research. One disadvan­ boys think nothing of travelling the Division of Apphed PhySICS government with the neces~ taged group being assisted! But start handling yarns myself,' long distances to give demon­ is back at his desk after four Ted told 'Coresearch'. :mry metrological infrastructure then I find tbat it is laken for strations and have even used a and a half years in Brazil. to serve the technological and granted that these three stu­ 'To dD this I started spin­ charter aircraft to reach a town During that lime he was Dn scientific measuring needs of dents will be men. Why? ning wool and before lDng had 400 miles from Grillith, whiie leave withDut pay from CSIRO commerce, industry, agriculture, It is envisaged that the s(u­ my family interested in it too.' the family often travels up to and worked as a United Nations dents will eventually be quali­ 200 miies away. Industrial Development Organi­ education, public health and Ted started talki Ilg to people safety as well as technological fied to take employment with in the area, particularly to Having satisfied himself satiDn (UNIDO) standards en­ CSIRO or the NatiDnal Parks farmers. It was in the early about many of the qualities of gineer and tcchnical assistance and scientific research. and Wildlife Service. Both or­ '70s and thcre was nDt much wDDI, Ted has turned to the adviser tD the Brazilian Federal When Mr Layton complcted ganisations now appoint Women joy in the wDol industry and measurement and spinning of Government. his work on the programme as to almost all positions. AbDri­ Ted found that the producers othcr fibres. He has tried syn­ In Rio de Janeiro attached its project manager, he under~ ginal women are doubly dis­ were more concerned with the thetics and wool aud synthetic to the Brazilian N ationa! In­ took work as a consultant for advantaged, so why not con~ stitute of Weights and Mea­ business of getting the wool off mixtures. He has now acqu'ircd a number of other government sider them for lhis training? the sheep's back, into a bale some alpaca which he hDpes sures, Mr Layton developed the -K. R, Makinson, project idea of a Brazilian departments and instrumentali~ and cDlleeting the cheque than to be able to spin and he has ties. Division of Textile Physics. they were in being concerned been successful with mohair. National Standards Laboratory abDut the quality. and Applied Metrology and In­ During his stay in Latin 'Now I'd like to try spinning dustrial Services Laboratories America he presented a num­

176-1974 177##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSIRO staff February 1974 Four Divisions New milk substitute for sick babies to form new ready for market soon animal A new product will appear on the shelves of pharmacies throughout Anstralia within laboratories Four more Divisions, .his the next few weeks - a carbohydrate-free food for babies and infants Sllfl'ering from time 1hose engaged in animal gastro enteritis and other conditions which prevent them from drinking milk. resClll'ch, have been grouped logelher to form the CSIRO The product, known sim\l\y 'We found there were a num­ prepare it; all a mother at Animal Research Laboratories. as CFI, will he manufactured ber of babies and children who home or a nurse in the hospital The Divisions involved are hy The Neslle Co (Aust) Ud were unable to thrive on milk has to do is to add boiled Animal Genetics (Ryde, NSW), but much of the credit for its either permanently or tem­ water and the prescribed Animal Health (Parkville, Vic), dcvcI.oIHucnt goes to two porarily,' Jane said. IThis could amount of a suitable carbo­ Animal Physiology (Prospect, CS\RO scientists, Dr Alex be due to several causes and hydrate. It is packaged in NSW), and Nutritional Bio­ Buchuuun and Ms June Mar­ in some cases the problem 383 ml (13t t1 oz) cans and one chemistry (Adelaide, SA). kotsis, hoil, of the Dairy Re­ could bc overcome by the use can will make up into about A committee comprising the three and a half cups of milk search Laboratory of the Divi­ of either a processed form of Chiefs 01 the Dlvisions will co­ milk or milk from a different substitute. ordinate the work of the Labo­ sion of Food Research, Highett. source, such as a goat. But morc Jane Markolsis ratories. Their Chairman will The launching of CFl will commonly the intolerance was Costs be Or K. A, Ferguson, Assist­ sec the completion of a three­ due to lactose, the sugar in In comparison with the selves on how long the product ant Chief of Animal Physio­ year project which was under­ milk. American product, CFI will re­ would be useful for older logy, who has been appointed taken by the Division at the 'To provide a food for such tail initially at 66 cents a can people. to the position for a seven-year request of the Royal Children's children we decided to take our but if it is eventually placed on Although CFI is a new com­ term. Hospital in Melbourne. ordinary cow"s milk, break it the pharmaceutical prescription mercial product, it has been jn Dr Fel'gusoIl, who is interM 'At the time they were hav­ down into separate ingredients list it will come down to about nationally known for his work use for some time in clinical parti~ ing problems with supplies of and then recombine its pro­ 12 cents a can. trials which were organised in on animal physiology, the American carbohydrate­ teins and milk fats in the form selected hospitals across the cularly the effect of nutrition Talking about the problems and hormones on wool growth, free food they were using for of an easily digestihle liquid of feedin~ babies suffering country in association with children suffering from such which would replace ordinary gastroenterologists and paedia­ was leader of the team which from gastro enteritis, Jane said developed a practical method complaints,' Jane told 'Core­ milk,' Jane said. it was a disease which could be tricians. search'. After many laboratory tests, of increasing wool growth by very serious for infants because Nestle, however, have already treating feed with formalin to 'If there was a sudden influx the scientists I in collaboration it could lead to dehydration. had requests from New Zea­ with Nestle's technical staff, preserve its dietary protein of patienls and supplies were It was essential to give babies land, Kuala Lumpur and the lrom breakdown in the animal's short, morc cans had to be came up with a product which plenty of liquids and if they United Kingdom but in the met the higb standard required rUmen. flown in from the States. Air could not tolerate milk, about main these have come from His Division is also engaged freighted, they cost about $2 and to make it even more satis­ the only thing they could take doctors who at some time were factory as a food, vitamins and in some promising research on each and with a lot 01 babies was boiled water, 'And there's involved in the clinical trials. chemical defleecing of sheep, needing the food, it became minerals were added. no nutrition in that,' she said. And the Division has been an expensive item.' 'But because CFI, the name Most children who were fed inundated with requests for the chosen for the product by on CFl would eventually be product j Jane said. New Chief Australian product Nestle, is free of carbohydrates, able to transfer back to ordi­ 'One urgent call came from it requires the addition of some Or W. G. Crewther, As­ An approach was made to nary milk once their condition the Auckland hospital,' she sistant Chiel of the Division the Division to see if it could form of that substance other improved, she said, but in a said, 'and since I was going than lactose to make it a truly of Protein Chemistry, and come up with an Australian­ small nUffi'ber of cases where a over to New Zealand on leave widely known in the field of made substitute. Jane (who useful food,' Jane said. 'Which child had a condition which I undertook lo deliver the sup­ form is used depends on the biochemistry, has been ap­ continues to write her papers would always prevent him from plies personally. I saw the sick pointed as Chief of the Divi­ under her maiden name of clinical nature of the child's drinking milk, the new product child, too, and it was quite an intolerance but glucose is the sion. Or Crewther has been Henderson) had just arrived at could be used indefinitely, As experience to see the way re.:­ acting in this position since that time from Massey Uni­ most common additive. Medi­ yet, however, Nestle have made search that you've been per­ cal advice can determine· this Dr F. G. Lennox left for versity in New Zealand to no trials on adults and are not sonally involved in is applied ASLO last year. work for the Division as a food factoL' yet willing to commit them- in a praclical way.' technologist and was asked to CFI has been prepared in work with Alcx on the pro­ the form of a concentrated ject. For the next few months liquid which, to look at, re­ their efforts were concentrated sembles a paler shade of con­ in this direction. ventional evaporated milk. To Echidna specialist sets op displays for zoo and museum Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney technical officer in the Division. -the platypus. Both these ani­ and the education section of On previous occasions the mals arc of great interest to the National Museum in Mel­ Division has taken echidnas scientists studying the evolution bourne nre to have permanent which laid eggs and hatched of mammals because they have cxhibiHons detailing the life them-the incubation time was both reptilian and mammalian about lOt days-but the young characteristics. The echidna, for cycle of onc of AustrnIia's instance, lays an egg with a strange mammals, the echidna did not survive. Their recent triumph has allowed them to rubbery skin similar to that or spiny aul-cater. The material observe the hatching process of a reptile's egg but once this ior lhese hns been \)J'nvided by again and this time to measure has ha tched the young one is Dr Mervyu Grilliths of the the rate of growth of the pouch reared in a pouch where it lives Division of Wildlife Research young. on milk in a mammalian style. ill Canberra and the IJicturcs Merv's interest in echidnas The milk is secreted by mam­ which will go on display with goes back many years and mary glands identical to those started when he realised how of marSllpials but nnlike the Ihelll are lhe work of the Divi­ marsupial, the monotreme sucks sion's llhotogl'uphcr, Ed Slater. little is known about them. Two genera of echidnas exist its milk from special patches Interest in the echidna has -one the short-beaked echidna, of skin in the pouch, not from been stimulated by Merv's work Tachyglossus, found in Aus~ teats. on the animal and in particular tralia and in some parts of With the recent successful by the Division's recent good Papua New Guinea and the rearing of a pouch young the staff were able to measure the fortune in finding in the bush other, a long-beaked echidna1 an echidna which had an egg Zaglossu.'i, which is found only rate of growth of the baby by in her pouch. She incubated in the dense mountain forests removing it at regular intervals the egg in the pouch and nine of Papua New Guinea and from the pouch and because it days later a baby was hatched. lrian Jaya at an altitude of is not aUached to a teat this This has been successfully about 7000 to 9000 ft. does not unduly disturb the Roy Coles (left) and Dr Mervyn Grilfiths weigh an eohidna during reared by its mother which has As well as echidnas,' Ausw mother or the young onc. a field trlp.-Plclure: Ed Slater. been cared for by Roy Coles, a tralia has another monotreme Conl'd on page 4 Math. Stats. settles the arguments: - they sift fact from co-incidence From time to time Core­ If a lottery number is withdrawn frolll a barrel to win a $10 prize, and is then bit difficult to judge -- the sta­ search plans to publish returned to the barrel, what arc the chances that it will be drawn out to win a $5 prize? tistician's concern for inference, malerlal sent to us 'lrom tile induction and insight extends Australian Scientific LIaison somewhat wistfully lo whal is Office In London, under ar­ How many times woultl In-training some of which at first sight known as 'feminine intuition'. rangement with Or F. G. Lennox seem impossible -- the Math. lOccnsiolllllly,' udmittcd Dr the barrel have to be tumed Headquarters for the Divi­ who recently look up his ap­ Stats, stalI become engaged in Hill, 'our people get bul'ied pointment as Chief Scientific to be sure that the number sion has been for many years research on basic issues/ their under a vcrHable mountain of in Adelaide, but will be located LIaison Officer. In this first con­ acliog Chief, Dr GeoII Hill dntu, despite ull the COlllIlU· had been so mixed in with in Canberra later this year. tribution, an outline of the work the other marbles that its said, teriscd help und mathematicnl of ASLO is given and in the Many of the staIT are resident With a responsibility to bell' kllowled~e they may possess. chances of being drawn out in other capital cities Of at second, one of the staff makes with precise thougbt and quan­ Times whcn you might ('all in a visit to the Nature Conser­ a second time were now no country centres, occasionally re­ tilled techniques whieh lead to a woman to look lit thc ;)I'ob~ turning to headquarters to keep vancy's Experimental Station at greater titan they were discoveries, the Division is lem carefully, then comc Ul) Monks Wood where many Aus­ up with new developments in charged with three objectives: wHh a totally non-logical or originally? techniques and with new tralian scientists have been intuitive idca about H. And Don'l be quick to say th"t mathematical approaches. •H.. esearch in mathematics and made welcome. Lool, for re­ given a rcasonnhlc shaking (he statistics relevant to the work quite of.ten it works bccause gular news from London under In-training seminars are held of the organisation; fhe stntisficiun has been exces· chances arc about 'he some ~IS at the headquarters anti occa­ this heading. Q. Providing a consulting ser­ sivcly concerned wUh rigour. ('hey were originally, because sionally workshops are arranged All members of the ASLO the Division of Mafhcmnticnl vice dispersed throughout the More oftcn it doesn't work, but staff at 64-78 Kingsway arc in places where staff are on organisation with high ini­ if yon could prediclably har­ Statistics investigated just this location•. again to keep them up Il1Clnhers of the Auslntlian question for 3n Australiun )()t~ liative in pressing the role of ness intuition with rigorous in­ High Commissioll in London to date in the highly intricate mathematics and slaUstics in ference you ,'\'ould have the (cry firm and came Ill) with (he world in which they sift fact and this, likc" oiher Au,o;frnlinn rather sfnggering odds of 11 bil~ research' greatest rcsearch aid since com· overseas Commissions alUI Em­ from coincidence with the aid l)uters.' lion billion to one that the of figures and computers. • :Having 'a close working re­ hassies, is the rCSI)OllsibHity of excessive number of double lationship with the Division Anyone who thinks that our Department of ll'orcign Af~ prize wins were lIot due to L,ugely individualistic in 'of Computing Research. working as a backroom boy in fairs. The three Scientific I..iai· their outlook, many of the chance 31'01lC - the barrel In operating as consultants, mathematics would be the un­ son OJliccrs arc seconded from wasn't rolled enough. scienlili.c staff are people with the statY have found that often exciting end of the science CSIRO ior fixed lerms and re­ first degrees h1 another dis­ The Di vision recommended all that is needed is for some­ spectrum is wrong, if the staff main 011 ifs payroll. Other as a simple solution that once cipline such as chemistry, one with a mathematics and ut the Division in Adelaide arc members of our slaJf arc IocaHy the marble had won a prize, it physics or engineering. Later statislics background (0 discuss the criteria. 1I1Jpoillled and employed by the sbould be left out of future they have specialised in statis­ a problem with the scientist High Commission. tics or data analysis, perhaps draws and the owner should be concerned. ASLO maintains day-to-day content with having won onc because they have had to learn contact with Australia I-lollse how to solve their own diill­ Cluttered np prize. the Strand, where represen­ cull problems. in Not every mathematical 'Because of his training in tatives of various Departments problem the DIviSIOn is asked With additional experience formal inference and quantified arc located, including Defence, to solve is as clear cut as that. and training in consultation 111Cthods, the consultant can Heallh, Trade, Supply and but throughout the country they have developed an interest often sug~est new avenues of Treasury, and with CanbeHa members of its staff .- just in applying techniques to otheJ thought. Occasionallv the scien­ House in Maltravers Street for slightly less than 100 -- are people's work and such siLua­ tist realises he actually had the information relating 10 Civil lions present themselves as a solution all the time but had involved in supporting CSIRO's AviaLion l Customs, Education, scientists when they cottle up challenge to their analytical not recognised.iL nmong the Migration, Postmaster-General, against a complex mathematical minds, clutter of data he already bad,' the Public Se.rvice Board, Taxa~ or statistical situation. The 'Although much of the re­ Dr.HiIl said, Hon and Social Services. Divisions arc given first priority, search stems from problems in On-other 'occasions if's n In addition the Chief Scien­ but if there is time to spare, the discipline itself, many re­ matter ofpoilltillg out. lo all title Uaison Oflicer atlends tbe stafT is prepared to help search problems arise from enthusiast ,who wants to ~llUb­ monthly meetings called by the outside organisations and in­ practical. situations. Sometimes lisll,Ol'])crish' Hmt his conclu­ High Commissioner or his De­ stitutions as well as industry. in trying to tlnd SOlllliol1S _____ sionswiII not stand the stulis~ puty with the heads 01' the tjCll} tests agniust lnere coin~ various de.partmcnLs fo·r discus­ cidcncc until morc work is Professor ,1. Gani who will be­ sion of matters of mutual done. The clement of chance come the new Chief of the Divi­ interest. has climinuted to be to reuch sion of Mathematical Statistics. Interviewing applicants for 11 SOIlIlI1 conclusion. scientifk positions both with 'In other circumstances, scien­ They have come up with CSlRO and other Australian tists may be weighed down by many interesting research prow establishments and seeking in­ the sheer mass of data,' Dr Hill jccts which have ranged from formation for Head Office and said. 'They appreciate tbat an analysis of data in Australia the Divisions, for the Depart­ some 01' it will eventually be which led to the first conclusive ment or Science, and in future useless but until they know evidence that fluoride additives probably also for other De­ what is relevant and valuable did help the teeth of school­ partments such as Forei~n AfR they don't want to lose any of children. They have made an­ fairs, are among our functions. it. We can be of use there by alyses of State health records, Other responsibilities arc to showing him haw his informa­ of schoolchildren, servicemen maintain personal contact with Lion can be tested, filtered and and people suffering from scientists holding CSIRO slu­ stored for later retrieval. Often anxiety problems. They have dentships in the UK and to in the process of doing this, a analysed measurements on establish und maintain links mathematical pattern emerges whales and even given the Vic­ with leading scientists in rc~ which will give him a break­ torian bookies staUslical an­ search institutions, universities. through.' alysis of the advantages and government departments and Just how women's libbers disadvantages of having place industry in this part of the would react to [he Division is a belting. world. Attending official [unctions in London and scientific meetings in the UK and Europe, and i~oted fllnintaining contact with Lon­ physicist dies In USA don-based scientific attaches and liaison stan' from various Mr WiIliam Swinbank, a and momentum from the sur­ countries also occupy our at­ Robin Lamacraft (left, seated) and Chrls Srlen demonstrate to noted Australian atmospheric face of the earth into the at­ tention, , Or G. N, Lance, Chief of the Division of Computing Research physicist and a former Assist~ mosphere. With the entry of the UK and Dr G. Hili, acting Chief of Math.Stats., statistical processing ant Chief of the Division of On the basis of these and into the European Economic by the 'Statscrlpt' system on the graphical display terminal. Atmospheric Physics, has died other achievements he was Community centred in Brus­ in Boulder, Colorado, USA. eleded a Fellow of the Aus­ sels, and Australia's admission Mr Swinbank was a gra­ tralian Academy of Science in to the Organisation for Econo­ duate of the University of Dur­ 1970. He was a former Chair­ mic Co-operation and Develop· ham and joined the British man of the Victorian Branch of ment with its headquarters and New Rangelands publication Meteorological OlTLce in 1938, the Australian Institute of meetings in Paris, the London He came to Melbourne in 1947 Physics, and in conjunclion Office will inevitably become A new Range Assessment Springs) and representatives to help with tbe establishment with Dr A. J. Dyer, was increasingly involved in Europe, Newsletter is to make its from the Soil Couservation Ser­ of what was then the Section awarded the Buchan })rize of -F.G.L. appearance early this year vice of New South Wales. of Meteorological Physics, laler the Royal Meteorological and will be distributed to those The newsleller, one of the to become the Divis.ion of At­ Society in 1968. interested in this field in Aus­ outcomes of the last Range mospheric Physics. Mr Swin­ Mr Swinbank resigned from tralia. Condition Workshop held in bank then played a consider­ CSJRO in 1971. At the time Survey Initially, the newsletler will September, will contain details able role in both its researeh of his c1c(i.th he was working at CSIRO and the Australian be produced twice a year with of range condition techniques and management. lhe National Center for Atmo­ National University researchers the specific aim of keeping prepared by participants at the His most notable contribu­ spheric Research in Boulder, have been making a survey of workers fully informed of the workshop, news of current acti­ tion to the work of the Division Colorado, as Director of the the effeLts of the vast annual latest developments in range vWes and proposals for future was in the fields of micro­ US National Hail Research Ex­ influx of tourists to the soulh assessment in Australia. workshops and information meteorology, radiation and periment. coast. During the programme The responsibility for its pro­ concerning the forthcoming ozone. He was a world autho­ Mr Swinbank was a doyen an aerial survey of recreatiOJ1 duction is mainly in the hands US-Australian workshop on rity on atmospheric turbulence among the world meteoro­ areas was made and tourists of a working committee which range assessment set down for and with his associates in the logists, a man of wide interests, were asked to supply informa­ comprises two members from March-April at Aliee Springs. Division was distinguished fat' sound scientific judgment, and tion about their recreational the RangelandsResearch Group, The possible formation of a pioneering the development of endowed with a first class cri­ habits, facilities and numbers. Graeme Tllpper (Deniliquin) Society of Range Management the direct measurement of tur­ tical faculty and a keen sense Data are now being sorted and and Colin Lendon (Alice in Australia will also be aired. bulent fluxes of moislnre, heat of humour, tlnalysed.

177-1974 Afamily affair for Geelong I'eter Dowsett, aged 12, ways for processing cotton, it What their Dad was doing aud his brother lall, 9, are a was also hnped that families of seemed pretty important. staIT would take the oppor­ But being boys, they had couple of bright youug boys tunity to sce how dads, mums, eyes for everything. from Gce]ollg. Their dad sons, brothers and sisters helped 'What's that all about, Dad?' worl,s fm' CSIRO - at the in that research. Ian wanted to know when his Divisioll of Textile Indus­ And Jim Dowsett, a lahora­ attention was caught by a dis­ try. tory craftsman, and his wife, play featuring aspects of the Jan, decided that the day was Division's work on flame re­ (,SII~O? No, they're not too going to be educational enough ta rdant materials. sure whll. that's all aboul hut to warrant their lwo boys hav~ Dud - thut's Jim OowseU ­ ing time off from school to see So Jim explained about the has something to do wHit nInk.. what is virtually a small wool­ research that was going on into ing machinery for the Division. len mill in aclion. producing safer materials to 'What sort of machin(;~l·\,?, The bays, of course, wanted prevent accidents from burns Hervey Sagot (Mineral Chemistry), Ray Gorrlnge (Plant Industry) 'Aw --- it's something to do to know what Dad was actually and what this could mean for and John Lenaghan (Editorial Services) take a look at the small with the workshop.' doing around the place, where consumers - even youngsters binding process at the CSIRO printing unit. Printery staffers are 'Do you know mnch about he worked, what was this like themselves. Ms A. McCarter and Ms E. M. Webb. the things the Division does?' machinery he made ... The boys hadn't realised that 'Not rcally. Dad docsn't talk 'Cripes, it's diflicult to tell the Division's laboratories were much about work at home.' you about it. When a man's set up in nluch the same way as The boys were just two been around a place for 18 an ordinary woollen mill might (SIRO editors attend among two and a half thous~ years it's a bit hard to sort it be and it became a chance to and people from Geelong who all out.' see the ditrerent processes of took advantage of the Divi­ Iim thought about it for a handling wool from the lIeece sion's open day tn see what minute or two and decided to stage through to the finished Melbourne colloquium goes on at Textile Industry. In start with the machinery llC'd garments. Not to mention the methods involved in the self­ 'A manUSCri(11 shonld be like formed their manuscripts into all its 25 years, the premises bC(:ll working on which was de­ nftCl'~dinllcr have only been thrown open to vised to produce more efficient twist machinery that has now a good joke: clear, print. been patented and manufac­ concise ••• and clean.' Central Library activities, as the public on two other similar ways of getting rid of elrtuent This was one item of know­ occasions, but this was an an­ from a mill. tured and gone into use in they affect Divisional publica­ some~ many ditIerent countries. ledge gained by 20 Divisional tions, were explained by Peter niversary and therefore "A lot of people have been editors who attended a three­ thing special had to be done. working on these iuens,' Jim Dawe, Clyde Garrow, Hi! Katz For Peter, who is giving day editorial colloquium held While the main idea behind toid Ian and Peter, 'and we've, bcconl~ and Jean Conochie. serious consideration to at the Editorial and Publica­ the open day was to give the been trying to build a machine ing a scientist, the afternoon A '\;isi t to a commercial prin­ tions Service in Melbourne. The tery showed the editors how a community of Gcelong a that will get rid of the pol­ also gave him an opportunity participants were enHghtened chance to see some of the re~ lutants and grease from the to look at scientific equipment million copies a year of a tele­ on many diverse aspects of the phone directory could be that was intriguing to a 12-year­ publishing game-from how to printed. old boy. There was high speed obtain camera-ready computer And the participants learned photography used to show what output to learning the intrica­ much from each other, too. happens to fibres during dif­ cies of hand composition (watch ferent processes, there was elec~ Formally, 'from the experiences those mathematical fractionsl) related by Hervey Bagot, Edi­ tron microscopy, solar energy Bob Ingpen, now a free-lance tor at Mineral Chemistry, Mc1­ stu(lies and laboratories where designer and once in the em­ research goes on to develop bUUl'ne; informally, across ploy of CSIRO, returned to lunches and cups of tea. What shrinkproof and wrinkle resist· give the editors some meta­ was learnt from a long: buffet ant processes. physical speculation on the edi­ dinner at the Sciences Club When Jan's feet finally got tor's responsibility as a com­ Parkville, transcends brief de: ti red and everyone was feeling municator. He challenged them scription. the eITects of the day's heat and to answer the questions: 'What Nevertheless, it can be said humidity, it was a welcome is truth'?' and 'Why print?'. that the Divisional editor dis­ break to si t down and watch a Perhaps the colloquium didn't covered that he wasn't, after fashion parade showing the fully answer these questions, all, an isolated, freakish entity, styles predicted for next win­ but it was generally agreed it taken for granted by all at his ter's wool story but after a time did teach how to print. Division. Here, he could relax small boys begin to fidget at Editor-in-Chief, Dasil Walby, and be reassured through shar­ such exhibitions. After all, delailed the activities and ex­ ing his particular concerns with when you wear school unl~ pertise of the Editorial and 19 kindred fellows. forms all through the week, a Publications Service and straigh­ Overall, the symposium fos­ boy only wants to get into a tened out problems that had tered the idea of the Divisional Laboratory craftsman, Jim Oowsett, shows his wife, Jan, and grubby pair of jeans on Satlll'­ nriscn from the introduction of editor as a professional hand­ sons, lan and Peter, some of the equipment he works with at day and this sort of stuff is for the International System of ling his special skills and know­ the birds. Textile Industry. Photo - John Card. Units and the new CSIRO Pub­ ledge to promnte the eHicient Besides, it seemed the Divi­ lishing Guide, while edilors and rapid publication of scien­ sion had their canteen pretty search which has gone into liquid used in the scouring pro~ Bob SchoenJcld and Daryl tific work. well organised and there were Boyd explained the require­ Deeper knowledge of the CSIRO's eHorts to develop new cess before the liquid - wool cold drinks and ice creams to and improved methods and tcxlile wastes - gets dis­ ments of chemical and mathe­ skills and problems of the l be bought and better things to matical manuscripts. pl:intel', which were gained from machinery for processing wool charged. be done outside the theatrelte. and woollen textiles, to develop For the next five minutes the An explanation of the com­ fnendly interaction with the and improve textile products family had their heads together Peter had heard the Division plete printing operation was printers over three days, helped from wool, to fmet new uses for while Jim explained the pro­ was investigating ways of mak­ given by Jack Chamberlain and It1 improving his ability to do wool and to investigate new cess. The boys were iml)ressed. ing rug,s for sheep and he his statT of the CSIRO printing this. It also helped the printer wanted to scc those. Ian wanted UnIt and an extended tour of himself to feel part of a wider to know why sheep needed rugs tile printery was included so leam stretching back to the anyway and did they have that the editors could see the source 01: printed words and sheep here too? Because, if so, actual operathms that tram;- numbers. he wanted to see the sheep. 'Come on, Mum, don't sit down. Let's go ancl see them .. .' And as the kids said to Jim when they were having. their meal that night, it had been a pretty good day. Much better than being at school. 'Why don't they do it more often, Dad?'

Animal conference The Australian Society of Animal Production will hold its tenth biennial conference in The Division of Animal Physiology, Prospect, has farewelled two Sydney this month. Most of of its staff members, one Ralph Chapman (left) who has left for the 200 delegates will be scien­ a year's visit to the UK, and the other, Geoffrey Thorburn, who tists but agricultural extension has left the Division to take up an appointment at professorial workers and representatives level In the University of Oxford. He will lead a research group from suppliers of agricultural in the Nuffield Institute for Medical Research and the Nuffleld machinery, feedstuffs and vete­ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and will be con­ rinary drugs will also be taking cerned with factors controlling foetal development and studies In part. reproductive biology. Thc Division of Animal Phy­ Ralph will work for five months with 01' J. A. Swift of Unllever siology will be closely asso­ Research, Isleworth, examining changes in wool, hair and skin ciated wilh the conference ­ induced by various potential defleeclng agents. He will then Scientists from the Division of Applied Chemistry who have been the Chief, Dr 1. W. McDonald, spend another five months with Dr P. A. Riley of the University working on a research programme at the sewage treatment pilot will give the presidential ad­ College Hospital Medical School, University of London, working plant at Lower Plenty, Victoria, have been given a new amenity. dress, the secretary is Or N. on the Inhibitory effects of skin extracts on cell division and mul­ The caravan they use is fltled out as a mobile laboratory but has Mc. Graham, the treasurer is tiplication. He has also arranged visits to establishments In the not -until now - run to ablution facilities. Christening their Mr Tom Searle and the con­ UK, Norway, France, Canada and the US. Since Ralph loined the Christmas present Is Luls Kolarik while Harry Chin and Norm ference manngcr is Ms Audrey Division in 1955, he has made notable contributions to scientific Pllkington give him some assistance. John Dunn (right) awaits Jitts, the Division's informa­ knowledge of wool growth and the biochemistry of the wool his turn. (Pholo: Wendy Folland.) tion officer. follicle.

177-1974 Echidna display Land Chairman reviews plans Cont'd from page 1 It was extraordinarily small at hatching - about the size n[ a small bean - and it weighed about 380 mgms. It was for future of three Divisions hatched absolutelv bare, its eyes were immature and were buried By E. G. Hallsworth under the skin and it pos­ Chairman, Land Resources Laboratories. sessed no hind legs, only front ones, The creation of the Land Resources Laboratories as a complex of three Divisions Bv the time the young had with a full time Chainnau aud three Chiefs represeuts a new departure in planning land reached 300 gm in weight (about lot oz) it had started to de­ research strategy in CSIRO. The integrated programme of research that the Chairman velop its spines and at this has to present to the Executive is to be the result of consideration of each Division's stage the mother decided baby must go - spines in a pouch individual programmes by the Chairman and Chiefs. are too uncomfortable, At this time the mother hides the This llrJUllgClIlcnt will llvoid procedures for the survey of Land Resources youngster in a shallow burrow unnecessary duplication nnd t he soda-economic needs of Management to which she will return from posilivcly~ Australia's expanding popula­ time to time to suckle her off­ more the Commit.cc spring until it is old enough to t iOIl and the demand for and This Division will be con­ will take a brolld look nt tbe [end for itseH. impact on our land resources. cerned with discovering and A new baby makes an appear­ problems fncing Australia in The short-beaked eehidna the deyc)opmcnt of its land re.. The teams used for defining understanding the principles of ance at the Division of Wildlife land systems in the north and land management. The work rarely grows much more tflan Research.-Photo: Ed Slater. sources. These will tben be in the territories will be able to on the Rangelands, at present 18 ins in length and has short ranked against IJl'ogrumlUcs bring their skills of photo in­ centred on Deniliquin and stout legs on whicb it waddles already under way in the Divi.. terpretation of land. forms and Alice Springs, is one major pro­ along in search of ants and ter­ District. With the hel p o[ some SIOIlS to dctermine whether the vcgetalion la the marc densely gramme directed to determining mites, depending on its habitat. local people and their dogs he cll'ort being made in each )lrob.. populated areas where develop­ how we can best use the two­ Its snout houses a long worm­ succeeded in. getting some fine Icnt area is aplu'opriafc (0 ~hc ment is required and on occa­ thirds of the continent which like tongue which seeks out specimens. sion to areas where proposed scurrying insects, need. are too dry for agriculture. He also visited the Baiyer developments may be environ­ Echidnas probably locate River Wildlife SanctmHy in the This combined approach The Darling Range project is mentally undesirable. at the other extreme - how, in their prey mostly by sense of Western Highlands District would be expected to indicate smell but there is evidence to where he was able to make a at times areas in which we have a high rainfall area, to strike Soils the best balance between agri­ suggest their snout conducts study of echidnas they had in no programme or where too sound waves to the eat' so it is captivity. liltle is being done. In effect, culture and forestry to obtain Soils will continue to be optimum yields of water, and possible that ants and termites 'The local people were able it will be a continuing review largely concerned with material to appreciate the impJications disclose their presence by mak­ (0 give me a lot of informa­ of priorities so lhat human and of the weathered mantle and ing noises detectable by the financjal resources can be alIo~ [or both water supply and tion on both trips,' Merv said, the physical, chemical and bio­ forest production near exten­ snout. 'some of which was previously cated to the most imporlant logical proc.esses that go on in work. sive mining operations. On the other hllnd, the long­ not known to science.' beaked species which can grow In July Merv will re lire. He Our attack on the various In agricultural areas, where up to 3 ft long eats earthworms projects will be organised neither mining nor forestry is already planning to return to and its tongue is specialised for Papua New Guinea, this time largely by the nalure of lhe seriously impinge, we should catching and ingesting these, three Divisions. Allhough It know the factors limiting diver­ to the Western District in At the end of it there is a search of Tacll velossus and may be an over-simplifled sification that may inhibit the groove fitted with backwardly statement, broadly, the Division use o[ a grain legume that kangaroos. 'We know there are directed sbarp teeth which arc wallabies up there,' he said, of Land Use Research will be could be vllluable to Western used to hook the worm. When concerned with resource inven­ Australia's agriculture. lbut information I've been given the tongue is drawn in, the suggests there could be iarge tory and allalysis; the Division worm is pulled witb it. of Soils with the processes and macropodids like our kanga­ materials that occur within the Co-ordination Both kinds of ecbidnas are roos in some areas. I'll start 'weathered mantle', and the equipped with strong paws searching in the plains coun­ There are several arcas of which allow them to go to try behind Daru in the Wes­ Division of Land Resources investigation where the acti­ Management with discovering ground literlllly-and vertically tern District. l vities of the Divisions will need - with great rapidity. They those principles which will al­ to be care[ully co-ordinated. Merv has also been asked to low optimum management in also use these for ripping up collect earthworms in Northern areas of defined resources. For all three Divisions the tbe grouud to expose their pray. Australia for the University of It is iuevilable thM there will major aim will be to provide Merv has been to Papua Queensland IInd the British answers in terms of land use New Guinea twice in search of Museum. He will also try and be some Oycl'hllllJil1g and for a and development that will give Zag!o'",s,/s - in July 1972 and collect them in PNG's Western time ]Jrobllbly arcas of activity economical utilisation of Aus­ September 1973. On both occa­ District. "Little is known about in each Division that arc a Or Hallsworth tralia's resources, at the same sions he flew to Woitape, a them,' he said, 'so very likely continuation of work Hm. was time maintaining a healthy and mountainous and rugged area there will be a lot o[ rlew ul1denvay before the rcor~ulli­ it. Some of these, such as gco­ attractive environment. in the higblands of the Central species.' sation but which may no' lie chemical investigations, which in with the new strnchJ.rc. It in lhe early days were largely will be oue of the tnsks of the concerned with trace nutrient Committee to sec that worlc dellcicncies, now form an essen­ tial background to studies on To the Editor which is no longer rclevunt environmental pollution and does not persist but at the samc mineral prospecting. Sir- Victoria were given those standing of the things that are time ensure that no valuable More weathering studies may names because at the time they basic to the development of a IJfoject is ended too SOOIl. A perusal of CSIRO Ab­ could not be used to grow crops country on wise, conserva­ be necessary, fm' ins(auee, to slracls for October 1973 has Although a patlern o[ re­ understand. how hl prevent JI1in~ or graze sheep. The fact that tionist lines - things like town search will develop with ti,me, prompted this letter. these areas contain a wealth and country planning and the even now it is possible to fill iug: dUUI]lS, the Bew mufcrinl Abstract 1225 - Review of of native plants, particularly preservation oC landscape in, in a broad way, some of for soil fonnation, from be· Research Findings Concerned flowering heath species, was values, the treatment of indus­ the major fields and the links coming ellvironmenlaJ hllzunls. with Pastoral Development on ignored. trial wllstes, the danger of the which will be buil t between the Biological studies, particularly the Wallum of South-Eastern In recent years, some botanists loo-enthusiastic use of chemical Divisions. those involving competition in Queensland - finishes with the have started to find out how pesticidies, the needs of the the rhizosphere (the soil en­ following sent~nce: 'It is shown it is that the native species can people for outdoor recreation Land Use Research vironment in the immediate that pastoral· development is grow in soils low in both plant o[ different kinds, the manage­ vicinity o[ plant roots) and or­ clearly one of the productive nutrients and water reserves. ment of water catchments, the Land Use Research, while ganic matter turnover provide uses to which this formerly use­ These species must have need to allow the intrinsic undertaking resource inventory fascinating insights into the less region can be put'. mechanisms which the crop and qualities of different types of will be concerned with the de­ limitntions in productivity in I am disappointed to see the pasture plants used in agri­ land to determine how it should velopment of methodologies many areas. SlIch studies could word lllseless'. Useless for culture do not have, be used. The problem is how that will a!low lhis to be done. lead to new principles of man­ what? This is a hang-over from Fortunately, the exploitative to channel this new understand­ In some cases this will be in agement, in forestry and jn the exploitative pbase of Aus­ ing into the desired ends.' co-operation with olher insti­ agricultural and pastoral pro­ mentality is slowly being re­ tralia's development typified by placed in Australia by a much -G. T. Sibley, tutions. It will· also be con­ duction, particularly on the an attitude to land which as­ cerned with developing new lighter lands. broader approach to land use. Head Office, Canberra. sesses its usefulness or lack of This approach describes the usefulness solcly in terms of the biological and physical fea­ capacity to produce man's lures of land and then care­ material needs of food and [ully assesses its value for dif­ 'Coresearch' Visitor fibre. No other possible uses ferent purposes. are considered. 'Coresearch' is produced An administrative decision Dr Alain Perrler, Charge de No piece of virgill land can by the Central Communica­ then follows as to the parti­ tion Unit for CSIRO staff. Recherches, INFA Station Cen­ be called useless. It has in­ cular use that is to be applied trale de Bioclimatologie Agri­ trinsic value us an example of Members are Inviled to con­ to that piece of land having tribule or send suggestions cole, Versailles, is visiting the a particular ecosystem and regard to the balanced satls­ Division of Environmental therefore is scientifically valu­ for articles. The deadline [action of a number of com­ for material is normally the Mechanics at Canberra as a able in its own right. The piece peting needs. Pye Fellow. Dr Perrier works first day of the month pre­ of laud could have vlllue as a After the late Frands Rat­ in agricultural meteorology and ceding publication. habitat for fauna or for parti­ c1iITe received his doctorate at turbulence Malerial and queries should is investigaling with­ cular species of native plants. the Australian National Uni­ in crop canopies. It can also have value for be sent to the Edifor versity, he addressed the audi­ lDorolhy Braxtonl, Box human recreation, It can also ence on the subject, lConserva­ 225, His wife, Chantal, is an ac­ Dickson, A.CJ. 2602, Tel. complished harpsichordiste and have value in producing food tion - The Challen~e to Man's 484478. has given a memorable spinet or fibre for man's needs. Intelligence', Here is an ex­ 'It made a mistake last recital of 18th Century music The former Ninety Mile tract: month that cost us a million at the Pye laboratory lo an ap­ Desert in South Australia and 'During recent years, men bucks and 11 says It's sorry.' preciative audience. the Little and Big Deserts in have got a much better under- Printed by CSIRO, Melbourne 177-1974 178##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CS I R0 staff March 1974 (SIRO staff involved in massive flood dean-up CSIRO stall' located in northern parts of Australia are gradually completing the drying out process after being well and truly awash duriug the receut floods.

Witll mucll of llle country Evacuation Damage 10 the jetty has since turned into an inland sea, many The RAO which is located been repaired by the staft'. members have talcs (0 recount. on the seventh floor of a build­ jng in town had to evacuate its Refugees The experiences of some, premises not because of flood particularly those in the Bris­ damage to that floor but be­ In Karumba three EOs, bane area. have been little cause water was in the base­ David Baker, Chris JacksOl1 and short 01' heart-breaking, but if ment and power and other es­ John Salini, spent some uncomv there's a story to be told in the sential services were cut off. fOl'lable hours when they were aftermath of it all, il'8 in the In the meantime, thc staff ordered to evacuate their pre­ way people turned out to help did their best to operate busi­ mises and board the small their colleagues in trouble. ness if not exactly as usual, at freighter 'Brewarrina' which As soon as it was prac­ least as efficiently as possible. then took them to Weipa. ticable, Jack Coombe, Senior David Thomas, the Regional In a telephone conversation Assistant Secretary (Admini­ Administrative· Officer, worked from Sydney, David Baker told stration) flew into Brisbane to 'Coresearch' of their ordeal. take a look at the situation on I'rom his home which still had power and a telephone and el1~ 'It rained like you wouldn't Above: Flood waters surround the buildings at Culgoora. behalf of the Chairman, Dr J. deavoured to keep in touch believe it could rain,' was his R. Price, and members of the with his staff by car wherever 1irst comment. Executive who had expressed Below: Receding flood waters at Long Pocket Laboratories reveal concern for the flood viclims. that was possible. 'The watcr banked up in the Realising that it was more Gilbert and Nassau Rivers and the lop of Animal Health's Isolation pens. To the right Is the Jack returned to Canberra imporlant than ever to get pay faecal disposal plant - or it would be if you could see it under with one overall impression and we were told that at one lime the water. . that was of tremendous admira­ cheques out on time, the salary the Gilbert was about 100 tion for the way everyone had section turned the dining room miles wide. battled to get colleagues' homes of Lex Johnson J s KangaroD 'It swept through to Nor­ back into some sort of liveable Point flat into all office and manton and then headed for conditions. somehow processed salaries. Karumba. We watched it com­ 'By the time I was able to get Another group of machinists ing up to the caravans, work­ through/ lack said, lit was im­ was set up in a temporary offtce shop and planes of the charier possible to recapture the terror near the computer at St Lucia. float plane company we Juwe and tragedy which must have The varioLls laboratories had working with us. It was almost existed for our people in Bris­ plenty of water around them up 10 the offices of our build­ and some small buildings} ings and already in our cara­ bane during the crisis, but even fences and pastures were inun­ so there was ample evidence of vans, ablution block and gar­ the major disaster which had dated. At Amberley some stock age when we left.' hit the city.' was lost. Evacuation orders Were given On the personal side, 10 to the men by police who told people were affected from the Prawn vessels everyone in town they must Long Pocket Laboratories with At Cabbage Tree Creek the leave by the ('reighter. The damage to their homes and loss staff of Fisheries and Oceano­ only exceptions were those who of possessions, five from Tro­ graphy had a few tense had an escape route on the pical Agronomy and one from moments when four small ves­ prawn trawlers. the Meat Research Labora­ sels came down on the smaller 'The ship took on 152 pas­ tories. of their two prawning vessels, sengers which meant most of us The estimated damage ranged the 'Penaeus'. It broke its were deck cargo. We started off for Weipa and 20 minutes to ride a storm out. Two pas­ many places had experienced from $100 sustained in rented moorings but was recovered sengers were taken to hospital heavy rain and some flooding, accommodation to $10,000. With from the mangroves with only later were stranded on a sand­ sea~ bar which had silted up. We on arrival and many were the s;tuati.on had been nowhere the exception of one experi­ minor damage. sick. mental officer) the rest who suf­ The second and larger of the refloated the vessel and by 1830 near as bad as it was in Bris­ hours on the Saturday night 'A C1 refugee camp" was set bane. Some staff, however, are fered personal loss were tech­ vessels, the 'Kalinda', had to up with Comalco footing most experiencing diJficulties in get­ nical officers or ancillary staff. keep steam up to withstand the were on the move again,' David said. of the bill. The people in ting supplies through as a re­ Fortunately, damage to ell rrent at her moorings. Part Weipa did a first class job in sull of damage to roads and CSIRO property was not ex­ of the jetty was washed away 'We didn't make Weipa until helping those who were in a bridges in remote areas. tensive and it is estimated the at the height of the flood, but 1530 hours on the Monday and bad way,' David added. At Culgoora near Narrabri, costs would be no greater than the 'Kalinda' was held fast by in the meantime had struck the The three men flew to Sydney buildings were surrounded by $15,000. her anchors. north-west monsoons and had but have now returned to Kar­ waler, but the flooding was not umba to continue their work as severe this time as it was a with the prawn survey: At the couple of years ago.

time of going to pressl no esti­ After news of the disaster in mate 01' the damage had becn Brisbanc had reached Can­ received but it had been re­ berra, Dr Price sent a message ported that the float planes 0(' sympathy to those staff were safe. members who suffered losses. Inquiries made around other Since then, in an interview parts of northern and central with 'Corcsearch', he has Australia where CSIRO staff spoken of his admiration of the are located revealed that while Cont'd on page 4

More moneyfor investors The CSIRO Co-operative Credit Society in Melbourne has announced new rates of interest which became effective from I March 1974. Regular fortnightly deductions from salaries have been increased from 6 per cent per annum to 7 per cent. Lump sums invested for less than 12 months will now receive interest at 7 per cent instead of the previous 6.5 per cent. For money invested for more than 12 months but less than five years the new rate has gone to 8 per cent. On money invested for more than five years the interest rate per annum will also be 8 per cent. From the same date the loan interest rate was increased to per cent, reducing quarterly. Volunleers from Long Pocket Laboratories at the home of Mr Les Adams in Brisbane. The house 9t was completely submerged (see page 4). Counsellor takes close look at TA is awar·ded D.Se. but it took 20 Japanese attitudes to science years to get it Japan is a country which from a mineral processing fac~ for knowledge on the part of Around CSIRO, the award tory into a river used for the people of all ages, from school­ of a Ph.D. or D.Sc. always is becoming increasingly irrigation of rice. The cad­ children upwards. earns for the recipient the con­ disillusioned with the side mium was concentrated in the 'The dissemination of knowR gratulations of colleagues. effects oE its industrial ex­ rice and the consumers of that ledge is equally impressivc/ he But when Kevin Sheridan of rice suffered crippling effects.' said. the Division of Radionhysics plosion, particularly where In the industrial zone of 'There are more than 600 was awarded his degree of it relates to pollution. Yokaichi, many people had de­ scientific and technological' or­ Doctor of Science from the veloped asthma as a result of ganisations and all of- them University of Queensland re­ Reinforcing this feeling are pctrochemical pollution and in would have up to three regular cently, it meant much more to the growing demands by jn~ Tokyo the health of school­ publications. his colleagues than just an dus(ry for raw materials and children and others had been 'Each research laboratory occasion to shake hands and energy, both of which ure be­ affected by chemical smog. puts out its own publication say 'well done'. coming incl'cnsingly more diJfi­ 'The Japanese are doing a and the media all make wide Because Kevin started work­ Kevin was made a principal cull (0 snpply on a sluble basis. lot of work on these problems,' use of scientific material. ing for that award when he was technical omcer in 1957, the Mr AdderJey said, 'but it is 'They even ))foducc children's a technical assistant and al~ following year was transferred These arc some of the opi. to research oJIicer grading and hard to determine the costs of ncwSlJapers covering scienWic though it has taken him more nions Mr E. E. Adderley has these because of large govern­ in 1971 became a scnlor prin~ news s(ories.' he said. than 20 years to get it, his per­ formed during his first two ment subsidies to industry to severance has won through and cipal research scientist. years as CSIRO's Scientitic produce effective means of re­ 'The number of scientific re­ his co!leagues are delighted Some of Kevin's outstanding ference books for children is ConnseHor at the Auslrnliun ducing the levels of pollution with his success. contributions have been in the and the tax concessions offered tremendous and, moreoverl field of radioastronomy. AI Embassy in Tokyo. they are cheap. Kevin joined Radiophysics to firms -doing research.' in 1945 after doing wartime present he is responsible for Back in Australia for briefing One new development which 'At the teelmical level, the work with the Oepartmeot of the equipment - its design, and some leave, Mr Adderley was of interest concerned the Japanese Information Centre the Navy. A year later he was conslruction, Installalioll, main­ spoke to ICoresearchl during a disposal of old tyres. for Science and Technology sent overseas to the UK and tenance and improvements ­ visit to Canberra. 'Kobe Steel Limited has de­ publishes in Japanese abstracts USA to demonstrate the air of the Culgoora Solar Observa­ 'The people are now begin­ veloped a pyrolysis process of thousands of the world's navigational aid MTR (Mul­ tory, but the Mills Cross was scientific journals. The material ning to look for aHernatives, I which produces a high calorie tiple Track Range). made possible through his work is abstracted. computerised and 011 the receiver design and con­ he said, 'and these may come fuel, gaS I oil and activated car­ published monthly and there Glowing reports of his ef­ by turning to what they call the bon from the tyres and its test forts, including commendation struction. Alec Little, now of "life sciences" which they hope plant has a capacity of 2.4 are translation and duplication the University of Sydney, services available. All this is from Sir Ralph Cochrane of might provide the solutions to tonnes a day. From 1000 kg of the RAF. arrived back in the teamed with him and designed their problems of pollution, done on a commercial basis. the aerials for this unique in­ Depart~ lab. over-population, environmental 'Every Government In 1950 he started parl-timc strument. situations and shortages of food ment has its own newsletter for studies at the University of Kevil1 was also the Aus­ and natural resources. the public which covers weekly Sydney and the following yea!' tralian representative on the 'The Scicnce and Techno­ or monthly summaries of its look leave to obtain his n.sc. satellite coronograph-heli{)graph logy Agency of the Japancse work as well as staff move­ at the University of Queens­ in the Skylab project. ments.' Government is proposing to land. Outside working hours Kcvin cstablish this year a Life Media coverage In 1955 he completed, again continues to take an interest in Science Rcsearch Institutewhich through part-lime study, a B.A. astronomy and was the fOllnda~ will be looking at the whole Television coverage of scien­ degree in mathematics at the tion secretary of the Astrono­ situation. tific and educational affairs was University of Sydney. mical Society of Australia. 'This would inelude the de­ very wide, Mr Addcrley said, with one TV channel starting velopment of another discip­ cars as a means of cornbatting line known as Hinformation its operations at 6 am and con­ l the energy shortage. science \' M r Adderley said, tinuing until midnight with 'where information about the nothing else but educational This quest for knowledge is Scientists to life sciences is analysed and the material. inculcated at a very young agc,' public enlightened on wllat is 'It goes through many of the Mr Adderley said. 'and con­ happening and drawn into lec­ languages in lesson form as tinues throughout a person's tures and discussions. l Mr E. E. Adde rley well as the sciences - it even lifetime. visit China has Sesame Street in English. Two members of CSlRO's Pollution wastc tyres they recently pro­ 'And on the other channels •And hugely beenuse of (his, staff, Dr J. P. Wild, Chief of Australians should be aware duced 400 kg of fuel oil, 300 there arc many demonstrations those who I}OBSesS knowledgc the Division of Radiophysics, of what was happening in kg of gas and 300 kg of carbon. and discussions on scientific nre l>l'Clm[cd to pass it OIl. and Dr J. M. Rendel, Chief of Japan because that country had 'But I can't tell you the eco­ subjects.' Scientists, for example, do not the Division of Animal Gene­ struck problems which could nomics of the process,' Mr Ad­ Australian scientific and other regard if as an intrusion on tics, will leave Sydney on a derley added. hit this country in the future, developments were given a working time or n nuisancc to visil to China later this month. he said. good run in t[le media, mainly be askcd to (nlk 10 Ibe media They will be participants .in 'For instance, Japan has been Communication through handouts from the a joint delegation from the faced with mercury poisoning During his two years in Australian Information Service, or (0 apIJcar on n television programmc. U.ather, they con· Australian Academy of Science frol11 fish and the toxic effects Japan, Mr Adderley said he he said. One example had been and the Australian National of cadmium. The laller werc had bcen impressed by the the recent story about the de­ sider it a grcat honour to be University. l caused through the outfall seemingly insatiable demand velopment of lpig power for asked to do this.' The invitation to visit China came from the Academia Sinicu, Peking. rcntly make the second largest In addition to assisting in this Heading the delegation will contribution to the Malayan aim, the Ibam project wHl ulti­ be the President of the Aca­ national economy and are pre­ mately provide employment for demy. Sir Rutherford Robert­ Building Research helps dicted to become top export about 1400 workcrs, supporting son. The Vice-Chancellor of earner within the next few about 5000 families in the rural ANU, Dr R. M. Williams, will years. community of Bukit Ibam. also be in the group. Or Ren­ del will be travelling in his Malaysian timber project capacity as a Vice-President of the Acadcmy and Or Wild as its Foreign Secretary. Australia's experience and re­ The Division's Forest Con­ The visit is expecled lo last putation in the milling and pro­ version Engineering Group of four weeks but at the time of cessing of hardwood timbers the Forest Products Laboratory, going lo press, no details were has resulted in a request from is to act in a professional capa­ available about the programme. the Malaysiall organisation, city as design consultant to However, since the aim of the Ibam Sendirian BeI"had of Pa­ Ibam for thc project. visit is to promole contact and hang to CSIRO's Division of Thc tcam will be under the co~operation between Aus­ Building Rcsearch for help in Icadership of Mr W. M. Page tralian and Chinese scientists, their new timber programme, and will include Messrs B. both Or Wild and Dr Rendel Ibam Sendirian Bct"had was McCombe, L. S. Barke!', 1<. W. are hoping to have the oppor­ incorporated jointly hy the Fricke, R. M. Liversedge, P. G. tunity to meet and talk with Federal Government of Malay­ Simfendorfer and R. Northway. scientists whose professional in­ sia and the Government of the So far the work has in­ terests are similar to their own, State of Pahang 10 establish an volved Mr Page in three visits It is hoped that the Chinese integrated Limber campI-ex at to the site nnd Messrs Barker will make a return visit to Aus­ Bukit Ibam. and McCombe one each. tralia later in the year. The company has been al­ The complex will cover 60 lotted 260.000 acres of tropical acres and will contain a saw­ The Minister for Overseas Trade has been among recent visitors Return forest, the main species being mill, pre-driers and kilns, mills, to the Division of Mechani.cal Engineering, Highett. tropical hardwoods with mer­ a preservation pressure impreg~ Mr Edih Suwadji of the In­ Dr Cairns made the tour un his own initiative so that he could donesian National Atomic En­ anti and similar limbel's pre­ nation plant and a panel pre­ make himself familiar with the Division's research and develop­ dominating, finishing plant as well as an­ ergy Agency (Agriculture and ment work on solar energy utilisation. Food Preservation Laboratory) It is planned to log 130,000 cilliary buildings and cquip­ OfJ1cers outlined the Division1s activities in this area lo the ment. will return to Jakarta this acres and then the Department Minister and showed him some of the current developments and month after spending 15 of Agriculture will progessively All of the sawmilling equip­ experiments. Among those present on the occasion were Mr V. months with the Division of clear the rest to establish oil ment, pre-driers and kilns are Burgmann (Exccutive) and Mr Roger Morse (Solar Energy Studies Soils, Adelaide. He colla­ palm plantations. The remain~ of Australian manufacture, re­ Unit). borated with Ors K. G. Tiller ing 130,000 acres will then be presenting an export order for Picture: Dr Cairns examines part of a solar waleI' heater. and R. S. Beckwith in research workcd on a perpetual yield Australia of about $1 million. From left: Mr E. T. Davey, Or Cairns. Mr W. Read, Mr V. Ilurg­ on the micronutrient nutrition basis by Ibam. The forest industries CUl'- mann and Dr .I. J. Kowalczewski. of rice.

178-1974 Veterans leave CSIRO after long service The bright young people who and remained its leader until were on the staff 01' the his retirement. National Standards Laboratory During his long career with in the early 1940s are now like the Division he became well the Laboratury itself - much known, particularly for his more mature. Recently several work in the fields oE wall nnd who have been members of the floor tiling, mortars and plaster­ stall through most of the life ing ancl he was active on seve­ of the Laboratory have reached ral Committees of the Stan­ retiring age. dards Association of Australia. One 01' these wa' Mr Eric For many years Ern assisted Eustace who retired after 30 the extension work of the Divi­ years of service. He joined sion by giving building science NSL in 1942 as a Male As­ lectures in chemistry at the sistant (Workshops) and at the School 01' Architecture and time of his retirement was Building al the University of The Division of Mineral Chemistry becomes, for a day, the location for 'Shannon's Mob', a new Senior Laboratory Craftsman Melbourne. Australian 1elevision series. in charge of the Plumbing In his retirement he plans to Workshop. continue this university activity Eric was unfortunate enough and to extend it where possible. to spend a considerable part of the 32 years in which he was associated with NSL not in Min. (hem. becomes ,film location NSL itsell' but in associated New medal for temporary buildings. When Anstralia's latest es­ In it, KIF is a research or­ The wooden shed where he astronomer seemed just right,' Ms Barnarcl )lionagc film series ~Slumnon's ganisation and for this a speci­ said. worked first was demolished to Or Paul Wild, Chief of the 011 fic location was needed. Only outside scenes were re­ make room for \he new Chemis~ Division 01 Radiophysics and Mob' is shown rhe Channel 9 television network this year The exterior grounds of the quired and since the film unit's try School 01' the University of the man who has been de­ organisation were filmed at Sydney and a t that stage he at 'least one location will have presence was not going to dis­ scribed as 'the world's fore­ North Head wilh the Army rupt work, the Division was moved to a galvanised iron most solar physicist' has been a familiar appearance - fhe artillery establishment and the happy to co-operate with the shed outside the main Univer­ awarded the Herschel Medal headquar·ters of KIF (alias the internal scenes of the research company. sity grounds. 01 the Royal Astronomical Knowlcd~c International lioUll­ laboratory were shot on a set Society. The New South Wales Police When the Division 01' Radio­ dation) will look surflrisingly built at North Head. Force, the Army, Navy and physics moved to Epping the This is Ihe first time Ihe like the outside of the Division 'But for the exterior scenes of other government departments NSL plumbers were able to award has been made and has ofM;ne",1 Chcm;stryin Sydney. the building we needed some­ have also given the company move into the building that been given 10 Or Wild for his thing that looked like a re­ assistance. had accommodated the Radio­ outslanding contribution 10 The series is a production of search organisation's-' admini­ physics wmkshops leaving their The series is expected to have solar radio astronomy. Fauna Films Pty Lld which stration block and CSIRO's its premiere showing sometime tin shed to the University De­ lists among its previous suc­ Mineral Chemislry headquarters this month. partment of Fine Arts. cesses Skippy the kangaroo, Eric has left convincing evi­ Boney, the Aboriginal detective, dence of his skill throughout and the features 'Nickel Queen' NSL In installations such as and 'Weird Mob'. helium reticulation systems and . and our 'poly' food cooling coils for a very large The story has an Interpol magnet t1avour with the two main ASIO-type roles being played by Sydney actors, Robin Ram­ IS filmed In London Building Research say and Frank Gallaeher. Mr E. H. (Ern) Waters has Ruminant-derived polyun­ his tournedos. He normally retired from the Division ot saturated food Erom Australia would expect a fillet to be hung Building Research after 27 has been featured jn a film to the point where it could be years with the Organization. Wrong number made by the BBC in London. almost cut with a fork, he said; To mark the occasion he was The food, which included During the filming a fillet given a farewell gift f1'0111 his A Nedlands woman in Wes­ fillet of beef from CSIRO's was cut to show the normality colleagues which was presented tern Australia has sent out a Canon Hill Meat Laboratory of its texture and appearance. by the Assistanl Chief DE the plea to CSIRO staff to stop in Brisbane, and butter, three A second choice, beef stroga­ Division, Dr F. A. B1akey. Ms llsing her telephone number ­ types oC cheeses, a cheese dip, noff, was also on the menu. Waters proudly shared the The Society is hopeful Ihal 86-4457 - in mistake for the yoghurt and ice-cream from Some concern was expressed moment. Ihe medal can be presented CSIRO number at Floreat Park the Dairy Research Laboratory by the CS1RO staff present that Ern was one of the founda­ 10 Or Wild in England. - 87-4233. at Highell, was all flown to the film team referred to the tiou members of the then Build­ The Herschel Medal is 10 be A call fmm Perth has re­ London specially for the occa­ meal as being a 'low fat diet' ing Materials Research Sec­ awarded at two-yearly inter­ quested that all stall check the sion. and this had to be straightened tion in 1946. At Building Re­ vals lor 'work within Ihe lield number they are using and if The sequences oE the film ouL search he set up a group to of stellar and galactic physics, the wrong one is on your list, Were to be part of the BBC's Even so, one woman ap­ work on sllrfacing materials including Ihe sun', please alter it. 'Tuesday Documentary' which proaehed Bob CroU afterwards on this occasion was based on and wanted to know whether diet and its relation to coronary the food Was synthetic or real. heart disease. All the participants Were The inclnsion of the polyun­ given some of the facts of the saturated part of the story polyunsaturated story by the Dutch gardener helps migrants arose after a meeting between CSIRO people before they left the BBC and Dr Alan Johnson the restaurant. For five days a week Henk For Henk this is a culmina­ Dutch group played an im­ of the Division 01' Food Re­ The film was expected to be vau Dijk is happy to spend his tion of many years DE hard portant role in its development. search, North Ryde. shown in Britain sometime in working hours looking after the work and determination to keep February. . 'Iriterest in the activities has 'They heard I was in London glasshouses and gardens around alive and encourage the interest and talked to me about our the laboratories of the Division in the culture and folk lore not continued to grow/ Henk said, 'until now we have 25 nationa­ work on. polyunsaturated food,' of Horlicultural Research at just of his native Holland but Alan Said. 'I told them what Adelaide. BUl once he's away also of other overseas coun­ lities represented with a mem­ Statistician home bership DE 1100.' we'd done and left them with from CS1RO, Henk puts those tries. a copy of "Rural Research" Mr G. N. Wilkinson, who interests aside and turns to his I-lis own association with folk The committee is happy to which featured the story of the left CSIRO's Division of Mathe­ favourite pastime DE Dutch folk dancing goes back to the early a rrange performances for project. matical Statistics in 1970 to undertake extensive develop­ dancing. 1960s when he and his sister various charitiesl and outside 'Not long after I was back This month will be of special first arrived in Australia. Sett­ the Good Neighbour Council in Sydney they rang to sec ment of the GENSTAT statis­ significance to him, He will be ling in Adelaide, they both felt itself, concerts have been staged if we could supply them with tical computing system at the involved in the production of 'a bit lost' in a strange country for Red Cross and the mem­ some of the food which would Rothamsted Experimental Sta­ two concerts to be given at and more as a means of com­ hers have regularly taken part be cooked in the Cafe Royale tion in the UK, is back in Memorial Drive during Ade­ batling loneliness than any in the Festival of Arts. and eaten by some of the pro­ Australia during February and laide's Festival of Arts. particular interest in dancing, March, as a Visiting Professor When the Festival Hall was gramme participants including they joined a Dutch Folk Sir Charles Forte, an interna­ at the University of Adelaide. Dance Group ancl learned for opened the folks arts commit­ He is visiting the Mathe­ tee was asked to give a two­ iionaIly known restauranteur the first time the traditional and head of a large catering matical Statistics Division while dances of their own country. night programme and on that in Adelaide and has been in­ occasion Henk was assistant organisation and Dr Magnus By 1962 Henk had taken Pyke, research director of the vited to spend a week with the over the leadership of the dil'ectoI\ So successful was tne Division of Computing Re­ show that they were then asked Distillers' Company, Scotland.' group which then numbered In co-operation with Dalgety search at Cauberra towards the only 16 people. 'Now there arc to put on Cl special matinee cnd of March. performance. as well. Agri-Lines, the firm licensed to more Australians in the group commercially produce the poly­ than there are Dutch people,' 'At each of the. Festival con­ unsaturated foods, a shipment he said. certs we make a point of stag~ was made up and sent to Mr No room About this time the group ing an exhibition of arts and R. D, Croll at ASLO. The Editor regrets that a became interested in the Good crafts from c1iHerent countries Throughout the production number of stories origil1aNy Neighbour Council, a com~ too. This gives visitors a chance Mr Croll acted as liaison officer scheduled for (his issue of munity service for migrants. to see something of the culture between CSIRO ancl Dalgety 'Corcscnrch' have been held The Council went on to form our people have brought with Agri-Lines and the BBC. ou( hel'uuse of hlCk of space. a folk arts eommitlee with the them to their new land ancl The food arrived in perfect This was en used through the idea of preserving the national helps us to retain our memories condition and Was uuly served inclusion of the. fea(ure on heritage of immigrants and this of our native lands and pass on at the restaurant. the northern f1ool1s. It is embraced a full range of cul­ to ollr children something of The chef had only onc cri­ hoped to use this hcl<1~ovcr tural activities - arts, crafls1 what for them has become a ticism to make - he found the mHlerinl in Ihe A))I·jJ edition. dancing and music - and the dual heritage,' Henk said. beef fillet was a bit 'fresh' for

178-1974 SAFETY NEWS Liquid mercury is potential hazard Liquid mercury produces enough vapour at ordiuary room temperatures to poison people who inhale the vapour for a period of time.

Mercury can also be ab~ cury diffusion pump can ,dis- Another method is to treat sarbed via the skin. charge dangerous concentrations the area with zinc dust which of mercury vapour. forms an amalgam with the As there is 110 single diagno~ Because of its high density, mercury and reduces the vola­ sUe test 'hnt win predict mer- containers designed for aqueous tility. cury poisoning, extreme care solutions are not suitable [or After decontaminalil;Jo has in the handling o[ it is CSSCIl- the storage of mercury unless been performed as well as pos­ tial. they are particularly robust. sible, the area should be moni­ Ordinary reagent bottles were tored for mercury vapour c0':l~ It should be noted that at not designed to contain mer­ centration. If tile atmosphenc ordinary room temperatures, cury, and can burst under the contamination cannot be re­ the concentration of mercury excess weight. duced to an acceptable level, Or R. G. Glovanelli, (left) Chief of the Division of Physics, shows vapour in the air can be up to If such containers must be floor coverings, etc., may have 150 times the safe limit. the Minister for Science, Mr W. L. Morrison, some of the used, they need to be pro­ la be stripped and replaced. Instruments the Division operates at Culgoora In their solar tected by placing them inside Alternatively, forced draught observations. Properties of mercury a lhick-walled plastic beaker. ventilation can be used to pro~ Mercury has a high density Where mercury is handled on vide suflicient air movement to and a high surface tension but a regular basis, evaluation of reduce the contamination to an such a low viscosity that it is acceptable level. ~xtremely the vapour concentration should 'Per ardua ad astra' for dimcult to pour with­ be made using a continuous out splashing or spilling. Fall­ direct reading instrument. Special areas ing drops break into smaller droplets, many of which are The use of exposed mer­ Minister on NSW tour loo small to be seen with the Protective measures cmy should bc avoided wher­ ever possible in conditioned naked eye. Smoking eating or drinking The Minister for Science, Mr Professor Hanbury Brown of l rooms or areas which gener­ The high surface tension of should be prohibited in labo­ W. L. Morrison, has been on the School of Physics of Syd­ hand~ ally rely on air recirculatioJ;1' ney University and saw the mercury makes the agglomera­ ratories where mercury is In such areas, the atmosphenG n factwfinding tour of some of' tion of small droplets almost led 01' used. New South Wnles' astronomical model nf the new interfero­ contamination can reach dan­ meter thcy hope to be able to impossible, so decontamination Ideally, clothing and shoes gerous levels. observatories. of an a rea where mercury has construct if funds become avail­ used in such laboratories should In air-conditioned laboratory been spilt is extremely dimcult. not be worn away from the He was accompanied by the able. blocks, a similar situation can The concept that a sloping laboratory to prevent the Chairman of the Executive, The oillcer-in-charge at Cul­ occur. Ideally, exhaust air Dr J. R. Price, and the Per­ goora, M r Warren Payten, was floor 01' bench will allow all spread of contamination. from areas containing exposed mercury droplets to roll to a This is particularly important manent Head of the Depart­ host for the party at CSIRO's mercury should be vented to ment o[ Science, Sir Hugh facilities there where the Minis­ sump is not valid ..:- visible if mercury has spilt on to the the atmosphere. small droplets can frequently floor from, say, bench height. Ennor. ter was welcomed by Dr R. G. Other members of the party Giovanelli, Chief of the Divi­ Disposal included two members of the sion of Physics. The disposal of contaminated media, Ms J ane Ford, 'Sydney The party made a tour of the mercury and its salts presents Morning Herald', and Mr various installations at Cul­ "pecial problems, e.g. the Robert Haupt, 'Financial Re­ goora and was given some in­ Sydney Metropolitan Water view', Mr Terry Healy, CSIRO sight into the solar research Sewerage and Drainage Board Liaison officer on the Minis­ which is being undertaken by will permit no mercury in ter's stan.. and Dorothy Brax­ the Divisions of Physics and any form lo enter its sewerage ton of the Central Communi­ Radiophysics. system or stormwater channels. cation Unit. During the course of the tour Advice of the Divisional or First stop for the group was Mr Morrisoll had the oppor­ Head Oillce Safety Oillcer at Parkes where some of the tuniLy to meet some of the should be sought regarding the complexities of radio astro­ foremost astronomers in Aus­ disposal of mercury. nomy were explained by the tralia, or in the world, if it Chief of the Division of Radio­ comes to that. -J. W. Hallam, physics, Dr Paul Wild, the He was able to talk to them Safety OlIicer Division's 'astronomer-at-large', about their requirements for Mr John Bolton, the oillcer-in­ the future, and the scientists charge at Parkes, Mr John were able to explain to him Shimmins, and other members how new instrumentation was Northern floods of the staIT. necessary if they - and Aus­ Cont'd from page 1 At Siding Spring the Minis­ tralia - were to retain lheir ter inspected the new 3.9 m place in world astronomical way in which so many worked telescope being built for the circles. day and night to help their col­ A nglo-Australian Telescope The projects include a new leagues and neighbours and as­ Board and which is scheduled millimetre telescope at I)arkes, 'I sometimes wish that I, too, were working for myself, and sisted the Civil Defence autho­ for its official opening towards a new stellar interferometer to not just for humanity.' - rilies. the end of this· year. enable Professor Hanbury While he was there the Brown's group at Narrabri to Assistance Minislcr met the newly-ap­ extend their work on measure­ be seen adhering lo smooth On hilling the floor, the mer­ He also expressed his grati­ pointed Director of the obser­ ment of stars and a joint Aus­ vertical surfaces. cury would break up [nto small tude to all those in the un­ vatory, Professor Joseph Wam­ tralian-European solar observa­ The vapour pressure of mer­ droplels which would lodge in affected areas of the country pIer, from the Lick Observatory tory which is being proposed cury increases rapidly with in­ and on shoes, and on clothing who responded to the appeal in the United States. for the Canary Islands. creases in temperature. At covering the legs, particularly for funds which was launched in trouser cuffs. The wearing Mr Morrison was also shown This last-mentioned telescope 100'C this is more than 200 around the southern Divisions. lhe 1.2 m Schmidt telescope is a proposal by European times the vapour pressure at of this clothing outside the laboratory could spread con­ Al the time of going to press, and the facilities of the Aus­ solar astronomers· who, appre­ 20°C. As a consequence, radia­ lhe results .of this a ppeal were lralian National University ciating the costs involved in tors, motors, ovens and other tamination, particularly into the home. not known but backin~ it up which all form part of the Sid­ the construction of such an heating apparatus greatly in­ have been oITers of help from ing Spring astronomical com­ instrument, have suggested that crease the mercury vapour con­ the southern Benevolent Funds, plex. it should be established and centration if droplets are left Decontamination from the Technical Association At Narrabri the party in­ operated by a number of coun­ on or near such equipment. tries. The bulk of spilled mercury and from the Oillcers' Associa­ spected the stellar interfero­ A typically dangerous situa­ tion. meter devised and operated by According to Dr Giovanelli, tion occurs when a mercury can be recovered by suction. using a glass tube drawn out to it has been suggested that Aus­ thermomcter breaks in a hcat~ tralia should provide up la ing ovcn, the design of which an opening of about 1 mm and connected by flexible tubing to J0 per ceut of the funds and usually makes decontamination in return it would return lO impossible. a Iilter flask in turn connccted to a source of vacuum. per cent of the observation time. Precautions This method will only en­ able the collection of the larger Skin contact should be visible drops and will not cope 'Coresearch' avoided whenever possible. with those small droplets which Most mercury handling opc­ would be sprayed around the 'Coresearch' is produced rations arc carried out in the area, However, as much as by the Central Communica­ open laboratory, but considcra~ possible of the "pillage should tion Unit for CSIRO staff. Hon should be given to the be eollectcd in this way. Members are invited to con· more frequent use of fume C\lP~ tribute or send suggeslions For the remainder, there is for articles. The deadline boards, glove boxes or special no really satisfactorv method enclosures. for material is normally the of preventing volatilisalion of firsl day of the month pre· All operations, where prac­ the mercury. ceding publication. tical, should be carried oul Treatment of the area with over a tray containing water. Material and queries should a lime sulphur slmry will as­ be sent to the Edilor The presence of water reduces sist. The mercury parlicles then the release of mercury vapour (Oorothy Braxton), Box 225, become coated with the sulphur Dickson, A.C.T. 2602, Tel. and helps to prevent the for­ and evaporation is reduced. mation of small droplets of 484478 or Wendy Parsons, However, vibralion and rub­ 484227. mercury. bing, as occurs with foot traffic, Les Adams has a fine orop of water hyacinths in his unwanted The exhausl from the mecha­ will break the coating and al­ roof garden. Long Pocket oolleagues are helping him to clean up nical backing pumps on a mer~ low vaporisation to continue. the mess. Printed by CSIRO, MelbOUrlW

178-1974 179##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RO staff April 1974

(SIRO staff help to isolate M.V. encephalitis virus A Two members of the Division of Wildlife Research, Kent Keith and Bevan Brown, have spent 10 uncomfortable days working in swamps around Griffith, Hay and Mildum. Their mission - to help isolate the Murray Valley encephalitis virus.

Kent and Bevan were part of that the subsequent transmis­ 'If it turns out to be a species u team of vir{)logists and orni­ sion to local birds and man is which is a "domestic" varielY thologists led by Dr IlIn MlIr­ made by a certain species of found around su burban areas shall, Senior Fellow in the river-hauntinn mosquitoes. the control would be compara­ Department of Microbiology of For Kent and Bevan the pro­ lively simplel but if, as is more the Austrnlian National Uni­ ject meant cam{)in~ out in the likely, the mosquito turns out versity's John Curtin School Barren Box ,swamps near Grif­ to be one .of the bush kind, of Medical Research. fith, at Hay on the Murrum­ then cOIltrol::is,almost impos­ The team also included other bidgee, in the Gol Gal swamps sible,' Dr Marshal! said. ANU staIT and scientists from at Mildura, at Mooroopna ncar In this case, the team could the Veterinary Research Sta­ Shepparton, in the Barmah State only advise people of the in­ tion at Glenfield and the School Forest and in areas near sect's hagits. the times it is most of Microbiolo~v of the Uni­ Rutherglen and Swan Hill. Iikelvt(j feed and the places it versity of New South Wales. 'The ANU team collected the inhabits. The aim was to find the mosquitoes while we caught the ~:Theonl'J thing to do then,' species of mosquito responsible birqs,' Kent told'Coresearch', pe said, 'would be to avoid the for spreading the virus between 'We had to Jake blood areas under -those conditions.' its wildlife hosts and man, to samples from them in the field This type of work is not new I'ecover the·virl1,sfrom, :sus­ and then remove samples of to .Kent. Between 1962 and peclcdbird, carriers,'and >to the serum from the blood. 1966 he made several visits to investigate th~ relationship be­ 'The serum and blood clots (he SepikDistrict of Papua tween. ,thc ,virus, ,causing 'cn­ Were placed in liquid nitrogen :NewGuinea with teams again cephalitis!in humans with that as were the captured mosqui­ IQd by Dr Marshal1 and durin!\ causing:u conctJrrentoutbreak toes and are now being tested lI~ose expeditions they were of encephalitis in ,horses. back in Canberra at the John successful in isolating the virus The MurraY Valley eflceph~: Curtin School. trom mosqllitoes. litis virus was originally,w" 'AIl laId w ater he a!\ain worked with covered,frOt)'l(he brail1 a thQ Nelson Bay fatal h~t)'l'\[\5'\~J'i-')J~N b It Stcplwm .'Where "sam,,' virus'l1,as;Jj""n>o'b so the···'Ross'''Rivcr 'Keil'fc"'Kel\fjC(I€tft)· Wildlife Research, and Rush Hegney of t1,e from mosquitoes in north epends a virti(causing the disease known Research School of Biological Sciences of the ANU placing Queensland and inPapua New early samples tested re­ liS epidelllicpolyarthritis. mosquitoes Inlo a holding net after they have had a blood feed Guinea. veal the virus, then thaI's our This has oothin!\ to do with On birds near the Barmah Stale Forest. The r~centfield investigations good fortune. But it could be the usual forms of arthritis but have lestedthe.theorY

The nUII1 who LJrou~ht the Until recently this tiny ani­ in a severe climate and where possums (0 Cunberl'll is HUllS mal which whell fully grown the aJlnual precipitation is Dill11lcl, a tllxidcrmist at the measures only 95-100 mill with 200-320 cm, much of it winter Division of Wildlife ReseDrch a tail that is about 140 mm snow with winter temperatures ut Gungahlin. was known only from fossil frequently below freezing point, The possums, commonly remains found in New South the second lot of animals and known as the mountain pigmy Wales in 1896; it was unknown others which have since been possum and scientifically called as a living animal until 1966 brought down to Canberra Burramys pal'vus Broom, are when a specimen was caught have thrived in warmer condi~ being kept in a specially con­ in the kitchen of a ski-lodge lions. structed house at Hans' home at Mt Hotham ill Victoria at They have also begun breed­ Above: The mountain pygmy in Weetangcra, a Canberra an altitude of 1933 111. ing for lhe first time in captivity. possum found In the. Mt Kos­ suburb. The closest relalions of the 'The pouch young are so clusko National Park. Picture: Special permission had to be mountain possum are the pigmy tiny that they're only the size Letters to Elizabeth Danyi. obtained [or Hans la have them possum, which are found at of a match head at birth,' there while they are under lower altitudes and which ill­ Hans said, 'The normal litter Below: Hans Dimpel at Char· scientific observation since it is habit areas such as the Tidbill­ is fOUL' the Editor lolle's Pass in wintry condi­ an olIence to remove protected billa nature reserve in the With the colony seemingly tions during the Mt Kosclusko fauna from its natural habitat ACT, and the pigmy glider. successfully established, the National Park fauna survey. in NSW, and to keep it in cap­ Hans found his litlle pos­ Division, with the permission Picture: Ed Slaler. tivity in the ACT. sums when he carried out the of the NSW National Parks Freedom to print first major fauna survey in the and Wildlife 'Service, has made Kosciusko National Park, be­ a gift of seven Dossums to Sir-Increasing numbers of gun in 1968. For the next three Taronga Park Zoo where they publications, particularly those and a half years he spent much are living in the nocturnal with an environmental content, of both the summer and winter house. are noW being published by periods visiting five different oJJicers outside CSIRO. I sus­ These have now begun 10 study areas, eacl~ one of .whi~h breed there. pect there may also be officers was entirely different JI1 Its whose papers are of t'icicntific habitat. merit, but never see the light 'The alpine area was given New outlook of day, because of comments the most consideration in the For Hans the survey opened from unsympathetic colleagues hope that we'd find small up a whole new world, for he and superiors. mammals there,' Hans said, is more accustomed as a taxi~ This trend is out of keeping 'but we didn't expect to find dermist and tanner to handling with the spidt of the remarks lhe possums in that locality. dead animals, lIe is an expert by the Minister for Science, Rather, wc believed that if wc in scientific soft tanning, a Mr W. L. Morrison, to the An­ did sec any of them they would method he specialised in in his nual General Meeting of the be in the dense bush or wet home town of Friesenhcim in South Australian Branch of the areas.' Germany's Dlack Forest. CSIRO Officers' Association on Twelve years ago Hans de­ 4 May. Furthermore, I be­ Discovery cided he needed fresh fields to lieve it to be detrimental to the work in and took oD' round Organization, to the scientists The first animal found was the world, learning more about concerned, and ultimately to live-trapped in February 1970 tanning as he travelled, He society as a whole. Three exhibits for Expo '14 bv two visi.ting Canadian settled in Australia and joined naturalists, Ian and Joyce Mc­ CSIRO in 1966. It would be unfortunate if Spokanc, an American city lion by Dr M. F. C. Day, Taggert Cowan, about onc mile At the Division he found the Organization were to dis­ of 180,000 people, located in a member of the Executiv.e. north of Sehlink Pass at 1950 m own a piece of work simply be­ an impressive valley 100 miles on a small creek. several hundred large skins of The Australian exhibition various mammals either pre­ cause it may not be entirely south of the Canadian border Before that specimen was will be in harmony with the served in alcohol or dried hard within the terms of reference llnd 300 miles inland from theme and will reflect the real identified, Hans and Ian Mason, after cleaning, without further of the Division at that parti­ Seattle, will be the site of concern the country has on en­ a technical officer from the cular time. To mv knowledge treatment. Hc set about to Expo '74. vironmental issues, Division, live-trapped a second tan them, teaching others at no comparable restrictions exist Running through from 4 May female a month later near the within universities. the same time to do the work to 3 November, the fair is be­ Snowy River. Then a week in this new soft way. Inevitably work submitted ing staged as an olTicial event or so later, the two men trap­ privately is sllspect by editors .in the United States bicentenary Visitor ped a male in the same area. 'You can tan anvthing ham and the readership alike, be­ celebrations, Mr G. N. Wilkinson, who Doth sites arc about 100 kill a buITalo skin to that of a possum,' Hans said, 'You keep .. caUse a scientisCs arnUations Its central lheme is 'ProIV'ess left the Division of Mathe­ east-north~east from Mt Hol­ arc generally well known. withollt Pollution' and it has matical Statistics in 1970 to ham, where the original living the animal's natural colouring, been dedicated to the improve­ undertake extensive develop­ specimen was found. which is important for re­ A lack of ol1kial approval search wurk, and the skins re­ ment of man's environment. ment of the GENSTAT statis­ 'We used baits of either rolled does not necessarily mean that main sol't and pliable.' tical computing system at the oats or rolled oats and walnut a paper is substandard, and yet Australia is onc of the 11 Rothamsted Experimental Sta­ nations taking part and CSIRO chips,' Hans said, 'both of But though Hans' work in it is frequently interpreted as tion in the UK, has been in this area is still his major as­ such. will be represented through which the possums like to cat Australia during the last two now they're in captivHy.' signment) he is never happier three exhibits - a solar energy months as a Visiting Professor I would like to hear of de­ water heating unit, constructed The first throe possums were than when he is out in the tails from colleagues about at the University of Adelaide. brought back to Canberra but open. He has now joined for Expo by the Division of He spent some time at the papers which were: Mechanical Engineering, a all died within a few months. several scientific surveys and Division while in Adelaide and An examination revealed that this chance to stndy Australian • published without any refer­ photographic display of Aus­ also visited the Division of tralian wildlife compiled by Ed they had suD'ered from a defi­ wildlife in ils natural habitat ence to the Organization, Computing Research at Can­ has, he says, given Slater from the Division of ciency of vitamins so when him a new berra. insight into his adopted country. • published privately because of Wildlife Research and a model several more were captured the rejection by the Division, and of the Sirotherm desalination following year Hans made sure As a result of his work he process for purifying water for Honour that their diet was boosted with has now written several tech­ • not published beeanse of pres­ domestic and industrial usc, de­ The highest honour of the vitamins and calcium, nical papers in collaboration sure from within the Divi­ vetoped jointly by lCI Aus­ Royal Australian Chemical In­ 'I just used the same things with John Calabv and other sion, tralia and the Applied Che­ stitute, the H. G, Smith Memo­ as we would give to our own scientists. mistry Laboratories. how~ I am hoping to compile in­ rial Mcdal, has been awarded children,' he said. His greatest satisfaction, formation on this with a view Allhough CSIRO will not to a CSlRO scientist, Dr D. H. ever, has been in seeing an to advising the CSIRO Oificers' have any staIT at Expo '74, the S. Horn of the Applied Che­ Conditions animal thought to be very close Association, and subsequently Organization was represented mistry Laboratories. The. award to extinct begin to flourish in the Executive on the extent of on the Advisory Committee set is made annually for work in Despite the fact tbat in their numbers that could cnsure its these practices. Hopefully, this up to plan the Australian pavi- chemical research. natilral habitat where they live future security. problem will ultimately be rc­ solved for everybody's benefit.

-1'. H. Springell, Awards for weather men Division of Animal Genetics. Two CSIRO scientists, Dr at the opening ceremony of the C. H. D. Prieslley (left) Chair­ First Special Assemblies of the man of the Environmental International Association oC Physics Laboratories, and Dr Meteorology and Atmospheric Ms Jewel l'els, Rangelands G. W. Paltridge (right), Divi­ Physics/International Associa­ Research Group, Deniliquin: sion of Atmospheric Physics, tion for the Physical Sciences Sorry wc can only publish let­ had good reason to look as of the Ocean, held in Melbourne. ters which carry the writer's though they were enjoying the Or Priestley's award, onc he signature. occasion --- they had just been holds jointly with a British However, that 'dish' you re­ presented with their interna­ scientist, Mr J. S. Swayer, Dir­ ferred to at Parkes is quite a tional awards from the World ector of Research in the UK dish. Vital statistics are a dia­ Meteorological Organization by Meteorological Omce, is the meter of 64 m, it has 30 radial Or W. J. Gibbs (eenlre), Dir­ highest internatiomLl honour in ribs cantilevered out from a ector of the Bureau of Meteoro­ meteorology. He is the first central hub and its aerial cabin logy in Australia and Viee­ scientist working in the sou­ is supported bv three legs. Who President of WMO. thern hemisphere to receive it. says that's degrading'l-Ed. The presentation took place (Sec Coreseareh No. 174.)

179-1974 Appointment to Executive Mr V. E. Jennings. B.E., M.I.E. (Aust) of Mt Eliza Victoria, has been appointed a pnrt~time member of th~ Executive. He replaces Sir Henry Somerset who has relired after serving three terms each of three years. Mr Jennings is the _managing director of A. V. Jennings Industries (Aust) Ply. Lld. Hc has been involved in many organisations some of which include the Auslralian Institute of Urban Studies (Vice-President and Chairman of the Research Committee)· the Auslralian Engineering and Building Industries Research Association (Vice-Chairman); and the Science and Industry Forum of the Australian Academy of Science. He is also a Councillor of the Australian Administrative Staff College. Senior staff selected Two new senior appoint­ Dr Yates was formerly with metHs have been made by the the Division of Protein Che­ Executive to the Head Oflke mistry in Melbourne and for staff in Canberra. the last 18 months before his Mr H. R. Webb has been appointment was with the Divi­ appointed Assistant Secretary sion of Food Reseatch1s Meat Greg Whitehead, Keilh Norlhcote, Bruce Billing and Jack Harris on the ground at Streaky Bay (Environmental Sciences). He Research Laboratory at Cannon Eyre Peninsuia, to collect soli and grain samples In an Investigation of what soli types grow th~ will be concerned with the ad­ I-lill, Brisbane. highest protein wheats. ministration of research in the environmental sciences and also be responsible to the Secretary (Agricultural and Biological To lecture in Sciences) for fostering and Soil scientist up in clouds maintaining liaison between Japan CSIRO anu other research Dr T. D. C. Grace of the At the Division of Soils in Adelaide, microbiologist Jack Harris usclI to be regarded bodies and associations con­ Division of Entomology has cerned with environmental been awarded a Visiting Pro­ as a 'hazardous insurance risk'. problems. fessorship by the Japan Society Not because his work of doing infrared photography from au aeroplanc was looked Mr Webb joined CSIRO as for the Promotion of Science. upon as bcing dangerous in itself, but rather because no one was quitc sure what his a member of the Agricultural The society, estnblished in Liaison Unil which became part 1959, sponsors the programme insurance status was when he was Itying with the door of the plane off. of the Agrkuhural and Bio~ to enable senior foreign scien­ logical Sciences Branch. tists to visit Japan to conduct Recently he has been in­ co - operative research with If I,e reil out, WllS it due to 'We started photographing He also did some troubte­ volved in the organisation of Japanese scientists. misllllp to the aircmft (covered the area first in black and white shooting on trials that went and colour and then decided to wrong for colleagues in the two international conferences, Dr Grace will be in Japan hy insurance) or was it an one 011 grasslands and one on unlil I June and will be work­ illjm'y on the ground (nnf try infrared false colour. We neighbouring Waite Agricul­ realised then that we'd hit on a tural Research Institute and animal produclion, and he has ing with Professor S. Kitamura, mvered)'1 technique which allowed us to Roseworthy Agricultural Col­ been secretary of the Animal Dircctor, School of Medical see so much more than would lege. Produclion Committee. Zoology, at the Mie Prefeclural To settle the argument Jack University TSU. eventually had a special door otherwise have been possible.' Now Jack works in co-opera­ The second appointment is win~ Up until then, such tech­ tion with them. Each year they that of Dr J. R. Yates who will He will be mainly concerned made with a removable COl1~ dow. This could be fitted to niques had only been used for supply him with a list of their assume the responsibilities with teaching members of Pro­ any of the light aircraft which looking at diseases and pests in field sites and plans for new cerned with the administration fessor Kitamura's group some plants and crops. So far ,\8 projects and when Jack is fiying of research in the Industrial of the techniques of culturing he regularly flies, and now he em~ can take pictures in safety and Jack knows it had never been near one of the areas for the and Physical Sciences Branch insect cells with special keep botb the insurance and tried before to determine the Division, he checks them out and will be responsible to the phasis on establishing popula· the Division's administrative nutritional aspects of plant life bv infrared photography. Secretary (Industrial and Phy­ lions of cells that arise from and associated :'iOils. sical Sciences) for fostering one cell. section happy. 'We are convinced that by and maintaining liaison be­ making increased use of light He also hopes to visit insti­ Jack first started bis work on New tcchniqne tween CSIRO and other re­ tutions in Japan which are in­ aerial photography using infra­ aircraft and of infrared phoio­ search bodies allll associations graphy,' Jack said, 'it allows us lerested in insect viruses and red false colour film in 1969 Back in Adelaide, he wanted concerned with physical and in­ insect tissue culture, and insect and since tben has saved the to make further experiments to broaden the scope of our dustrial research. pathology. Division hundreds of man hours and he and his pilot developed working ~\reas considerably.' through a technique he deve­ the ideal way to do the work loped which allows them to re­ economicaUy. verse procedure of field trials. By flying as slowly as pos­ sible, steeply banked in a tight Rotary tour Soviet scientists visit Instead of the conventional circle at an altitude of less than Rangelands scientist, Graeme way of selecting a site for a 1000 ft, and by using an ordi­ field trial in a very even area, Tupper of Deniliquin, has left nary .35 mm camera with infra­ on a 10 weeks visit to the CS IRO Divisions then seeing what nutritional red false colour film, he was deficiencies showed up in crops United States under the spon­ The draft of an agreement able to get the desired effect sorship of Rotary Foundation. Chairman, Dr 1. R. Price, and and pastures when fertilisers without requirin~ specialised on scientific exchanges between Executive of CSIRO at Head were applied, the scientists can Graeme was nominated for Australia and the USSR was Olliee in Canberra and again in aerial photographic equipment. the tour by the Denitiquin now take pictures of the coun­ 'In those early days the initialled at a ceremony during Sydney Hod also visited a num­ tryside in infrared false colour. Rotary Club and was selected the visit last mon th of a Soviet ber of the Divisions. photographer had to be har­ from 13 finalists. The field triat can then be sited nessed in because once we re.. rnlssion representing the State During a luncheon in Can­ in areas where problems show The visit wil\ last about 10 Committee for Science and berra, the Russian delegation moved the door to take pic­ weeks with expenses being paid up on the film. tures there was the chance that Technology and tbe Soviet presented Dr Price with a col­ bv the Foundation which pro­ Academics of Science and Agri­ lection 01' books. In this way, much time and wben the plane was banked, he vides educational and voca­ could fall out. cultural Science. This was reciprocated bv effort is saved- in obtaining tional study programmes for It is hoped that the agree­ CSIRO before the mission left samples which show large 'The trouble was the harness qualified young people in coun­ menl will now be Jormally when Mr A. F. Gurnett-Smith variations. also had a quick-release catch tries other than their own. signed for Australia by the made a gift of a collection of 'The conditions which show on it and on one occasion I While he is in America, Prime Minister durin,g a visit recent publications by officers up in the pictures are ones we accidentally hit mine. After Graeme will spend two weeks to Russia later this year, of the Orgrmization to the head could not ordinarily see from that, we roped ourselves in and back on duty for CSIRO when Members of the Russian mis­ of the delegation, Ml' L. N. the ground, nor would they tied one end of the rope to the he will take a look at research sion spent some time with the Yefremov. show up in black and white or pilot's legs so he'd alwavs know and methodology related to in ordinary colour photD~ if he'd lost a passenger.' assessment of range conditions graphy', Jack said. About this lime Jack de­ and trends in Texas, New tThe infrared allows us to cided it was expedient to learn Mexico and Arizona. im~ how to get himself ou( of sec in a spectrum of light trouble if anything happened to portant to plant life but which his pilot, and CSIRO met the would not otherwise be ob­ cost of a 'pinch hitter's' course Information, please served by the naked eye.' which gave him tuition in Clyde Garrow (Manager, In­ emergency flying and landing. formation Service) left Mel­ Joint vcnture bourne on 9 March ror a Jack's interest in both infra­ Trouble shooting month's visit to the USA and red photography and flying be­ Not content to leave it at UK. He is vis'iting numerous gan when he was working on a that, Jack went on to become information agencies in the joint CSIRO-Cresco Fertilisers a qualified pilot. Since then he fields of the environment, toxi­ project. Along with two of has flown himself and other cology, water resources and Cresco's staff he had flown to members of the Division thous­ solar energy. the Yorke Peninsula to carry ands of miles with the result Clyde also plans to allend out Held trials. that sites for field trials are the National Federation 01' Ab­ 'If we'd gone in by surface selected most efficieotly from stracting and Indexing Services vehicle, it would have taken both aerial and ground checks. annual conference in Chicago us ages but because these two During the season, growth in the national meeting of th~ men could fly, we could hire the trials can be monitored in Information Industry Associa­ a plane and fly around wher­ the shortest time and in the tion in Washington and the ever wc wanted to ,go. This most economical way from conference of the Institute of cut down our travelling time aerial inspection and photo­ Information Scientists at Guild­ Or L. T. Evans (centre) with members of the Russian science enormously. graphy. ford, Surrey. mission at the Division of Plant Industry.

179-1974 Obituaries (SIRO loses two of its In seeking informntion on personalities the trend of lJK science in nreus of pnrticular interest to The deaths have occurred in Aus1rnliu nod in relation to recent weeks of two people (luesHons posed by our col~ who have had a long associa­ leagues at home, some of us at tion with CSIRO. ASLO make rnirly fre'lueul One was Dr WiIfred W, visUs (0 scientific eslablish~ Bryan of Brisbane, a leading men's, in and out of London. agricultural scientist, and the One such visit was made other was Dr BalTie Dawson recently to the Nature Con­ of the X-ray Difl'raction Section servancy at Monks Wood Ex­ of the Division of Chemical perimental Station near Physics, Melbourne. Huntingdon. Dr Bryan, who was origi­ Since its establishment in nally with the Division of Plant 1949 this experimental station Industry and who later trans­ has been advising on nature ferred to Tropical Agronomy. conservation and the manage­ specialised in plant breeding ment of nature reserves and and tropical pasture develop­ also conducting research. ment. As from November it was 8taff of the Division of Mechanical Engineering at Highell relax in the grounds at a barbecue His work over 40 years was planned la remove the conser­ following the week-long solar energy workshop. Guests included visitors from the United States recognised by the UniversilY of vation work~but to continue the and Australian universities and industry. Earlier in the week the visitors were entertained at a nueensland which awarded research as part of a new unit dinner at the Division's cafeteria. him his doctorate in agricul­ with the Natural Environment tural science. He was also a Research Council to be known Fellow of the Australian Insti­ as 'The Institute of Terrestrial tute of Agricultural Science. Ecology'. Scientists to collaborate At Gallon Agricultural Col­ The excursion to Monks lege he produced a hybrid Wood coincided with its Open maize which gave a 20 per cent Week and the place was swarm­ increase in yield. ing with visitors. especially students from secondary schools. on solar energy studies During his association with Obviously the station is a CSIRO Dr Bryan played a great attraction. Forty American and Australian scientists and engineers sat ronnd a table at the major role in developing tro­ pical pastures in the coastal Young people everywhere Division of Mechanical Engineering last month and talked solar energy from about nine lowlands of southern Qneens­ were filling in 'Iuiz forms to o'clock in the lIloming until live-thirty in tbe evening for live days, land. test their understanding of the exhibits, or checkin,g their biow Dr Dawson graduated in che­ logical knowledge by attempt­ And most of thcm continued Although. it was too early to This was of interest to Aus­ mistry from the University of ing to identify the trees, plants. with the same subject during spell out specific projects, the tralian scientists and engineers Melbourne in 1945 and then mammals and insecls among 'he evenings', morninl~ llud participants were able to iden~ who identified potenial applica­ took his Ph.D. at Cambridge the many illustrations and speci­ afternoon tca breaks nnd lunch tify common interests which tions in Australia. as a CSIRO senior student. mens on display. could benefit from mutual 'Several of these areas could He joined CSIRO in 1950 as well. support. In the various laboratories serve as the basis for co-opera­ and gained a high international displays dealt with toxic chemi­ While Melbourne gave the Talking after the week's overseas visitors a good indica­ tive projects,' they said. reputation through his contri­ cals and wildlife, lowland grass­ events, the two co-ordinators butions to diffraction stodies of lands, invertebrate population tion of its 'unproccssed' solar said these included computer The scienf.ists also discussed heat. the men discussed every ways of increasing the transfer atomic and molecular structure. ecology, woodland management, models of thermal processes the British Antarctic Survey aspect of the subject from the such as the heating and cooling of information and hope that Dr Dawson was also noted application of it at low tem­ they will be able to have ex­ for his pioneer approach to and biological records. The of buildings, the healing of last-named activity provides an peratures up to 1200C to the water and low pressure steam change visits among researchers structure analysis which pro­ United Stales programme aimed generation. in the various fields of solar vided a new insi~ht into the excellent point of contact be­ energy utilisaHon. tween professional and amateur at generating electricity from The models were powerful chemical bond. solar energy. naturalists, ecologists and con· aids for the design of installa­ servationists in the UK. Co-ordinating the Australian tions and the development of group was Mr Roger M,arse t improved C0111pOnents, they For good measure a well­ CSIRO's Director of Solar said. documented mile-long nature Energy Studies, and just to con· Other projecls included spe­ trail rnnning through the fuse the issue, the co-ordinato!" cial surface treatments of ab­ National Nature Reserve at the of the American team shared sorbing surfaces, the drying of station was open to visitors, the same surname -- he was Dr agricultural and forest pro~ and the Director was occa­ Frederick Morsc. ducts and the problems of sionally to be seen extracting The object of the workshop, thermal storage. from his pocket a real live mole, which had been lIsed in staged umlcr the US/Australia In the field of renewable Science Agreement, was lo de­ feeding experiments eartier in fuels, the use or: plant material the day. fine areas where the two C01l11­ grown specially for conver­ tries could elfectively colla­ sion to fllel was an aICa which Should we in CSIRO be borate in their research and was recognised as having great making more effort to com­ development prog,rammcs and potential and one in which municate with the public by in this they achieved consider­ Australia's strength in agri· such means? - F.G.L. able success. cultural research could make an important contribution, the scientisls agreed. Encephalitis virus Appointment The USA has a large pro­ gramme aimed at generating Conl'd from page 1 Dr ll. W. It. Muneey, electricity from solar energy. Chief of the Division of Darling and Macquarie Rivers. BuHding Rescarch, Hi~he((, At the Macquarie marshes, has been clcdcd (»residcnt their success was a little over­ of the Vicf-oriRIl Instifu{c of whelming, Colleges. succccding fhe fC R Record flight Adelaide scientists and teachers who are sharing in the educa­ lIn a one-night stand at a tiring I»rcsidenl, Sir \ViIIis tional venture include (from left) Mr ColIn Ralson, Ms Pam particular biIlabong there,' he Connolly. David Tongway, an analy­ Balard. Mr Richard Merry and Dr Kevin Tiller (both from the said, 'wc isolated 13 different tical chemist from the Range­ (The vrc is 11 state lIutho­ Division of Soils) and Dr Davld L1oyd. viruses. Some of them were rity established in J 965 to lands Research Group at Deni­ new and unnamed and are still co~ordina(c and dcvelolJ tcr~ liquin, has won the Wakefield being investigatcd.' tiar.v education within 'he Trophy for rubber powered framework of those coHeges free night model planes at the alliliated with it. It rellre­ nalional championships held at SA education project scnts an alternative sys'em Amberley Air Base. 'Coresearcb' of cducllHon in Hmf IIro~ There were 12 entrants in The Division of Soils in Adelaide has come to an arrangement 'Coresearch' is produced vidcd lJy the universities.) the cvcnL with the Chemical Education Committee of the Royal Australian by the Central Communica· In winning the trophy, Chemical Institute to encourage jligh school teachers to infor­ tion Unit for CSIRO staff. Davi.d's model had a night of mally participate in scientific research. Members are invited to con· 1253 seconds out of a possible tribute or send suggestions New journal 1260 seconds. establishing a The programme will allow teachers to gain a beller insight into for articles. The deadiine A new scicntific publication, new Auslralian record. the planning and techniques of scientific research and to have a for material Is normally the lAustl'alian Journal of Plant The championships attracted better knowledge of their own particular spheres of interest. first day of the monlh pre­ Physiology', made its appear­ 170 competitors from all States Still in its infancy, the project is expected to run through this ceding publication, ance last mon lh. and are used as a ~uide for year and next on a part-time voluntary basis, Initially, it will Material and queries should Printed quarterly by CSIRO selection of the Australian team include three science teachers from Oakbank Area School in the be sent to the Editor it will fit into the series 'The lo compete against New Zea­ Adelaide Hills who will participate in a study of the cycling of plant~soil (Dorolhy Braxton), Box 225, Australian Journals of Scienti­ land in October in New Zea­ some metals in the native system. Dickson, A.C.T. 2602, Tel. fic Research" and is available land. Working under the supervision of Dr K. G. Tiller from the 484478 or Wendy Parsons, through CSIRO libl'llries. As the winner of the trophy, Division, tlle teachers also want to further their knowledge of the 484227. The journal will publish ori­ David will be an automatic ecology of selected native plants in the region. ginal research in all aspects of selection in the Australian team It is hoped that the programme will be of benefit to all con­ plant physiology. [or the third successive time. cerned --the teachers. students and CSIRO. Printed by CSIRO, Melbourne 179-1974 180##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RC staff May 1974 SCIENCE POLICY UNDER REVIEW OECD panel looks Co-operation at activities is name of in Australia ganle The letters OECD stand for A three-man panel from the Organisation for Economic Organisation for Economic Co­ Co-operation and Development (OECD) has completed olJCfntiou and Dcvc)olnnenL It was founded irt 1960 as a the first stages of a review of science allll technology in successor lo the Organisation Aush·alia. for European Economic Co­ operation (OEEC) which had Following its arrival in Ausw ence would be invaluable to trulia on 25 March, the panel Australia. been established ill 1948 to whidl cOl1wriscd 'Or Alcxan~ 'At present about one per administer .MarshalI Plan Aid der King, Dr lrredcrick Schnci­ cent of the GNP, or $405 mil­ among various European gov­ dc,r nnd Ill' J. Waufrcquin, lion is spent annually on re­ ernments and to promote co­ SIJent three. wcel the different relation to the searching ques­ economic growth, to raise liv­ said that Australian scientists OECD review, the aspects of the Orgllnization's tions which were asked and to ing standards in member coun­ and technologisls had made new Animlll Health activities under review 11S they the documentation it had as­ tries and to contribute to the notable contributions in tne Lllborlllory und other arose. sembled for the occasion, e-xpansion of multilateral trade. past to national goals. A num­ ncl"i-vities currently Topics with which the panel Apart from undcrtaking to ber of them had achieved The latter had included being undertaken by were particularly concerned in­ 'CSIRO Australia' and 'Achie­ promote these policies, mem­ world prominence in their CSIRO. eluded the way CS1RO estab­ ber countries agree to particular fields. vements of CSIRO', which lished its research priorities were specially written to sup­ • promote the efficient use The Australian Govern- and the Organization's atti­ plement the Background Docu­ ment, he said, would continue of thei I' economic re­ HO\vever, an impartial serup tudes to national and scien­ ment on 'Science and Te'ch­ sources to support the ellorts of the tific goals and ·needs. nology in Australia' prepared people involved in this worK tiny of Australia's present • promote the development situation and possible future The team asked questions by the Department of Science. of lheir resources, encour­ but wished to sce more of about the methods of research their effort in the future being needs made by independent ex­ This Background Document, age research and promote perts would be of cOllsidemble management, particularly pro­ Dr Alien explained, formed an vocational training in the turned to social and environ­ gram budgeting, scientific staff­ mental problems. value. important part of the OEeD scientific and technological ing and support staff. investigation of each country field It was timely that Australia Science Council The decentralisation of la­ reviewed. Normally it was pre­ should make a critical ap­ et pursue policies designed Mr Morrison gave a further boratories was looked at and pared by the OECD itself but praisal of the broad aims of the panel questioned whether on this occasion it had been to achieve economic its scientific and tecnnologll;,u outline of the Governmenes growth and internal and thinking on science and tech­ this resulted in problems of efforts for the next decade or communica·tiol1 within CSIRO Cont'd on page 8 external Hnancial stability, two - the OECD had alreaoy nology when he tabled in the House of Representatives in and to and from industry, assisted other countries with The team sought jnforma~ similar studies and its experi- Cont'd on page a tion about the Organization's relationships with universities, industry and with medical re­ search and asked how CSIRO in Germany. A lawyer by viewed the role of social scien­ training, he is very know­ tists and' the Organization's The panel ledgeable on science pol­ involvement. with environmen­ icy issues and was Cl mem­ tal matters. • Dr Alexander King, ber of the OEeD Partel It nlso explored the balance CBE, who holds the degree of Examiners which re­ between pure and applied of Doctor of Science, was viewed the science policy science, and patents and licen­ formerly Director General of Switzerland and Swe­ sing policy and asked for in the OECD Director­ den. CSIRO's views on the pro­ ate for Scientific Affairs • Dr J. Wautl'equln is a posed Australian Science Coun­ in Paris, but has recently ell. retired from this· pas i­ Belgian. He heads the general technology and Later when the more formal tion. Dr King has parUci­ aspects of the day were com­ pated in OECD reviews nuclear section of the planning division on sci­ pleted, members of the panel of science policy in both had a chance to talk to the Iceland artd Canada. ence policy of the Prime Minister's Department in Executive and Secretariat in a • Or Frederick Schneider Brussels and has a degree more informal way when they is the Director General of in economics and El doc­ were entertained at a dinner at the Max Planck Society tm'ate in law. University House. Or Frederick Schneider of the Max Planck Institute (left) dis­ Discussing the meeting af­ cusses an aspect of CSIRO's pollcy with two members of Ihe terwards with 'Corcsearch', the Executive, DI' A. E. Pierce (centre) and Mr V. D. Burgmann. Davies laboratory opened in. Townsville 5.1 units The Division of Tropical Agronomy's new Davies explained Laboratory at Townsville was officially opened on 28 March. It's just possible that there The complex, which will en­ crease animal production from are some members of CSIRO compnss the old TownsvilIe these northern Australian pas­ who are not yet aware that a Laboratory and considernble tures, reciprocal kelvin is an interw extensions, has been built at It For the Division of Tropical national unit for a thermal co­ cost of $700,000 nml wHl house AgronomY1 the major disci­ efficient of expansion. the Town..iIIe stnll' of the Di­ plines of plant introductiol1 1 There could still be those visions of Tropical Agronomy, plant nutrition and plant chem­ who are not quite certain of istry support a team of research Soils, Animnl Henhh, Mechnni· what a henry is - or a weber, workers in pasture agronomy tesla or a pascal, even. cal Engineering, Animol Physi~ and ecology. ology, Entomology, Ma.he­ In which case the Editorial The Division of Soils is mnUcs and Statistics, and Com­ and Publieations Service cnn largely concerned with basic help you. puting Rescnrch. soil studies of the major tropi­ Sir Arthur Coles, one-time cal and sub-tropical· soils, as They have copies of a pub­ member of the CSIRO Execu­ well as applied soil science. lication entitled 'International System of Units', and it's avail­ tive, unveiled the plaque and Research is undertaken by spoke of his long association Mr R. F. Isbell, Regional Soils Officer (lelt), Ms K. Back, Dr K. able to anyone interested from four specialist groups: pedology Back, Vice-Chancellor of the James Cook University and Ms K. the Editorial and Publications with Dr Griffiths Davies, the and soLl survey, soH chemistry foundation Chief of the Di­ Davles (widow of the late Dr J. G. Davles) examine a 8011 survey Section, 372 Albert Street, and fertility, soil zoology, and display at the official opening. East Melbourne. vision after whom the labora­ soil physics-hydrology. tory has been named. The work of the Townsville cerned with developing, testing J. Griffiths Davies was often research team of the Division of and evaluating equipment de­ called the father of Australian Animal Health is mainly centred signed to operate in hot condi­ agrostology because of his 40 on the cattle tick (Boophilus tions. CSIRO to produce years work dedicated to im­ m/crop/u",) and the diseases it The Division of Entomology proving grazing pastures. es­ transmits, while the Towns­ is represented at the laboratory pecially in northern Australia. ville section of the Division of by its dung beetle and termite He was responsible for es­ Animal Physiology is mainly research projects. new research tablishing the Division of concerned with the growth rate Service functions to all Tropical Agronomy in Bris­ and reproduction of cattle bane, as well as its Townsville groups are provided by stall' grazing various native and in~ from the Divisions of Mathe­ newsletter laboratory, and had begun traduced pasture species. planning the new extensions matical Statistics and Corn­ when he died in 1969. The Division of Mechanical .puting Research. These groups The Central Communication Canada as Associate Editor of Engineering also has a team at also have their own research Unit plans 10 publish, in the 'Modern Power & Engineering' Among the 200 guests at the the Davies Laboratory con- projects. near fulure, a monthly re­ magazine, Technical Editor opening- ceremony were Ms search newsletter on the work with the public relations de­ Davies. Dr Davies' widow, the of CSIRO. partment of Hydro-Quebec and Chairman, Dr J. R. Price, and Special Projects Officer with Dr A. E. Pierce, a member of This will complement its staff publication. lCoresearch'. the public relations division lhe Executive. of Ontario Hydro. The laboratory was opened The newsletter will report on for two days and more than all CSIRO activities, including important developments in onw 2000 members of the public, going research programs. It including 500 high school stu­ will be written in lay language dents, visited the site to inspect Chairman to the equipment and displays of and will be made available to the various CSIRO Divisions. interested people in govern­ ment1,jndustry,. the new.smedia, visit USSR Research programs at the secondary schools and universi­ Davies Laboratory are aimed ties. The Chairman, Dr J. R. Pricc is to visit the Soviet at the areas north of the Tropic The Manager of the Centrai 1 of Capricorn which receive an Union next month at the invi­ Communication Unit1 George annual rainfall of nlore than WiIliams, said that 'The news­ tation of the Chairman of the 500 mm. letter is a manifestation of the State Committee of the USSR Most of the region comprises growing recognition within Council of Ministers for whnt is known as the dry CSIRO that, in addition to Science and Technology. tropics where the rain falls keeping the scientific commun­ His tour, which is expected mainly in the hot summers and ity and industry informed, we to last between 10 days and a where the good growing season also have a responsibility to fortnight, has been arranged to is followed by a long dry one make a much greater effort to coincide with the visit of the Prime Minisler, Mr WhitIam, with little or no rain. The Chairman, Dr J. R. Price, Ms E. M. HUllon, wife of the Chief keep the public informed. 'Scientists have tcnded to be who is expected to be in Mos­ Seven of the eight Divisions of the Dlvlslon.bf Tropical Agronomy, Dr A. E. Pierce, a member cow mid-June to sign the represented at the Davies La­ of the ExecuUv'l•. and Mr L. A. Edye, offlcer-in-charge of the reticent about speaking to the press/ he said, 'either out of USSR/Australia Science Agree­ boratory are directly conccrned Davles LaboratorY, examine a display In the soli survey section ment. Or Price has been in­ with research designed to in- at the opening. modesty or from fear of being misrepresented. As a result, the vited to be present at that large bulk of CSJRO's work ceremony. never sees the light of day so we're looking for those which far as the public is concerned.' New appointment have had at least two sets. George said that the Central Bernie .Bindon may However, wc've written to Communication Unit had been Mr Michael Tracey, Chief of everyone asking them to let allotted an increase in stalf to the Division of Food Research, us know what the animals pro­ help it do its part in ensuring Sydney, has been appointed duce next time so we can keep that a fulIer 1 more accurate Titular Member of the Food get 'mum of the year' a watch on them.' and more balanced picture of Section of IUPAC (Interna­ Becanse the project last CSIRO was presented to the tional Union of Pure and Ap­ calves and he'll be given his financial year was only at the public in future. The new plied Chemistry). CSIRO may become the newsletter represented an im­ Appointees are eminent owner of the New South chance to see if his mother pilot stage, not much money taught him those things a was around for buying many portant step in that direction. people in food sclence and Mr Wales 'super mum of 1973' mother ought to teach her son. of the animals olIered, but 30 The newsletter will be edited T racey is the first Australian if Dr Bernie Bindon of the cows have now been purchased by David Peace, a former Aus­ to be given the honour of Bernie's interest in animals tralian journalist who recently membership. Division of Animal Gen­ that have proven records of and it is hoped to increase the number to 200 as more funds returned to Australia after a He will attend a meeting of etics can persuade her pre­ multiple births stems from the number of years' experience in the Union in Warsaw in July. project the Diyislon .Is at pre­ become available. sent owner, Mr Clem WH· sent engaged Ollwhich has the Two that were bought had Hams of Little Hartley. near aim of developing cattle which produced triplets at their first Lithgow. to part with her. regularly have twins. attempts at motherhood and It would all be in the This, the seientists hope, will the others had had at least two provide a way to increase Ausw sets of twins. interests of science, agricul. tralia's cattle population, par­ The bulls for the project are ture and Australia and all ticularly in the southern part being chosen with equai care that. of the country. and apart from Mother's son, M other, as the seven-year­ Whcn publicity was given Bernie has been able to buy old cross Hereford cow is ap­ through the media at the end one belonging to a Victorian propriately named, has already of last year to the Division's farmer who has been engaged presented her owner with fonr quest for cows which had pro­ privately on a scheme that is sets of twin calves and fol­ duced twins, Bernie received not unlike the Division's. This lowed that feat with a set of morc than 100 letters from bull has a history of siring triplets. farmers. twins. Mr Williams wants to keep 'And it was a coincidence Twinning is a comparatively her for at least another ycar to that threc of the cows with the rare occurrence in cattle and see what her performance best records-one had had six the Division wants to find out might be the next time round, sets of twins in a row-all had why some at least have mul­ but says he may let Bernie the name Williams', Bernie told tiple births in the hope that have her after thal. 'Col'csearch'. they can develop methods In the meantime, Mr. WiJ­ lA number of replics came which will increase the per­ Hams has sold the Division onc from people whose cows had centage of cows which will Mother, the 'super mum of the year for 1973', believes In of Mother's bright young bull had only onc set of twins but give birth to twins. doubling her troubles.

180-1974 Animal specialist appointed to Dr John Philip elected Dr Philip's association with to Royal CSIRO goes back to 1947 when he worked on the hy­ head Indonesian laboratory draulics of furrow irrigation at the Jrrigation Research Sta~ Dr L. J. Lmuboul'llc, who Zealand sheep and cattle sta­ Seminar Society lion at Griffilh. until 1971 \Vas onicer-in-charge tions and a research officer at The laboratory's Advisory He joined the research staIT of the Division of Allimul the Ruakura Animal Research Council, which comprises re~ Dr John Philip, Chief of the of Plant Industry in 1951, Physiology's Beef Cnltle Re­ Station in that country. presentatives of the lndonesian Division of Environmental moving from Deniliquin la seurch Unit nt the Cuullinghnm From 1962 to 1964 he was a and Australian Governments, Mechanics in Canberra, is one Canberra in 1959. Luboratory in nrisbnllc, bus research scientist at the Grass· held its first meeting in Jakarta of two Australians recently He was nn Assistant Chief land Research Institute at Hur­ on 22 March. elected to Fellowship of the been appointed 10 head the of Planl lnduslry from 1963 ley in the U.K. and then re­ CS1RO was represented by Royal Society of London. new Animal Husbundry Rc­ till 1971, when he became first turned to Animal Physiology M I' A. F. Gurnett-Smith and search find Development Cen­ The other is Professor D. R. Chief of the new Division of the following year, this time to Dr K. A. Ferguson, both of Environmental Mechanics. (re at Ci.nwi near Rogol' in Curtis, Professor of Pharma­ be stationed at the Cunning­ whom delivered papers at a colegy at the Australian Na­ Indonesiu. ham Laboratory where he re~ two-day seminar which pre­ tional University. mained until his 1972 appoint­ ceded the Advisory Council Dr Lambourne, who gained ment with the IBRD. meeting, Dr Philip becomes the eighth his degrees of M.Sc. and Ph.D. FRS currently on CSlRO's Dr Lambourne expects to Entitled 'Research and Ani­ at the Victoria University in mal Production Developmenl books. The olhers are Sir OUo Wellington, New Zealand, is at arrive in Canberra this month Franke! (Senior Research Fel­ to take up his appointment bul in Indonesia', the seminar pro­ present employed as a specialist vided an opportunity for Indo­ low, Plant Jndustry), Dr C. H. in animal husbandry for the will not· go to Indonesia per­ B. Priestley (Chairman, En­ manently until the new $4.5 nesian scientists to discuss the joint International Bank for problems of their country's vironmental Physics Research Reconstruction and Develop­ million laboratory in Bogor is Laboralories), Dr D. F. Water­ built. animal industry and to suggest ment/Government of Spain areas where the research re~ house (Chief, Entomology), agricultural research project at Planning for this is now well Emeritus Professor E. J. Un­ under way and it is hoped that soUrces of the new laboratory Badajoz near the Spanish­ could be effectively applied. derwood (Part-time Execulive Portuguese border. construction will start towards member), Dr A. Walsh (Assist­ the cnd of next year. Written papers were sub~ He first joined CSIRO in milled by leading animal hus­ ant Chief, Chemical Physics), It is expected, however. that econo~ Dr J. P. Wild (Chief, Radio­ 1957 when he wenl to the Dr Lambourne will visit Indo­ bandry scientists and Division of Animal Health and mists from the government physics), and Mr J. G. Bolton nesia several times before the (CRS, Radiophysics). Production (later to become building is completed and he agencies and universities at Animal Physiology) at Armi­ may make his .first tour this Bogur, Bandung and Yogya­ His election to the Royal dale. month while CS1RO's foreign karta. Society recognises his pioneer­ Before then, he had been aid administrative officer, These documents will be ing applications of physics and manager of a number of New Geoff Wines, is there. bound and presented to the mathematics in research on library of the new laboratory flow and transport in soils and as a basis for planning the re­ porous media, in plants and in Or John Phllip search program. the lower atmosphere.

Balloon-assisted take-off life series which also make use of some episodes from the Heavy demand for CSIRO ABC program, 'Wildlife Aus­ for ACT insects tralia'. films for overseas use Mauritius TV From Mauritius have come The FHm 1lull Video Centre water at the Lower Plenty requests for the use of a num­ hus a heavy l)rogram 011 ifs Sewage Works in Victoria and ber of the Centre's films. This lumds utt1w lll()ment C()])hlg, includes some footage on an followed negutiations with the not just with fhe nonnnl de­ application of Slrothenn. Mauritius Broadcasting Cor~ mands for AustraUu 1ludiences, Yet another will be a speci­ poration through the Austra­ buf with tunny rC(I"Csfs for ally prepared version of lhe lian Department of Overseas overseas distributions. 1968 film, 'Tropical Pastures Trade. l This year a number of films for Australia , and there have Most of these have featured will be sent to China, some of also been requests for 'Flight Australian wildlife and have wbich are expected to be used Line One', 'Dung Down Un­ included documentaries 011 during the staging of the Aus­ der', 'Shrinkproofing Wool' and kangaroos, echidnas, the superb tralian Trade Fair in Peking in 'Nitrogen Fixalion by Leg­ lyrebird and the mallee fowl. October. umes'. The program they are used Two of these are documen­ In addition to the ones re­ In is hosted by an entomoto­ taries on beef and dairy cattle quired for the FaiI' the Depart­ glst, Dr A. Orian, who has breeding experiments in Aus~ ment of Overseas Trade has commented that the techniques traEa, the beef cattle one fea­ requested the Centre to supply used by CS1RO in some of turing work at Belmonl and the the Australian Trade Commis­ them has been 'of a very high standard and generally better dairy cattle one showing a proR sioner in Peking with a series ject at Badgery's Creek. of about 30 CSIRO films which (han the best scientific films cover a wide. range of the screened on TV'. Since 1954 tbe Centre has Following the showing of the made a practice of keeping film Organization's activities-from Members of the Division of Entomology staff tracking locusts at the project on bovine contagi~ tagging of Australian salmon, a field station near Narrabrl In northern N"w South Wales. footage of the Belmont experi­ insect tissue culture and the ment, and it is this material ous pleuropneumonia to solar water heating. muttonbirds of Bass Strait, he which has now been edited and wrote: prepared for the film. These are being dispatched over a period of several months 'Judging from the large num­ Hundreds of plague locusts, various species of insects to test 'The fact that we're now able migratory locusts and spur the hypotheses that radar can and as Stan says, ITogether ber of re,quests, we reckon that to produce this shows the value with those wanted for the Aus­ the whole TV audience in throated !ocusts, ,along with be used to identify different of recording what's happening dragonflies, butterflies and insects through their wing beat tralian Fair they make our dis­ Mauritius is looking at the with projects throughout the tribution to China a· major films.' grasshoppers, have been flying patterns. various stages of progress,' the for science and humanity in projecL' The films sent to Mauritius If these patterns can be officer-in-charge of the Centre, were not used solely for tele­ the last few weeks. established it will be possible Stan Evans, commented. Released into the air from vision, but were also screened for radar units to clearly iden­ 'At the time it may not be a]] Japanese interest to scientific and technological radiosonde balloons, the insects tify movements of such insects that obvious what use the foot­ But jf there's interest in our associations and to university have taken 01T into the all' at night and give good esti­ age will eventually be put to, above Black 'Mountain in Can­ documentaries from China, and to bigh school sludents. mates of their direction and but unless we record things as Japan is not far behind and the The NBC networks in both berra as part of a joint project even their number. they happen we have no way carried out by CSIRO's Divi­ Centre has had requests for two Canada and the United States of gelling this material at a -'The Penguins of Macquarie have used the Macquarie sion of Entomology and COPR later date when a need dees (Centre fer Overseas Pest Re­ Island' and 'The Seals of Mac­ Island seal and penguin films Obituary show up, as has happened in quarie Island'-from Intcrlin­ and Trans-Tel in Germany in­ search), an organisation based this case.' in London. It is with regret that the gual Television KK of Japan. cluded footage from 'Storms on death of Ms Diana Miller, a Another of the films for the The company has been the Sun' in one of their series. For a long time now, COPR former senior clerk of the Meat Fair shows the project involv­ negotiating for the use of the and CSIRO have been co-oper­ Research Laboratory of the ing the purification of waste films to include them in a wild- Best seller ating on the locust problem Division of Food Research, 'Birth of the Red Kangaroo' and the latest experiments were Brisbane, is reported. part of their efforts to con­ continues to be a best seller trol plague locusts and other Ms Miller died in a hospital with excerpls from it being in­ similar pests. at Stockport, England, in Janu­ cluded recently in series made ary while on an overseas trip. Paul Grant for LEF Office by thc BBC, by Ivan Tors in The insects were sent aloft Mr Paul Grant of the in Sydney in March. It is now his 'Encyclopedia of Animals' fOl' their scientifically-assisted Ms Miller joined the former Patents and Licensing Group at part of the LEF International (a production made in Mun­ take-off to heights ranging Division of Food Preservation Head Office, has been elected which aims to raise the profes~ ich), by Educatiunal Aids De­ from about lOO to 300 metres. in 1960 and was one of lhe few the first president of the Licen­ sional standards of the licen­ velepment, Tokyo, in their Their cages were then opened remaining staff members who sing Executive Society (Aus­ sing and transfer of technology. series 'I-lopping Around the on radio command. had worked in the original tralia) . laboratory located at the Bris­ World' for release in Japan, As each type of insect was Paul 1 who is Assistant Sec­ The inaugural meeting was and by Radio Diffusion-Tele­ liberated, its flight path was bane Metropolitan Abattoirs. retary in the I and P Sciences attended by nearly 100 dele­ vision Francaise in Paris which followed by a telescopc trained She had had an ambition to Branch, will hold the office at gates including the presidents also included footage from along the ·same axis as a radar travel for a long time and re­ an important stage of the so­ of LEF (Japan) and LEF 'The Echidna'. receiver. signed from her position with ciety's history in Australia. (United States), the president­ Nearly 300 prints of the kan­ The researchers recorded the the Division in September to The Australian society was elect of LEF International and garoo film have now been dis­ microwave returns from the do so. established at a congress held members of LEF (France). tributed throughout the world.

180-1974 $56million laboratory for Geelong

The Australian Government last month approved the building oE a $56 million Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong, Victoria. The decision followed a joint Cabinet decision by the Ministers for Science, Health, Primary Industry, and Northern Development. The laboratory, which will be administered and operated on behalE oE the Australian Government by the CSIRO Divisiou oE Animal Health, will provide a valuable insnrance against the devastating elIeets that Ule accidental introduction of au exotic livestock disease, such as foot lmd mouth disease, could have on Australia's animal indnstries.

In 1972-73 these indnstries The principal functions of disease control, research on in­ bility study lI11d preparc a had an e~(jllmled ~ross value the Animal Health Laboratory digenous virus infections of reasonably accurate estimate of

of production of $3000 million. arc the diagnosis of exotic animals, and the production of costs l it was necessary to go a In the SUlDe yeul' Hie industry's diseases of livestock (mainly foot and mouth disease vacdnc good deal further than was CJXIJOrfs were worth an esti­ virus diseases), the testing of if required. originally envisaged and to mated $2000 million. vaccincs required for exotic When fully operational the prepare a design for an Ani­ laboratory will employ a staff mal Health Laboratory in some of 170 including 25 scientists. considerable degree of detail. Annual running costs will be in This involved obtaining in­ the order nf $3 million. formlltion that would enable it Construction is expected to to define realistic standards of Need for an Animal begin in 1976-77 and will be microbiological security and spread over five years. to determine [he engineering and structural systems that The laboratory complex will would enable (hese standllrds be technically the most so­ to be met. Health Laboratory phisticated major structure in PET's findings and recom­ Australia and the most modern mendations were published as a There are mauy major livestock diseases exotic to animal diseases laboratory in six-volume report in August, Australia which, if iutroduced, could have devastating the world. 1972. consequences for our livestock imll1stries and for the In this, PET eoneloded HllIt economy in general. Feasibility study it would be both fellsible 'lIId Growing awareness of the pracHcnble to construct in ADS.. (ralia an animal virus labofll­ The £IU3rnulinc. service o[Jcr­ This testing can only be car­ dangers and consequences of ried out in a maximum~secur­ a 'major exotic disease pene­ tory in which sfringent security rated by Ihe Dellllrlmenl of conditions coupled wHh fnil.. I-Ieallh has so far proved 11 ity Illboratory lIIId the lIbsence trating Australia's quarantine of such a laboflltory in Aus­ barriers led, in the latc 1960s, snfe procedures wOllhJ ensure remarkably effective harrier that there was no )'isk to our il1troduc~ tralia could seriously prejudice to a series of proposals to ogainst the nccide.utnl livestock pOJlUlafiolJ, even in 110 any chances of an early re­ establish lIn animal health .ion of these diseases, but the event of a malfunction de.. sumption of overseas trade in laboratory with 11 high degree quarantine service, however veloping in the laborn/ory. eJIicicnt, can hope to provide livestock products. of microbiologiclll security in which highly infectious ma­ In lIddition to selling ont the forever an absolute guuranfcc costs of establishing and run­ against their entry. The Department of Health terial could be hllndled in com­ is currently investigating the ning such a laboflltory, the Although 11 number of ex­ plete sllfety without risk of establishment of a quarantine escape. report cootained detailed de­ otic diseases have considerable station 011 an offshore island signs on which the prepara­ potential for harming our live­ so that livestock can be im­ In 1970 a five-man Proposal tion of working drawings and stock industries, Australia has ported into Australia to im­ EVllluation Team (PET), com­ tender documents conld be most reason to fear foot, and prove the pruductivity of our prising virologists, architects based. mouth disease. animal industries. and engineers from CSIRO, the The designs incorporated the The effect of lIn outbreak of Department of Health and the best features of the overseas this disease on livestock pro­ If the station is to draw live­ Department of Housing and laboratories inspected by PET duction wnnld be serionsly stock from countries where Construction was set up to de­ togelher with other lIdvanced damaging, its eflect on trade diseases such as foot and termine the feasibility of estab­ techniques of microbiological wonld be disastrous; much of mouth, rinderpest lInd blue­ lishing a maximum-security la~ security. our overseas trade in livestock tongue are endemic, separate boratory and to estimate the A1thougb the cost of the products would be brought to nlaximum-securiLy laboratory approximllte cost of building 11Iboratory was high in com­ 11 standstill overnight. fllcilities must also be provided and operating it. parison with a conventional in which special tests can be Moreover, the suspension of PET was led by Mr Bill laboratory, PET considered Bandicoot~ carried out to ensure that live­ that it represented the most trade would remain nnt merely stock held at the statinn lire Snowdon, a virologist with the until the disease was eradi­ Division of Animal Health. economical and practicable completely free from exotic way of providing for the de­ cated, but until such time as diseases before being aliowed The other CSIR0 member of Sydney residents who Imve Australia was able to prove the team was "Mc John Dunn, fined fnnctions and of achiev­ entry to Australia. ing the required levels of lIn uIIergy to bllndlcools which this to tlle complete satisfac­ Chief Buildings Omcer, Head dig in (heir gnrdells don't have tion of its trading partners. Finally, a maximum~secUl'ity Office. microbiological security with present-day technology. to look fur for some plnee to In tJle event of a major ex­ laboflltory would, in addition Late in 1970 PET 'visited to facilitating the importation )cavethcir captured 'pesfs' ­ otic dlsease entering Australia, laboratories in America, Eng­ D.. Gordon Lyne of the Divi­ of livest'ock and acting as an land, Belgium, Holland, Ger­ Choosing the site veterinary authorities would be sion of Animlll Physiology lit severely handicapped by the insurance against the introduc­ many and Italy which operated The Geelong site, currently absence in this country of a tion of exotic diseases, pro­ under varying degrees of the Geelong Rifle Range, was Prosllec! is IIlI[>py to tllke Ihem laboratory with a great enough vide a valuable and much­ microbiological security. chosen following extensive over. needed facility for research on degree of microbiological The team was abJe to in­ consideration of a wide range For the past two years Gor­ security to enable highly infec­ virus diseases already endemic spect facilities, evaluate meth­ of ahernative sites. in Australia. Research on don has been making 11 study tious material to be handled ods of microbiological con1ain~ The flnal choice was made of lhese little lInimllls, one of these viruses, several of which on the advice of the Cities without any danger of the ment1 and have discussions Australia's marsupials which affect man as well as livestock, with people whn had already Commission in the light of the disease agent escaping and has been hampered to date by up until recently has been cansing further outbreaks. planned, designed, constructed Governmcnt's policy of de­ lllrgely neglected by zoologists. a lack of a maximum-security and operated similar facilities. veloping specific growth cen­ Such facilitics, which exist laboratory. 'We know very little lIbout Allhough ,these 11Iboflllol'ie. tres and with the approval of in all of the countries consti­ the Victorian Government. bandicoots,' GOl'don said, 'and tuting the principal export mar­ Beclluse of the inadequacy Imd many features of interest, many lIspects of their biology none of then) provided a A comprehensive environ­ kets for onr livestock pro­ of our knowledge of endemic mental impact statement for remain to be investigated.' ducts, can play an important diseases, virologists would, in wholly slItisfaetory model for Gordon, who is the lIuthor many situations, be nnable to the construction of a laboratory the site accompani,ed the Cabi­ role in the initial diagnosis and net submission. of the book 'Marsupials and diflerentiate quickly between Hmt would meet llll the p"r­ are absolutely essential for the an endemic and an exotic ticular requirements of ADS­ The Department of the En­ enormous amount of diagnos­ disease. Any such dellly in tndia. vironment and Conservation which assessed this statement tic work associated with eradi­ diagnosis could have severe PET fonnd, therefore, that to cation campaigns, economic repercussions. noted the a1110nnt of technical carry out an adequate feasi- detail supplied and lIdvised Should vaccination be lIdopt­ The air leaving the high that it WllS satisfied that the hazard area will be hellt steri­ cd for control and eradication, environmental issues of the lised to kill virus pllrticles. maximum - security facilities proposlll bad been adequately covered. Solid wastes will be de­ would be essential for testing stroyed or rendered sterile. the potency and sllfety of the Security Opemtion of the complex vaccincs used. will have no detrimental eflects Because of the extreme pre­ on the environment. Moreover, if it became cautions built into the design, necessary 10 vaccinate livestock there will be no risk to Aus­ In accordance with over­ against foot and mouth dis­ traIian livestock. seas practice, the keeping of ease, maximum-security facili­ TIle 11Ibomlory complex will susceptible livcstock will not ties would be required both for operate as a series of in(c­ be permitted in a buIIer zone the production and testing of grated engineering systems one mile in radius around the laboratory. a suilable vaccine. which provide isolation from the external envirollment. This will include shcep, Although eradication may be It felltures multiple filii-safe cattle, pigs, goats, horses, fowls. achieved in a matter of days devices and procedures il1clud~ turkeys, geese and ducks. Dogs or weeks, an extensive testing ing air locks, shower locks, and cats will be permissible. program would be required for flIter systems of many kinds The Victorian Government some considerable length of and sophisticated waste djs~ has agreed to the relocation of time afterwards to demonstrate posal apparatus. the trotting and dog-racing All air entering or leaving t..ack currently in the vicinity that the disease had been eradi­ 'They don't seem to notice the Minis.' cated. the laboratory will be specillIly by the time the laboratory is -Copyright London Punch. lUtered. complete in 198 I. 180-1974 1. Large animal house Vaccine testing and experimental purposes Animal entry and grain storage

2, Laboratory wing Diagnosis General virology Biochemistry

3. Scientific services and stores wing Personnel entry / Media preparallon Tissue culture Internal canteen Workshops and laundry

4. Small animals breeding wing Animal breeding Insectary Plant equipment

5, Administration building Lecture theatre Library Kitchen and cafeteria Administration offices

6. Services building Plant equipment Maintenance workshop

7. Entry checkpoint Gate house and animal unloading Wheel bath

8. Car parking

9. Vaccine production unit

10. Sewerage treatment storage tanks

; welcome at Prospect. 'Well wisher'

Monotremes of Australia'. has Reversed daylight donates been interested in bandicoots Some of the animals are kept for more than 20 years, but it under ordinary conditions, but cheque was not until the Division since 1972 with the Division's established its marsupial unit establishment ai,a-nocturnal The mailbag for Head Omce two years ago, that a serious house, about half have lived occasionally contains some study of the animals was under reversed daylight condi­ pleasant surprises. The letter started. tions which enables the team to below, addressed simply to the 'The unit was set up to study keep a close watch on them in 'finance omcer' of CSIRO was aspects of the reproductive, working hours. received a short time ago. The environmental and nutritional A closed television circuit writer did not give his name physiology of Australian mar­ and vjdeotape recorder allows but the 'experts' consulted on supials so that we could obtain the staff to record, among other such maUers suggested the let­ information on comparative things, actual matings. ter may have come from an aspects of their physiology and elderly person. study the interactions between 'We require embryos of Sir- the animals' environments and known age for our studies,' I am a great believer in their physiology,' Gordon said. Gordon explained. scientific research and con­ Attempts to breed bandi­ sider that most of our prob­ Endangered coots in captivity have not lems could be solved if we 'There are about 120 species been particularly fruitful in thought about them in a of marsupials in Australia and the past but the unit has now scientific way, our concern is that while some succeeded in breeding a num­ There should be a levy on of them have flourished since ber of litters. all income earners to create the arrival of the white man, One to five young may be a fund for research - say ,a others have become extinct or born in a litter, but the aver­ proportion of their income. are in danger of extinction. age size is two or three. To start it all here is my 'Among the 11 species of Nearly all the unit's long­ contribution. Use it how bandicoots fm' example, 110 less nosed bandicoots) however, you will. No acknowledge­ .hnn five arc now extinct. rare have been trapped in the Syd­ ment is necessary, or endangered. ney area and brought in by '-Well wisher. 'If we're going to be able to residents who object to their Editor's footnote: the letter carry out rational conservation presence in their gardens. contained a cheque for $175. programmes we need both eco­ 'Most of our short-nosed logical and physiological know­ ones have been trapped by Gordon Lyne and friends at the Division of Animal Physiology, ledge of the nnimals before any David and me near the NSW Prospact H. G. Smith Memorial such projects are undertaken,' coast" Gordon said, 'about Award Along with two other mem­ half way between Sydney and size of a rabbit t they have 'In the years to come I hope Or D. H. S. Horn, Division bers of the staff, David Hollis Newcastle.' very soft fur. we'll have gathered enough in­ of Applied Organic Chemistry, and Robyn Smith, Gordon has The animals have proved to Like other Australian mar­ formation about bandicoots to has been awarded the H. G. been successful in establishing be reasonably easy to handle, supials they have an engaging publish a book on them,' Gor­ appearance and if it were not Smith Memorial Medal of the ban~ don said 'but at present so colonies of two species of though they are capable of giv­ for their rather anti-social gar­ t Royal Australian Chemical In­ dicoots at the unit-a long­ mg an unwary person a nip dening habits, many people little is known about the ani­ stitute for 1973. The award is nosed one (Perameles nasllta) and they are fairly hardy and might encourage them to re­ mals that I think we have more made annually and is the Inw and Isoodon macrourus, are not exacting in their feed­ main around their homes as than a lifetime of work ahead stitute's highest honour for short-nosed species, ing requirements. Ahout the pets. of us,' chemical research.

180-1974 Benevolent Funds present combined annual report For the first time, CSIRO's Benevolent Funds - loc,ltted in Brisbane, Canberr~, Melbourne (Southern) and NSW - have prepared 1I combined llllnllal report.

In presenting this (0 the EXR Membership pact of inflation on the pur­ ecutive on behnlf of thc- funds, The report shows that mem­ chasing power of the dollar,' Mr Ray Viney said that this bership expressed as a pcn;en­ the report adds. move enabled the groulls 10 tage of total staff is: The chairmen of the four give nil overalt picture of this Brisbane, 62 per cent. funds recorded their apprecia­ aspect of CSIRO sluff activi­ Canberra, 66 per cent. tion and gratHJde of the ser­ ties. NSW, 70 per cent. vice given by those engaged in The joint assets in 1973, he Southern, 70 per cent. the operation of the funds and said, amounted to a little more to the Chairman and Executive than $32,000, Expenditnre for their encouragement and Since then, however, $8000 There was a considerable active assistance in such mat­ has been transferred to the Bris­ variation in the ex.,tent of fund ters as travel, printing of bro­ bane fund for distribution to activities throughout CSIRO, chures and deductions of con­ CSIRO victims of the northerll but 1973 was considered an tributions from salary. floods, average year wilh about three­ These, they said, were sig­ 'Before that disaster,' Mc quarters of the income being nificant contributions to the Viney noted, 'the need for such disbursed to meet the needs of successful operations or the benevolent funds had been staff experiencing hardship in funds, questioned by some staff mem­ onc form or another. The accompanying tables show bers. (No distinction is made by the 1973 income/expenditure of

180-1974 From 9 October (never 8 or 10, so the locals say}, Puffinus pacificus returns from its annual migration Chairman's to the Arctic circle to nest on Heron Island. secretary retires The yahoo fauna of Heron Island It's llrobahly lrue to SIlY Ihllt very little hlls happened in Helld Office in the lasl 24 years IIll1t Ms Sheila Kmse has 1I0t By Napier Mitchell been uware of. She joined CSIRO in 1949 to become secretary to Mr Guy There they seem to take the behaviour of Rasslls - a Fish business nets, slurp guns, anaesthetics. B. Gresford who was then an revenge on man for spoiling genus closely related to the Matt has been working on I tried swimming after them Assistant Secretary. Later he became Research Secretary the 40-acre tropic isle with parrot fish. Rassus for two years now. He until they were exhausted. At night he works in the is no mean fisherman. There's TI,ey won. (Physical Sciences) and after­ tourist lodges and other wards Secretary of CSIRO. laboratory until 10.00 p.m. something like 500 species of '1 waited dll they were buildings. when the lighting generator fish on the reef and Matt rec­ When M r Gresford left to go asleep and sl1uck up on them. to the United Nations in 1966 goes Olit. kons, given a fair go, he could Every day, from 9 October I turned rocks at low tide hop­ Sheila was appointed secretary to late March, they roam the Then he moves to a tiny 10 catch nearly every one of them. ing to find them trapped. After to Or J. R. Price who had nearby seas of the Great Bar­ ft x 10 I't hut-often shared Except Rassus. two years I still haven't caught just joined the Executive. rier Reef in search of food. with three other visitors-and Unlike mutlon birds, Rasstls a Rassll,\',' When Dc Price became Every night they moan and by candlelight on a table are very smart. Mall confided Matt is now resigned to Chairman of CSIRO Shella wail, make love and war just scrounged from a piece of modestly that he suspects they spending his full studentship, continued to work with him. outside the cabin walls of the 3-ply driftwood supported by might be smarter than himself. immersed for several hours a With a long span of time Heroll Island residences. two broken stools, 'Matt writes 'Tried nets?/ I suggested day watching the behaviour of with CSIRO to think back on, up his PhD. thesis. helpfully. RasslIs in their natural en­ Sheila has now taken long ser­ Noises of trains, alarm vice leave before her retire­ clocks, trucks and garbage col­ That's when PufJinus moves 'That was only the begin­ vironment. in. ment and plans to make an lectors are minor din compared ning,' said Matt. He has onc special plea. extended overseas tour. Attracted by light they head to Puffillus. Homo sapiens 'I've tried small nets. large Anyone in CSIRO with a She will spend several seems to have adapted to the for Matt's cabin because it nets, transparent nets, baited heated wet suit? months in the UJ(, will visit noises of suburbia but few usually has the only candle the Continent and has a two~ have ever slept through a mut­ burning. week walking tour of Crete on ton bird chorus. The door can't be shut. The her itine;rary. temperatures are still in the Before she left Head Office, Versatile high 20s and the humidity in Sheilll was entertained by Or The birds' repertoire in~ the 80s. Doors are left open to and Ms Price and Members dudes love sounds, funeral beckon in the slightest resem­ of the Executive lit a reception ;dirges, rhythm and blues. war blance of a breeze. at the Commonwealth Club. A cries, yodels and rape. presentation was made to her So Puffillus has pretty much from the sta!I at Head Office And just. in case there's any a clear go. But Puffinus never at another gathering. possibility that man can learn makes a tidy business of any­ Ms Sue Hanmore, who has to sleep through each one of thing. except perhaps with his been secretary to Mr GraUan these, Pu(finus has developed a navigation and nest-building Wilson, Secretllry (Administra­ social behaviour which allows habits. tion), will take Sheila's place it to combine several noises at as the Chairman's secretary. .()nce from different birds in an Hard work infinite range of pitch. Quite a befuddled bird on land, he stumbles into the room Such a combination is not Appreciated ,conducive to sleep. in a drunken daze---a state which is hardlysutptising for It's nice to know someone Mutton birds seem to par­ a bird that departs at 5.00 a.m. appreciates us ... the Chief of ticularly dislike Mathew Dick. to roam the seas and arrives Division of Wildlife Research, Matt is one of only two people home at sunset to begin mating 01' H. Frith, has received a who hold CSIRO studentships and cavorting until 5.00 a.In. letter from a Victorian school­ for Ph.D. studies in Marine boy thanking the Division for Biology. He spends five weeks Puffinus' intrusion into the information it provided of every quarter at the Heron Matt's room is just as predict­ him with. Island Research Station. able as his daily routine. lA few months ago,' he said, 'I wrote to a place asking I'or During the day Matt First a walk from his sandy burrow through a pool of stag­ information. I still haven't had breathes through a snorkel or a reply. So far when I've writ­ an aqualung while he studies nant muddy water, then a stag­ ten to any Divisioll of CSIRO ger through the door, a shake I've had really quick replies. of feathers to remove the sand It's a great organisation. When and a wipe of feet to remove I'm old enough I'm going to Spanish colleague the mud. work in CSIRO. The Division or Soils in It trips over auything on the 'Whenever we'r6 shown a floor, wails, jumps on the film at school about CSIRO's Adelaide will have a Spanish work they're always good and influence around the place for candle and chunders on Matt's thesis. interesting. I only wish we the next couple of years fol­ could see more of them. lowing the arrival 01' Or M. I. To register protest at being 'P.S. If you get time I Telleria from Madrid. gently removed by the ever­ would love to get another letter patient Matt, it defaecates on from you or the Division. But his trousers and harmoniously Mathew Dick braving Barrier Reef waters In search of the don't write back if you don't howls 'rape'. elusive Rassus. want to.'

An Australian ecologist, am hoping that the Shah will take it up and have the tree de­ Dr Victor Squires, has 'dis­ Juniper may become clared a national monument,' covered' a giant juniper Vic sllid. tree in Iran which was national monument 'Something as old liS that probably a seedling when should be venerated for it is Darius founded the Persian of the Iranian capital, Tehran, over the centuries and are now part of the country's heritage.' Empire 2500 years ago. and near the Caspian sea coast­ few in number. Vic hopes eventually to see line. 'No one seems to know how a sign board of some kind It was probably a reasonably The mountains rise to 4000 m the ancient tree survived except erected near the juniper which sized shrub when Alexander and are snow covered for five that it has come to be vener­ will set out its growth in rela­ the Great swept through the months of the year. The rest ated and respected for its tion to the chronological his­ Empire on his historic march of the time they are bare and powers.' tory 01' the country. to India. arid. Through forestry colleagues This would show the tree as A member of the Range­ It was in this steep and deso­ in Tehran Vic is now endeavw a mere seedling when Darius lands Research Group at Den­ late area that Vic came across ouring to have the age of the came into the national picture, i1iquin, Vic was in Iran last as a shrub it was thriving when Or Telleria will be working the big juniper. From his tree scientifically authenticated year at the invitation of a firm in the Mineralogy Section on a knowledge of trees and what he but he is in little doubt of the Alexander destroyed Persepolis of consultants to complete a post-doctoral scholarship from heard of tbe 10cllI legends it outcome since another tree he and so on. rangelands survey in the Karaj Consejo, Superior de Investi­ must have been a seedling when was taken to see not too far In the meantime he is keep­ Dam Catchment area. gaciones Cientificas Madrid. the Persian Empire was fro", this one hlls been dated ing in close touch with his Her work with the Division In the course of his work he founded. and is from a slightly later haniall colleagues and hopes will be concerned with the walked over most of the steep 'Junipers,' Vie said, 'were period. to have advice back soon that study of amino-acid clay com­ mountains of the Karaj catch­ once common in the region but 'I've made 11 report of this the tree's age has been con~ plexes. ment, about 60 kilometres west have been exploited recklessly to the Governmen t of Iran and firmed.

180-1974 OECD review Charter may be changed Cont'd Irom page 1. 001 2 March the discussion paper nleeli ng was held at which the CSIRO's charIer which III Two observations the panel panel would meet with sym­ lTowards an Australian Science panel had time to discuss the present gives it the 'llowers and had expressed to him were the pathetic support from the Labor Council'. program with the Minister be~ fUllctions' of cort'ying ont scicn~ disappointingly low level of in­ Government but he pointed tilie research in the spheres of dustrial research done in Aus­ out that they were not bound In doing this, he said he was fore he left on a la-day visit to Sri Lanka. Among those Austl'11lhm J)rimnry ami seeon­ tralia and the proponderance of to accept everything they sug­ conscious that in recent years dnry industry may he nmended research that was undertaken gested. disenchantment had arisen wHh present was Or J. A. Alien, CSIRO's Exeeutive Officer. ill the future (0 include rc­ by government in Australia 'Their review has been Cl the part played by science and m.i1eslone: he said. 'It's not The program for the review search into comll1unity dcvcJ(ll),:, while only a small amount was technology in devclopments of ment. done by industry. This, they that We couldn't have set up dubious value la mankind. was outlined Hnd the Minister This was onc of the com­ said, contrasted with other in Australia 11 group of people IIn an increasingly cllviron­ spoke of his hopes and expec­ countries. of the same high calibre to tations. ments made by the Minister for mentwconsciolls societyI it is Science, Mr W. L. Morrison, 'It's my opinion,' Mr M.orri­ carry Ollt such a review. but now apparent that science and at a press conference in Can­ son said, 'that multi-national these men have come to us technology have themselves Debate berra when he reviewed the industries with branches in Aus~ with a fresh and independent created problems,' he said. OECD visit to Australia. tralia tend to adapt nvcrseas approach which our own people The team has now returned couldn't have given us simply 'It is my belief that these to Paris where it will prepare 'It's been a concern of mine developments for Australian problems can be solved only by conditions rather than initiate because they're too close to its report. It is expected that for some time that CSIRO the scene.' the application of rc-directed this will be finished in June should move more into this new research themselves and il scientific and technological ef­ or July. area,' he said, (The panel has could be that in future such fort and the Government is conIirmed my views that more companies might be required to moving on several fronts to The next step will be the No decision yet meeting of the OECD Commit­ research should be undertaken agree to do a certain amount of achieve this result. their Rand D here.' No decision has yet been tee for Scientific and Techno­ in Australia in this field as made by the Federal Cabinet 'The Government recognises well as in health and environ­ logical Policy in Paris in Oc­ Discussing the setting u'p of on CSIRO's 67 H metre research that the complexities of science tober when members of the mental malters.' the proposed Science Council vessel. and technology on onc hand 24-nation strong OECD will Mr Morrison said that panel Mr Morrison said that the The submission seeking ap­ and of society on the other, participate in a [rank. and open had expressed the opinion that panel seemed to think it should proval to proceed with the con­ will demand in the future a discussion of the report and the CSIRO was onc of the best comprise about 12 to J5 people struction of lhe vessel, esti­ more coherent nalional ap­ Background Document pre­ organizations of its kind they chosen not because of their mated to cost about $7 million. proach to the development and pared for tbe review. had come across and that it disciplines but because of their was first presenled to Cabinet utilisation of Australian science At this assembly, which enjoyed a world reputation. personal standing. At the same in November 1973. and technology than in the 'They believe it's a dynamic time it should include people It is understood that the past.' Australia will alll>nd, further questions are expected la be factor in science and techno­ such as a trade union ist and maller has received some pre­ For this reason, Mr Mnrri~ posed and answers will be logy in Auslralia but there is social scientist. This, he added, liminary consideration but the son said, it was the Govern­ given. feeling that CSIRO might need was in line with his own matter ha:'i not been flnulised, ment's intention to eSlablish an to adopt a more multi-dis­ thinking. The vessel has been planned Australian Science Council. Science representatives of ciplined approach to the prob­ A large number of the ex­ for the Division of Fisheries. other countries will comment lems science has to face.' pected recommendations of the and Oceanography. Its broad purpose would be on the whole review and offer to assist the Parliament and suggeslions on any matters on the Government on science which they have had experi­ and technology. ence. Although it had consulled It is expected that CSIRO Head Office Government depart.ments, stat­ may be invited to send one or Cont'd from page 1, col 4 utory bodies, universities, sci­ more delegates to this meeting. entific organisations and other expedient [or Australia to do interested groups and asked Out of this debate will come the work itself. them to offer comments on the the final report whicb will in­ 'CSIRO Australia' covered proposed council's charter, or­ clude the Background Docu­ tbe history of the Organiza­ ganisation and composition, ment) the panel's report and tion, its powers and functions, there were differences of the report prepared from the organi's,a.tion, finau9c and man~ opinion over what role the Paris meeting. agement, research,·· communica­ council should have, The flOal report will be taken tionwith industry and the pub­ Since the role and structures inta account by the Australian lic, alld the changing pattern of research. of science advisory machinery Government in making final in a number of other countries 'Achievements of CSIRO' decisi OIlS about the pro.posed was a comprehensive descrip­ had been the subject of special Science Council. studies by the OECD, Mr, tion of much of the research Morrison said, hI> felt that It is emphasised, however, which had been suecessfuUy OEeD should be well placed that the OECD review in itself carried out in the various Divi­ to examine and comment, from is regarded as advice to the sions and of the implementa­ an inclelJendent standpoint, on Government and that decisions tion of the results. science activities in Australia. 'These documents will be of concerning the future of great use to the Organization,' science and technology in Aus­ Or Alien said, 'and have Jnitialmeeting tralia remain a matter for the proved to be a "bonus" from On its arrival in Sydney a Australiu[l. Government. the review.' Mushrooming- the'different' way When Lcslie While, a nlCln~ flying, Lesl ie started her les­ work. 'Passengers hire the ber of (he- ndm,inistrHtion sec.. sons in March 1972 and a year aircraft,' she said, 'but they fly tiOIl in Hobnrl, wants to go later had her private licence. then at their own risk.' nlUshl'oomiug, she does it in n Since then she has been learn­ With more than 100 hours to novel wuy - she linds her Cnr­ ing aerobatics and is working her credit, Leslie finds flying gel- by aircraft. for an acrobatic endorsement her own aircraft is a great way Blow-up 4You can spot the rings to her licence. to sec the country. She has The pressure-pack type of dispenser, from Oy spray to fire easily from the air,' she told 'You have to learn to do nown across from Tasmania to Coresearch. spins, loops and barrel rolls,' extinguisher, has become part of our way of life. They arc safe Sydney and has seen a lot of ~nd To most people mushroom she said. 'It's a marvellous the outback of her own island, convenient if used intl>Uigently, but can be a letbal weapon spotting by aeroplane might feeling. It seems like you have especially its rugged south-west If abused. seem like an expensive way la total freedom of the skies.' This type of dispenser can explode at temperatures above about corner. 50°C, a temperature often exceeded inside a car parked in direcl gather the delicacies, but to Leslie has no wish to become Her flying, however, has not Leslie it's all more time a commercial pilot but she can sunlight. been without its moments, 'The The photo shows what happened when a pressure-pack type chalked up ill her flying hours. fly passengers providing she I>ngine failed one week-end last Completely in love with doesn't accept payment for her fire extinguisher was leH on the rear le'dge of a car parked in the year,' she said, 'just as I was sun for a couple of hours. Fortunately, no one was in the coming in to land at Hobart. vehicle at the time. 1 suddenly found t had no If that much damage could be done to a laminated windscreen, power to come ill over a clump what would it have done to the skull of the driver? of trees. then at the last minute Make sure pressure-pack cans are not exposed to excess heat. it caught and I pulled out of particularly direct sualight, not only in vehicles but on the beaeh what might bave been a sticky or at a picnic or barbecue. J. W, U"lIl11ll Sufely Officer episode" Le..-'die also had a few discon­ certing momenls one occasion Potter gets the jackpot when she met anolher pilot 'Coresearch' coming into land on the same rCoresearch' quotes from 'Coresearch' is produced strip. Both planes were coming 'Minro' the internal newspaper by the Central Communica­ in fmm different approaches. tion Unit for CS/Ra stail. Fortllllately, the eyesight and or ihe Minerals Research Labo­ ratortes: Members are invited to con· reactions of both pilols were lribute or sead suggestions good. At the start of his holiday in for articles. The deadline Leslie has fOllnd that most Fiji, Ed Poller (and his wife) for malarial is normally the people stiJI regard flying as had the experience of sharing a first day of the month pre­ somc\hing that is the privilege taxi to their hotel with none ceding publication. of males. 'Passengers open the other than Abigail herself. Material and queries should door to get in the aircraft and When asked how long the ride be sent to the Editor then realise they have a lasted, Ed replied: 'I wasn't lOorothy Braxton), Box 225, woman for a pilot,' she said, looking at my watch: Dickson, A.C.T. 26D2, Tel, 'We don't sell petrol any more, folks, but please make the 'After the initial shock most 484478 or Wendy Parsons, utmost use of our spotless rest rooms.' of them accept it and have -no 484227. -Courtesy 'Punch'. further worries.' Printed by CSIRO. Melbourne 180-1974 181##1974

4 MS

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RO staff June 1974 Australian scientists visit China Links re-established between eau ntries The Chief of the Division of Animal Genetics, Dr Jim Rendel, has returned from a visit to China with an un­ expected appreciation of the Chinese use of acupuncture as an anaesthetic.

Dr Rendel udmits he'd be by women sllrgeons,' Dr Rendel An official photograph Is part of protocol at a Chinese reception and the Australian scientific prepared to ]lOVC an operation said. mission posed for this one with their Chinese hosts at a function held at the Great Hall of the where aeUllUl1ctlll'C was used­ 'The patients received normal People In Peking. The reception was given by Vice-Premier Teng Hsiao-plng and the picture was IJroviding, he says, it was done pre-operative medication and used in a Peking newspaper the next day. in the hospital in Cantoll where then each had four needles em­ The Australian delegatlon from left was: Professor R. D. Brown, Department of Chemistry, bedded in their body .in specific he S1lW two ollcrllHons involving Monash University; Professor G. L. Ada, Department of Microbiology, ANU; Professor L1u Ts' points to a depth of three or major surgery with acupuncture un-yan, Dean of Faculty of Asian StUdies, ANU; Sir Rutherford Robertson, President, Australian four centimetres, Academy of Science; Or Paul Wild, Chief of the Division of Radiophysics; (Vice-Premier Teng as the anaesthetic. 'These were then connected Hsiao-ping is standing next to Sir Rutherford Robertson in the centre); Professor J. D. Ovington, The visit to the Cantonese to an electric current which was Professor of Forestry and Dean of the Department of Science, ANU; Professor H. A. Buchdahl, hospital was one of the many delivered in a square wave,' Dr Department of Theoretical Physics, ANU; Or R. M. Willlams, Vice-Chancellor, ANU, and Dr J. M. experiences for the group of Rendel said. Rendel, Chief of the Division of Animal Genetics. The CSIRO staff were present as members of Australian scientists who have 'Twenty minutes later surgery the Academy. been in China at the invitation started, The patients remained of thc Chincse Academy of conscious, and while they were Dr Rendel took time to look tries enjoyed before the cultural lar group will come to Australia Science. not voluble, they did talk at at animal .ptoJectsin some of revolution in 1966. in October on a return mission.' times to the surgeon. the rural areas and found the 'Eighteen months ago the The team, a joint one from The Australians had been Dr Rendel said the Chinese Chinese were more interested Chinese initiated an approach free to do whatever they wished lhe Australian Acadcmy of admitted that after 2000 years at this stage of their country's Science and the Australian to get back to that old footing,' within the limits of their time of use they still did not know development in practical work said Sir Rutherford Robertson, and the travel situation. In some National University, spent three why or how acupuncture in animal production rather weeks visiting l)eking, Canton, President of the Australian Aca­ instances Professor Robertson worked. They only knew it did. than in the more sophisticated demy and former member Shanghai, Suchow and Nanking a of said, they had moved as a And he could vouch for it. techniques involving animal the CSIRO Executive. group; at other times indivi~ with forays out into the rural genetics, areas to sce life in a commune 'They are now doing research 'Towards the end of last year duals had followed their own particular interests. and to view agricultural and on it to find just how it affects Scientific liaison an invitation was issued jointly other rural projects. the nervous system and at an to the Academy and the ANU They had visited a number institute I later visited, I The visit to China is seen by which culminated in the visit of of universilies Hnd institutes of 'At the hospital we watched watched them doing experi­ the Australians as n step ta­ wards re-establishing the link science, they had gone to pri­ two major operations performed ments on animals with it' the scientists of the two COllll- nine of us, and we hope a simi- mary and middle (high) schools had visited a commune, seen how a Street Committee worked in all urban area, had been to hospitals and had a chance to 'Home was never like this • • • Cont'd on page 4 CSIRO is a large Organizaw ings and may perhaps have caltle tick and termiles in gone, though curious visitors lion seattered all over Australia. been for added coolness, bear­ particular. sometimes remarked on the pre­ In the course of 1I1eir work slaff ing in mind the building's pur­ In 1967 it became a per­ sence in the m iddle of the pose. manent home [or an EO and a tloors of drains for fluids ... nre culled upon to inhabit The early days of Townsville Information hundreds of bnildings all of It was noticeably isolated TA working with dung beetles from neighbouring buildings! on the buffalo fly control pro­ were ol'Len wild and the Morgue which vary in size, simile and Initially it consisted 01' a ject. A caravan laboratory on must have had a great variety anliqnily. verandah with two post-mortem loan from the Long Pocket of characters passing. through O-I-C named While none suggests opu­ rooms off it; much later the Laboratories was parked beside it - in one condition or an­ lence, it would be true to say verandah was enclosed with the mortuary to provide more other. Mr Peter Judge, head of the that there are some members fibro walls to make an addi· working space and a fenced They apparently all moved OECD Science and Technology of the Organization who enjoy tionallaboratory room. concrete vehicle park was in­ on, but when working late at Information Section in Paris, a standard of accommodation The Department of Health stalled. night the dung beetic section has been appointed OfTicer-in­ used sporadically, until in In these later years little would often hear scultling Charge of CSIRO's Central In­ which, if it does not have a it dissecl~ 'touch of class' about it, at least 1958 they loaned it indelinilely evidence l"cmained to show the noises in the adjoining formation, Library and Editorial oners the inhabitants an aura to the Division of Entomology. o"iginal function of the bul1cl­ ing rooms, Section, based in Melbourne. of hislory, the suggestion per­ It was used by parties on field ing. The marble slabs in the Many of these turned out to M r Judge holds a B.A. de­ haps that they have something trips in the north for work on two dissecting rooms had long be made by geckos or large gree (first class honours in that is at least IdifIercnt'. cockroaches, but not all were Zoology) and a M.A. from identificd, and late on a still, Such has been the fortune Cambridge. sultry, tropical summer night it Several years of operational for instance, of some members was very easy for lhe imagina­ of the Division of Entomo~ research in industry preceded tion to wander ... wander, ., his position with OECD. logy wander ... For the last 16 years the Divi­ Since 1964 Mr Judge has sion has been using the old The Morgue, a home away been responsible for major acti­ Townsville Hospital mOrluary from home for members of the vities related to OEeD infor­ as a field stalion, but the build­ Division of Entomology'S dung mation policy. ing is now being demolished to beetle section In Townsville. In addition to co-ordinating make way for a neW hospital The building used by CSIRO Is the work of the CSIRO group, laboratory block. the white one In the centre of he will develo!, and implement The Morgue, as it was affec­ the piclure. The caravan new melhods of storage, re~ tionately (7) known, was ap­ alongside gave the staff trieval and dissemination of parently built at the turn of the extra accommodation, The scientific and technical jnfoJ'~ century and was used as a building to the ieft Is the malion in areas which concern mortuary until about 1940. Animal House of the Depart­ CSIRO. It was solidly constructed of ment of Health and the large The aim will be to improve brick and stonc, which must building In the background is accessibility and use of such have been unusual in those part of the Townsvllle General information within the Organi­ days of wooden tropical build- Hospital. (Picture: P. Ferrar) zation and externally. Solar eclipse will be monitored in WA

For abollt two and a half The scientists feel that the atom temperat~res/ Or R..q. measurements should improve Giovanelli, ChIef of the DlVl­ hours on the afternoon of the understanding of the phy­ sion of Physics at the National 20 Jnne the south western sical processes of energy trans­ Standards Laboratory in Syd­ corner of Western Austl'lllia fer from the photosphere - the ney, said. luminous surface of the sun ­ 'Every time this work has will have a great shadow outward into the solar corona been attemptcd in ti,e past across its towns and remote aLld the solar wind. there have been discordant settlements. The rockets will be launched results. about 1.11 pm in a south­ 'With a chance to study both, During this time thousands westerly direction from Lance­ we should have some intriguing of 'local sightseers, hundreds of lin into the path of totality information.' tourists, many from oversens, over the Indian Ocean. About The Division will also carry and grouJ)S of scientists, cngi~ 15 minutes later, the two pay­ out some photographic experi­ loads containing scientific in­ ments - weather permitting. Terrler-Sandhawk rocket system on a high altitude diagnostic neers nud tcclmiciuns will make struments will impact in the The Australian project was the most of every last second launcher which will be used at the launch site near Lancelin ocean about 160 km northwest conceived by Dr Giovanelli but, for the scientific studies of the solar eclipse on 20 June. {a ·observe this, (he 1974 solar of Perth. as he said, it would have been ccJilJSC. Both two-stage Terrier-Sand­ impossible to mount it in the hawk rockets systems will be time available without the sup­ The period o[ totality, how­ port of an 'enthusiastic and ex­ ever - the lime when the sun IJsed to. carry duplicate pay­ loads to an altitude of 320 km. pert staff and a laboratory as is completely masked out by big as NSL'. the moon - will last for only Just before entering the area of the total eclipse, an onboard Waterbirds linked about four minutes and it is Grandstand view during this period that the altitude control system will scientilic activity will be at its point the scientiIic instruments At ground level the maxi­ height. at the sun. Photographic data mum period of totality will be with MV will then be gathered. during about four minutes and four Although the moon's shadow about three minutes of totality. will pass a quarter of the way seconds, but for other scien­ As the payload descends, a tists and astronomers flying in around the earth, it will cross parachute will be deployed for land only twice in this sweep. a jet aircraft, the eclipse may encephalitis the splashdown in the ocean well be in sight for up to nine In the morning it will touch about 15 minutes after launch. minutes. Scicniisls working 011 the volvcd than others,' Dr Mar­ Amsterdam Island, in the In­ CSIRO's research vessel) dian Ocean, brush over its ex­ Passengers in the plane are project to find fhe source or the shall said. 'Sprightly', and aircraft with expected to be mostly amateurs, tinct volcanic cone 911 m above radio-direction finding equip­ Murrny Valley encephalitis 'The .indications are that high sea level, and by early after­ some of whom follow eclipses ment will be used to recover virus are becoming increasingly numbers of positive sera come noon move on to the south as they occur around the world. [rom the Nankeen night heron. the payload which will be kept confident that there is (I dcHnifc western tip of Western Aus­ At the time of going to press, An interesting aspect to this afloat by an air-lilled flotation about 200 amateur astronomers link between some of Aus­ tralia. bag. discovery is that there is a close The central line of totality from other States had indicated tralia's wa(cl'fowl and a bush relationship between this bird will be about 80 km or so south that they would visit Western species of 1I10S(lui(,O. and the black crowned night of the coast but the path Grollnd observations Australia for the occaSlOn, Early indications show that heron which is known to be while a spokesman [or the covered by the shadow will be While the team engaged in the Nankeen night heron may im portant in the primary cycle nearly 300 km wide, bounded Astronomical Society of Wes­ be a source of the virus and to between bird and mosquito and the launch is occupied in the tern Australill said that another roughly from Busselton in the northern area, other members a lesser extent, cormorants. eneephalitis in Japan.' north to Albany in the south. group was expected to arrive Tests' carried out by Dr Ian The first tests were carried will be based near A!bany on from New Zealand. the south coast to carry out Marshall, Senior Fellow in the out OIl sera from the .Murrum­ The society has reserved the Department of Microbiology at bidgee sites and the cycle with Rocket launch ground based observations. Augusta Aero Club fleld to set In a patch of sandhills on And while all this is going the Australian National Uni­ the Nankeen herons there 1I p cameras to photograph the versity, have so far revealed looked fairly clear cut. private farmland near the town, 011, another team of scientists, eclipse and some members have of Lancelin, lOO km north of this time from CSIRO's Divi­ that other waterbirds in the 'I admit I was pretty excited indicated their plans to search area are also highly suspect. Perth a United States scientinc sion of Physics in Sydney, will the sky for small comets which when the results started show­ team I will be standing by to be based at remote areas near Earlier this year a team of ing UPI' Dc Marshall said, might become visible at this 'but now that we've moved into launch two rocket-borne solar Walpole and Windy Harbour time. virologists and ornithologists, physics cxpcrim.cnts. on the south coast where they Others want to observe the led by Dr MarshalI, camped those f ram the Mu rray area, Their purpose will be to will also carry out observations out in swampy areas· around the situation has become a bit 'shadow bands' caused by the cloudy. study temperature distribution of the corona. eclipse and another group is to GriHith, Hay, Gol Gal, Shep­ around the sun's corona - the One of the main interests of study the behaviolll' of flora parton and Rutherglen in an 'The virus is showing up in oliter part of the sun's atmo­ the Australians will be to mea­ and fauna. attempt to gather mosquitoes more species of birds, but we sphere - in. an investigation sure the electron temperatures. There is also a possibility of and sera from waterbirds sus­ won't know the full story until which can only be conducted 'We hope then to be able to a special train being fun from pected of being virus carriers. we've completed the tests.' above the earth's atmosphere compare our data wilh what Perth to Augustll for the The team included two mem­ Dr Marshall said they were during a total eclipse. the Americans get on the phenomenon. bers of CSIRO's Division of also getting a lot of other vir­ Wildl ife Research, Kent Keith uses from the mosquitoes in­ The success of many of these and Bevan Brown. ventures, of course, depends cluding sindbis, a virus found entirely on the weather and ela­ The aim was to find the in most parts of' the world borate studies of the meteoro­ species of mosquitoes respon­ which causes a mild but rare Credit Society varies logical records' of the area show sible for spreading the virus form of encephalilis in humans, that there is no guarantee of a between their wildlife hosts the Ross River virus which cloud-free day at this time of and man j to recover the virus causes epidemic polyarthritis the year. from suspected bird carriers and another virus as yet un­ its interest rates and to investigate the relation­ characterised. ships between the virus causing As far as the carrter mosqui­ encephalitis in humans and the Interest Oil loans (as lll)lllicd on toes were concerned, 99 per The CSIRO Cooperative one causing the concurrent out­ Credit Society Lld has an­ 31 MlIY 1974): cent of the positive tests came break in horses. rrom onc species, Dr Marshall nounced variations in rates of 8{% pa (This is a base rate, ex­ TotheEditor interest for June, July and At the time this issue of 'Co­ said. clusive of any insurance Sir- research' went to press, Dr This was a different kind August 1974. . loading). In a press release, It states You publish in 'Coresearch' Marshall and his staff had from the domestic one that that the steep rises in interest Since the increases for de­ photographs of some very at­ tested 280 of the 575 bird sera. lived in cities but nevertheless rates last year and the con­ positors are designed to bene~t tractive men from time to time, 'The results so far show that it would happily breed and live sequent changes in investment those with a long-term commit­ but never with the sub-heading, there might be some species in towns and buildings that patterns have lcd to a small de­ ment to the Society, special 'There's a dish at Parkes ... ' which are more intimately in- might be located in its habitat. crease in the amounts of money conditions will apply to money or 'Adonis appointed to Animal on deposit and consequently on deposited in Class 2. For de­ Health'. loan, rather than the increases posits in this class only, the Can it be that such captions of around 20 per cent that have increased rate of 8 per cent pa would be regarded as degrading been experienced in recent years. (instead of 7 per cent pal will to CSIRO men? Or Bryan Short dies overseas The dreet of this has been apply only to such deposits as - Jewel Pels, A former C.sfRO agricultural assignment in Uruguay where that the Society has had a con­ are still extant at 31 August Rangclands Research tinual demand for loan money, 1974, and will be calculated on scientist, Or Bryan Short, has be attacked the problems of the Group, died in Spain [allowing a major local pastoral industry with thus ensuring that all money oither one-half the sum of the Rivcrina Laboratory. available has been fully used. dcposit at I March 1974 and operation. characteristic energy. He even 'This highly eIncient, in an that at 31 August 1974, or on Born in Auckland in 1924. managed to tide the laboratory economic sense, mode of opera­ the average deposit over this Burns expert Or Short was educated in New over a political upheaval which Zealand. Following three years resulted in the mass resignation tion now enables the Society, period, whichever is less. Or Tom Pressley of the Divi­ for one quarter only, to simul­ post-graduate work at the Uni­ of his staff. 'Clearly the above rates of sion of Protein Chemistry, who versity College of Wales, After a brief return to Sydney taneously reduce the rate interest cannot continue for any has done so much towards mak­ charged on loans ancl increase Aberystwyth, he joined the then in 1969, Or Short set out for extended period,' the release ing the clothing of children CSIRO Wool Biology Labora­ Spain whcre he found himself the rale paid to depositors, I the adds, and the Board will main­ safer in Australia, will leave release states. tories in Sydney. not only trying to direct World tain its close watch on interest this month for Berlin where he In 1953 he became one of the Bank agricultural funds to their Consequently, for the quarter rales over the next few months. will attend a conference on in­ I June to 31 August 1974 the first research scientists to move best advantage, but having to It is expected that thc rates ternational standards of flam­ to the site at Prospect which copc with legal aspects of land following rates of interest will alTered to investors in the new mability of fabrics. apply: later became the lan Clunies tenure that dated back 300 financial year (beginning I In September he has been Ross Animal Research Labora­ years. Money all deposit: September 1974) will reflect the invited to give a paper to the tory. The Division's sympathy has Class I 8% pa Class 3 9% pa clIrrent trends in the outside International Societv of Burns In 1965 he took leave from been expressed to his wife, Class 2 8% pa Class 4 91 % pa money markct. Injuries in thc Argentine. CSIRO to undertake an FAO Edna, and their children.

181-1974 Building Research assists NCDC

A mohile survey fcnm from of design and construction, is CSJRO's Division of Building to encourage the use of new Research is taking part in HI1 construction methods for dwel­ unusual COIiSfl'uctioll project in ling units which are not nor­ Canherra where Ihe NCDC mally used in conventional housing and lo realise design ltcccnf trends in fhe IjK re­ (National CupHal DcvcloJ)lllcnt and timing advantages which flect a growing concern that Commission) has embarked on such Rn exercise offers. goverllment research should he 11 $1.6 million IJrogrum to pro­ The project is designed so more directly relnlcd to nonum.'] vide medium density housing in that each home unit will either Ule Dclconncn suburb of Mclhn. tak.e advantage of the view or needs. The scheme provides for the would look out onto a land­ scaped courtyard. The outcome is being watched design and construction of a with great interest, both with total living environment - the The construction of the units the UK's research councils them­ first Commission project of its is based on a pre-cast structural selves and by those affected by kind to use this procedure. walling system which is adapt­ their activities, especially the The projeet may eventually able to a wide range of designs, scientists, our ASLO report provide the suburb with 450 prc-coloured metal deck roof­ says. housing units of varying family ing, concrete tIoors and non­ load bearing internal partitions. New proposals for research sizes built in one l two and three in the U [( follow acceptance in storeys on a site of 10 hectares. The Commission expects that the use of these prefabrieated J972 by the Government of The successful tenderer for David Woodhead (left) and Harry Heath at the Melba construc­ the Rothsehild recommendation techniques will provide a signi­ tion site in Canberra. the building of the Hrst lOO ficant contribution to the that applied resea,"ch should be units was Leighton Contractors general resources at present organised in accordance with Pty Ltd and their contract calls the clIstomer-contractor prin­ availahle in the house building ob~ for them to provide not just industry. tion, the leader of wh ich is 'We've been doing on site ciple. As might be expected the houses but the roadworks Bruce Kennecly, have been on servations of construction work there has been endless specula­ Both it and the contractors, sile. for several years,' the oIncer-in­ and services, carports, land­ however, were interested in the tion about the likely conse­ scaping and the development of Each vehicle is equipped wilh charge of the Melba group, quences. play spaces for young children. project being evaluated to see David Woodhead, told 'Co­ what organisational problems a video camera on its roof linked to tape recorders inside research'. While it is yet too early to It also includes the planning might be associated with this make a full assessment of the and design of the units in ac­ type of construction. and both have now become 'During the last three years familiar sights to the contrac­ we've been concentrating on impact of the new scheme cordance with the performance They wanted to develop the which has been operating only criteria drawn up bv the Com­ best possible production of flow tors and men engaged on the domestic housing in Victoria, project. Western Australia, Queensland since July, attention has been mission in close consultation patterns and to evaluate the drawn already to the faet that with the Department of the overall economics and then A tefim of three ofTicers from and New South Wales. 'The ultimate objective is to some government departments Capital Territory. The Depart­ compare them with those of the Division has been engaged (the customers) have appointed ment will eventually administer conventional housing. in monitoring progress, often in reduce building costs and we believe ies possible t6 achieve highly competent chief scien­ the units, all of whieb will be For this reason the Division unpleasant conditions when the tists and supporting staffs to for rental. of Building Research was in­ men have sometimes had to do this through better organisation of activities and by planning guide them in placing research The main object of using one vited to pinticipate and since battle with Canbel'l'a's less contracts. contractor for the project, apart February two mobile observa­ pleasant elements. for continuity of production. from providing a total living tion units from its Building This type of projeet is not 'We observe the sequence of Representatives of customer environment in one 'packag<." Operations and Econolflics Sec- new to team members. various activities and gain an and contractor institutions have understanding of them and see also been serving together 011 how they all fit together. Requirements Boards thereby 'Our work is always done in enabling the placement of re­ cooperation with the builders search contracts that are more and workers,' David said, 'hut realislic than would be other­ our findings aren't usually wise expected. my buoy aimed at a particular contractor. On the other hand some of 'Where is wandering l' 'Rather, wc make the infor­ the contractor laboratories anti­ mation wc derive available to cipate financial embarrassment. CSIRO'S OCEANOGRAPHIC BUOY the building Industry in generai, By The i972-3 NERC Annual Re­ to government authorilies, to port predicted that 'serious difw 'A press release under this heading was sent to you on 11.4.74. Wendy Parsons sources of housing finance and ficulties will arise ... in fit­ The CSIRO Division of Fisheries and Oceanography oceano­ other concerned bodies. ting ... programs, scientific graphic buoy reterred to in that release, whlcb has been operat­ 'We're taking a special in­ skills and facilities to depart­ Robin started writing the terest in this NCDC project in ing for about 11 months, was tound during the Easter weekend, story of the marathon effort on mental responsibilities in such one kilomeler south-west of Gabo Island, by the Department of Canberra because it may pro­ a way as not to destroy the Friday, 4 April. No sooner was vide an alternative to the use Transport's lighthouse tender vessel M.v. Cape Pillar. It was it in the hands of the typist balance of fundamental and ap­ of conventional resources of plied research'. picked up and will be landed at Adelaide In about two weeks' than a cable from France an­ labour and material which at nounced that eontact with the This situation arises from the lime.' the present time 11 re so scarce.' buoy had been lost in It March. proposal to transfer a signi­ For further information contact: The copy was retrieved ­ ficant proportion of NERC R. H. Austin, rewrite called for. funds to foul' customers: the Information Officer, Back it went to the typist on Department of Trade and In­ CSIRO, Division ot Fisheries and Oceanography. Monday to be completed - just dustry, the Department of the as another cable arrived. Jim Whittem Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food This memorandum was reM graphic buoy project he thought Previous information not true. Contact re-established 23 and the new Nature Conser­ ccntly sent ont to the media as a the whole thing was a straight­ for USA vancy Council. postscript" to a press release Imt forward press story. March. Of the other four councils, out by Robin Austin of the It was to be a simple article Not only that, but the buoy about the free-drifting satellite­ had travelled an incredible 50D the Agricultural Reseal'eh Division of Fisheries and traeked buoy which the Divi­ miles south of the 11 March Council and the Medical Re­ Oceanogra!,hy at Cronnlla. sion released from HMS Kembla position. (Did it hitch a lift search Council will also under~ And therehy hangs a tale of on 30 April last year and which with some passing ship? Note take contracts for research. the trials and tribulations of an set a world record by sending on Robin's file. Check with information officer for when information to the French Department of Transport about Considerable sums will be Robin Hrst started working on 'Bole' satellite for almost 11 shipping movements.) transferred from them to their the story of CSIRO's oeeano- months. Back to the drawing board customers, the Ministry -for and the continuing saga. AgricuHure, Fisheries and Food Tuesday dawned with the and the Department of Health story looking complete. and Society Security, respec­ Determined to be awkward tively. to the last, the buoy then ini­ tiated another cable from Fortunately a close relation­ France by ceasing to transmit ship already exists between on 26 March. each of these councils and their Robin's typist was by this corresponding ministry or de­ time in a state of nervous frus­ partment and no serious diill­ tration but bravely produced Mr Jim Whillem (above) has cuty is anticipated. the final version which was then been appointed Scientille delivered to various science Allache in Washington. He The Social Science Research writers on Thursday 11 April. will replace Or Peter Muecke Council, established about five Over Easter a final blow was who will return to Australia years ago, is regarded as too struck. Following an appeal to about the middle of this young an organisation to be~ mariners by GeOl'ge CressweH 1 month. come involved in the new who had been supervising the Mr Whltlem, who will take movements of the wandering up his duties In Washington scheme. one, the buoy was picked up by on 14 June, joined CSIRO as The Science Research Coun~ the 'Cape Pillar', a Department Officer-in-Charge of the Animal cil is likewise unaffected be­ of Transport vessel, a kilo­ Health Research Laboratory at cause, according to a govern­ meter south-west of Gabo Is­ Parkvllle after spending some ment report, its funds arc land and about 160 km from years as Director of Animal 'largely spent on university re~ its last point of contact on 26 Husbandry, Northern Territory search grants and on the main­ March. Administration. 'Oh you press the button down, the data goes 'round and Robin and his typist went In 1968 he transferred to tenance of large-scale equipment around, Whoa-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho, and it comes out here' back to the drawing board. The Head Office as Secretary of and facilities fol' the use of postscript went out to the the newiy formed Common­ university researchers and post­ media and the buoy came home wealth and States Veterinary graduate student support'.­ - Cour\osy 'Punch' to rest. Committee. F.G.L.

181-1974 Scientists in China Around the Success for 'fun runners'

Cont'd from page 1 initiated. They have plans for eonvcrting the instrument to a Divisions look at both rural and urban more advanced design,' he said. projects. Animal Health ~We were impressed by what At the Nanking Observatory Dr Wild found they had a wc saw of their science and Dr L. E. A. Symoos of the technology and noted thut they magnili.cent collection of an­ McMoster Laboratory of the cient astronomical instruments. were concentrating on applied ,Division of Animal Health, has science,' Professor Robertsoll had the degree of Doctor of said. Science conferred upon him by IGreat imporlance was at­ the University of Adelaide. tached to the way scientists Dr D. B. Adams, of the working on industrial research same laboratory. has recently would go into the factorics and been awarded the degree of those undertaking agricultural Doctor of Philosophy of the research would spend time in University of Oxford. the communes in ftl(al environ­ ments.' Professor Robertson found * * * that the individual Chinese Mineral Physics knew a great deal about the Dr Michael Duggin, of the work of Australian scientists Minerals Research Laboratories, involved in their disciplines. For RyJc, is overseas on a five­ instance, he said, the work of month trip to investigate CLlr­ Members of the team from the Division of Protein Chemistry Dr Fraser llergersen, Dr Kcith rent progress in techniques of recently competed successfully In Melbourne's first "fun run". Boardman and Dr A. J. Ander­ remote sensing,. M ike heads The event, organised by HSV7 and Coca Cola attracted several son of Plant Industry was well the group who arc studying thousand entrants and competitors ran, jogged and walked the known to them. techniques of aerial and satel­ 15km distance between Melbourne and Brighton. The Division's lite remole sensing, and who arc team gained second place behind a group representing the Radio astronomy Sir Rutherford Robertson generally regarded as being Professional Runners Association. Proudly displaying their among the leaders of this re­ medallions (from left) are Peter Nicholls, Don Williams, Bob Astronomy and physics were. 'Not all of them were ori­ search in Australia. Downes and Damian Quirk. the main interests for Dr Paul ginal but they included a 300­ While he is away, Mike is Wild, Chief of the Division 01' year-old replica of a celestial Visiting government, academic Radiophysics, when he movcd sphere which had its origin and private centres involved in out into his specialised field. 1800 years ago. lhisfield and his itinerary is CSIRO staff AS,CA meeting At the Institute of Physics 'They also had two armil1nry taking him from New Zealand in Peking he and Dr I-I. A. spheres, the. main astronomical where he had discussions with Buchdahl inspectcd the design instrument in use 2000 years DSIR, to the United States, and building of apparatus for ago. They were beautiful ex­ Canada, the United Kingdom, to visit in India the generation of plasmas and amples of the combination of Italy, Israel, South Africa and associated problems of high­ art and science.' hopefully, Russia. Dr M. F. C. Day, a member temperature generation and He will attend several con­ focusing. The equipment tbe Another instrument, dated Moscow of the EXeClJtivc, has returned 1437, was a gnomon. This was ferences while he is away and to Canberra after a visit to Chinese had was advanced in will give papers at two of them. A group of CSIRO scientists India for the third meeting of its· design and the Australians uscd as long ago as 3000 years will travel to Moscow this to determine the seasons. the Association for Science Co~ had been impressed. month for the XII International operation in Asia (ASCA). 'But we were told they had a 'The Chinese were always ** * Grassland Congress to be held long way to go before having thcre between 11-20 June. Both Dr Day and the other tremendously interested to learn Animal Physiology Australian delegate, Mr E. E. a chance to reach their ultimate what they could. I waS asked goal of controlled thermo­ Dr George Alexander of the The general theme of the Con­ Adderley, Scientific Counsellor to give a number of talks and Division of Animal Physiology gress will be soil-plant-animal in Tokyo, attended the confer­ nuclear fusion,' Dr Wild said. I found that when this was products. At the Peking observatory at Prospect has been awarded ence at the request of the Aus­ requested they didn't jost want the medal of the Australian In­ tralian Minister for Science, their scientists were concentrat­ flIn~down Plenary session themes cover a half hour on stitute of Agricultural Science rather than in their CSIRO ing on astromctry, solar physics things,' Dr Wild said. a wide range of topics including: and radio astronomy. The for his work on lamb losses in capacities. Dr Day was ap­ 'They expected me to deliver Australia. • modern methods of develop­ pointed Vice-Chairman of the 60 em reflector telescope they ment and evaluating of varie­ were using had been built en­ a three and a half hour ora­ He has gained wide recogni­ association. tion on each occasion. tion for his research into the ties and hybrids of plants for The main aims of ASCA tirelv in China, a fact of which seeded pastures and meadows lhcy~ problem which is of vital i111­ were to identify areas of mutual were very proud. 'I was supplied with green pOl·tanee to the pastoral indus­ • the mineral nutrition of pas­ interest in the field of science lea, a blackboard and a good try, both here and overseas. ture and meadow plants and and technology and to devise Australiau inflnence interpreter and was left to it. the methods of determining means and mechanisms for pro­ The Chinese took copiolls notes Dr Alexander is noted for his Dr Wild also visited a radio investigations into environ­ their fertiliser requirements viding solutions through active and they asked some pretty co-operation of member coun­ astronomy observatory located shrewd questions.' mental and nutritional factors • scientific and technical pro­ about 100 km from the capital. in neo-natal mortality, be­ gress in the field nf forage tries, Or Day said. In the main, 'Work was started on this ob~ While the Australians were in haviour patterns in ewe and conservation and its storage these seemed to revolve around servatory in 1964 nnd I gather China it was arranged that two lamb, physiology of the foetal food, energy and cheap housing. • new experimental methods as was held up when the cultural of their post-graduate students lamb, temperature regulation in While he was in India, Dr revolution took place. would spend six months here. applied to pastures and mea­ lambs, sources of heat loss, in­ dows. Day attended a reception at the 'It has now restarted but I. They are,expeeted to arrive this fluence of birth-coat type, and President's Palace and met Pre­ could see they are still consider­ month and will spend five lactation in the ewe. The Congress will provide sident V. V. Giri. He also talked ably influenced by Professor months with Professor Chris­ simultaneous translations for with Professor Y. Nayudamma, W. N. Christiansen of Sydney tinnsen and then one month at participants in Russian, English, secretary to the Government University who acted as their Parkes and Culgoora with the * * * German, French and Spanish and Director-General, Scienti­ consultant when the project was Division of Radiophysics. Textile Industry and summaries of papers will ne and Industrial Research, Dr M. Upson, Chief of the be published in Russian and who is expected to visit Aus~ Division of Textile Industry, English. lralia next year when the fourth Geelong, is spending five weeks conference of the association A number of tours have been will be held in Canbarra. Delegation from Iran visiting research organisations arranged for delegates which and industries in the United will give them an opportunity Dr Day also visited the Kingdom, Europe and the to visit research institutions, Indian CSIR, their National United States. While 1]e is in experimental stations, educa­ Physies Laboratory and the England he will attend the lional establishments of higher Indian Council of Agricultural International Wool Secretariat learning, state and collective Research. R & D Committee Meeting at farms, museums and places of Ilkley in Yorkshire. cultural and historic interest. ** * The program also includes a In a sandwich bar: 'Ifyou wish to special itinerary fo]' women at­ * * * extinguish your cigare/fes ill yor". Environmental Mechanics tending the conference and among activities organised for plale, Ille wailress will gladly bring Dr P. J. (Phil) Mulhearn re· them are visits to the Exhibi~ yOll your food ill all ashtray. I cently joined the Division of tion of Economic Achieve­ Environmental M cchanics at ments, a lour of the Moscow Canbcrnt where he is co~ordi­ Fashion House and an excur­ nating the Division's wind­ sion to the Krr:mlin. 'Coresearch' tunnel work and conducting re­ 'Coresearch' Is produced search in fluid mechanics. CSIRO stafl' who expect 10 by the Central Communica­ be attending th~ Congress in­ tion Unit for CSIRO staff. Or Mulhearn, whose degrees ciude Dr F. H W. Morley, in science and engineering and Members are invited to con, Mr P. Broue, Dr R. N. Oram tribule or send suggestions doctorate were all attained at (Plant Industry); Mr M. 1.. the University of Sydney, came for articles. The deadline Dudzinski (Mathematical Sta­ for materiai is normally the to CSIRO from thc RAN Re­ tistics - Plant Industry); Mr J. search Laboratory and before first day of the month pre­ C. Noble and Dr G. W. Arnold ceding publlcalion. that the Department of Applied (Land Resources Management); Mathematics and Theoretical Or J. L. Wheeler (Animal Phy­ Material and queries should A delegation of eight Iranian Government officials, mainly Physics of the University of siology); Dr E. M. Hutton, be sent 10 the Editor agricultural experts, recently visited Canberra, Sydney and Mel­ Cambridge. He was, however, Dr M. J. Payne and Dr R. J. (Dorolhy Braxton), Box 225, bourne and during their time In the ACT had discussions at !l0 stranger to the Pyc Labora~ C1cments (Tropical Agronomy). Dickson, A.O. 2602, Tel. Head Office. The delegation held talks with the Prime wry. While with the RANRL 48 4478 or Wendy Parsons, Minister, Mr Whlllam, the Treasurer, Mr Frank ·Crean, and the he was a welcome - and useful It is understood that several 484227. Minister for Oversees Trade, Or J. Calms. His Excellency - visiting worker in the Pye members of the staIr who are Hassanali Mehran, Iran's Deputy Minister for the Economy, is wind tunnel on a number of already overseas on leave are shown here talking to the Chairman of CSIRO, Dr J. R. Price. occasions. also likely to attcnd. Prinled by CSTH.O. Melbourne

181-1974 182##1974

znep' eM

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RO staff July 1974 CSIRO to continue research into forest products Any suggestion that CSIRO either wants to pull out of its research on forest products or is plauning to do so has been dismissed by the Chairman of the Organization, Or J. R. Price, as 'sheer nonsense'. Some straight talking on the continuing work on the assess­ breakdown in communication role of CSIRO nnd its involve­ ment of forest resources for between the Council and ment in this sl)hel'e ('ame from paper manufacture and Ihe pro­ CS1RO, Dr Price continued. Or Price when he gave tlte ad­ gram of controlled burning to He recognised this was a preserve forest resources. dress at tlte Dill Gottstein serious situation and said atR Memorial Dinner ill Melbourne. The Division was also look­ tempts would be made to ing ahead and recognised Ihe rectify it. The function was arranged by dangers of continued exploita­ the Gottstein Memorial Trust tion of the country's resources, 'The timber industry over a set up to honour the memory long period of operation of the IRenewable resources, as our former Division of Forest Pro­ of Mr Bill Gottstein, a member forests are, are assuming greater of the former Division of ducts had established effective Forest Products who was killed importance as demand rises and communication with that Divi­ non~J'enewable resources of the sion; it knew where to gO, it in an accident in Papua New world become depleted,' Dr Guinea in 1971. knew the people and it could Price said. talk to Ihem. The dinner was attended by 125 people representing Aus­ 'It is now uncertain where to tralian forest product industries go for advice and assistance and their associations, forest The fnn text of the Chair­ and is worried that more than services, CSIRO staff and other. man'sspcech givcuot.thc one pain! ofcnntact may he people interested in the rational Dill Gollstein Memorial necessary. I utilisation of Australian forests. Dinner will he pnblished in Dr Price said he hoped the CSIRO, Dr Price said, wanted the Jnly issne of the Ans­ new Forestry Newsletter would to see its work on forest pro­ tralian Forest Industries help overcome the communica­ ducts carried out in the way Journal. 11 wit" also be tion barrier and that the new that was the most emcient and available at a later date in sub-committee set up by the best met the national needs. the libraries of all Divisions. Joint Committee on Forest In­ There was no intention of dustries would be successful in She's Miss Waden Plaza diminishing practical technical its liaison with CSIRO forest Don'l tell us Ihal Ihe RAO In Canberra doesn't know how assistance to the timber indus­ researchers. try or the research which would 'Two ways to produee more la pick 'em. Elghteen-year-old Vlckl Hawthome of Ihe from the same area are to grow The Chairman again referred Overseas Expenditure Section al Head Office has jusl been ensure that this continued in to the subject of communication the future. and use the traditional crop, say chosen as Miss Woden Plaza 1974. As a resull she has trees, more efficiently or to laler when he was presented been given a couple of relum air tickets la London and is The newly-formed Division grow a subslilute crop that with a numbel' of questions and of Chemical Technology was $1000 richer. yields more than the traditional stalements on which he was Staff Section Is keeping Vlckl's vilal statistics a close secret crop. asked to comment. Oue of these read: and Ihe lelephone number, removed from the Directory, is 'While CSIRO is concerned available only to those making a contribution la Ihe Head with the more efficient growth 'Industry is concerned that Office Christmas party fund. (Or so we've heard.) and use of the Iraditional crop the CSIRO Executive may And don't all rush to offer to accompany her la London ... (the forest), the Division of not always be completely in­ Vlckl has decided la lake an old school friend, Sheelagh Chemical Technology is also in­ formed about its views and Brennan, wllh her. The girls are planning to have nearly six terested in the tolal utilisation requirements. Senior people months away and since Vlckl Is doing a degree In British of plants to supply not only in the industry are wondering hislory and political science al Ihe ANU she plans la make fibre but other raw malerials what channel might be most as much use of her lime as she can la visit places of that can be used, for example, appropriate for making these hlslorlcal Inlerest. The girls say Paris and Moscow are in animal feeding.' views heard in the righl also 'musls' on Ihelr ilinerary. (Plclure: courtesy 'Canberra quarter.' News'.) Eight Divisions Cont'd on page 4 Professional officers involved in the Divisions of Chemical Technology and Building Re­ l search, which was also continu­ Chocks I down the drain ing research programs into go forest products, totalled about CSIRO has taken something Maribyrnong River had flooded penetrated through both Ihese 90, Dc Price said. of a battering this yenr with during the night. and the drains, drowning most 'I suspect some of you may flood losses. Tbe latest entry 'At that stage,' said Bill Snow­ of the fowls. Margaret Canny, who since think that this is our total re­ in tbe statistics shows the loss don who is in charge of the 'In one unit where the water 1971 has been Iyplng 'Core­ search effort, but this isn't 80. of 150 prestige chooks. project, 'the river was rising a was only two feet deep, we search' copy and has managed There are almost 70 other pro­ foot every to minutes. Part of saved 21 birds,' Dill said. to meel every deadline and still The property of the Division fessional staff involved in an­ the trouble was the excessive The 'chapels' - named for get a thousand olher jobs done other six Divisions.' (Land Use of Animal Health, the fowls rain but lhe rest was caused by Research, Chemical Engineer­ were specific-pathogen free ones, their appearance - in which for Ihe Cenlral Communlcalion the tide washing back and tbe birds had been housed, were Unit, has left Canberra on an ing, Land Resources Manage~ bred for special experiments. high winds in the al"ea.' ment, Soils, Entomology and The fowls were bred to be only temporary premises used extended visit to Europe. The until the new building program Unit said lis farewells in Ihe ap­ Plant Industry.) disease-free and were used for Two members of Ihe staff who live on the property, Atex is completed. Work is sche­ propriate slyie and Margaret 'Not all are engaged in pro­ research on infectious diseases which attack poultry. Cameron and Gerry Lawson, duled to begin on Ihis during couldn't have been left in any jeets in a fult-time capacity but the 1974-75 financial year. doublof how much she was ap­ Apart from a year's work and their families, did a fast this represents a considerable survey and discovered that while preclaled. Now we have la find research effort which has ex­ literally going down the drain, The loss is a special blow someone la repiace her. She Ihe financial loss taking in their homes were safe, the hens for Dr Trevor Bagust who has panded in recent years and is were not. sel a high standard that's going still doing so.' costs of birds, labour and build­ been doing most of Ihe re­ la be dlfflcull to match but ings has been assessed at Although the fowls wem kept search work on the birds. we're looking for volunteers. If Communications $10,000. in special virus isolation units, 'We'll now have to start the you'd like to work In a public First indication of Ihe trouble the buildings were not abso­ program an over again, using relations sel-up and are the girl Discussions he had had re­ came when staff at the Mari­ lutely waterproof. Air was Ihose fowls that we saved,' Bill we're looking for, please call cently with Ihe Timber Pro­ byrnong field station woke in taken into the units Ihrough said, 'but it means everything us. ducers' Council had revealed a the morning to discover Ihat Ihe special vents and the water had gets delayed.' 00-; I iI .5 NSL re-organised into new laboratory The two Divisions, Physics and Applied Physics, which together have made up the National Standards Laboratory, have been re-organised into one under the leadership of Mr F. J. Lehany, Chief of the Division of Applied Physics.

The two will now be called Dr Giovanelli's last two the National Measurement months will he spcnt in Europe Loboratory and Mr Lehony will where he hopes, among other hove the tille of Director. things, to confer with staIT at L'Institut d'Astrophysiques. Dr R. G. Giovanelli, who At the time of going to press asked to be relieved of his post somc aspects of details of in­ as Chief of the Division of ternal administration of the new Physics so that he could con­ Laboratory wcre still heing centrate on reseafeh work, has worked out, but thc two ad­ been made a Senior Research ministrative groups have al~ Fellow in solar physics. ready been welded together. A Initially at least, he will bc scienUfic program review conl­ located at the Laboratory but mittee has also been estahlished at the cnd of August he will and cornprises Mr Lehany and Staff train in alpine setting leave on a year's overseas visit. Drs A. M. Thompson, G. K. White, and W. R. Blevin as the Dr Glovanelli plans to first R three co-ordinators. Dc Ahllll)iercc, a member is run four times a year for Some of the course parti visit the University of Hawaii of the CSlRO Executive got senior scientific, technical ci pants with Dr Pierce in where he will be working with a chilly reception whcn he and administralive staff. front of the Head Office two former Physics staIT, Dr Before the amalgamation took place, the staff of both arrived at Thredbo Allline At these the role of human vehicle that was shortly to John Jeffries, now head of the Hotel 10 take n look at a disappear under the snow: Departmcnt of Astronomy there, Divisions was kept informed of factors in management is the proposed changes and had senior stuff management examined by discussing the ([rom left) Dr Ken Baird, and Marie McCabe, a senior course in action. His arrival Textile Physics; Mr Tom member of the departmcnt. the opportunity to have discus­ theories of prominent in­ sions on the subject. coincided with a iwowfcct dustrial psychologists such Wignall, engineer, Chemical From there he will spcnd fnll of snow. as Herzberg, Likert, McGrc­ Physics; Dr Bob Newbold, eight months at Kitt Peak The operations of the Labo~ Much to the reported dis­ gor and Reddin. Meat Research Laboratory; National Observatory at Tucson ratory will continue at their may of the participants, A number of case studies Mr Ial1 Whiting, Head in Arizona where he will meet premises on the campus of Thredbo was snowbound are analysed by the partici­ Office; Mr Terry Calahan, up with another colleague, Dr Sydney University until their and the 15 memhers, the pants and time is also de­ Minerals Research LaboruR Don Hall, who earlier held a new building at Bradfield Park session leader, Dr Evan voted to acquiring some tcries; Dr Alan Pierce; Ml' CSIRO studentship in Physics. is completed in 1977. Davies, and the training skills in industrial coun­ Jobn Dover, Applied Geo­ omcer, Ian Harvey, were selling. mechanics; Dr Evan Davies} forced to remain in the area Forty-live staIT have at­ Senior Lecturer in Indus­ for a further day. tended the three courses run trial Psychology, University so far and nominations are of New South Wales (the The course was part of course leader), and Dr Dick the CSIRO senior manage­ sought regularly from Divi­ (oresearch under scrutiny ment training program which sions. Lang, Irrigation Research. The effectiveness of 'Core­ for discussion, but it was search' as a means of com­ agreed that before any recom­ munication among the stall of mendations were made the Mr. Oil Beresford Smith Death of CSIRO, its content, size and matter should be further in­ distribution were among many vestigated. Long Pocket Laboratories at aspects discussed when the Co­ Indooropilly. research AdvisOly Committee During discussions on distri­ retires He has also been working on Minerals met for the first time at I-lead bution, it was found that 'Co­ The man who for the last 12 the development of the chemi­ Office in Canberra. research' was not always avail­ years has been responsible for cal laboratories on the Clayton able in sufficient numbers for site. Chief Those present were Messrs the implementation and man­ each memher of the staIT to agement of CSIRO's works pro­ Colleagues met to farewell A former Chief of the Divi­ G. R. Williams (Chairman), have his own copy. It was him at several functions. A sion of Mineral Chemistry, Mr Manager, Central Communica­ grams, Mr Brian Beresford pointed out that where Divi­ Smith, has retired from the Head Omee dinner was held in Richard Thomas, died recently tion Unit; G. Blackburn, SPRS, sions, Laboratories or Units Canberra for him, there was a in Melbourne. Division oC Soils, Adelaide; R. Organization. were not receiving suffkient farewell gathering at Head Chemist, naturalist, lover of W. Cullen, AO, Division of copies, up-dated numbers should After a long career as an en­ gineer, he has decided to take Office arranged by the Chair­ minerals and raconteur extra­ Building Research, Melhourne; be sent lo the Editor. man, Dr J. R. Price, and slaff, A. T. Dunn, TO, Division of on the new role of a country ordinaire, Dick Thomas was the A welcome to IDembers of man and has bought a property and another similar occasion was man responsible for initiating Land Use Research, Canberra, held at the RAO in Melboul'l1e and R. Shcarslone, Senior the committee was given by near Wangaratta in Victoria research in CSIRO on minerals the Chail'tnan, Dr J. R. Price, where he plans to grow vcalers. when members of the Bnilding as industrial raW materials. Laboratory Craftsman, Division Section and others at Albert of Radiophysics, Sydney. Mr C. who spoke hriefly on the im­ Mr Beresford Smith joined After graduating at the Uni­ portance he attached to 'Core­ CSIRO from the Common­ Street had a chance to say versity of Adelaide in 1924, Mr D. Kimpton, Ms M. Guthridge goodbye and wish him well. (secretary) and Ms Dorothy search' as a form of communi~ wealth Department of Works Thomas did pnst-graduate work Braxton (editor), all of the cation within the Organization. where he had been principal as a mineralogist unuer tlle Central Communication Unit, 'We look forward to seeing you engineer. Before that he had direction of Sir Douglas Maw­ also attended. make a real contribution so worked both as an assistant city Farrer Medal son. that HCorcsearch" can be nlore engineer in Launceslon and He then spent three years as The Committee was set up Dl' BelCH Newton Turner, effective,' he said. Hobart and as a consultant in onc or Australia's lending chemist with the Australian last year following a reader Radium Corporation, where he survey undertaken earlier to private enterprise. women scientists, has been Based at Albert Street in selected os Hu~ Farcer was responsible for devising find aut from staIr members methods for treating the com­ how they reacted to 'Core­ Melbourne, Mr Beresford Smith Melllorinl Medallist for 1974. as Assistant Secretary, Works The ]lfCsentation will be piex ore mined at Radium Hill search' and what - if any­ in the Flinders Rang-cs, an area changes they might like to sec. and Buildings was responsible held in SeJltember. Dr Tur­ Picture: Coresearch Advisory for a number of the Organiza­ ner who rcH ..ed Inst year which he visited frequently and Members were appointed in Committee meets at Head tion's major building projects, has been grnnled an exfen­ for which he retained a great their capacity as readers and Office. From lelt: G. Blackburn, particularly the National Mea­ sion of her hOllorury re­ attachment. did not represent Divisions or R. Shearstone, M. Guthridge, surement Laboratory now under search fellowship and COIl­ In f928 he joined Professor staff associations. R. W. Cullen, G. R. Will lams, construction at Bradfield Park, tinues to be bused at the T. Brailsford Robertson in the The size, format and fre­ C. D. Kimpton, D. Braxton and the Western Austlalian labOI'a­ Division of Animal Genetics. unit at the Biochemistry De­ quency of publication came in A. Dunn. (Photo: AIS.) tories at Floreat Park and Ihe partmcnt of the University of Adelaide, which soon after­ ward. became the CSIR Divi­ sion of Animal Nutrition. With Brailsford Rohertson aod later with H. R. Marston Mr Thomas played a distin: guishcd part in the research on the role of trace elements in nnimaJ nutrition that cul­ minated in sol\;\tion of the prob~ lcm of I'coast disease' in sheep. In 1940, when Dr (now Sir lan) Wark was establishing the Division of Industrial Chemis­ try in Melbourne, he invited Mr Thomas to set lip a Section of Minerals Utilization, the fore­ runner of the present Minerals Research Laboratories. This Section became the Division of Mineral Chemistry of which Mr Thomas remained Chief until he retired in 1961.

182-1974 Wool research funding to be investigated by lAC A decision made by the Australian Government to refer the financing of wool research and promotion to the recently established Industries Assistance Commission could have far-reaching implications for CSIRO. Lost November the Govern­ Government not later than June rest primarily with the Com­ ment announced its urrange­ 1976. Allhnugh no detailed mission itself,' Dr AlIen said. ments for financing wool re­ timetahIe has yet been an~ 'While undoubtedly the in­ scorch ll11d promotion under the nounced, it is expected thut the tention is to include research hearings, which under the terms Wool Research Tru.lolt Fund for related to rural IJroduction and o[ the Act will bc open, will the processing of rural pro­ the three yellrs 1974-75{1976-77. start in January next year. duels, it could, of course, in~ These provisions were based elude other rurally related re­ Oil the general I)fOposition that CSIRO evidence search not explicitly connected the wool research program in In view of its major involve­ with rural industry. Fisheries CSIRO, financed from the lruml, ment in rural research in Aus­ is explicitly included in the re­ would be continued throughout tndia, the CSIRO Executive felt ference, though Hs connection the three-year period at the it was necessary for the Organi­ with "rural activities" is not readily perceived.' 1973-74 level. zation to prepare written evi­ dence for submission to the As far as CSIRO was con­ At the same time Cabinet Commission and to participate cerned, Dr ABen said, the re~ also decided to refer the ques­ in the hearings. ference covered research acti­ tion of rural research and pro­ vities funded both from the Karoly Grosz, senior glass blowing technician of the Division of The Executive has placed the Chemical Physics, Instructs Hussln Bin Omar, a United Nations motion generally to the Com­ responsibility for the prepara­ Consolidated Revenue Fnnd l exchange student from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, In the art of glass mission 'for inquiry and report • tion of its submission in the and from various Rural Indus­ try Research Funds. blowing. Hussin is spending a year at the National Measurement Later. in April this year, the hands of a consultative panel Laboratory to study sclentilic glass blOWing techniques but re­ comprising Dr J. A. Alien, Exe­ It would also fl1l'mally in­ Government decided to make cently had a week at the Division. the issues involved - research cutive omcer (Chairman), Drs clude research undertaken with and promotion -- into two E. G. Hallsworth, L. T. Evans, Commonwealth support in uni­ separate references. K. A. Ferguson, M. Lipson and versities, colleges, State Depart­ In reference to the lAC under Mr Michael Tracey. ments of Agriculture and other the title 'Financing Rural Re­ The panel will be assisted by similar agencies, search/ the Prime Minister, Mr Professor W. P. Hogan, Pro­ It would not, however, in­ Whitlam, asked it to consider fessor of Economics in the Uni­ elude research undertaken by Letter to the Editor State Departments with funds whether funds should continue versity of Sydney, whose ser­ Sir- ASIO. To avoid such confu­ to be provided by the Aus­ vices have been retained as an made available under appro­ priations of State Parliaments. sion I propose that we be tralian Government or assist in economic consuJtant. Other than T. G. Brock's known as the Australian SIRO, financing rural research and if The working party which will 'By this reference under the amusing letter in 'Corcsearch' or SIRO for short. so, undertake the detailed prepara­ lAC Act 1973, the Government last Septcmher I have scen very • what should be the nature tions comprises Mr A. W. ha, effectively defined the fund­ little reference to the possibility This abbreviation is already and extent of the assistance Charles, Dr J. R. Yates, Mr R. ing of research from the COIl­ of a change in name of the well known in several patent provided by the Australian W. Viney and Mr B. Johnson, solidated Revenue Fund and OrganizaHon. names, and our logo could con­ Government all of Head Office in Canberra, Rura! Industry Research Funds sist of the word 'Australian' in In view of the word ICom_ small capitals above four large • what criteria should be used under the leadership of Dr as assistance to an industry. It AHen. may therefore be said to cut monwealth' falling into dis­ capitals, so: in determining and appor­ favour as part of the descrip­ tioning research expenditure. across some aspects of the References Science ancl Industry Research tion of Australian Government (For the purposes of this re­ Departments and Authorities, I ference, rural research in­ Act 1949-73,' Dr Alien said. AUSTRALIAN 'The boundaries of what is 'The reference also opens up find this strange. cludes research into fisheries.) encompassed by the Govern­ ~Hm@ m~~nt's the possibility that at some The inclusiou of the word The Commission is required term "rural research" fu [ul'etime other areas-for to fumish its report to the have not been defined and will lCommonwealth' in our title example, minerals research or stems from 1948 when the There may be some who research related to a secondary Council for Scientific and In­ would agree to retain CSIRO industry - may be made the dustrial Research became the as a name wilhout it being ~~~~,ct nf public inquiry by the Commonwealth Scientific and thought of as the initial letters Industrial Research Organiza­ of any words. This is some­ For your information Public scmtiny tion. Sir David Rivett favoured times done in the case of com­ Did you catch up with these that they do not always see A further point was that the retentinn of the well known panies, whose original name is information and policy cir­ such statements. CSIRO's program of rural re­ abbreviation CSIR and hence no longer a reflection of their culars? When space permits Because o[ the delldline for search came directly under the adoption of the word 'Corn· present activities, e.g. the name 'Coresearch' will now list these 'Coresearch', of necessity these puhlic scrutiny to be evaluated monwealth'. of the former Colonial Sugar brief summaries of circulars. will not be up to date, but each in terms of other Government Refining Co Lld is now CSR I thought at the time that it Limited and this is one reason This is in response to a request Division has copies of the cir­ priorities and activities not was in a way a pity not to from ,taU who have reported euIars listed and latcr ooes.-­ necessarily of a research kind. why we should not be CSIRO have made a clean break and - we are already sometimes Editor. 'It should be noted that the to use the title Australian Scien­ lAC is an advisory body and mistaken for sugar manufac­ Information circnlars tilk and Industrial Research turers, the Government mayor may Organization. Experience since No. not accept recommendations then has only reinforced this Another reason is that the 74{26 National Wage Case 1974 which are made to it from the thought. word CSIRO does not fall 74/27 Overseas Procurement - Reprints . . Commission,' Dr Allen added. easily oil the tongue. (introductinn from 1.7.74 of di~eet ordering [or .repFJnts All Divisions and Laboratory During overseas trips I have found that foreigners are some­ What do others think? of articles by CSIRO authors 111 overseas publicatIons, Groups bave been advised of instead of through Australian goverl1J:ncnt 0-ycrseas offices) these developments and the times confused by the title and -E. wonder whether wc are an R. BALLANTYNE, 74{28 Division nf Tmpical Agronomy - Actmg ChIef Chiefs and Chairmen bave con­ Division of Building tributed ideas and supporting agency of the Commonwealth (Dr E. F. Henzell 1.5.74 to 30.10.74) of Nations - they are not al~ Research, Highet!, Vic. 74{29 Reporting of Motor Vehicle Accidents papers to the consultative panel. (introduction of new report forms for use in all acci­ The relevant Divisions will be ways aware that we are an Aus­ asked at a later stage to pro­ tralian organization. dents involving CSIRO motor vebicles) 'Coresearch' would welcome 74{30 Bursaries at Geelong Church of England Grammar School vide detailed information in some specific areas. One disadvantage of the pro­ comments from present and for sons of officers of CSIRO posed title would he that its former members of staff, or (applications closed 27 May) initial leHers when spoken as a from interested readers outside 74{31 DiviSIOn of Applied Geomechanics word could be con[used with CSIRO.-Editor. Dr G. D. Aitchison resuming as Chief; Portrait for Dr C. M. Gerrard appointed Assistant Chief - with effect 27.5.74) 74/32 Selby Fellowship Division (Applications by letter-close 30.7.74) l 74/33 Australian Meat Research Committee- A portrait of Sir David Rivett IYahoo fauna of Heron Awards for Postgraduate Study al Australian universities Of has omcially been donated to overseas the Division of Chemical Phy­ (Application forms available from Head Office; return­ sics. Melbourne, by Lady Rivett. 'The yahoo fauna of Heron New South Wales, probably able on or before 31.7.74) The portrait, painted by the Island' isn't as wild as some of disperses ouly as far as the 74/34 Claims for Taxation Concessional Allowance in respect of artist, Max Meldrum, has been the local inhabitants on the is­ wa rmCf waters to the north of dependants hung in the Chief's omce for land would have us believe. Australia. (Requirement to lodge new claim [or year ending 30.6.75) some time i?ut it was only re­ In the May issue 01' 'Core­ David bases his evidence 74/35 (nnt issued) cently that Lady Rivett made a search' we reported that Puf­ from observations and the re­ 74{36 Division of Textile Physics - Acting Chief gift of it tn the Division. finus pacificlls migrated from covery of blinded birds. (M r A. R. Haly 21.5.74 to 30.6.74 Sir David who was the first the island to the Arctic Circle. Says David: 'Of the five Puf­ Mr E. G. Bendit 1.7.74 to 20.7.74) Chief Executive Omcer and Our information was sup­ filIUS species (all of which are 74{37 Division of Building Research - Acting Chief later Chairman of CSIR, took plied by the 'islanders' but commonly called mutton birds) (Dr. F. A. lJ\akey to 21.6.74) a personal interest in the early David Purchase, Division of that brced in Australia only development of the Organiza­ Wildlife Research and Secretary PuOinus teuuirostris and Plit~ Policy circulars tion's rese

182-1974 Prawns provide family interest I'rawns are frequently the malion of black spot or mela­ and an entire catch could be subject of conversation among nosis in the prawns, better ways treated aboard the trawler. Australians who usually dis~ of storing the crustaceans on 'We're now in the process of cuss their gastronomical iu­ board the vessels and better carrying out field trials,' Judy methods of transporting them said. I'We feel reasonably con­ tcrest in the delic3t'Y with much to domestic processing factories. fident of success with the rcUslt and drooling. 'This is all particularly im­ eastern king prawns we get But when Judy Ruello and her portant in an area like the Gulf around Sydney, but we have yet husband, Nick, start talking of Carpentaria/ Judy said, to prove that it will work with about them their conversation 'where 90 per cent of the catch other species and we would still is unlikely to be accompanied is sent overseas. have to convince the industry by mouth-watering thoughts. of the wisdom of instatHng the 'Black spot, characterised by equipment.' They're far more likely to be a blackening of the head, ab­ concerned about black spot, For Judy this meanS more dominal shell and tail fan, dc' field trips back to places like freezer burns, soft shell and velops in raw prawns. It is Karumba and Darwin but if other physical defects the crus­ caused by enzymes in the they prove half as much fun as taceans may have. prawns which oxidise particular previous trips to the Gulf All of which comes about as compounds to produce black fishery she'll have no objection a result of their mutual pro­ melanin pigments, It readily to that. fessional interest in prawns­ develops in dead prawns, espe­ Judy is a biologist working at cially whcn they are held under the Division of Food Research dry refrigeration.' in Sydney on a grant from the While prawns with black spot Fishing Industry Trust Account aren't necessarily unfit to eat, and Nick is a crustacean bio­ it does detract from their con­ Please note logist with the Fisheries Branch sUnler attraction. The disease of the Chief Secretary's Depart­ will not develop, however, in Husband and wife biology team, Nick and Judy Ruello, admire a ment in New South Wales, freshly caught prawns if they large model of a prawn made from fibreglass by the Fisheries address Branch of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. Dr R. M, Smillie, leader of (Photo: courtesy 'Australian Fisheries'.) the Plant Physiology Unit of the Division of Food Research, currently Guest Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Investors - Take Note has received a somewhat un~ The Laboratories Co-operative Limited in Canberra has an­ usual award. nounced new rates of interest which become effective from I July The directors of Denmark's 1974. National Bank have awarded him an apartment for a period Deposits of one year. 1. The rate of interest paid on regular fortnightly deductions from The award is a competitive salaries ha' been increased to 7,2%. one of international standing 2. Lump sums invested for less than 12 months will now receive open to scholars, scientists and interest at the rate of 8% per annum, artists and is judged solely on 3, Amounts of less than $2000 invested for more than 12 months the past achievements of the will receive interest at the rate of 8,75% per annum, applicants in their fields of 4. Amounts of $2000 and above invested for more than 12 months study, will receive interest at the rate of 9% per annum, As part of the 150th anni­ Loans Allster Sharp (left) and laboratory craftsman, R. Alien, with the versary of Denmark's National The interest charged on existing loans remains unchanged at prawn dipper they have developed. Bank in 1968, the ,building at 0.9% on monthly balances. New loans granted after 1.7,74 will be Nyhavn 18 was bought by the subject to interest at the rate of 1% on monthly balances, which is 'You could even say it's a are treated with a solution such Bank and the Danish architect the equivalent of 6.6% per annum flat- very competitive! family affair,' Judy said. 'Nick's as sodium metabisulphite be­ Eric M~ller commissioned to father is a wholesale fish and fore they arc stored in re­ renovate and furnish the apart­ prawn merchant in Sydney. frir,erated sea water. ments. The building, which was This has proved most useful be­ Just adding the solution to completed around 1770, is a Melbourne ball cause he's able to supply me the sea water though, isn't the protected National Trust Pro­ The CSIRO Melbourne ball staff should contact their Divi­ with prawns I need for my answer,' Judy said. 'That met­ perty and was the residence of will be held on 9 August at sional representatives for tickets. work.' hod is much less effective than Hans Christian Andersen from Camberwell Civic Centre when Interstate staft' will he parti­ During the past five years dipping the prawns in it before 1873-75. the Allan Eaton Band of cularly wclcome and for tickets Australia's pIawning industry they are stored.' A more recent winner of the 'Powerhouse' fame will be fea­ should get in touch with the has expanded spectacularly and Dipping has its problems and award was Alexander Solz­ tured. Cost for a double ticket ticket secretary, Vi Kingham, at has become a multi-million dol­ takes considerable labour. To henitsyn. is $20, all inclusive. Melbourne Melbourne RAO. lar export earner, apart from overcome this Dr Alister Sharp its impact on the domestic with whom Judy works, has de­ market. signed a dipper machine and a In that time the technology prototype has beeu built by the for handling prawns on board laboratory craftsmen. Road signs go metric on 1July fishing vessels has undergone It would be simpte enough dramatic changes and mechani­ for a deck hand to operate 100 - 60 - 80. Figures like these have appeared cally refrigerated sca water without specialised knowledge at the roadside recently. No, they are not the (RSW) has replaced ice as the measurements of a Queensland Gold Coast cooling and storage medium on Cont'd from page 1 most of the large prawning Meter Maid in centimetres hut are typical speed vessels. limit signs in kilometres per hour. There are many advantages Forest products Most of you will have seen some of these new in using this method, Prawns To this, Dr Price said he are cooled more rapidly and the hoped more effective methods signs, They shOUld not cause confusion provid­ tedious and sometimes difficnlt de~ ing you get into the habit of thinking metric, task of icing prawns at sea is of communication would be eliminated. Longer trips are veloped between the industry Mark or convert the speedometer on your and the Organization's Divi~ II also possible since fishermen do sLons. vehicle but do not mentally convert kph to mph not have to store large quan­ every time you come across a metric speed limit tities of ice. He had told the Australian 'Prawns stored in RSW look Timber Producers' Council that sign. The time wasted might make all the dif­ more appetising,' Judy said, the Executive would be pleased ference between being able to negotiate a dan­ 'and have a more acceptable to meet them again whenever gerous bend safely or rnnning out of road, fiavour and texture than ice­ they wished. Both sides clearly stored prawns. had to take initiatives. Get used to thinking of the normal built-up 'But even so, they have a OEeD evaluation area speed limit as 60 kph not 35 mph and the limited storage life in RSW At the end of his address, prima facie open road limit as 100 kph not since substantial physical and Dr Price emphasised that while 60mph, chemical changes can occllr.' hc had been putting forward The Division's prawn re­ the CSIRO view, there were Find out where the speedometer needle polnts search is mainly concerned with other influences which should at these speeds in any vehicle you drive - 80 finding ways to prevent the for- not be overlooked. kph for 50 mph is a good figure to know becanse The Government, he said, it is often at or near the centre position on the 'Coresearch' was seeking advice from out­ side sources on the best ways dial and, unlike the other limits, is an almost 'Coresearclt' Is produced of making use of science and exact conversion. by tlte Central Communlca· technotogy in the national in­ For those who like to travel faster than lOO lion Unit for CSIRO staff, terests and for this reaSon had Members are Invited to con· invitcd the OECD examiners kph when it is safe to do SO, familiarity with the tribute or send suggestions to make a study of Australian 120 kph (75 mph) position might be helpful as lor articles, The deadline resources in this area. welL for material is normally the 'The final report will not be first day of the month pre­ available for some months,' Dr Once you know the needle position at each of ceding publication. Price said. 'Consequently I these speeds it becomes a simple maller to Material and queries should sound a note of caution. estimate other speeds. Almost as easy as telling be sent to the Edilor 'While CSIRO recognises the the time by a clock without dial numbers. morotlty BraxtonJ, Box 225, importance of forestry research, Dickson, A.C,T. 2602, Tel. thero may well he other factors 25 GH Barnes which innuence the extent to 484478 or Wendy Parsons, Safety Officer 484227. which we can do as much as km/h wc might think desirablc.' Printed by CSIRO, Melbourne

182-1974 183##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RO staff August 1974 Rotary Club honours CSIRO's 'bird girl' Eight Idlometres off the coast of Fremantle is the isolated, rocky island of Carnac. For most of the year its sole inhabitants are thousands of sea birds, hundreds of tigel' snakes and some seals which live around its lonely beaches.

But for one week in every During all her visits to the Is­ that she is so well known in three during the las. two YC~lfS land, Lexie has lived on her Perth. own in pretty rugged condi­ Ca...mc has had one rcgulnr Ratherj she is looked u,pon as visitur - I..exic Nicholls (riglll), tions. She makes use of a the girl whoh:;ts cared for couple of tents and pitches thousands of disttessed birds­ a technicul oJliccr from the lhcm behind some dunes where Division of Wildlife .ucsearch's 14,500 of them, if you COllnt passing fishermen won't see the records IIp. HelCl... Vlllley laboratory. them and come investigating. When Lexie was a small girl Lexic's interest on the island Sanctuary she had a great compassion for is the birds, especially the She has had her moments. distressed animals. Not just the Western Australian silver gull. earoae is a tiger snake sanc­ usual cats and dogs, but all the For a long time it was assumed tuary and after two years of bugs and beetles as well. So that like other silver gulls such company she says fami­ much so that her parents gave throughout Australia the ones liarity has not made her any her a room in their home which which used Carnac as their the less fearful of them. was dubbed the 'bug hospital'. nesting ground bred only once To this, she would bring ants a year. and earthworms she found half Then some years ago Lexie During the last 16 years drowned in flooded gullers. had a pair in captivity in her Lexie Nieho\ls has looked 'I wOllld put them to bed In backyard hospital for distressed 1l[ICl' more thlln 14,500 matchboxes lined with salt,' she birds and she was astonished to distressed birds ill the said. 'The salt extracted the nnd the gulls had bred twice. Perth arCD, almost CUM overdose of moisture they had 'We'J noticed that there were tircly at her own expense. in their bodies-though heaven two breeding peaks on the is­ The I'erlh Rotllry Club knows what else 'it extracted +-----­ lal1d,' Lexie said, 'but until 1972 hus recognised her efforts and within half an hour they when 1 started my studies it was to help wildlife and has were usually struggling to move assumed there were two dif­ presented her with its round again. j Hospital ferent nesting times.,. that is, 1974 vocational service some of the birds were laying In her work, Lexie found it Lexie's hospital became Chief back award. III the picture was 110t easy to accept that in known all around Perth and their eggs in the autumn and (righl) Lex!e is seell with others in the spring.' the cause of science some birds beyond and the whole thing the award and onc of her had to be killed for dissecting. snowballed. She found herself Proving the theory tn be cor­ favourite gut~s. on duty rect has taken a lot of time and 'I knew it had to be done, erecting cages all over tile back­ patience, and for Lexic, a great J but 1 didn't like it. 1 think 1 yard to keep the birds which Or G. D. Aitchison, Chief of deal of discomfort - and a began looking after the birds daily were brought to her home. the Division of Applied Geo­ 'I can accept those thllt lie as some way of making up for great deal of satisfaction! mechanics, has resumed duty on the ground. The ones I'm those that we had to kill.' Cont'd on page 4 not so happy about are Ihose after six months during which that drape themselves through time he undertook a broad Appointment the bushes and hang like droop­ ~cale feasibility study on re­ ing branches. 1 have to brush search needs in coastal and past them and I'm sometimes Award to astronomer marine geomcchanics. frightened about what could happen. A young Australian Naticnal because he knew Australia was The study was prompted by prominent in the field of radio 'I admit there have been a University scientist, Dr Don an awareness of the growing Melrose of the Department of astronomy that he decided to national need for information coupIe of times when I've just Theoretical Physics, has been interest himself in associated sat in my tent in a cold sweat awarded Ihe 1974 Pawsey theoretical problems. of a gco-technical nature to and tried to pluck up courage Medal by the Australian Aca­ Since his return from over­ support designs for a large to go out among them.' demy of Science for his contri­ seas in 1969, he has spent a varielY of engineering projects Fortunately, Lexie is a quali­ bution to plasma astrophysics. month each year wlth the Divi­ in coastal and marine environ­ fied nurse and well used 10 The medal commemorates sion, apart from making regular ments. living on lonely Islands so that visits to it during the academic Carfine holds many more joys the contribution made to astro­ The geomechunics aspects of nomy by the late Or J. J. Paw­ year. shore protection, of off-shore than terrors for her and for the 'Someone will come up with most part, she is so completely sey, a pioneer Australian radio mining and of the development a new observation therej ' he absorbed in her studies Ihat she astronomer and a former oOiccr of coastal transportation facili­ of the Division of Radlophysics, said, 'and will ask me jf this is gives little thought to Its more theoretically possible,l he said, ties were included in the work. hazardous aspects. Don Melrose is a familiar explaining the relationship he While Or Aitchisol1 was on Lexie joined CSIRO 15 years figure around the laboratories has with CSIRO. 'I check my ago when she felt she needed of the Division where he spends this assignment, his place was own ideas against their obscr­ taken by Or C. M. Gerrard. a change from hospital life. A much of his time, and the staff: valions.' at Epping have taken a special The Executive has now an­ Or Phillip W. Ford (above) chain of circumstances led her Don has recently been work­ to work for Or Dom Serventy, interest in his award. nounced Dr Gerrard1s appoint­ who has joined the Division of ing on solar radiation bursts then of the laboratory, on his In his reply after the presen­ and is currently writing a book ment as Assistant Chief of the Environmental Mechanics at mutton bird studies. tation Don said it was partly on plasma astrophysics. Division. Canberra as Scientific Assist­ j ant to the Chief, Or J. R. Phllip, Dedication has come to the pye Labora­ From then on she was com­ tory from Monash University milled - not just to birds, but ...... to working for Or Serventy. At least they cau9ht somethin9 where he was Senior Teaching Even today, although he has Fellow In the Department of been away from the Division Life was not all hard grind A keen angler. Harry asked 700 g black bream und tales of Chemistry. He completed his for some timc, she still saves for the scientists stationed at whether there were any fish in an even larger one that broke first degree at Monash and his her leave and takes all once a Walpole 300 km south cf Perth the nearby river but the locals the line. as they prepared for lhat were sceptical about an eas­ doctorate at the Australian year at her own expense to live Harry was duly made an National University, studying by herself on an island in Bass lmagnificent failure'j the solar terner's ability to catch the eclipse. wily WA fish - particularly honnrary member of the Tingle­ for the laller whIle a CSIRO Strait. wood Fishing and Boating Club There she continues the ob­ when Harry asked for cheese to senior postgraduate student. The CSIRO party was accom­ bait the two small hand lines While the manager was more After the award of his Ph,D. servations Dr Serventy began modated at Tlnglewood Lodge, and which led to the program he'd borrowed. than usually appreciative of the In 1968, Or Ford spent some and Harry Black, CSIRO Press on the migration of the short­ Omcer, and Jack Brophy, With ribald remarks to speed addition to the menu - he'd years overseas at the Universi­ tailed shearwater. Admin. Omcer of lhe WA Labo­ them on their way the two been unsuccessfully trying to ties of Illinois and Oregon In Lexie has published scientific ratories, spent a night there CSIRO types set off for half buy frosh fish for one of the the USA, and the Ruhr Unl­ papers on her own work with during their tour of observation an hour's fishing in the dark solar scientists who was on a verst1it, West Germany, birds, but it is not for these stations. , .. and returned with two special medical diet. r--·-·n~-···-·~-·-~----~_·~··_·_--_··--·-·l

If you haven't seen the first issue of 'Ecos' yet you will Newcomers to ASLO eXI)ed to have (0 get uscd to a ncW soou. It's CSIRO's latest publishing venture - a 32 page cnvirHlIlllcnt but onc memher lluarterly enviroumental magaziue. of the team at' Icnst fOlJnd onc aSllcct of coming to London 11 Divisions and then produce the 'Ecos' aims to tell people in bit Imrd to get used to. industry, government an~ the stories. universities about a dIverse Both magaz.ines. are writ~cn Whether it is from devilment array of environmental projects. in Canberra by a Head 0O:lce or long cLlstom matters littlc, CSIRO is becoming more in­ writing group -- led by llnan but onc's more experienccd col­ volved in co-operative research WoodrulT part of the Agn­ leagues talk "I most wholly in with other groops and the Hrst cultural and Biological Sciences algebraic symbols. Here is a issue reflects this interest. Branch. sample: For some time now, Brian 'I was talking to the CSG As the Chairman, Dr J. R. and the two writers working on Price says in an introduction: ahout CSG and he reminded the new magazine have been me that CAll is contributed to 'Much of the research of the workin~ Organizalion is concerned with huddled together out by quite a number uf LDCs .. .' understanding the environment Cl format and selecting topics. Now the second issue is already The newcomer in self-defence ancl learning how to manage it.' written and the third planned. develops for himself a glossary of these algebraic acronyms and The new quarterly will make One of the writers is Brian the Organization's rcs~arch fi(H!~ proceeds in turn to bedazzle Lee who used to wrile for each newcomer as he arrives. iogs available to a WIder audl­ 'Rural Research'. An entomo­ once - not everyone has the logist turned writer,. Bri~n urov is a relatively new time training or inclination to trained at Oxford Umverslty Olle - and just to confuse seek'research results from the and did a stint on tse-tse fly people still further it runs under original learned journals where control in Africa before coming another algebraic alias as well. scientists publish them. to CS1RO. THE SMOKECATCHERS In general translation from the ori,ginal title which is in French The lead a rtiele deals with The otber is Robert Leha"e, The Fire Ucsenrch Section excellent source for the study J toxic metal pollution. of two an experienccd science journa­ urov stands for the Inter· of the- Division of Chemicnl of typical hushfire smoke. national Union for the Protec­ Tasmanian rivers - the Der­ list once scienco correspondent Technology in Melbourne went and the Tamar. It de­ A light aircraft has been tion of New Plant Varieties. for' 'The Australian'. His as­ has inslTumenlcd a light ail'­ scribes research. belng done by sociation with CS1RO go~s llsed to collectsmoke samples Onc of us had the oppor­ cOI'lCC(iOIl from bush fires und sludies Cl. host of government depart­ back some time - in fact he IS emit for the and tunity of being Australia's Ob­ ments, the University of Tas~ a former editor of 'Corcsearch'. study of smoke produced by have been made of particle server at a upav annual meet­ mania and CSIRO to unravel a bushfires. sizes and the diHusion pro­ ing in Geneva and found the lloth llrian and Robert arc perties of the smoke columns complex pollution problem. already familiar faces in q~ite Although bushfires have whole idea of UPOY very in­ as they are blown down­ teresting. Another ,atiele deals with a few Divisions. But as Bnan been part of Lhe Australian wind. a cooperative survey in the Woodruff points out, they can't scene for many thousands of The organisation has drawn Northern Territory to assess be expected to know about the years, little is known about The most undesirable fea­ up a convention to which the likely efrects of uranium progress of every environmental the smoke they produce. ture of the smoke build-up nations can become signatories from a flre is loss of visi­ mining and other development research project in CS1RO. And if the practice of and thereby also members of on the Alligator Rivers region. If your Division ~as a pr~)­ bility in the atmosphere for, UPOV, provided thatlhcy have 'prescribed burning' - now once an extensive smoke J ject that could be wntten up lJ1 arranged their domestic legisla­ 'Ecos will be similar in some a routine melhod of reduc­ column has been established, 'ECDS' he would appreciate tion in such a way lhat the ways to 'Rural Research' and ing the fire hazard in some a lhiek haze may be spread hearing from YOll. names and identities oJ culti­ this is not surprising since it Australian forests - is to be over wide areas. comes from the same writing As well as describing the used on an increasing scale, vars can be adequately pro­ group. It will not ask for con­ findings from completed pro­ it is important to know how This can be a major source tected, in a sort of copyright of nuisance to li~ht aircraft trihuted articles hut will be jects, 'Ecos' will publish shorter bushfire smoke affects air senseJ to prevent piracy of these written by science writers who items about research projects quality. and it will be increasingly qUlte commercially valuable will seek material from the just starting. [n Western Australia es­ necessary lo plan burning breedings and selections. pecially, low-intensity pre­ programs in conjunction The scheme has been operat­ with both Civil Aviation ing now for sevcral years in scribed fires are now in com­ authorities and the Bureau mon use. of Meteorology. Europe and most of the major Lit from the air, they can Western European countries are be spread over very large Or Don Welss, Chief of members. Nationally they con­ areas-up to 20,000 hectares the Division of ChemIcal sider the procedure to be al­ in a single day. Technology (left) inspects ready very useful indeed. Sir - Dr Springcll has asked of females in 'Coresearch' and The extensive smoke Its adoption has been fol­ ~nd the instrumented plane with for examples o[ J?ublication ?f suggests that men would columns produced during Or Bob Vines (centre) and lowed by a remarkable increase research being dIscouraged III analogous treatment dcgradlng. these operations provide an Mr Nick King. in commercially-developed and CSIRO and T have told him of It would be unwisc to let such governmentally~developcdculti­ my experience. an opinion pass without com­ vars. The United States, Japan But must wc rake over. cold ment. and South Africa are aclively ashes lo prove the obvIOUS? The real reasons (or the ab­ working on their legislation lo Simple human dignity demands sence of such descriptions ap­ secure membership and Aus­ that we be allowed to express plied to mcn arc, of course, the For your information tralia is giving thought to the our views freely. substantial din'ercnccs existing Information cirClllaI's matter also. Why do most Chiefs choose in our sociely belween sexual Apart from the intrinsic in­ to assume the authority to grant attitudes of males and females 74-38 (not issued) terest of it was fascinat­ pubJisl~ upav permission lo resea:ch? and the way in which our social 74-39 Colombo Plan - Indonesia ing to have the chance of wan­ Finding the task lmposSlble, institutions cater for such dif­ Short term assignment in animal husbandry dering through the U.N. centre why do they delegate it in efre~t ferences. (Applications closed 24 .Tune 1974) in Geneva, the former Leaguc diVI­ 74-40 Telex Installation - Epping, N.S.W. to editorial panels and Sexual assessment of fcmales, of Nations headquarters, Where sional readers, who could be (Altered telex number - Divisions of Radiopbysics and functions complementary to cn~ in photos or otherwise, is al­ Cloud Physics) better occupied aiding and most universal among men and those dealt with fll the U.N. couraging the authors? can hardly be regarded as de­ 74-41 Overseas Office-Australian Scientific Liaison in Korea headquarters in New York are The aim of research is ori­ tracting from the freedom and (Mr E. E. Adderley has been designated Counsellor hflndled.-R.D.C. ginality. New ideas be~in. with equalily of women. (Scientific) in absentia 10 the Australian Embassy in Seoul, a minority of one and It lS not Republic of Korea) [!)"I'II'I'I' •• '",I"",""".n"'II'"'I"I'IIl"UtEl easy to stand alone aRainst the Far from feeling degraded, 74-42 1973/1974 Income Tax Relurns body of scientific oninion. Dis­ men, I feel sure, would wel­ (Requesting prompt submission of returns for early paragement is more common come equal treatment in this processing) than encouragement £ron1 those area and Jewel Pels would be 74-43 National Measurement Laboralnry Award who have been out-dated by an doing humanity a genuine serp (Consolidation of Divisions of Applied Physics and Physics original idea. vice by directing a campaign under Director, Mr F. J. Lehany) Mr Michael Tracey, Dissent should be encouraged for an appropriate change in 74-45 Head Office Arrangements Chief of ihe Divisiull of in CSIRO. If I sti Il wish to female attitudes rather than for (Mr J. P. Shellon resumes duty 1/7/74) Food Rescarch, hus been publish after considering ad­ deletion of captions which givcn Ihe Award of Merit verse criticism. should I not do cater for an important male Policy circulars for 1974 by ihe Australian interest. InsWufc of l?ool1 Science so as a member of CSIRO? 74-19 Salary and Wage Adjuslments and Amendments to Terms The notion that my publica­ and Technology. --Tom Biegler, and Conditions of Employment- National Wage Case The award is confcl'Ccd tions under a divisional address 1974 commit the Division to mv Division of on " member of AIFST (Adjustments to salaries, wages and associated .allowances) for merilorious con(rilm­ point of view impli.es. that there 74-20 and 74-21-(listed previously) Mineral Chemistry. lions 10 the mlVnIlCCII1CIl( is a consensus of oplIllon. Good 74-22 Maternity and Paternily Leave for the army, good for politics, of f.ood science and tcch~ (Supersedes all previous circulars concerning leave in nology in AustruHR. but . relation to childbirth. Leave beneHts apply to eligible So Please, Sir, permission officers and employees retrospectively from I January 1973 In lU'csenting the mvnrd to think! AND appointment - ask your leave clerk about details) al the Sydncy convention 74-23 Camping Allowances (New rates of camping allowances) of Ihe Institute, the Fcdc­ -R. L. Davidson, rnl IJrcsidcnf, Mr I). E. Division of Animal Or 1. ll. Langridge of lhe Travelling, meal, and living away from home allowances Divi

183-1974 Clothes burn The day Mary Ann Jones turned five was an important one ill her small life. It meant kisses from her parents, presents from those who loved her and a birthday party at night. By

When nil the cxcUcll1cnt was part of a research program on '1 believe our best hope lie~ Dorothy Braxton over' nud hcl' birthday curds flammability of clothing. in the sch DaIs with teachers were shmding up n)oug lite and children. If we can get the message across to the next muntc]l)iecc, Mary Ann WCIlI to Statistic generation that this is tremen­ hed, Hw hUPl)icst girl in Mel­ llut of necessity for the Com­ dously important to them we bourne. monwealth Statistician's OfIice might achieve something,' Bul it was all too much ex­ she has become a statistic. One citement for her. Before she more burnt child. One more Shopping could sleep she wanted one last accident case which need not have happened. To test Tom's views I walked look at the cards to see if it into a Canberra babywear shop had all been real. The research into the flam­ and asked what Was available mability of clothing and fabrics When the house was q Llict in baby nightgowns. I was told and everyone had gone la b~d, which has been done by Tom they had not stocked tho~e she pulled on her dresslI1g Pressley at the Division of Pro­ made in the woollen and cotton tein Chemistry, is now inter­ mixture known as vyella or gown and crept Ollt to the nationally recognised, lounge. c1ydella for two or three years It seemed that Tom's remarks do to expose the dangers which !Jut Mary Ann forgot one Not only has Australia ac­ because of the cost of them about public altitudes might be exist with clothing,' Tom said, W~en cepted his recommendations but bcing higher than others. right. 'but Australia should be look­ thing. Her dressing gown. the standards laid down hcre as she stretched up to the shell to In their place I was shown 'Some manufacturers and re­ ing at the wider aspecls of pre­ a result of the work he has vention of all kinds or child take a card in her hllnd, the done in association with the two 01' thrce kinds which had tailers are right behind us,' Tom corner of it feH into the healerj no flammability labels on them said. 'All reputable manufac­ accidents,' left burning to keep the house Burns Unit have created a great nor was the fabric, a synthetic, deal of interest overseas. turers have wilhdrawn cotton Mr Murray Clarke has also warm. identified. I admitted this may chenille, for instance, from prolJounded this belief and has With the success that has have been because they were Seconds latcr Mary Ann was come from the research pro­ [heir children's lines and with put up submissions to this a living fireball. manufactured overseas or made one exception, so have re­ efl'ect. gram and with Government here before they were required The traumatic experiences support to pass legislation back­ putable retailers. This would to carry such markings, be the worst of all the fabrics. I walked with him through for her and her family over the ing the recommendations, it the corridors at the Burns Unit might be thought that Tom and I asked about nightwear 'The large firm which still next few hours don't have to made by Bonds, a firm which and he told me some of the bc recorded here. Su!fice to say Mr Murray Clarke would be sells goods made from it takes traumatic stories about the Tom told me had acted very the view that people should be she was rushed to the Burns feeling optimistic about the responsibly in relation to its young patients I could see be­ Unit of the Royal Children's future. free to buy what they want. If hind the glassed-olf wards. children's products and their it is dangerous then the Govern­ Hospital where for several days Instead, neither of them is safely factors. her life hung in the balance. convinced that their achieve­ mcnt should ban it if people They were bad enough. but still insist on buying it.' as he said: 'Health programs IThen for a time,' said Mr A. ments will make a significant have reduced infections and Murray Clarke, the surgeon in contribution towards a drop in nutritional deaths but the death charge of the Unit, 'we thoughl statistics, Not, at least, jn the Idealistic immediate future. rate due la accidents, including she was going to make it. Even children like these in here, has so, I was appalled at what was Even though they have the IWoolworlhs is one major and so supplier of children's clothing increased. It's the main cause ahead of her. scientific facts on one hand and which is idealistic about the o[ children's deallls in Victoria 'We could do the skin grafts legislative support on the other. and in the rest of the western they are sceptical abont the program. They belicve they she needed but donor sites were The assistant showed me a have a duty to protect their world. Modern technology has limited and contractions would other factor involved ... resulted in more environmental people. couple of their garmcnts bul customers against ignorance occur so wc knew she would said she doubted if they'd and were the first to withdraw deaths and accidents.' have to face the operating 'We can talk to mothers' bother stocking them unless the highly flammable clothing. Mr Murray Clarke pointed theatre many times as she grew clubs, distribute literature and demand improved. 'Most people out that n10rtality figures were into her teens. have the backing of safety and 'Their rivals have gone ahead consumer organisations,' Tom won't buy the more expensive with sales but they've stuck to easy to obtain but these alone 'We'll never know what hap­ brands,' she said, 'And no one their principles, Perhaps it's might lead to erroneous im­ pencd. One day Mal'Y Ann said, 'but Wc still feel we're really takes much notice of pressions. talking to the converted. helped that their quality assur­ started slipping back. She lost labels. They tear them off or ance manager, David Jerram, is the will to go on with the battle 'How many others read or IBeforc we can even begin to the print washes out.' a former member of CSIRO's comprehend the immense task and died. listen to what's being said And then there was the Division of Textile Physics.' about burns prevention?' of accident prevention in child­ Mary Ann Jones will always woman who tried to buy flan­ hood, an account must be taken be in her parent's hearts but 'It's not that people don't nelette in a Canberra store to of the serious non-fatal fi.gures long remembered by men like care. Just that they don't know. make nightgowns for her grand­ as well. Only by doing this can Mr Murray Clarke and CSIRO llow do we reach such parents? child. She had always used it we get an indication of the fre­ textile scientist, Dr Tom Press­ And retailers and manufac­ for her own children. When quency and of social and eco~ Icy, who worked on the case as turers? she was told it was no longer nomic consequences of acci­ being stocked because of its do kids denls,' he said. potential danger she said she would go where she could buy it. Which is what she did. Research Frills out - safety in Tom and Mr Murray Clarke point out that one or the prob­ Both men want to look at lems in Australia is that this is children's accidents as they did a hot country. The coolest and with their burns studies. most comfortable fabric to wear is cotton, one of the worst 'There,' Tom said, 'we not nammability offenders. only had data on the child and the cause of the accident ­ 'It's not going to be easy to whelher it V,laS a case of talk people out of wearing it,' matches, open fire or heater ­ Tom said, 'so the best thing we but we also examined the cloth­ can do is to advise them to ing the child was wearing to follow the recommended styles. gain the complete picture. Copies o[ a booklet issued on this are available free of charge 'There is therefore an urgent from State Departmenls of need [or data collection centres Labour and Industry. for children's accidents to be 'When I'm talking to people set np in each State and to be I can't emphasise strongly correlated through a central enough that it's a mistake to o!fice. That way guide lines think that the highest risk area and principles for long term lies in girls' nightwear. prevention of accidents can be established and priorities in a 'That's a fallacy. The greatest pl'ogmm or accident prevention danger lies ill boys' day wear. assigned. 'Care also needs to be taken with undergarments. If nylon is 'An accurate estimate of the worn under a flammable frock cost of accidents to the com­ or nightgown which catches munity in hospital care could fire it can be dangerous. Syn­ then be obtained giving a con­ thetics shrink from flame and vincing demonstration that pre­ in doing so they melt or press vention will pay handsomely,' against the Sklll, causing severe Tom Pressley and Mr Murray burning.' Clarke are two men who set While botb Tom and Mr out lo work on a research pro­ Murray Clarke are deeply con­ gram. It took them a lot of cerned with the problem of hOllrs to get the answers to the 'burnt children' hoth feel equ­ questions. ally strongly that they should be seen in context with the Having found them, though, whole accident picture. neither has been content to let it go at that. Each is deeply Wider aspects committed to seeing the prac­ tical application 01" the work 'At this stage we have done and its extension to a wider, evcrything we personally can more etfective rcsult.

183-1974 Forestry Newsletter to be published 'Bird girl' Confd from page 1 A new nnnual IJulJlicafion fo He is currently developing the Division's forest land re­ be called 'CSIUO Forestry Ue­ Her mother was pressed into search NewsleUer' will Il1nke sea rch program and is at pre­ ]ookin~ helping to look after them. its debut before Ihe cnd of Ihe sent overseas at forestry in the United Slates, Canada 'The vista from our backdoor yenI'. and the U.K. He was also was a maze of wi re ... I built scheduled to attend the Inter­ the cages myself, but I'm not Basically. it will deal with a much of a carpenter.' wide variety of forest inlcresls, national Soil Science Congress such as the land on which the in Moscow. Lexie found the birds needed forests grow, the wildlife com­ infra red light, heating, elec­ munilics, forest products, con­ tricity, water and bedding. servation, the multiple use of They also needed drugs and forests (Le. timber and bauxite food. mining as occurs in Western Engineers to Her work with them would Australia), the quality and begin as soon as she returned quantity of water yield and home each night and she for­ even recreational use of forests. meet at got what it was like to have a hot meal when it was ready. Tbe telephone would ring Monash with people asking what to do with a bird they had found and A conference on production she would often have 10 go find technology to be held at Mon­ rescue it, especially when some ash University from t9-21 August seems certain to aUract people thougbt she was tIlere to give a paid service and threa­ a lot of attention from eng.i­ tened to throw the hird on to a neers all over the country. neighbour's front lawn and let Sponsored by the Institution it fend for itself if she didn't of Engineers Australia. the In­ go and gel it. stitution of Production Engi­ Sometimes she had to get up neers, the Australian Institu\e every lWo hours through the of Metals the International In­ , night to attend to 'patients' and His work is his hobby stitution for Production Engi­ (ClI~P) always by 5.30 am she was up Two years ago Harold Davis (above) saw an advertisement In a neering Research and to do the morning rounds. the Society of Manufacturing Perth newspaper for a position at the Division of Wildlife Re­ Engineers, the conference is At the end of last year. it search Helena Valley Laboratory. also being supported by CSIRO, proved all too much for her. Harold felt that 32 years as a storeman was long enough so Maurlce Mulcahy the Department of Supply, She was not only exhausting he resigned the job he had and took up a new career. Since BHP, the Metal Trades Indus­ her health, but her bank bal­ Circulation will be both with­ tries Association and the Mon­ ance - two~thiIds of it has then he has looked after the hundreds of birds which are kept ioCSIRO and beyond and at the laboratory for research purposes. ash University Armstrong Fund. gone on the hospital each year. copies will be available to both Lexie was told for her own State and Australian Govern­ Keynote speakers have been It's a seven-day-a-week Job because someone has to feed and sake she had to shut up shop, ment departments and agencies, chosen for their expertise in water the birds, keep a check on their cages and the bigger different areas of production but she did so most reluctantly. aviaries and make sure that nothing happens to any of them. to universities and industry and it will also be sent to interested technology and include such But somehow, it's all quietly The eagles are possibly Harald's favourites. He feels they peo pie overseas. people as· Professor 1. Peklenik starting again. She promises it have definite personalities and when five of them were sent off who is Professor of Controls will never get out of hand to the zoo he felt the laboratory lost friends rather than 'just The editorial offices will be and Manufacturing Systems at again, but the trouble is of mere birds'. However, one of them, Bill, which has a damaged located in the Division of Land the University of Ljnbljana, course, as people said. :Lexie's Resources Management at Perth Yugoslavia; Mr F. W. Boulger, wing, was rejected by the zoo and Harold makes sure he gets a where a number of programs a born nurse" and while she senior technical adviser, Batelle nevo! regrets the time she spent bit of special attention. involving different aspects of Columbus Laboratories USA; llurslIlg people, it's not so easy He also has taken a special Interest In the smus and gives a ini­ forest research have been Dr M. E. Merchant, research to turn your back on a dis­ hand with the measuring and weighing of the birds. Some of the tiated. director of Cincinnati Milicron, tressed bird. emu chicks have to be hand reared and there are times when The editor will be Maurice also from the United States; Harold has taken a few home to keep them warm in the Oven. Mulcahy who for a time was and Professor G. F. Micheletti ~11I"U.II"'IIII.IIIIII"'I'I•• 1I111111111 •• IIIIII'I~ Seagulls, doves, swans, cockatoos, galails and honeyeaters acting Chief of the Division. from the Institute of Techno­ Originally a forester, Maurice logy, Turin, Italy. are among some of the birds he looks after each dey. And as was formerly the officer-in­ If that Isn't enough when he crosses the road to home at night Other speakers will come charge of the soils laboratory from Japan, Norway and he doesn't really get a break from them ... Harald's hobby is at Perth and is President of the Austria. It is expected that 300 birds and he has his own aviaries with budgerigars, canaries, Australian Society of Soil delegates will attend the ses­ finches, rosellas and corelles. Science. sions, Dr D. Ii'. lVn1crhousc, Before the main conference Chief of Ihe Division of a small pre-conference meeting J£ntomology, has been on 'The Future of Production electcd n Corresponding Academy sponsors conference • • • Engineering' is to be organised J\-Icmber of the IIrazilinn by the Division of Tribophyslcs. Academy of Science. Nearly 1000 ),eOI,lo will be The design and use of elec­ Added features of the con­ This will bring together some attending the cighfh in(cl'lUl­ tron microscopes is still ad­ gress will be an exhibition of of the overseas guest speakers The Division has a small team u1 Curitiba in tioDal congrcss on cIcdron vancing rapidly. When Pro­ electron microscope equipment who will be here for the major Brazil engaged on a microsl'oPY to be held in Can~ fessor Dennis Gabor first and a display of electron micro­ event, together with leaders of dreamed up holography (three graphs. Australian industry and govern­ scnrch for ol'gnnisms to bcna [rolll 25-31 Augusl. dimensional photography) he ment. extend lltc biological con­ The congress will be the saw it as a potential neW route '1'01 of lanhllUl in AilS" largest and most complex ever 10 ultra-high-resolulion electron 1mUn. sponsored by the Australian micL'Oscopy. Academy of Science. Earlier this year, two re~ It is CXllcctcd fhe award will cement the scienfific Among those attending will searchers announced the achieve­ ••• SO does Royal Society relalions with Dl'3zilian be carly pioneers of the cleclron ment of this very aim. For the microscope, Ernst Ruska of first Urne it is now possible to hioIogis1s and facilitate Germany and Dennis Gabor visualise the clouds of electrons Dr Ken Lee, soil zoologist at staff members will be among the working of fhe groUl}. the Division of Soils in Ade­ the speakers - Dr Lee, A. N. of the United States. which surround an atom. This 'holographic electron micro­ laide, is joint organiser of a GilIison (Land Use Research) Most sessions of the congress discussion meetin!l on the 1971 and .T. C. DuckerfJeld (Soils). 0'11'11""'11'1111111'1'11"111"'111'11'1'1'"11""'8 will be held on the campllS of scope' gLves a magnification of 500 million times. Royal Society expedition to the A formal meeting or the the Australian National Uni­ New Hebrides. versity, where about 400 papers At the congress, 16 subjects Royal Society will be held on Honour will be delivered dnring the of current interest have been This will be held in London 11 October when a series of week, at times at 10 concurrent selected for major discussion. during the week beginning 7 summarising papers wil! be pr~­ Dr A. J. Dyer, Assjstant Chief venues. They include advances in elec­ Octobel' and will be arranged sented covering the work and of the Division of Atmospheric The opening ceremony will tron microscope technology, in two parts. conclusion of the expedition. Physics, has been appointed be held at the Canberra mineral applications, investi­ The Hrst, Llle informal sec­ Dr Lee extends an invitation Vice-President of the Royal Theatre, where the President oC gation of biological membranes tion will be the occasion when to any other CSlRO staff who Meteorological Society. Dr the Austraiian Acadcmy of and the chromosomes of higher 20 papers will be presented on may be in London at the time Dyer is also Chairman of the Science, Professor G. M. 'Bad~ animals and plants, and the various aspects of New Heb­ to attend the meelin!ls and asks Australian branch of the sociely. gel', will welcome the delegates. study uf certain aspects of rides botany. zoology, forestry, them to get in touch with him At present, 150 conventional immunology. soil. and geology. Three CSIRO as s.oon as possible. electron microscopes and 28 'Coresearch' in~ scanning instruments are 'Coresearch' is produced stalied in Australian labora­ by lhe Central Communica­ tories and Over 500 people use tion Unit for CSIRO stalf. them for a substantial part of Members are invited to con· their professional work. CSIRO tribute or send suggestions owns 22 of the conventional in­ struments and five of the scan­ for articles. The deadline lor material Is normally the ning ones, and 60 members of CSIRO use them. Hrst day of the month pre· cedIng publicatIon. Electron microscopes a re used in fields ranging from re­ Material and queries should search on the structure of cell be sent to the Editor nuclei! to the study of the ultra­ (Dorothy Braxton), Box 225, fine stnlcturc of motal and Diekson, A.C.T. 2602, Tel. alloys. Using electrons instead 484478 or Wendy Parsons, of light, they cau magnify ob­ "Maybe our problem is too many chiefs." 484227. jects up to abollt a million limes. • ••••••••••••••• t ••••••••••••••• ~. Printed by CSIRO, Melbourne

183-1974 184##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RO staff September 1974 CSIRO staff head committees to work with Russian scientists With the stage set for the formal signing of the USSR-Anstralia Agreement on of Novosibirsk in resource-rich Scientific and Technical Co-operation, CSIRO is already playing a key role in arrange­ Siberia. While in the Soviet Union, ments which will lead to collaboration between the scientists of both countries. Dr Price gave three talks - on research for the wool industry, At Ihe invitation of Ihe Stale When a Soviet scientific dele­ • Wool tcxtile technology-Dr integrated pest management CommiHee of the USSR Coun­ gation visited Australia to ini­ M. (Pip) Lipson, Chief, Divi­ (primarily biological control) cil ofMinistcl'sfol' Science and tial the agreement in February, sion of Textile Industry and trends in Australian chemi­ Technology, the ChllirllU1I1, nr arcas. of common intere.st were G Radio astronomy - Dr Paul cal research. These addresses identified and from these Jive J. R. I'riee, "eeenily spent 10 Wild, Chief, Division of were well received, the onc on areas of high priority were Radiophysics pest control being perhaps of days in ~he Soviet Union. \Yhile selected. These were: he \Vas there he had discussions • Entomology - Dr Doug widest interest. Waterhouse, ChieC Division The talk on wool research with the Russians which COl1 M • wool textile technology of Entomology Was given at the Central Wool sidcrabl;y ndvanccd the plans o radio astronomy .. Plant science - Dr Lioyd Research Institute, one of the the scicntisis of both nntiol1s o entomology, with particular bodies which will be involved have for co-olwmtivc ventures Evans, Chief, Division of emphasis on biological con­ Plant Industry in collaboration under the under the new ug,rcclllcnt. trol of pests scientific-technical agreement. • Earth sciences -- M r Ivan Dr Price said the audience This provides for the • plant science, including plant Newnharn, Director, Minerals breeding, fertilisers and plant Dr J. R. Price was particularly interested in Research Laboratories. CSIRO's methods on objective • exchange of visits by scienw collecting tists, technical specialists and research centres in Moscow and meaSllrcment of quality. • earth sciences, with particular Dl" Price said the Russians delegates for research and had also appointed their chair­ . Leningrad. On the subject of wool re­ emphasis on geophysics, gco­ He also visited Akademgoro­ search in general, he said the familiarisation chemistry and meteorology. men and 'they want to get on with the job. The Russians' dok, a major scientific com­ audience was more interested in • bilateral conferences and sym­ munity established near the city processing than production. posia It was decided that each aim, with which I fully agree, is nation should appoint a com­ that all committees will meet • exchange of scienlific and miUee for each of the five before the end of this year -­ technical information and areas and that members from wool textile technology and documentation each country should meet to radio astronomy in Australia ., pursuit of joint research acti­ develop clear-cut proposals for and the others in the USSR.' Textile Chief became vities. collaboration on specific pro­ In addition to discussions wilh The agreement is designed to grams or projects. representatives of the State facilitate cowoperation between The names of the chai rmen Committee of the Council of ready-made interpreter government bodies. Dr Price of the Australian committees Ministers for Science and Tech~ said universities would also be have been announced by M 1 Ilology, Dr Price visited the When you're in a foreign tions of interpretation and in ... involved and would play an im w Whillam. All members of headquarters of the USSR Aca­ country and can't speak the hclping out when the inter­ portant part. CSIRO, they are: demy of Sciences ilnd several l.nguage it helps a lot if you preter was absent. He was, Dr have :'iOmeone with you who Price said, 'a tower of strength'.

can. f Russian is a sideline with For this reason alone, the me,' Mr Downes said later. 'I Chairman, Dr ]. R. Price, and started studying it in the late Mrs Price, who accompanied 1950s because I thought we her husband on his visit to might be missinA out on a lot Russia, were pleased to have of technological and scientific with them on their travels the information. I only have a Russbn-speaking Chief of the smattering of it, but I can con­ Division of Textile Physics, Mr duct a conversation at a slow John Downes. speed.' Mr Downes, who was in He lcarnt the language by at­ Europe for technical committee tending classes, conversing with meetings of the International Russian-speaking people and

Wool Secretariatt joined the any other means available. Prices in London and. accom­ Mr Downes hos visited the panied them during both the Soviet Union on two previolls oflicial and soci.1 side of their occasions in the course of his IO-day stay in Moscow, Lenin­ work. grad and Novosibirsk. While Dr Price and Mr In addition to his technical Downes were on official busi­ and professional assistance, Mr ness, Mrs Price went on guided Downes' knowledge of Russian tours, They all saw the Mos­ proved an invaluable aid in cow circus, two ballets and making introductions, keeping various sights around Moscow track of names, resolving ques- and Leningrad. IIMillionaire' status The Laboratories Credit New interest rates have been Union ill Sydney hns reac1Ied set by the Directors which ap­ The Mineral Research Labora­ Mathematical Statistics located time to keep walking backwards 'miHiollah'e' status - funds on ply from the Jirst pay period in tories are currently Investigat­ On the Black Mountain site at and forwards so a bike was the dellOsit at 20 Jllne totallell July 1974. Interest of 9.5 per ing pollution problems. The Canberra have bought them­ obvious answer. And guess cent half-yearly is now paid on results have been enough to selves one to get around the who had the last laugh when $1,129,000. all deposits and a loan interest make one of the staff take various Divisions they service the petrol shortage hit Can­ rate of 11 per cent calculated his own protective measures and across to the neighbouring berra last month? The society will hold its 20th on quarterly rests is charged to against Sydney's ever-worsen­ Australian National University. Oh - yes. It is a male's bike. annual meeting on Wednesday, borrowers. Ing smog. Our colleague, seen The group does have a mlni­ The staH count of the group re­ 25 September, at the Mineral Stalf wishing to deposit above in his new luniform' for van but they felt it was wasteful vealed three women and eight Research Laboratories, North money at the .ttractive rate of Ryde, Sydney, at 5.15 pm. The 9.5 per cent can do so by work, also believes that cycling to be using that all the time men. One woman said she to work-or even running there usual buffet dinner and refresh­ direct payment to the Credit - helps to keep his city clean. when distances were compara­ wouldn't be riding the bike any­ ments will follow the form.l Union or by regular deduction And talking of bicycles tively small between buildings. way so, as a spokesman for meeting and all members and from salary. Forms authorising we've just learned that the 11 They're far enough away how­ them said, 'The males won out interested non-members are in­ salary deduction are available members of the Division of ever, for It to be wasteful in by sheer weight of numbers'. vited to attend. from divisional oflicers. Death to the potato moth long live I••Icrlsples

Ever thought what it would be like to spend five years of your life breeding the best part of a million potato moth larvae? For Brian SlJringett, John Mathiessen and Lyllne Hayles it's all part of a research program which they hope will lead to tile control of Australia's potato moth.

For years this tiny moth bus pose had produced a lot of a tractor, a few drops of a com­ been 'cnrrying on l'cgunUess' in larvae. mercial detergent were added 'It was felt it was becoming and hey presto, a spray was Ihe potato crops, boll'ercd only resistant to the usual DDT-type ready for use. by occasional doses of DDI' sprays and we'd been consider­ which it is gradually learning ing the use of a parasite, in this Motbproof to shrug off. case, a wasp. Its effect, Brian said, was 80 Only the dedicated could sland It - Brian Sprlngetl (Iefl) and significant that they found once 'At one stage a virus of some an area had been sprayed it re­ John Mathiessen in Ihe Perth laboratory where they are breeding In the early hours of the day, kind swept through the larvae thousands upon thousands of virus-Infected potato moth larvae. it becomes pretty active, cavort­ mained more or less mothproof causing massive mortality, for a couplc of years. ing around 1 breeding, eating the 'Most people threw up their leaves of the potatocs, tunnel­ The virus is a granulosis hands in horror claiming all virus, a disease which has been ling into the tubers and gener­ their work had been ruined ally flilling about in a destruc­ known to exist in Australia for overnight. But one of the team, a long time and which, so far tive sort of way. Eric Reed, became interested in The larvae on the other hand, as is known, causes harm to a virus which could have such nothing except the potato moth. never stop. They just chomp devastating eflects.' merrily on, day and night. But this is the fact which has Math Stats to be proved to the satisfaction All of these rather careless Field Trials of the authorities. If it gains habits have been costing the that approval it will hecome the Australian potato grower a lot building named 'If a virus, he argued, could first home~grown insect virus to of money. kill the larvae under laboratory be registered for use in Aus~ They've upset crop produc­ conditions, it might be equally tralia. Messages from staff all over the country, from Perth to tion and consequently aflected elIcctive in nat'ural ones. The funding of the toxicity the market supply and hit the 'The proposition was worth test to prove this is expensive Townsville, and from former staff and associates as far consumer through his pocket, - about $100,000 - but the afield as England, Scotland and Denmark were received his gastronomical appreciation investigating. We needed a par­ ticular type of location for field scientists arc hoping that WHO when the Division of Mathematical Statistics held a cere­ of the tuber and to the horror trials where potatoes were or FAO may take it up. even of children affected the grown under controlled condi­ The work may be carried out mony in Adelaide to formally name their headquarters the Australian potato crisp industry, tions and found the ideal situa­ in England and it is for this E. A. Cornish Building. tion existed near Perth where purpose that the Perth team The 40 guests included Mrs zation and those who worked Accident growers are licensed. now hopes to be able to pro­ Cornish, the widow of Dr Cor­ with him.' duce about half a million more 'The G rowers' Association nish, the former Chief of the 'In gathering together a group The scientists have found all virus-infecfed larvae. Division, who died in January of more than 50 research eJTective way to kill the moths by there was co-operative, so were the l>otato Marketing Board If the virus passes the test 1973, other members of the workers that comprises many 9f using a virus pesticide, but the with flying colours and is regis­ Cornish family, friend8~ col­ Australia's leading statisticians, strange part of the story is that and thc Department of Agri­ culture.' tered, it would probably be leagues and former members of some with world reputations; they stumbled on to the idea by developed by a large chemical the Division including Pro­ in organising them to provide one of those curious scientiflc The original virus was pre~ company for commercial use. fessor Evan Williams and Pro­ the kind of statistical service 'accidents' which occur from pared in ~allberra from about fessor Alan James. that's needed both in CSIRO time to time in CSIRO and a quarter of a million diseased The name was unveiled hy and outside, and so creating which have led to somc quite larvae and transported to Perth Mr V. D. Burgmann on behalf onc of the great statistical con­ dranlatic discoveries. by Eric Reed for Brian and his A quotable quote from 'Last of the Executive who said the sulting groups in the world; as As Brian explained: 'In its colleagues to carry out the field Tango in Paris' quoted from decision to can the Division weIl as encouraging them to Canberra laboratories, the Divi~ trials. (Search': (People do not like headquarters the Cornish Build­ embark on original research, sion of Entomology was look­ The spray was simple enough finishing anything because then ing was an laumirable way of Alf Cornish well deserves the i.ng at ways of controlling the to make. The dead larvae were they only have to start some­ commemorating the cOlltribu~ title of "Father of Statistics in potato moth and for this pur- put into a tank on the back of thing new ...' tions Dr Cornish made in his Australia", field and to CSIRO. Professor WiIliams spoke of 'This Division, its slaff, build­ Dr Cornish's efforts not only ing, traditions and reputation in fostering scientific research in are very much thc result of Alf his own Division but of his Cornish's pursuit of ohjectivity contribution in the field of com­ in learning,' he said. puters, and not just to their use as a research tool, but also re­ Staff changes in CCU During the ceremony, an search on them. address was given by Professor lIt was due to his vision and The Central COUlmunic..'ation press gallery in Canberra in Morning Herald'. Williams. tenacity that CSIRO estahlished Unit hus a ncw senior mc(lin 1964. Jane graduated from Reading 'In evaluating the scientific its Division of Computing Re­ liaison otHee... He's 1Ii11 Kelly Three years later hc left daily University, England, with a contribution of a man at the search in 1963,' he added. who until curly this month wns journalism to become press B.Sc. in Agricultural Science head of a growing organization 'It is fitting that his name the Assislant Dil'e.lol" of l'nblie omccr for the NCDC (National seven years ago and then joined of research workers, which Alf should bc linked with this place Relutions of the Australian De­ Capilal Devciopment Commis­ a national farming magazine. Cornish was,' he said, 'one which was the scene of so much IJal'tmcnt of Tl'1lllsport In Can.. sion) and then in 1970 he was She then worked on a num­ needs to look not only at his of his endeavour and the focus bcrra. appointed to his position at ber of English newspapers as own personal contribution but of what he established through 'Kcl' will be heading the the Dcpartmcnt of Transport. a reporter until emigrating to also his influence on the organi- the Division in this country.' media liaison section of the 'KeP lists his off-duty inte~ Aust.ralia three years ago. Unit, taking thc place of Harry rests as boating, fishing and She joined the 'Sydney Morn­ Black who has been appointed photography - in that order of ing Herald' and after working to the new position of Adviser, sllccess. in the Supreme Courts and the Community Relations. For thc last two or three Federal Parliamentary press 'KcI' started his career in years hc's been chasing a large gallery was appointed the jaurnalism wi tll the Fait'Iax MUlTay cod known to be in paper's science writer. group and was make-up sub­ Lake Burrinjuck. The fish, he editor on the Sydney 'Sun' be~ says, has a price tag on it that's fore joining the paper's team half the cost of the ca bin in the Federal Parliamentary cruiser he keeps at the lake for its pursuit. Of twins and Meanwhile he consoles him­ self with the thought that fish like this eod only grow, they things don't inflate. Bernie Bindon of the Divi­ Harry, in his new rolc, will sion of Animal Genetics is over­ be advising on internal and ex~ seas examining and assessing, tcrnal communication aspects among other things, French re­ of the Organization's decjsions, search on the genetics and he'll be maintaining liaison with physiology of cattle twinning. Divisions and Head OlIice and Bernie's work on twinning in helping Divisions in their public Sydney brought him into the communication activities. headlines some months ago Hc'll also be involved in de­ when he received many offers veloping strategies and policies of help from farmers whose for CSIRO's public communica­ cows had produced repeated tion activities. multiple births. Another new member who's It's interesting to note that his been welcomed to the media itinerary includes a visit to the section of the Unit is Jane International Planned Parent­ Mr V. D. Burgmann of the Executive unveils the name of the Ford WIlCSC by-linc has ap­ hood Federation while he's in E. A. Cornish Building at the Division of Mathematical Statistics In BIll Kelly pcared regularly in lhe 'Sydney the UK. Adelaide. 184-1974 Around the Divisions

Name of the game and, in the second, her work Radiophysics The present name CSIRO re­ needs no paternalistic pat on Mr. John Bolton of the Divi­ the head. fers to scientific AND industrial Or, is there some essential sion of Radiophysics has left research, the inference being difference in the work per­ on a two-month visit to oplical that its industrial research is not formed by male scientists and anci radio astronomy centres in scientific. All research should female scientists that requires the United States, Canada, be scienti'fic, therefore the word the distinction to be made ­ United Kingdom and Europe. scientific is superfluous. even in 'Coresearch'? In that John will also attend a meeting There is no need to specify case, you should be consistent of the Executive of the Inter­ industrial research-the Organi­ and rcfer to the award of a national Astronomical Union, zation should deal with ail re­ of which he is a Vice-Prcsidellt medal to Dr John X, 'one of l scarch required by Australians Australia's leading male scien­ in Grenoble, France, and a of their national research or­ tists' . meeting of European astro­ ganization. I understand that J. F. Michaelides, nomers in Triesle. there are some who wish the Organization to deal aiso with Mineral Chemistry, matters such as human relation­ North Ryde. Tropical Agl'Onomy ships. Dl' E. M. Hutton, Chief of As pointed out by E. R. Bal­ With reference to your story the Division of Tropical Agro­ lantyne ('Coresearch' 182) the in 'Coresearch' 182 - 'She's nomy in Brisbane (below), has word 'Commonwealth' in the Miss Woden Plaza', -I pro­ been made an honorary mem~ title confuses people outside lest! As a liberated male, my ber of the Japanese Society of Australia. I agree that it should reaction to the front-page Gras'sland Science, be replaced by 'Australiau'. article of the above title was Dr Hutton was in Japan JC­ That leaves- one of disgust. Not, of course, cently en route to the Interna­ Australian Research at the pleasant photograph of tional Grassland Congress in Or P. C. Kerridge of the Division of Trophlcal Agronomy has Organization the young lady concerned, but Russia. During his stay he was been seconded to the Malayslan Agricultural Research and ARO at the well-nigh insulting in­ visited by the President of the Development Institute (MARDI) at Serdang near Kuala Lumpur to IArrow' nuendos contained in the write­ Japanese Society, Dr K. Mitsui, establish a program of pasture research, Picture: Or Kerridge What is its target? up. Must this sort Of thing and the past President, Dr T. and his research assistant, Mr Abas, sample a stylosanthes D. R. Eddy, continue? Yamada, who handed over to experiment with a lime induced zlno deficiency. Men of the world, wake up! him an impressive scroll in Photo: Geoff Wines. Division of Soils, You yourselves have mnch to Japanese and expressed their Adelaide. gain from the abolition of this sort of claptrap. schemes are on the drawing growth and dcvelopment of If the name of CSIRO ('Co­ C. H. Bagot, board and in Spain where he marsupials. research' 182) is altered I sug­ will look at problems asso­ Dr Lyne, a graduate of the Mineral Chemistl'y, ciated with the control of University of Tasmania, joined gest we change it to: Port Melbourne. (I) AS&TRO or ASTRO (Aus­ salinity and sea water intrusion. the (then) Division of Animal tralian Scientific and Tech­ Health and Production in 1953. nological Research Organi­ Go metric Plnnt Physiology zation) or even AUSTRO. I think that 'Technological' I wish to comment on some Dr R. M. Smillie, leader of may covor Industrial and statements in the article 'Road the Plant Physiology Unit in other topics and fields in signs go metric on 1 July' ('Co­ the Division of Food Research, which CSIRO is involved research' 182) which I believe Sydney, has been awarded the (besides science). tu be misleading. degree of Doctor of Science by (2) Another suggestion could The most dangerous state­ the University of Sydney for be AGRO in a generalised ment is: 'the prima facie open his published work entitied form for: Australian road limit (is) 100 km/h not 'I3iogenesis and Function of Government Research Or­ 60 mph'. The writer should be Chloroplasts'. ganization. aware that a 'prima facie' limit of SO km/h, not lOO km/h, ap­ D. D. Axarlis, plies in N.S.W. However, the pleasure at the honour being Animal Physiology Divisiori of Soils, general posted limit outside conferred on the Australian. Adelaide. Dr A. G. Lyne of the Divi­ built-up areas will be 100 km/h. The scroll reads: 'The Presi­ sion of Animal Physiology, at (There is, of course, a clear dent of the Japanese Society of Prospect (righl), has been It is true we are living in a distit:Iction between a posted Grassland Science has the honor awarded the degree of Doctor world that is changing at a limit and a "prima facie' limit.) to announce that the annual of Sciencc by the University rapid rate. Also, in NSW the maximum general meeting of the Society of Tasmania. for a submission Much of his research has been It is also true that with some posted limit will be 110 km/h, held in Tokyo, .1974, unani­ entilled 'Collected Papers on devoted to the development, of these changes comes erosion replacing 65 and 70 mph limits. mously consented to nominate the Biology of the Skin and structure and growth of skin of one's way of life and to The only circumstances under Dr Edward Mark Hutton, Chief, Hair Growth and other Contri~ and hair. many individuals the changes which it would be legal to Division of Tropical Agronomy, butions'. The other contribu­ Since 1972, he has been en­ are no progress at all. traveL at more U1an this would CSIRO, Australia, as an tions deal mainly with the body gaged in research on marsupials. It is hard not to associate be in unrestricted zones (Le. Honorary Member of the these changes with one political zones with a 'prima facie' limit Society in recognition of his party as the trend of a whole of 80 km/h). great contribution to the pro~ group of their innovations is I suggest therefore, that the gress of grassland science and so easy to recognise. statement 'familiarity with the technology in Japan.' The letter to the editor in the 120 km/h (75 mph) position' is Stick with safety July issue regarding a change dangerous, and that familiarity of name of our Organization with the 110 km/h position is Irrigation Research Inquiries nrc often received about the health hazards of two.. is typicaL Attempts to force a preferable. pack synthetic resin 1ulbesivcs and surface coatings. pleasant ballad as a new I would also have thought Visits to the United States All materials of this type at present on sale can be used safely national anthem is another of that in view of the Australia­ and India are on the itinerary providing some simple basic precautions are taken, plus any others these innovations designed to wide circulation of 'Coresearch' of Mr E. R. Hoare, Chief of recommended by the manufacturer. split the nation. In my opinion some mention may have been the Division of Irrigation Re­ Used carelessly there is a high risk of skin disease breaking out, schools run by pupils have made of varying state speed search at Gritllth, who is over­ the development of allergies and respiratory complaints. little chance of success. regulations, or at least an ad­ seas for three months. Mr Skin contact with the uncured ingredients must be avoided. In passing, who on your edi­ monition to consult tile appro­ Hoare planned to attend a Wear plastic or rubber gloves and take care to avoid splashing the torial staff actually made the priate metric conversion leaflets number of conferences, includ­ face or clothing. Barrier cream on the hands will give additional decision to use the term Ms to available in each State. ing the International Trickle protection. identify women? These may seem carping cri­ Irrigation Conference - the In operations such as the application of surface coatings onto In this world of strife and ticims, but I do think that the trickle irrigation system was large areas and the laying up of fibreglass reinforced mouldings, struggle information supplied by a safety originally invented by Mr. it is wise la wear an impervious apron and eye prolection. Let two things stand alone officer and given such publicity, Hoare and Mr Ted Trickett of If clothing is splashed, remove it as soon as possible. Clean off Kindness in another's troubles particularly in such a vital mat­ the same Division in 1950. any material which has penetrated to the skin with a non-abrasive And CSIRO. ter as road safely, should be His progl'am also includes hand cleaner Of soap and water. Ed Dunstone, scrupulously accurate. travel in the southern areas of Do not use raw sulvents, they may damage the skin. If the eyes Portugal where large irrigation Food Research, E. D. Dale, are splashed, flush with water and get medical attention. Highett. Studentship Holder, Harmful vapours are given ofr by many of the uncured materials. University of Sydney. Avoid breathing heavy concentrations of these vapours. Use the The decision to use the term materials in a well ventilated open area or in a fume hood and Ms was made by a previous The July safety notes about follow the manufacturer's instructions when appropriate about any editor of 'Coresearch', who- has Enthusiast additional precautions to take. metric speed limits contained folIow~ since Jeft the Organization. an error. A prima facie open While on the su bjecl of manufaclUrer's instructions, the Would you please send me ing quotes are taken from the safety instructions for an adhesive While there has been some op­ road speed limit of lOO km/h the recommended price of a position - mainly from men ­ made overseas: was mentioned. soil-testing kit. Can you also to its usc, its introduction to New South Wales is the only 'The adhesive has also a very strong bondlng strength for human send me a lot of booklets about skin and its setting is also instantaneous. our columns stimulated more Stale with a prima facie limit all the things that you do at letters to the ed itor than has and it is 80 km/h. 'If it gets in the eyes considerable pain will OCcur. However, any othertopic.-Ed. Commonwealth Scientific and The other States have abso­ Industrial Research Organiza­ never try to open the eyes forcibly. Fever (and acule inflammation lute limits. These are: thel'eby) will soon stop, but solid will remain hard and stick It's a womnn's world tion. (Phew! that's a long word.) strongly. Victoria and Queensland ­ - Mary Jones (aged 11). In cCoresearch' 182, you men­ lOO km/h. .'Do n'?t bec?me impatient. Several times a day, apply poultice tioned the award of thc Farrer South Australia, Western Aus­ WIth sodlllm bIcarbonate. Unless you rub the part or try to sever Medal to Dr Helen Newton tralia and Tasmania - 110 The Division of Land Re­ forcibly, you will be completly cured within a week. It is not Turner, 'one of Australia's km/h. sources Management in Perth necessary to send for a doctor. leading Women scientists'. All roads in the ACT are received this letter and since it 'When the adhesive gets into your ear, wipe the part several Why 'women scientists' and speed zoned. The Northern is typical of many we receive, times a day with hot towel. It will disappear in several days.' not simply 'scientists'? In the Territory has no absolute limit we reprint it to show the in­ Perhaps these could be described as iustructions that should not first place, Miss Turner's sex outside built-up areas. - GiI terest being taken in CSIRO by be stuck to. in this context is quite clear Barnes, Safety Omcer. school children.-Ed. CH Barncs, Safety Officcr.

184-1974 i The Hari-Krishnu sect Death of two SCIENTISTS TALK WITH in Austmlin has been 'overjoyed' to hove n visil by thei\" divine tcucher, His Divine Gmee AC CSIRO SWAMI G Bbaktivedanta Swami (elllied I'rnbbupadll by his devotee.). During the eight days personalities '-And it was fun,' he spent here Swumi G ialked to leader. of the Mr E. c. B. (Butch) Lang­ tralian Institute of Agricultural churches and when he in­ iield, OBE, died in Darwin last Science on tbe basis of his writes Roy Muncey vited a group of CSIRO month and CSIRO lost onc of published results. scientists to talk with him, its long-serving staif and a His wife died in 1971, but We were received in a points of view (for it was that Br/an Harrap (FoO!l Re­ colourful character. Hutch leaves a son and two rather than discussion) deve­ friendlY fashion at the Hari search), Roy Moneey When the news of this death daughters. Krislma's modest Elwood head­ loped, was based on the infal­ (Building Research) and libility of the received scriptures. reached Canberra, his col­ quarters and invited (0 Ileave (van Newnham (Mineral. leagues at Black Mountain and our shoes in the llOrch. We did not launch the ob­ Research Lahomtories) in Head Office were full of Dr Colin Bal'uard ,!Vc were shown into a rooUl vious point that this view re­ were chosen. stories about him for the man Another equally well-knowQ like the lonnge of nlUny houses sembled that of medieval Chris­ Later, Dc Muncey wrofe was something of a legend in personality who also died last and a clInil" and sofa pulled tian theologians, both with this account of the meet­ the Organization. month was Dr Colin Barnard. forward for us. A low 'thronc' regard to the scriptures and ing for 'Coresearch'. Most of Butch's working life Barnie, as he was always in white shoeting wns l)fqHlfcd creation. N or that, developing was spent in northern Australia, known, retired from the Divi­ for His Divine Grace with n from early work of Schlier­ an area to which he was de­ sion of Plant Industry in 1969 glass-topl,ed lable in front of macher, the proposition of seek­ voted. He had plenty of oppor­ after having spent atmost the learn of India and Asia the whole of his working life with the Ihrone - presumably for ing to find a spiritual creator true, spiritual values of life tunities to return south, but devotions. by examining material creation putting aside all superficial and always preferred to remain in CSIRO. was judged by present Christian the Darwin and Kimberlcy Another Western Australian, Swami G came in smiling loose living, the trivia of cos­ he joined the Division of Eco­ theologians an improper quest metics, alcohol and drugs. areas. and bowing with the superb and that scriptures, at least llulch was born in Western nomic Botany in 1927 and was Indian grectings of the hands Christian ones, have come from India could teach us the im­ Australia and gained his dip­ seconded to the Commonwealth in our position of prayer. A men's hands and in less than portance of the spirit, we loma in botany and genetics Research Station at Merbein. varying number of devotees pure form and so can hardly be learned. Our bodies were merely It was there that he carried ~dresses' from the Western Australiun participated in the audience. seen as infallible and omniscient. to house the spirit of Technical College. He was lirst out research into the yield of A reading followed and we man. employed by the State Depart­ the sultana which was largely opened with a reflection that Conversation moved towards responsible for the system of milk, the food declared perfect This contention was based ment of Agriculture, where his .forecasting yield in vines that while science and technology on the dogma of reincarnalion main concern was wheat breed­ had helped mankind's material by the sect. It builds the brain, ing. has been of great value to the we were told, is connected with (not to be casually dismissed dried fruit industry, well-being, there was much to for it is ccrtainly a marvellous In t948 he joined the Divi­ do in life quality. motherhood and, by the use of suitable herbs, excellent imita­ gucss as the source or basis of sion of Plant Industry in what Drugs from plauts This provoked more reading tions of meat can be prepared. 'solll' and 'spirit') and the holi­ was then its Land Research and from the writings of the Swami ness and peace so often Regional Survey Section, later During World War II Barnie The belief in sacredness of the was onc of the scientists en­ on the ancient Hindu scriptures. cow develops from this view. achieved by Asians could well to become the Division of Land They purported to explain that be sought hy Australians. Research. gaged in research into the pro· a Divine Spirit created and sus­ Questions regarding the ratio ductioll of drugs from plants tains all celestial object" the of polyunsaturated fat to total What can I say other than it Rice breeding when it became diilicult to get earth and living creatures, in­ fat touched areas where com­ was fascinating to talk to one impol·ted supplies. deed the whole creation. munication or knowledge or of such utter faith and con­ Posted to the Kimberley Re­ Tbis work led to the utilisa­ both prcvented meaningful dis­ fidence, to see mirrored much search Station he early saw tion of Duboisia as a source of We were then invited by His the possibilities of growing rice cussion. But a gift of CSIRO of Christian theology of a the drug hyoscineJ used by Divine Grace to use our scien­ couple of centuries ago, to mar· in the region. Hc became in­ troops landing in Normandy on tifie expertise to prove from the cheese brought a response of a delicacy calIed Gulabjan (a vel at the devotion of his fol­ terested in the crop itself and D-Day to quell seasickness. glories and beauty of creation lowers (who touched their fore­ in the breeding of rice varieties Duboisia also proved to be a . that there was this Divine Spirit, sweet bar) which was much en­ joyed by our representatives. heads where he had walked) and this eventually became the source for atropine, used in the Vishnu. and to look through a window work for which he won an treatment of malaria, among The confidence for this, one We were told, in answer to at this philosophy of life so international reputation. other things. could see as the exchange of questions, that the West should alien to my previous experience. In 1958 Butch transferred to llarnie was also associated the Coastal Plains Research with lhe work done on prob­ Station near Darwin and in lems wilh the economic pro­ 1964 he became its officer-in­ duclion of other drug plants, charge. In the early 1960s he particularly opium poppies. bred a variety of rice called III 1963 he edited the work Ornithologists hold Congress SIRCNA, a name gi ven to the 'Grasses and Grasslands' which plant by Chris Christian and covered the work done in Hutch, a very rough translation CSIRO during the previous 25 More than 700 amateur and general at its last four-yearly operative effort by "Wildlife Re­ professional ornithologists were meeting in The Hague in 1970. of which means 'CSIRO in years on grasses and pastures. search and other Divisions the Northern Australia'. Following his retirement he io Canberra last month for the He then invited the Congress, official opening was postponed worked with the Organization 16th International Ornitholo­ by only eight hours and almost This variety has been widely on behatf of the Australasian used commercially in northern and the State Departments of gical Congress - the first ever Ornithologists Union and the all the participants were in Agriculture to produce a re­ held south of the equator. Canberra by the following day. Australia and in other tropical Australian Academy of Science, arcas. gister of new varieties of culti­ Excursions to Papua New to hold their next meeting in More than half the delegates In the last few years of his vated pasture plants called Guinea New Zealand, Perth, Australia.- were from oversoas, many at~ life, Butch had bred another 'Herbage Plant Cultivars'. Darwin', Alice Springs and Mel­ He immediately chose the tracted by Australia's rich and variety which it was thought While Barnie's scientific rc~ bourne were arranged before Congress' 1974 symbol, a mag­ unique bird life. had equally good commercial putati0I! was wjdely known, he and after the Congress and pie goose, a uniquely Australian also bllllt up another for him­ As the President, Professor potential and it was about to during the conferenc~ th~rc bird, and began, with members be released at the time of his self among sportsmen in Can­ were dally early mornlIlg bIrd Jean Dorst, from France, ob­ berra, He was well known on of his Division, to plan the served: death. It remains, as yet, un­ watching trips to the Canbe~ra meeting. named. the bowling greens of the ACT Botanic Gardens and a mId­ The final organisalion be­ 'What country could com­ For the last year or so, Butch and played in and organised week visit to Tidbinbilla and came an enormous headache as pete with Australia7 was on secondnlCnt from the table tennis competitions. Burrinjuck Waters Park. the Congress was scheduled to Divisi on to the Department of He is survived by his wife 'A continent full of parrots, Joyce, and four sons. ' The massive task of organis­ start at the height of the indus­ cockatoos, megapodes, emus, the Northern Territory which ing the Congress wa.s in tpe trial disputes which upset inter­ honeyeaters and fairy wrens; took over the research station hands of Dr Harry Fnth, Clllef state travel. where almost every plant, every frol11 CSIRO in 1973. of the Division of Wildlife The day before, delegates insect, every mammal differs Although Butch never gained Atmospheric Physics Research. were stranded all over Australia widely from what can be seen a degree, he was admitted lo Mr R. J. Taylor of the Divi­ He was elected its secretary- but after an enormous co~ elsewhere in the world.' the membership of the Aus- sion of Atmospheric Physics has been appointed Chairman of the Working Group on Atmospileric Boundary Layer For your informaltiol' Problems, The group was estab­ tished by the World Meteoro­ Policy circnlars logical Organisation's Commis­ 74/24 Salary adjustment - technical and drafting stafT sion for Atmospheric Sciences. 74/25 Salary adjustment - trades staff, laboratory craftsmen, assistants workshop and handymen 74/26 Travelling, meal and living away from home allowances 'Coresearch' 74/29 Superannuation - new scale or units of pension 'Coresearch' is produced 74/30 Assistance with studies by the Central Communica­ 74/32 Salary adjustment - administrative and clerical staIT tion Unit ior CSIRO staff. 74/33 Salary adjustment - housekeepers and housemaids Members are invited to con­ Information circnlars tribute or send suggestions 74/44 Queen Elizabeth II Fellowships for articles. The deadline 74/47 Division of Irrigation Research - Acting Chief for material is normally the 74/49 CSIRO Directory 1974 (Amendments) first day of the month pre­ 74/52 Acting Chief - Divisiou of· Horticultural Research ceding publication. 74/53 Assistant Chief - Division of Building Research Material and queries should Tropical Cattle Research Centre, Rockhampton be sent to the Editor (Redesignation of Cattle Research Laboratory, (Oorothy Braxton), Box 225, Rockhampton; appointment of Dr J. E. Vercoe Oiekson, A.C.T. 2602, Tel. (Officer-in-Charge); Mr A. Packham (Manager) at 484478 or Wendy Parsons, Belmont) 484227. 'Can't we Just once have an argument Officer-in-Charge, Central Information Library and without you verifying everythlng?,- Editorial Section. (Mr P. J. Iudge takes up appointment llrinted by CSIRO, Melbourne -'Saturday RevIew.' 5.8.74) 184-1974 185##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSIRO staff October 1974 Man or woman? Chairman to 'We want the best.' go to Paris The Chairman, Dr J. R. Price, will be a member of the Aus­ tralian delegation at the con­ says frontation meeting of the OECD Staff section representatives in Paris on 22 October at which the report on Out of a total staff of 6705, CSIRO employs 1500 women. Currently 11 women­ the Australian national science policy will be presented. three senior principal research scientists (S PRS) and eight principal research scientists The report will be discussed (PRS) earn salaries which can be equated with the Australian Government Second and questions arising from it Division salaries. will be raised with the Aus­ tndian delegation. By contrast', the number of There are about 1100 re­ per cent of the TA2s ure Helen Newton Turner The questions are expected to women eml)loycd in the Govern.. search scientists and 900 experi­ women. deal with Government research ment's Second Division us at mental omcers employed by From the technical assistant activities, university research activities, j ndustrial research I September, was four.. CSTRO at the moment. grades technical staff can pro~ gress through the technical and New Chief funding and the national science These figures - and many When expressed as a per­ policy. centage of the total number in senior technical officer ranges more as interesting - were re­ to ST03 level. The number of Members of the OECD Com­ vealed when Head Omce Staff each group, women constitute amves 2.5 per cent of the research Women t~pers oIT dramatically mittee for Science und Techno­ Section delved into the posilion here (as It also does with men) Professor J. M. Ganl logical Policy, drawn from all of women employed in the Or­ scientist group and 11.7 per has taken up his ap­ cent of the experimental officer and they form only 3.7 per cent OECD member countries, will ganization. This was in response al ST02 leveL No Women have pointment as the new take part in the discussions. to questions asked by 'Core­ group. Chief of the former Divi­ reached the ST03 leveL The background report on search', So far as 'Coresearch's' sur­ SiOI1 of Mathematical Sta­ To become a technical ofil­ SCIC?Ce Ulld technology in Aus­ vey could determine, there has tistics. Concurrently with The inquiry was timely for ce~1 a person is normally re­ Professor Gani's appoint­ tralIa and the Examiners' re­ 1975 has been proclaimed by never been a woman Chief, but qUIred to have a technical certi­ port are now available, and an there has been a woman Acting ment has come the change the United Nations General ~cate ur its equivalent; this of the Division's name account of the meeting should Assembly as International Chief - Dr K. R. Makinson of Involves four years part-time be published later this year. the Division of Textile Physics. to Mathematics and Sta­ Women's year and Staff' Section tertiary study. The relatively tistics. was_about to undertake a sur­ Staff Section pointed OUI, how­ small number of women em­ vey of women emplayed by ever, that under the merit sy­ ployed in the higher technical CSTRO for the information it stem which operates in CSIRO, grades suggests that in the past, Congress the Organization requires that Postponed needed for the Australian few Women were prepared to Dr C. Nancarrow of the Government's program next the best applicant be selected, seck such qualifications in the male or female. There is there- The 1974 Farrer Memorial Divisinn of Animal Physiology year. subjects required by CSIRO. Oration and Medal presenta­ at Prospect will alleod the in­ CSIRO employs 442 clerical tion ceremony has been un~ ternational Congress of Hor~ Females and administrative stafI, 58 of avoidably postponed until 27 monal Stero.ids in Mexico City No. 01 staff Males Females % total staff whom arc women. On a pro­ February. Where he WIll present a paper. rata basis the number and dis­ The Medallist, Dr Helen He will also visit leading over­ tribulion of women in this 266,752 196,476 70,276 26.3 Newton Turner, will speak on seas research centres concerned APS {Hidden Treasure: Genetic with the prostaglandin work be­ GSIRO 6705 5205 1500 22.4 Cont'd on page 4 Diversity in Plants and Animals'. ing undertaken by the Division.

Pro rata lore no formal barrier ·to the appointment 01 a woman Chief. In any comparison made be­ Similarly, there is no known We1ve found one at last tween CSIRO and the Public record of a woman being a Service (and in this context 'Co­ permanent oITicer-in-charge of a research' was concerned only research station, but Deniliquin wilh the Australian Public Ser­ did have one woman, Ms vice and not that 01 the States) Veronica Rogers, employed at the figures have to be con­ E03 level acting in this capa­ sidered on a pro rata basis. city for 12 months during 1966.

Male Female Destination of First Degree Graduates % %

Teaching 25.1 50.5 Higher studies 23.3 18.6 State Government 13.7 8.0 Private sector 21.4 6.9 Australian Government 9.8 5.1 Other 6.7 10.9 Total 100.0 100.0 Approxi mate No. for 1973 12,389 6136

Staff in Ihe SPRS range are Stall figures show that the at present paid between $19,319­ lirst woman to allain SPRS did $21,285 and PRSs receive so in 1965, but it should be salarie, ranging from $16,060 to noted that as from 1959 there $18,299. The basic salary for were women employed as Second Division officers is senior principal research ofl1­ $17,776. eel'S, the equivalent then of an CSTRO employs a further SPRS. GSIRO has been looking at the chemical reactions of very small particles with an electron eight women as senior research So far, only one woman has microscope. scientists ($13,424-$15,456) and become an Assistant Secretary. In recent months usually reliable reacllons would alien fail to occur for no obvious reason, eight who are research scien R She was Ms Betty Donbleday leading to the hypothesis that gremlins were at work. tists ($10,448-$12,944). who, until her retirement a Final proal was only obtained In August when one was caught at play inside an ammonIum In the category of experi­ lew months ago, was Chief sulphate particle. As far as the Division concerned Is aware, the photograph above is the first mental officers, there are 40 Librarian. genuine record of a gremlin and reveals some hitherto unl

Failure to gc( in nt the right agemcnt problem which could This involved a sleep climb time meant a research lll'ognull only be solved by research. from the top of Stockwhip I-lilt wns _in jcolJUl'dy. (ahout 1800 m) for radio sur­ Hndio check veillance. They were still la km Efforts to get into thc rugged. away from the huts and I'Quld mountainous country either by In March this year the re­ go no further because of knee walking or by four-wheeled search team caught a dingo bitch deep snow. drive vehicle failed and when near Tin Mines Huts, 16 km the exercise looked doomed, south of Thredbo, ancl attached Blizzard the RAAF came to the rescue. a small radio transmitter to After spending what Dr New­ her neck so that they could some describes as his col <..lest A request was made to the track her movements during the Department of Defcnce's Air night ever and when a blizzard winter. then sprang up in the morning OlIice by the Canbcrra RAO, The Wildlife team was able Mr Ken Prowse, Hnd a heli­ to lop that, the party decided to to follow the bitch's movements return to Canberra. copter under the command of periodiCally by deteeting signals Flight Lieutenant Mike Hax­ from the ground and from a They detected no signals well, flew the three men into th,e weekly charIer flight over the from thc dingo and found no Keilh Newgraln (Ielt) and Hans Dimpel carry radio telemetry area as part of the Squadron s area from Cooma after the first tracks in the snow except for equipment into Ihe research area. snow manoeuvre exercises. those of fox. wombat and snow falls. rabbit. Four days later, with thcir Following the first heavy bruJ11by and an uncxpected item mission completed, the men snow fall in June the signals They suspected that the din­ -yabbie. were flown back to Canberra. goes could have left for lower stopped - after 75 days of Dr Newsome says that the Dr G. R. Hercus The work on the movements operation. country but to be sure they Or G. R. Hercus of the Solid needed to get right into the evidence now indicates that of dingoes in the Park is part Or N ewsome was then con­ dingoes may not leave the Tin State Chemistry Section of the of a 10~ycar research program Tin Mines Huts area, near Division of Chemical Physics, fronted with the problem of Thredbo. Mines Huts area during the on the basic biology and cco­ what had happened to the winter despite heavy snow, but Clayton. died recently after a logy of the dingo both in Cen­ dingo. Had shc left the area f?r During the four days Dr they must now check up on long illness. tral Australia and South East lower ground? I-lad the radIO Newsome and his team walked a reas nearer the edge of the He first Joined CSIR's Divi­ Australia, which began in 1966. stopped transmitting or had ~he about 75 km around lhe hut Park such as the Ingeegoodbee sion of Industrial Chemistry in The Division started the work bitch gone underground dUflng arca noting dingo tracks and and Jacobs River areas. J946 a.nd was immediately sent at the request of the Australian the day to feed pups? collecting droppings to check They plan to catch and radio to Pasedcna for instruction in Meat Research Committee, an their winter diet. tag a number 01 dingoes and the use of a mass spcctrorneter which largely funds the project. Bogged down This they found was mainly continue their work in the park then being manufactured in the At first it was mainly concen­ wombat, wallaby, rahbit and next Sllmmer and winLcr. United States. trated in the Alice Springs area It was decided that the team When this was later shipped but was extended to South East of two technical ollicers, Mr to Australia, DJ' Herclls was re­ Australia, in particular the Hans Dimpel and Mr Keith sponsible for its installation at Nadgee Nature Reserve in 1968, Newgrain, and Dr Newsome, Fishermen's Bend. This was the and about a year ago moved must get into the area to check Apprentices win awards first commercial mass spectro~ into the much more difficult ter­ op. meter to be used in this coun­ rain of the Kosciusko National They first tried entering from Apprentices at the Division Another fourth year appren­ try. Park. Dead Horse Gap, near Thred­ of Chemical Physics again re­ tice, Patrick Francis, won the In J950 he len to take up an At present Or Newsome's bo, but boggcd their snow­ ceived top awards for crafts­ Bronze .l\rledallion in precision ANU research scholarship at problem is to check if dingoes cruiser in soft snoW. manship during the 1974 Ap­ optics for his exhibit of a tele­ Oxford and while there gained leave the snow country III wm­ They next tried getting in by prenticeship Week organized by photo lens for use in photo­ his Ph.D. degree. ter for sheep country lower landl'Over via Barry Way but the Apprenticeship Commission graphy. Returning to Australia Dr down, as sheep farmers around the Iacobs Rivcr was swollen so of VicLoria. Hercus rejoined CSIRO where the Park complain of dingo they decided to go in on foot Robert Cathie, a fourlh year For both apprentices this is he worked for the rest of his attacks. lugging all their supplies and apprentice, won the Bronze the third Bronze Medallion in a career. This, said Dr Newsomc, posed cold weather gear on their Medallion for instrument mak­ raw. Apart from his scientific a difficult environmental man- backs. ing with an electric discharge work, .or BercHs had a keen machine which he designed and Michacl Pless, at 17 a rela­ interest in Aboriginal languages constructed fa l' micro-machin­ tive newcomer to the patient and with his wife, a senior lec­ ing higb-precision components. wmk of optical finishing, ap­ turer in Sanskrit at the ANU Robert was also named as pears to be treading a similar and a lecturer in linguistics at runner-up in theL H. Waite path. After only six months Monash University, he spent Craftsmanship Award given to training in the Division he re­ many holidays living with Abo­ the most outstanding contribu­ ceived an Honourable Mention riginal communities in the tion in the exhibition l and re­ Certificate in the precision opttCS South Australian outback to ceived a consolation prize ill section for exhibiting a glass record the voices of the few the Yakka Award for Origina­ sphere and matching pair of remaining speakers of ancient lity in Craftsmanship. test plates. languages such as Aranda. Philippines get new phytotron The Australian Healy, science liaison officer, The Government agreed and Bill Pinwill, press secre­ to the project and since then Government has donated tary. the Los Banos phytotron has a phytotron to the Inter­ bcen built with the assist­ The RAAF hellcopler lands the party at Tin Mines Huts. The gift of the phytotron national Rice Research had its beginning when Dr ance of both the Australian Institute at Los Banos in Robert Chandler, the first Department of Housing and direclor of the International Construction and CSIRO. the Philippines. Rice Research Institute Both the Division of Plant (IRRI), made a request to Industry and the Head Ollice The formal dedication the Australian Government Building Section have been Which way for whey? ceremony took place an 23 that such a laboratory should closely involved with the September when the phyto­ be given to the Philippines work. Two members of thc Whey boralivc research program in tron was officially opened by under its aid program to that the Australian Minister for Associatcd with the open­ Products Section of thc New Australia with the Dairy Re­ country. ing. IRRI staged an inter­ Zealand Dairy Research Insti­ search Laboratory of CSIRO's Science, Mr W. L. Morrisol1. He knew of the success of national symposium on 'Cli­ tute, Messrs J. A. Kavanagh Division of Food Research, the Among the Australians at­ mate and Rice' at wbich Or and M. F. Parkin have spent Division of ChemicaJ Engineer­ the CSIRO phytotron in l tending the ceremony were Canberra where plant scien­ Evans and Mr Nix gave 10 days in Australia discussing ing, the Gilbert Chandler In­ Or L. T. Evans, Chief of the papers. Or Evans also problems associated with the stitutc of Dairy Technology, tists from all over Australia Division of Plant Industry, have access to the environ­ chaired a session on ICli_ introduction of new processes and the Ellinbank Dairy Re­ which has been closely asso­ mate and Crop Productivity'. to make a range of producls search Station, Victorian De­ mental laboratory. This al­ ciated with the project, Sir lows them to pinpoint which The Minister's visit to the from whey. partment of Agriculture. Otto Frankcl, CSIRO Re­ Problems similar to those in environmental factors regu­ Philippines coincided wilh a They were also concerned search Fellow and a former late the various processes of long-standing invitation to Australia confront other dairy­ member of the Executive, with the research which has ing countries, and in view of growth and development in go to Manila so that possi­ been undertaken into reducing and Mr Henry Nix, Division plants and gain a better bilities of furlher scientific thc urgency and complexity of of Land Use Research. the potential of whey as a the scientific nature of the work, understanding of how plants collaboration between the pollutant. Australia has explored the pos­ Included in the Ministerial respond to their climatic en­ two counlries could be ex· The urgency of these prob­ sibilities of collaboration with party were Messrs Terry vironment. plored. lems has led la a major colla- New Zealand.

185-1974 Staff fly to Peking for Trade Fair Six members of CSIRO were scheduled to leave Aus­ tralia this week for China to take part in the Australian Exhibition to be staged in Peking this month.

They ore Mr E. E. BOlld, Dir­ Australia has mounted overseas ectnr of (he Bread Research In· and apart from the exhibilion sthutc of Auslrnliu; Or Mark itself, a number of additional IluUon, Chief, Division of Tro· activities have been organised, These include technical discus~ Ilical Agrollomy; DI' M. (!'ip) sions and 5eminars involving Lil)SOn, Chuirman, Wool ne· Australian scientists, academics SCl1l'ch Laboratories Committee; and technical specialists, Or BelcH Newton Turner, U.CR searcb ll'cllow; Dr J. E. Vcrcoc, CSIRO staff will be taking Officer~inMChargc, part in these and the live repre­ T."OIJiclll sentatives will be speaking on Cutfle Rcscnrch Cen're, and aspects of their work in Aus­ Dr Don Weiss, Chief, Division tralia, of Chemical 'J'cclmo'logy. The Organization has also Most of the 350 Australians produced background material who will be attending it were in the form of films and slides airlifted on special charter for the speakcrs. This model of the new Animal flights 011 I and 3 October. Husbandry Research Centre The five scientists hoped to be Appointments made was built by the Department of A total of 102 Australian able to take advantage of the Housing and Construction for companies will exhibit products visit to investigate aspects of CSIRO and sent to Indonesia worth more than $2 mill ion at their own spccialised interests where It will be on display at the display which in itself has while they arc in China when for Indonesian Lab. the Nalional cattle show in cost about $1 million to or­ the exhibition is over. ' IJl'ofcssor Duvid Robinson Kununllrra, Western Australia, Surabaya and lhen in Jakarta. ganise and erect. from the Universify of Cali~ before joining the University of Or Hutton hoped to take a Photo: Courtesy Department of f~,kcn California six years ago. The exhibition will nlll from look at plant breeding centres [oruiD, Davis, has till 11 Housing and Construction. 11-23 October but top-buying and agricultural institutions, Dr year's 1l111lOintmcnt as acting Professor Robinson gained a Chinese oJTicials will be given a Weiss expressed the wish to rcscnrch direr.or of the new B.Sc. in Agriculture and a Ph.D. special preview before the 01Ii­ look at water, waste water and in Nutrition at Nottingham Animal I-Iushandry Ucscnrch University, England, and ciaI opening. forestry research institutes, and Celltre Ileal' Bog"I' which CSlllO Dr Vereoe hoped to have the worked at the Liverpool Veteri­ CSCmeets The exhibition, which has l~e.s(3hlishing chance to compare aspects of as purl of fhe nary School for three years been organised to further deve­ Austmlian uid IU'ogrnm to Ill~ before emigrating to Australia. lop Australia's trade and general meat production with those of Australia. doncsia. His main interest is nutrition relations with China, will be and he has taken part in a in Zambia opened by the Deputy Prime Dr Lipson's interests lay in Professor Robinsol1 was one of the four-man team which number of F.A.O. nutrition pro~ Minister of Australia, and the field of woollen mills and a jects and made a major contri­ When the Commonwealth Minister for Overseas Trade, silk processing plant as well as ulldertook a feasibility study in Scientilic Committee (CSC) held 1972 and latcr recommended bution to California University's Dr J. F. Cairns. textile research and manufac­ Task Force on world food its eighth conference in Zambia, The products which will be ture, Mr Bond had similar ideas the setting up of the Centre at CSIRO was represented by Mr Ciawi all the island of Java, problems which has published displayed will place emphasis for the manufacture of fl(lUf, a report in two volumes ­ 1. D. Gordon 01' Head OlIiee, on Australia's development in bread and biscuits, while Ur He has had close associa­ 'The Hungry World - a Chal­ Canberra, and Mr R. D. Croll the agricultural, pastoral, min­ Newton Turner was keen to tions with CSIRO and worked lenge to Agriculture', of ASLO in London. The Aus­ ing and minerals, and transport follow up previous research in­ for three years with the Divi­ tralian delegation was led by to Chinese sheep breeding and sion of Land Use at the Kim­ He has also spent some time and communications industries. with the University of Cali­ M r G. D. Gresford of the De­ wool production, particularly berley Research Station at partment of Foreign AO'airs, The exhibition is the biggest where it was related to carpet fornia's exchange program with and most complex trade display manufacture. the University of Santiago, CSC has been a means of col­ Chile, funded by the Ford laboration between the govern­ Staff attend Foundation. ment scientific organizations of Professor Robinson estab­ the British Commonwealth and lished a close working relation­ CSIRO has had a close asso­ conference ship with Dr L. J. Lambourne, cialion with it throughout its About 30 overseas alld 60 the head of the new Centre, history. Australian scientists met in when lhey worked together at Sydney for a conference en­ In addition to its active role the Division of Animal Physio­ on the Commiltee, the Organi­ I read with interest the article on more than just the lower titled 'Oplica] Information Pro­ logy's former Deef Cattle Re­ ('Coresearch 183') on 'Clothes levels of our financial strata zation has provided two of the cessing'. search Unit in Brisbane, during executive secretaries, including burn and so do kids', It is a and even if it is not deemed Organised by the Australian subject which is dear to my prohibitive, it is sufJicient to the northern 'wet' seasons. the current holder nf the omce, Academy of Science for the He left Australia on 10 Mr Gwyn Thomas, who has heart as I am the mother of a cause comment in that direction, International Commission for four-year-old daughter who September for an initial visit been seconded from the Divi­ Can there not be some form Optics, the conference was to the Centre and plans to rc­ sion of Plant Industry. likes to wear frilly feminine staged to allow delegates to dis­ things. of subsidy for the manufacture lurn to Canberra in late of these articles. cuss the rapidly growing fIeld November or early December. A.t the Lusaka meeting major The frustration of the re­ of physics, aslronomy and com­ He will take up permanent resi­ semmars were held on national searchers must be great when The question ICan I afford munication engineering, dence there with his family in science organization, technical they see the results are not be­ it?' with its horrific answer of A number of CSIRO staIT January, developments and the environ­ ing acted upon and that the 'No' would become a thing of were concerned with lhe con­ ment Hnd geological surveys, advancing cost is in terms of the past. I realise that the edu­ ference which was ofliciaIly Secretary The Commiltee also took deci­ children's lives Of injuries. cation program would still need opened by Dr i\. Walsh Mr Devin Pope, of the I-lead sions in Lusaka thal may lead to continue (or there will to re-inforcement of the capa­ Dut their frustrations are dif­ (Chemical Physics) and among Office Finance Section in Can­ always be some 'it-was-good­ the speakers was M-r P. E. berra, has been allpointed sec­ bilities of the Commonwealth ferent from mine. I am on the cnollgh-for-grandma-' types, but Scientific Committee in its task buying side of the fence. Ciddor (National Measurement retary to the Centre. that battle must be almost won, Laboratory). of improving scientific ex­ surely. ' He will take up his po.ition I want what is best and safest Technical papers were cle­ in January after completing a changes between member coun­ for my child and fortunately livered by Dr Paul Wild, and language course he is now tries and assisting the younger If the need for this research member countries of the Com­ I am in a position to be able is present, then the need for Mr T. W. Cole (Radiophysics), working on. to aITord most of these things. and Dr P. l1ariharan (National mittee to develop their scienti­ bringing the tangible resulls to I-lome for Bevin will be in fic research ability. Because I am in this reason­ within the reach of everyone Measurement Laboratory). Bogor where accommodation is able financial situation I am concerned is at least as great as During the conference dele­ being arranged for both CSIRO Delegates this year had the able to have my home heating for the research. Otherwise the gates visited both the National stalf and for three people from opportunity to see some of the systems themselves in a safer research is made null and void. :Measurement Laboratory and the Auslralian Department of Zambian copper mining and the Division of Radiophysics. Housing and Construclion. minerals research activities. form. Perhaps I am also in a I am not in a position to position to better police my dictate and" my opinion is based child's playthings and playing on my own personal involve­ habits in an endeavour to ex­ ment and observations, but clude things like matches. from my standpoint as a mother Leading lights for safety Even Dorothy Braxtol1's per­ and a purchaser it seems rea­ ambulations around the stores sonable to consider such H Have you ever been in u gone home for the night can The photngraphers at Chemi­ high-lighted the exorbitant cost subsidy. window-less HI'cn when uncXN help to summon up reserves of cal Technology have found a of preventive measures. strength, small version exceptionally use­ I do my best to prevent a llcctedly tile door hns heen shut ful when attached to the cords It would seem unreasonable 'Mary Ann Iones' in my family null the lighl put out? If so Some laboratories sensibly controlling the light switches in to place the blame fully on the but it doesn't prevent my con­ you will know jusf how hard i4 plan for such emergencies by their darkroom. retailer, he can hardly be ex­ cern for those who through cnn he to find lhe way out' or using self-powered lamps to It emits sulJicient light for pected to maintain stocks of ex­ circumstances beyond their con­ locate fhe alarm button. mark escape roules, exits and locating the cord but does not pensively, almost luxury, priced trol, are unable to follow the alarm buttons. fog liIm beyond a radius of articles when there is no sale advice of people like M r A. To be shul in a refrigemted about 150 mm. expected. Murray Clarke and Dr Tom These lamps, known by the Don't be left in the dark. room in these circumstances trade name Betalighls, are avail­ Pressley, frightening~those Have a look around to sce if Therefore it appears to me can be quite able in a variety of shapes, emergency release catches are you can find a location where that those in greatest need of A. Gardner, sizes. colours and intensities. these lamps should be installed. these materials and garments much harder to operate in total They are absolutely reliable, are being priced out. The cost Division of Mineralogy, darkness, although the thougbt need no wiring or batteries and Gil Ilnrnes, is high enough to be prohibitive Perth. that everyone else may have are maintenance free. SlIrety Officer,

185-1974 Division CSIROWomen Conl'd from page 1 group is about equal to the says Public Service. Outside factors While it's true women arc not employed in equal numbers on The cultivation of Australian farewell the staff in the scientific and plants in the UK brought to experimental officers' areas, an our attention by the reference investigation shows that this is in 'Coresearch 174' to the suc­ a factor determined more out­ cessful out-of-doors propaga­ to side CSIRO than inside it. tion of Eucalyptus llitens at the A recent survey on the lEm_ Macaulay Institute of Soil ployment Destinations of Aus­ Science, Aberdeen, prompts this husband tralian University Graduates' further note on the same indicates how true this state­ theme. ment is. At ASLO in London we now In addition 41.5 per ceot of have Cl modest collection of all male first degree graduates Australian Inativcs' thriving in and wife R hold degrees in fields direetly pots located just inside a win related to research conducted daw facing south-cast where The Division of Irrigation Research at Grlffith has farewelled two by CSIRO, whereas only 24.6 they receive sunshine and team of its old friends, Dot and Arnold Dreyer, per cent of all women first de­ warmth and. most important, re· Arnold and Dot Dreyer altended a farewell function from the gree graduates hold similar gular watering by our recep­ There are comparatively few Division of Irrigation Research at Griffith. Among the presenta­ degrees. tionist. husband and wife teams work­ tions made to them was a photographie record of Division While CSIRO may not em­ These plants, purehased from ing in CSIRO and it is seldom activities, a traditional Division gift to anyone leaving the staff ploy, in the overall picture, a a nursery in the Dandcnangs that the two are both employed after long service. great many women, Staff Sec­ near Melbourne and washed to in the one Division. tion points out that in the first remove soil from the roots, Around the Division of Irri­ place women with the qualifica­ were packed in moss and trans­ of the StalT and the former ported with passengers' luggage gation Research, however, the Minister for Immigration, Mr tions CSIRO wants in the names of Arnold and Dot scientific and technical cate­ via USA to London. Of the AI Grassby. original l2 seven survived the Dreyer are equally well known Astronomer gories are not necessarily avail­ 1 and there waS a large number Arnold was presented with a able. However, as more women journey. of friends present when the gold wakh und a bank account graduate from universities and Botanists and environmenta­ Division held a party to honour by the Chief of the Division, other tertiary institutions, so lists may like to know that the Arnold on his recent retirement. Mr Eric Hoarc. In should more come into the collection includes a Kurrajong Arnold joined the Organiza­ USSR Organization's work force. (Brachychitolt pO/llllnells) also tion way back in 1936 as a B. Acerifolium, Melia azederach The Division of RadiophysIcs 'CSIRO', it said in a state­ and a species of Crinul11, all of semi-permanent labourer at much travelled Chief, Or Pauf ment to ICoresearch', {endea­ Farm 466 Hanwood. Three which have at least doubled in Wild, has been visiting the vours to attract the person best size within the past few months. );ears later he was appointed to for the job having regard to meeting USSR on behalf of the Depart­ The other three, also hcalthy the permanent staif as farm ACOA ment of Foreign Affairs as the applieants. It is not a relevant foreman. consideration whether the ap­ but less vigorous, are Eleo­ convenor of a meeting arranged carpus cyaneus, B/mulfordia He remained there until he under the auspices of the USSR­ plicant is a man or a woman: draws crowd flal11111ea and Doryallthes pa/­ joined the armed forces in 1942. Australia Agreement on Science. meri. A year later, Arnold had 10 re­ About 100 people attended 01' Wild hoped to inspect turn from the war to manage the annual general meeting of centres of radioastronomy re­ In addition, a good specimen his father's property and it CSIRO's Canberra branch of search in Moscow, Leningrad Scientists of Eucalyptus gurtnii commonly was then that the officcr-in­ ACOA, including members of and the Crimea as well as sold for planting out-of-doors eharge, Mr Erie West, notieed the Executive and Secretarial. Moscow. in England, has been acquired he had a mechanical aptitude for the ASLO collection from Mcmbers who had been Dr Wild also attended meet­ for Canada a local nursery. and was useful with tools. around CSIRO for many years ings in the UK and made a Arnold was persuaded to re­ said it was the best attendance A CSIRO delegation last Some of our visitors have visit to the Blind Landing remarked that Australia may turn to the Division as a car­ they had seen. Equipment Unit and the RAF month alLended the 10th Com­ penter and then became Senior monwealth Mining and Metal­ well develop a new industry, The Chairman, Dr J. R. Establishmcnt at Farnbomugh. based on the cxport of her Laboratory Craftsman. Price, addressed the meeting, lurgy Congress in Canada. The last pal1 of his tour native nora, and ASLO likes to Over the years, Dot Dreyer outlining the importance of ad­ Included in the group were think it is making a small con­ has also workcd for the Or­ ministrative and clerical per­ took him to Turkey to attend a meeting of the International Mr Lewis Lewis, a member of tribution to this end. ganization as a part-time clerical sonnel as Cl vital support granp Council of Scientific Unions. the Executive; Mr Ivan Newn­ assistant and contractor in the for the scientific functions of ham, Director of the Minerals As will be widcly known to laboratory's canteen. the Organization. Research Laboratories; and Drs Australians who have visited the UK, the Royal Botanic Among those who attended After the formal part of the M. F. R. Muleahy, D. F. A. Koch, E. H. Nickel, G. H. Tay­ Gardens at Kew have devoted the party were a number of business - no new officers had 'Cnresearch' one of their heated glasshouses colleagues from Sydney and to be elceted - refreshments 101', R. A. Durie, R. J. Holmes, 'Coresearch' is produced entirely to our native flora. On Canberra and a former member were served. by the Central Communica· D. E. Ayres, T. R. Scott and K. McO. Bowling, and Messrs a visit to the Gardens earlier lion Unit for CSIRO staff. this year a 5 m high Coota­ Members are invited to con· W. E. Ewers, and D. E. Roney, all of the laboratories. mundra wattle (Acacia baile­ trlbule or send suggestions yana) and various species of for arlicles. The dead Iine Most of thc officers will Cal/istemoll and Grevillea also for material is normally the undertake some additional in fuff bloom Were a sight to first day of the mQnth pre­ travel while they are away and behold. The CAGA ceding publication. Dr Koch attended an Interna­ tional Power Sources Sym­ The contrast with the sur­ Material and Queries should posium and thc International rounding hoar frost-covered be sent to the Editor Society of Eleclrochemistry in lawns, shrubs and trees as far hits 1D0rothy Braxton), Box 225, the U.K. before the event. as the eye could see outside Oickson, A.C.T. 2602, Tel. was truly spectacular.-F.G.L. - 484478 or Wendy Parsons, 01' Muleahy also took part 484227. in the International Combustion the fan Symposium in Tokyo. Newcomer

SYDNEY. - Sydney CIty Council is facing an embarrassing prob· lem of International proportions. For your information The probtem is a 46 foot by 10 foot sign with bright orange let~ Information circulars tars reading HCAGA", which is to 74/59 8.8.74 ANZAC Fellowship Seheme New Zealand Awards ~ky;~~~~ee~ °i~l t~he O~l:a~~Wo?~~~ 74/60 9.8.74 Capital Works under control of CSIRO city. 74/61 9.8.74 Staff Relations Seminar (postponemcnt) In Australia, CAGA stands for 74/36 14.8.74 Division of Environmental Mechanics - Acting Commercial and General Accept~ Chief (Dr E. F. Bradley 26.7.74 to 30.9,74) ance Ltd. but, according to re~ 74/63 14.8.74 Assistant Chief - Division of Mineral Chemistry liable sources, it is also a rather (Dr A. F. Reid) dirty word jn Spanish. 74/64 20.8.74 Australian Agricultural Council And, enter the red faces, the Extension Fellowship Scheme (closed 30.8.74) proposed spot for the sign faces 74/65 20.8.74 The Edgeworth David Medal 1974 (closes 28.10.74) into the State reception area of the NS\V Government office block 74/66 23.8.74 Head Office Arrangements (during absence overseas opposite: the place where interna­ of Mr L. G. Wilson and Mr H. C. Crozier) tional notaries. and presumably 74/67 26.8.74 Acting Chief - Divisiou of Mineral Chemistry Dr lan White (above) has the occasional Spanish dignitary, (Dr A. F. Reid 23.8.74 to 7.10.74) joined the Division of Environ­ Bre entertained. Acting Chief - Division of Building Research mental Mechanics at Canberra (Or F. A. Blakey 30.8.74 to 22.10.74) as a member of the soil physics 74/68 29.8.74 Acting Chief - Division of Chemical Physics group. Dr White recently re­ ~ Tbe 11ge, Melbou1'I1e (Or A. Walsh 2.9.74 to 23.10.74) turned to Australia after four And in Canberra they're asking what about the Regional Aeting Chief - Division of Food Research years in the United States where Administrative Office which Is located In that City's CAGA (Or J. H. B. Christian 3.9.74 to 19,10.74) he worked first at the Distilla­ Centre? Policy circulars Hon Research Laboratory at Rochestcr (N.Y,) Institute of ho~:eJ~r that malter where several Head Office groups are 74/34 15.8,74 Salary Adjustment - Translators 74/35 15.8.74 Salary Adjustment - Library Officers Tcchnology, then the School of Chemical and Biochemical En­ Even the editorial offices of 'Coresearch' can be found there. 74/36 28.8.74 Salary Adjustment - Research Scientists gineering, University of Penn­ There are no prizes for those who say some of us have found Experimental Officers, Engineers, . sylvania. our niche In life. Scientific Services Officers. and Architects 74/37 2.9,74 Superannuation - New Scale of Units of Pension Printed by CSIRO, Melbourne

185-1974 186##1974

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSI RO staff November 1974

Research program to probe secrets of rock lobster CSIRO's Division of Fisberies and Oceanograpby is now spending close to a million dollars a year on its researcb program on the western rock Iobstel'. It is hoped that the project will solve the mysteries still snrrounding the larval amI juvenile stages of this crustacean, as well as identify their place in the marine communities of this little kuown area. How valuable is nil industry CSlRO's Division 01 Pisheries 'These are carried on the that warrants such all CXI)cndi~ and Oceanography on the other "bcrriedtl female's abdomen for (ure? hand, is concerned mainly with three to nine weeks (depending Dr Grnhllm ChiUleborough, the biology 01 the rock lobster, on temperature) unlil the including its ecology, physio­ larvae hatch. As the newly Or Graham Chiltleborough examines a western rock lobster Office,··in-Churge of the Divi­ logy and behavioural patterns. hatched larvae concentrate at in the laborator.tes at Perth. sion's group nt I-erHl, feels When the Division first be­ the surface, v>e can measure sfutistics speak for themselves. gan work on the species in their density and get an index Australia is the world's 1946, the very small unit was 01 the condition of the breed­ largest producer and exporter confined to helping in the de­ ing stock on the continental 01 rock lobsters and the wes­ velopment 01' the fishery. In shelf.' tern species is' the most im­ recent years, the project has. This is where 'Sprightly' New Division created portant, accounting for 58 per been expanded in an effort to should prove her worth. CSIRO will establish its new Division of Human Nutrition cent 01 the total catch. understand the pressures operat­ The larvae are soon carried Apart from domestic con­ ing at various points in the life up to 1000 km out to sea by on 1 January. sumption, nearly 5i million cycle and to determine the rate surface wind drift and currents The Executive has decided to reorganise its Adelaide kilograms of lobster is ex­ at which the population is re­ where they stay for the next Division of Nutritional Biochemistry to do this and since ported with the current value plenished. nine to ten months. Without a some of the staff of that Division are already engaged in being more than $32 million. Last year, the research vessel vessel to track !heir movements The day-to-day implementa­ 'Sprightly' became available and a sound knowledge 01' the research which coulcl appropriately continue as part of the tion of Slate .und Australian under charter and now with currents which affect them~ it's activities of the new estil blishment, they wiIJ form the Government policies for the the teething prolYlems of last impossible to lollow them. nucleus of the new team. management of the fishery is summer behind them, the group George Cresswell, a member the affair of the W.A. Depart­ is set for an all-out effort this of the Division's staff at Cro­ Other rcscnrchcl's at Nulri~ CSlRO would soon formally ment of Fisheries and Fauna, coming season. nulla, assisted by Terry Golding tional lIiochcmistry who have move into some areas of medi~ while the Fisheries Division of Graham himself is parti­ and Pred Boland, is using a been working on IJrogrums cal research, parlicu)arly where the Australian Department of cularly interested in both the variety of techniques to study which m'c directly ..eluted only it affected human nutrition. Agricul ture is responsible for larval and juvenile stages of the \vater movements in the area. to llnhnnl nutrition will trnns­ In making the announcement, undertaking economic surveys, lobster. In the summer they will be fer tu other ])ivisious where the Minister for Science, Mr for financing some of the scien­ 'A female rock lobster is ,laying from 'Sprightly' a series (his (ype of research will COI1­ W. L. .Morrison, said there was tific surveys, and acting as ad­ mature at six or seven years of of up tD 15 buoys attached to linue. no question 01' CSIRO aban­ visers on the export standards. age', he explained. 'Mating drogues at set depths off the Dr A. T. Dick, who is the doning its work on animal The Department of Agriculture takes place during the winter west coast of Anstralia. Each present Chief 01' Nutritinnai nutrition, but said it was hard is also responsible for the man­ or early spring and the eggs are of these is worth about $2000. Biochemistry, will act as in­ lu imagine any field of scientific agement 01' the fishery beyond laid (about 300,000 a female) Radin-equipped, they will be terim Chief of the new Division research which could be more territorial waters. in the spring and early summer. checked by the V.S. weather until a new person is appointed. J'clevanL to Lhe health and well satellite 'Nimbus-P' each time being of all members of the The decision to form the community. it passes overhead. Division follo\vs 011 the move NorweeJian visitor Cont'd on page 4. announced earlier this year that Cont'd on page 3. New a-laC plans for CILES

The hest possible in[ormution Operational Research .Society. tion) services, such as Chemical scrvice for the scienfisi - thaI's Mr Judge has experience in Abstracts Condensates and the the aim of thc new officcr·ill­ the scientiflc field, having gra­ Information Service for Physics,

charge of thc Ccntl'nl Infornm­ duated from Cambridge Uni­ Electrotechnology and Controll fion, Librnry nlld Ediloriul Sec­ versity with a degree in natural arc already being used by both tion, Mr i)ctcr Judge. sciences. He was also a re­ CSIRO and non-CSIRO scien­ Still at the stage of listening search student with the Agri­ tists. These services are being to other people raLher than talk­ cultural Research Council Unit steadily improved through com­ ing about his plans, Mr I udge of Insect Physiology. ments from their users. emphasises that what he sees is Mr Judge leels the devclop­ Biological AbsLraets have 'a progressive evolution towards ment of information services been added to the service and new sClvices in close consulta­ has reached a very exciting soon the Food Science and tion with the users, both inside stage in Australia. Computcr­ Technology Abstracts tapes will and outside CSIRO'. based systems are providing be available. Mr Iudge has joined CSIRO easier occess lo vast stores of 'Future services will be based after 11 years with the Organi­ publications, selecting only on intcrnaUonal data bases in sation for Economic Co-opera­ those items which will interest \Vater Resources, Agricultural tion and Development in Paris. the scientist using the system. Sciences and Textiles, which re­ For his first two years in And, he believes, the national quire us to contribute the Aus­ Mr Robert Major, Dlreclor of the Royal Norwegian Council for OECD he worked on the rela­ program (or an Allslralian tralian literature in these fields,' Scientific and Industrial Research (NTNF) believes every country tion between economics and library-based information sy­ he said. should develop a national science policy and define its national government science policy. He slem wilt result in economy or 'This international collabora­ goals. was instrumental in starting the dIort through sharing resources. tion will help make Australian During a two week visit to Australia last month, made at the Information Policy Group in This program is co-ordinate" research more widely known invilatlon of the Chairman, Or J. R. Price, he exchanged views 1965 and was responsible for by the Nationai Library in and bring back dividends to us on science policy, research organization and administration its activities until joining Canberra. CSIRO, together in goodwill besides cutting costs with the Executive. CSlRO. with other libraries and infor­ and giving us faster informa­ Mr Major, right. pictured with Dr Price at Head Office, also Belore going to OECD he mation services across Australia, tion.' visited Divisions in Perth, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and worked for five years in in­ will contribute to and benctlt 'Our most important assets in Darwin and met Industrialists and senior members of Govern­ dustry, becoming head of from this shared work, which these services are the people ment deparlmenls. operalional research at Tube becomes all the more important who operate them. H the The NTNF has recently finished a two and a half year long Investments, a large group of at a time of tight budgets and machines can take over some of range planning project for the development of science and companies manufacturing steel rapidly rising costs, he main­ the roulinc tasks, the informa­ technology In Notway. and other metal products. He tains. tion and library stall will have It was hoped that this experience could help in future planning was a former member and Computer-bascd SDI (Selec­ time to on'er a more personal of Australian development. Chairman of the Midlands tive Dissemination of Informa- service to the scientist.' Shah visits CSIRO

When Their Imperinl Mnjes. cal Physlcs); a display of pic­ the production of electrode tics, The Shahnnshah Arynlltellr tures showing tbe first cbilled carbon and carbonaceous filters ami The Shnhbullou of Iron meat shipped to Iran in which (Mineral Cbemistry); and solar made their State visit to Aus.. the Division of Food Research energy (Mechanical Engineer~ trntin CSIRO wns include,l in was involved; a model house ing). Ihe iti'nerary of The Shllhllllshllh. built under the Sirofab svstem Because it was known the Accompanied by members o[ and other buildinR materials Shah was aware that Australia his entourage, the Minister in (Building Researcb); rock drill­ has large tracts of arid land not Attendance, Mr Kep Enderby, mg equipment and a fibre optics unlike those of his own and members of the Iranian display (TribopilYsics); self twist country, a request was made to media who were travelling with spinning (Textile Industry); In­ the Rangelands Group of Land him the Shah was welcomed to terscan (Radiophysics); Siro­ Resources Management at Deni­ Head Office by the Minister for therm (Cbemical Technology); liguin to supply special maps Science, Mr W. L. MorrisoTI, which sbowed Australia's range­ and the Chairman, Dr J. R. lands and their uses. Price. Aid program The Shah spent 50 minutes at To give His Imperial Majesty I-lead Ollice 100kinR at the ex­ a better understanding of the Staff members in a number hibition and discussing aspects way CSIRO liaises with indus­ of CSIRO Divisions and labo­ of CSIRO with tbe Minister, try, the Central Communication ratories are enthusiastic sup­ Dr Price and other senior slaIT Unit set up an exhibition show­ porters of Community Aid who were present. ing various aspects of the Abroad programs. Organization's activities. Onc of the most active is the Above: His Imperial Majesty, the Shahanshah of Iran (centre) With only 10 days notice to Division of Soils in Adelaide leaves the conference room at Head Office accompanied by the do this, the Unit had the com­ whicb this year is planning to MInister for Science, Mr W. L. Morrison, (left) and the Chairman, plete backing of the Divisions raise just on $500 for 300 m of Or J. R. Price. concerned. Material was rushed irrigation piping for schools in through to Canberra as soon as the viliage of Shamlaji in Below: Wendy Parsons (left) of the Central Communication the request was received and Gujarat State in India. Division Unit and Margot Wright, Head Office receptionIst, admIre the was organised by David Mar­ More than 200 children, diffraction grating before Its presentation to His Imperial shall who heads the design mostly tribal youngsters get Majesty. group. primary and postwbaslc educa­ It was no easy task to de­ tion at Adivasi Sera Samiti in malc:es cide what to give the Shah as a the village of Sbamlaji in the memento o[ his visit but the Sabarkantha District of Gujarat Division of Chemical Physics State. came up with tbe perfect an­ The schools had been saving gift for swer ... a difTraclion grating (or irrigation piping to com­ used in atomic absorption spec­ plete irrigation o[ their eight troscopy. hectares of land by selling sur­ Which ever way the grating plus crop. Royalty was turned, a whole range of In Inne 1972 a cyclonic storm colours was exquisitely sepa~ caused enormous damage and The Division of Cbemical rated out one from the other. all the savings were needed for Physics had a second call last To the layman, the grating, repair work. The schools can month on the expertise of its which could he used as a de­ do the work of laying pipe but staff for a gift of a diITraction corative paperweight, looked they have no money to buy it. grating. This time it was for a not unlike a giant-sized dia­ About 200 metres are needed in presentation to Prince Charles mond. seven lots of about 300 metres. when he came to Austraha for Exhibits included a spectro­ Tbe total cost of the project is the inauguration of the Anglo­ photometer (Division of Chetni- estimated to be $3474. Australian Telescope at Siding Spring on October 16. Tbe gift, which marked the joint undertaking of the British and Australian Governments in First lab assistant dies establishing and operating a large optical telescope in the The first laboratory assistant tion in Canberra and even after southern hemisphere, was made to join the Division of Entomo­ he gave up that position, he to Prince Charles by the AAT logy in Canherra, Mr Bill remained the Division's repre­ Chairman, Professor Sir Fred Bruce, has died. sentative on the association, Hoyle, and members of the Bill retired in 1971 as a re­ In his private life be divided Board. sult of ill-healtb. At the time his time between his interests in The diffraction grating was he was one -of the longest serv­ the Canberra Highland Society put into a setting which was ing members of the staff. Pipe Band where he was a based on a sphere of Johnson His association with the drummer, and tbe St John Am­ River hardwood, representing Organization began in 1929 bulance Brigade. the earth, tmncated at the .lati­ wben he joined Entomology, He gave up many hours of tudes of London and Siding but four years later he trans­ his time to this cornmunity ser­ Spring in NSW. Tbe 'earth' ferred to the Tohacco Section vice and was a familiar figure was supported by a disc of the Visit planned to China of Plant Industry where he was around the cilis sports and material (Cervit) cored from regarded witb a lot of affection. show grounds in his uniform. the primary mirror of tbe tele­ Anyone for a trip to China? travel and full accommodation Apart from a period when Bill was regarded as onc of sco\,e. At tbe latitude of Siding J[ you have the inclination ­ for two and a half weeks in he was seconded lo work in a the medical profession's success Spnng there was a quartered and the money - you can join China and for bed and break­ munitions factory in Sydney, staries~he underwent a kidney diITractiol'l grating which sym­ an 'expedition' being organised fast for two days in Hong Kong. Bill spent the rest of his career transplant wben he was 58 years bolised the way in which by Doug Banks of the Editorial Chinese authorities will sup­ with CSIRO. For a short time of age, and although it was the optical phenomena illuminates Services in 1\1elbourne. ply a guide and interpreter and he managed the vehicle lIeet in reason for his retirement, his man's understanding of the Dong hopes to have up to 30 participants will be asked to Canberra but elected to return death was due to a heart condi­ universe. members of staff in the party give some indication of their to Plant Industry where he re­ tion. A team of eight people at which is scheduled to leave interests in China. Doug says mained until his retirement. He is survived by his son, the Division made the gift Australia about June. the authorities will then make For many years he was chair~ Philip, wbo works in the Divi­ which called for a high degree Cost for the trip will be every effort to sce that as many man of the Technical Associa- sion of Entomology. of craftsmanship and precision. $1150 for three weeks and this as possible of these will be in­ will include fares, internal cluded in the itinerary. For your information Information circnlars 74/62 16.9.74 Technical officer/draftsman qualifications 74/70 4.9.74 Chief - Division of Mathematical Statistics (ProL Gani takes up appointment; name of Division changed to Mathematics and Statistics) 74/71 9.9.74 Australian Numerical Meteorology Research Centre 74/72 11.9.74 French Government Professional and Technical Scholarships 74/75 13.9.74 Assistant Secretary (Works and Buildings) Head Office, Canberra (Mr J. V. Dunn) 74/77 17.9.74 Telex installation - Division of Nutritional Biochemistry, Adelaide Policy circnlars 74/31 23.8.74 Terms and Conditions of Employment­ Bill Bruce was an early member of the staff of Ihe DivisIon of Enlomology. At the time of his death Issue of 1974 edition with minor alterations the Division produced for 'Coresearch' this picture which was taken in the early 1930s. 74/38 6.9.74 Saial'y adjustment - accounting machinists, With one or two exceptions, It shows the strength of the DivisIon's research and technical staff (plus clerical assistants, computer operators, data two typists) at Black Mountain at that time. It's Interesting to note the DivisIon now has a research processing operators, telephonists, teleprinter and technical staff of aboul 200, Inciudlng those In the 15 fIeld stations based In Australia operators and typists and related stafT and overseas. The photo shows (from left): 74/39 [2.9.74 Salary adjustment - stores stafT Back row: W. Bruce, W. Rafferty, A. L. Tonnolr, J. W. Evans, Ms H. Deane, G. A. Currie (later Sir 74/40 12.9.74 Travelling allowance (amendments to T&C George) Ms Kappler, I. M. Mackerras, H. J. WIlllngs. paragraphs 60 and 62) Front row: Ms H. M. Barnes, Ms L. Graham, G. F. Hill, R. J. Tlilyard, M. E. FUller, W. P. Kent-Hughes. 74/41 23.9.74 Salary scales (new edition of CSIRO salary scales)

185-1974 'Our appreciation of Bob Dawson is unbounded . .. without his unstinted co-operation our progress would have been much more difficult . . .': John Lee, Division of Nutritional Biochemistry. 97- and Bob Dawson is still actively looking after (SIRO interests

Until a few months ago Bob Dawson thought nothing of si on of Animal Health had re­ At the moment he is living climbing into his utility and driving round the 140 experi­ commended Belle Vue as being with his daughter, Ms Sue mental sheep on his property at Belle Vue near Robe in the best site on which experi­ Wright in Robe, but he is de­ There's a far-away look In mental work should be based. termined to return to his farm old eyes when Bob Dawson South Australia. Scientists in other parts of just as soon as he has recovered. starts talking about the old the world were also working on He concedes he mightn'l be days at Robe. And until a short time ago the cause and there was no problems which were very simi­ he still climbed the 3 m tower cure or prevention. able to make haystacks any This early photograph of lar and so were CSIRO staff in more and he docsn't think he'll Bob Dawson hangs on the wall of the windmill on the property Times were hard enough in other laboratories in Australia. drive the fute l again (he held to check the mechanism, not to those days, Bob said, without at his century-old homestead The Adelaide researchers a special licence until he was and shows him as older mention the enjoyment he had seeing your sheep die in front concentrated their efforts on 95), bnt there's nothing to stop helping his sons make hay­ of you. There wasn't much colleagues In CSIRO will re­ Belle Vue and finally came up him going to the saleyards and member him. stacks. money around, or even the pro­ with the solution ... minute meeting his old friends or at­ In the last few months, acti­ mise of it. amounts of certain heavy tending field days on the pro­ vities like these have been cur­ There were some incentives, metals, specifically cobalt and perly. tailed for Bob Dawson. He had though, for holding on to the copper, they found, Were essen~ a spell in hospital recently and property. And more than anything else, he says I he wants to keep in since then he's been taking it First there was the love of touch with whal his special quietly. Which isn't all that sur­ the land itself and secondly if colleagues at the Division are I would like to register a prising because he is now 97 there was a pretty girl you were Record doing. years of age and when a bloke's courting, it made a lot of dif­ slrong prolest about the insi­ Ut) uniil a year ago As for those special col­ dious trend that has developed getting on a bil, it's reasonable ference. There's still a twinkle leagues - well, John Lee of to slow up a 1ittle. that comes into old eyes when 1I0b Dawson was on the in recent issues of 'Coresearch'. staff of CSIRO as a field the Division of Nutritional Bio­ Issue 184 included letters Don't think, though, that Anne, Bob's wife, is mentioned. chemistry who has worked with Bob's silting round growing He'll tell vou he used to ride officer and, at 96, that which suggest that our house made him almost cer~ Bob for nearly 40 years, says: journal is la become a stamping quietly old in his armchair. 40 km on horseback to see her 'Our appreciation of Bob Not him. He's still a remark­ ... that was in the days before tainly the oldest eml,loyee ground for female liberationists in the pay of the Aus­ Dawson and our affection for such as J. F. Michaelides and ably active man for his age who fast cars were around and a him is unbounded. Without his enjoys nothing more than a man hellbent on winning a tralian Government or a mule libcrationists such as C. Government statutory unstinted co-operation our pro­ H. Bagol. visit to the saleyards to see woman didn't let distance worry gress would have been much what's going on. Nor did he him. body. Today he still re­ It may have been an editorial ceives agistment for tbe more difficult. decision to publish these letters miss out voting at the last Bob Dawson married his girl, 'We especially remember his Federal elections. took up the family property IIse of Ws lIo11e Vue lIra­ to suggest that both points of perty at Rahe in South appreciation of Dr David Rice­ view are presented but with Another of Bob's pleasures in and raised six children, three man's work which led to the life is telling people about his boys and Ihrec girls. Allsfralht. respect, I would like to point discovery that the application out that there always will be a long association with CSIRO 'I found the only profitable of copper to Robe's unprornis­ and the work he and the Or­ thing to do in those days was difi'erence (often a little difficult ing soils made the adequate to detect) between the Iwo ganization have carried out at to buy inland sheep, fatten production of pasture legumes Belle Vue experimental farm. them up and sell them before tial to animal nutrition and the sexes and that 'Coresearch' is sheep in that area were not a~ld ccreal crops possible, and not the journal to advocate the But to understand the link thev got sick and died,' he said. hIS refusal 10 take advantage of between the Dawson family and The sheep were sent to local getting them. merits of either group. A lot of work still had to be this discovery lest the improve­ the Organization, you have to slaughter houses and when ment made the pastures unsuit­ go back to 1877, Bob said. times were lean Bob, and his done to find the best ways to M. H. Jones (male), provide the sheep with the cor­ able for our work'. M incral Chemistry, That was the year his father brothers would work there as 'We all recalled his joy when took up land near Robe and the btltchers. ··-At .other . times Bob rect amount of these metals, Port Melbonrne. and in the case o[ cobalt, it was he topped the local market in year that Bob was born. supplemented the family in­ 1939 for the first healthy lamb 'Coresearch' takes the view Like other settlers, Bob's come by beinll the local coun­ found that the best way to supply it was in a pelletised crop he ever produced at Belle that staff members should be falher thought the land around cil's road contractor. Vue/ John said, 'and no one able to express their views on Robe looked promising. True, But his real love ~ his' real form while copper could be added to the fertiliser for the was more delillhted Ihan us any subject of interest to the it was covered in rough sClub pride -lay in the land he when his contribution to rc­ Organization and those who and native grasses, but cleared owned. He spent hours, weeks, pasture. None of this research was search, to agriculture and the work for it, providing those achieved in five minutes. It has community was rewarded by views are not libellous. With extended over many years and lhe award of an MBE.' equal respect, the editor is al­ in fact, is still continuing at the ready aware that there is a dif­ Division of Nutritional Bio­ New Division ference bctween the sexes.-Ed. chemistry in Adelaide, as the Cont'd from page 1. laboratory later became named, 'I am told that no compre­ * ** where scientists are also in­ hensive dietary surveys have Award terested in the related human been carried out in Australia disease of pernicious anaemia. The acting Officer-in-Charge for more than 30 years,' he said. of the Australian Numerical 'At present consumers in Meteorology Rcsearch Cenlre Second generation Australia have precious little in Melbourne, Mr D. J. Gaunt­ The Division continues to use protection against nutritionally letl, has been awarded the de­ Belle Vue as an experimental inferior food products. gree of Doctor of Philosophy farm for its work, and while 'The Australian Government for his Ihesis entitled 'The Ap­ Bob Dawson retains an active has a clear responsibility to plication of numerical models interest in what is happening, protect Ihe Australian people. to the problems of meteoro­ it's his son, Vie, who is now in '1 have been strongly advo­ logical analysis and prognosis charge of the operations. cating that CSIRO conduct over lhe southern hemisphere'. Although the liaison between more consumer-oriented re­ CSIRO and the Dawsnns be­ search and the decision to gan informallYI it was not long eSlublish the new Division re­ be[ore it was put on an official presents a major new step in basis. lIelle Vue was designated that direction.' Seminars a CSIRO experimental farm Australia's food laws were and Bob was made a field officer. concerned with ensuring safe Bob remembers all too well levels of potentially hannful popular the bad old days and recalls substances, bUI took virtually the recessi on when he had to no account of the nutritional Talks by senior staff from it should have potential. The years even, trying to solve its quit his sheep for sixpence a value of foods, Mr Morrison Head Office are being incor­ region had a good climate and problems for he was convinced head because there was nothing said, porated in a program of semi~ a good rainfall. that the trouble with the sheep better to do with them, but he 'I hope that the program of nal'S being organised by the To begin with, Bob's father lay with the pasture they ate. talks with a special warmth in the new Division will lay the Division of Land Use Research raised horses for the export his voice about his long asso~ groundwork for the formulation for its members. trade with India, bul when this Diet ciation with CSIRO. of nutritional standards of The aim of the exercise is proved unprofitable he switched 'But none of us could find the He acknowledges that over­ food,' he added. to promote meetings between to sheep. answer. Then one day I heard coming lhe cobalt deficiency 'I understand Ihat medical senior administrative and scien­ 'But it didn't matter how Dr Hedley Marston who was was the turning point for his schools would appreciate more tific staf!, to hear why the healthy the sheep were when then head of CSIRO's Division farm and his family, and he information to improve their 'system' is as it is, and to dis­ they came on to the property, nf Animal Health Nutrition has grown old content with the formal teaching of nutrition cuss what might be needed they couldn't survive. They be­ Laboratory in Adelaide talk knowledge that he saw the day and I anticipate that the new from the system in the future. came listless and rickety, de­ about Ihe problems associated when his wool was worth $4 a Division will also be able to One talk was given by the veloped a sway back and even­ with the diet of sheep. kilogram. make a contribution in this Manager of the Central Com­ tually died.' Bob said. '1 wrote him a ,letter offering He knows, too, that Ihe land regard.' munication Unit, Mr George him the use of Belle Vue for around Robe, far from being Mr Morrison said that there Williams, about the interface 'Coast disease' any experiments he liked to useless country, is now worth was a general feeling in Aus­ between CSIRO and society. The disease that affected the carry out,' Bob said 'and I said anything up to $200 a hectare. tralia that nutritional problems Another, given by members Dawson sheep proved to be a I'd keep records for him and Until his recent bout of ilI­ existed almost only among the of the Finance and Properties common one. Called 'coast assist in any way that would health he insisted on living at poor or by those who had heart Section, centred on the relation~ l disease , it attacked animals get us the answers.' his century-old homestead on disease, ship between auditing require­ along the coastline of South About this time the Coast Belle Vue. His wife died some 'But research in other coun­ ments and research efficiency. Australia, Victoria, Tasmania Disease Committee had been years ago but even at 97, Bob tries with similar living habits The organisers of the semi­ and Western Anstralia. Other investigating the land around has coped with living on his strongly indicates that such an nars have been encouraged by countries were faced with simi~ the area and Mr Dun Murnane, own, although a devoted family assumption is not only unwar­ lhe DivisionIs response to the lar problems but no one knew a veterinarian with the Divi~ is always close at hand. ranted but could prove fatal.' meetings.

185-1974 STAFF SURVEY TAKEN FOR NEW Rock lobster Conl'd from page 1. IN-HOUSE JOURNAL The information. which will tben be transmitted back to Australia, will give the position By Clive Hackett ried about the dilliculties of • appointment 01 a skilled tour­ Because it is my aim here to of the buoys al regular intervals communally discussing research ing lecturer to collect and Towards the end oE 1973, present an objective report on for several months. As these proposals, research policy and disseminate information. the survey, I do not think I are plotted, a clear picture of a year which saw much dis­ managemenl principles. should comment on lhe results • motivation of staIT mobility the currents should be available, cussion in CSIRO about However, there \-vas no firm and exchange. and recommendations olher and Graham and the other 'communication', I sub­ conviction that the in-house than to say that the in-house scientists engaged on the lobster journal would help solve these • increase in the number of journal proposal sbould not be project will take advantage of mitted a proposal to the dillieulties, Manv scribbled in inter-Divisional research pro­ proceeded with but that the de­ the data supplied. Executive, suggesting the the note 'Wc have too much to grams. velopment of 'Coresearch' seems strongly desirable. Working with Graham on the establishment oE a new in­ read already'. • circulation of brier reports of larval stages are two other house journal 101' CSIRO. Most respondents did feel Divisional research activities I hope that readers will send scientists, Bruee Phillips and at six-monthly intervals. to 'Coresearch' their own views The thought wns that such a though that 'Coreseareh' could David Rimmer. Settlement of be developed to facilitate dis­ on the results and suggestions 1111al stage larvae and develop­ journal might promote ihc cir­ • improvement of communica­ and "Iso on the meaning of the culntiol1 of ideas unci 0l)inioll cussion within the Organiza­ tion within Divisions through ment or early post-larvae is tion, but they implied, too, that silence 01 90 per cent of the being studied by Druce, thcn nbout new research ))[,0I)o8aI8, increasing contact between sample. methods of management, and they would feel more confident Chiefs and Divisional stalT. Graham comes back into the about contributing if the man­ I thank the Executive and picture at lheir next stage of the problem of ndjusting (0 the • direct arguing of research Chiefs of Divisions for enabling changing needs of society. agement of 'Coresearch' was development, the juveniles aged seen lo be more independent of proposals betwcn Chiefs and lhis surv~y la be carried Ollt, two to five years. The Executive postponed advisory staIT groups before and T thank George WiIliams making any decision on this the management of CSIRO. His work includes studying submission to the Executive. and his staff [or lheir encourR proposal until it had been As for the open-ended ques­ agement and assistance. tbe ecology 01 the coastal reels established whether the staIT lions, 52 or the respondents • replacement of Chiefs by on which the juveniles dwell. wanled such a journal and made an entry under item 10 Divisional Executive Com­ I am also very grateful to tbose people who replied to tbe During their juvenile period, whether they would write lor it. and/or 12. mitlees composed of senior the rock lobsters moult several After consultation with the research stalr. questionnaire, in particular About 12 respondents quali­ those who wrote at length and limes a year,< gaining in size Manager of the Central Com­ fied their rejeclion of the in~ each time. A study o[ this munication Unit, Mr George o more personal contact be­ those who entrusted me with house journal proposal by say­ tween Divisional staIT and (a) their names. The 69 respon­ moulting and the physiology o[ Williams, it was decided that ing specifically that 'Coreseareh' rock lobslers is the work o[ Bill it would be worth surveying the Executive and (b) senior dents may be pleased to know should be used more imagina­ administrative stalL that the survey is likely to he Dall, who also has the respon­ the staIT to try to determine tively to spread information sibility lor ove",1l leadership attitudes on these questions. discussed at the meeting of the within CSIRO abont Divi­ • more written communication 'Coresearch' Advisory Commit­ of all crustacean work of the And since thcre had already sional research activities. The between the Executive and Division. been some thought of cn­ tee this month and at the Stall sense of the remarks was that the staIT about CSIRO and Relations Seminar in December. The lobsters' behavioural pat­ cOUl'aging staff to use ICore_ lhe reports should be written government policies. search' more as a medium for terns arc the concern of Phil specifically [or the staIT, not as Hindley, another member of debate, a broad lramework lor publicity material for outsiders. • stimulation of greater inlerest the survey was chosen. among administrative antI Seconded the team. Phil applies time­ Approval was obtaincd [ram There were many other spcd­ clerical staff in the research Dr F. A. Blakey, Assistant lapse photography using infra­ the Executive to distribute an fie suggestions. Among them work of the Organization. Chief o[ the Division 01 Build­ red film to record competition explanatory letter and question­ were: ing Research at Highett, has lor food during noctnrnal o more direct inv-olvement of naire to all staff in six Divi­ • promotion o[ personal con­ been seconded to the Depart­ leeding. sions ~ Building Research, the Minister for Science antI ment of Housing and Construc­ 'We hope our intensified ef­ tact between members of members of indw;try in dis­ Chemical Engineering, Land Divisions, through visiting, tion as First Assistant Secretary forts are going to give us a lot Resources Management, Nutri­ cussion of the aims and met­ (Building Technology and Socio­ of the answers to questions forum discussions, open days, hods 01 CSIRO, tional Biochemistry, Radio­ and the bolding of annual logy). we're all asking about tbe physics and Wildlile Research. meetings of delegates from • bolder reaction by staIT when He will bave the respon­ fishery,' Grabam said. These Divisions were con­ Divisions lo discuss policy problems or communication sibility for the Experimental 'There's been growing con­ sidered to be geographically and research. become apparent. Building Station, the Central cern bv the industry and the and discipJinarily representative. Building Data Service, the Slate over the bigh levcl of ex­ The total number of staff in­ Hous,ing Research Branch and nloitation and t.he possibility of volved was about 850, about a Sociology Unit yet to be there being insufficient breeding 13 per cent o[ the staIT 01 established. stock left to maintain sufficient CSIRO. With one exception, Dr Blakey was appointed recruitment to the adult popu­ Divisions in which I was per­ Results of survey Assistant Chiel 01 the Division lation. sonally known were not in­ Yes Perhaps No in 1968 and has been Acting cluded. 'Our resulls so far indicate l. Do you believe there arc serious dillieulties 51 16 Chief on a number of occasions. that there arc still high levels Although assistance in various in CSIRO over discussion of new research pro­ forms was provided by Head of larvae settling in the centre posals, existing research policy, or tq.c principles of the population Ileal' DOllgara OlIice, the approach to the staIT upon which CSIRO is operating? 'Coresearch' was direct from me, and the aild Geraldton, but towards the questionnaires were returned Yes/no. If 'yes', go to 2. If 'no', go to 11. 'Coresearch' is produced edges, such as around Fre­ directly to me for analysis and 2. Do you think these difficulties could be sub­ 51 by the Central Communica­ mantle, there hasn't been a disposal. The resulls have now stantially reduced by the use of appropriate lion Unit for CSIRO slaft. good crop 91' youngsters since been analysed. methods? Members are inviled to con­ the peak settlement o[ 1964-65. Yes/no. If 'yes', go to 3. If 'no', go to 11. tribute or send suggeslions 'This might just be part of a for articles. The deadline long-term cycle of vanations in Analysis 3. Do you think that the establishment of an 16 4 24 for malerial is normally the water circulation,' he said, 'but The number· of replies re­ in-house journal as described would significantly lirst day of Ihe monlh pte· we can't overlook the possibility ceived was 69-53 from the reduce the dilIiculties you arc aware of? ceding publication. of it being linked with eco­ 'RS/EO/SSO/other professional' Yes/no. If 'yes', go to 4. If 'no', go to 8. Material and queries should logical changes in the coastal category, 12 from technical 4, In your opi nion, would this reduction be 20 be senl to Ihe Editor waters of this area. stafl, and lour from clerical worth having when set against the time people (Dorolhy Braxlon), Box 225, 'Changes in land use near the staff. might use lo prepare articles and correspondence? Dickson, A.C.T. 2602, Tel. coast with the rapid develop­ This roughly represents a re­ Yes/no, If 'yes', go to 5. If 'no', go to 8. 484478 or Wendy Parsons, ment of large industrial and sponse level Irom the 69 of 15.5, 484227. urban centres may be having an 3.7 and 4.7 per cent from the 5. If the journal were established, do you think 21 effect, but we just don't have three groups respectively. it would harm the stalT association journals by enough information yet to make The Tablc shows the ques­ drawing material from them (remembering that Printeu by CSIRO, Melbourne any definite statements.' lions asked and numerically only the more philosophical articles about terms summarises the replies received. 01 employment would be accepted)? The sum of the replies to in­ Yes/no. Continue to 6. dividual questions rarely agrees 6, If the journal were established, would you 16 13 with what one might expect be­ really be likely to contribute articles or corres­ cause many respondents decided pondence occasionally? to answer quesllolls which tbe flow-chart form or questioning Yes/no. Continue to 7. was diverting them pasl. 7. If the journal were established, would you be IS 16 A further complication arose willing to nominate for lhe Board of Manage­ because several respondents ment, assuming that the tasks would be referee­ were disturbed by the use of the ing of articles and meeting annually la discuss word 'serious' in question 1, editorial policy? but most of these pressed on Yes/no. Continue to 8. after stating that the adjective seemed too strong. (Some word 8. Do you think 'Coreseareh' could usefully be 39 17 \vas necessary because any expanded lo carry more ideas and debate as an large organisation will have alternative to creating a new Journal? some communication difficul­ Yes/no. H 'ycs', go to 9. If 'no', go to 10. lies). 9. Would you have more faith in the potential 24 11 Dissatisfaction was expressed of 'Corcsearch' as a medium for discussion if it also about question 2, which \vere seen to be morc independent of the CSIRO mighl have been bettcr ex­ administrative system? pressed as 'Do you think the diOicultics arc almost lInavoid~ Yes/no. Continue to ID. able in an organization as di­ The remaining sections of the questionnaire said: verse and lar-flung as CSIRO? 10. What other mcthods do you have in mind for helping to circulate ideas and opinion in CSIRO? COllUlIullicatioll Continue to 11. Despite these problems, it 11. .Please indicate the category to staff to which 'Come to think of it why shouldn't there be the was clear that most of those you bclong- occasional case of bungling incompetence?' who chose to reply were WOf- 12. Please put any other comments here: -Courtesy Punch

------~------~------185-1974 187##1974

& 4 p

Produced by the Central Communication Unit for circulation among members of CSIRO staff' December 1974 Jlohart meeting was CSIRO 'first~ CSIRO Advisory Council aud Members of the State Committee last mouth met in Hobart to take a good look at current developmeuts in Tasmauia.

The meeting created two post-harvest condition of tbe firsts. fruit while more allcntion was also being placed on the pro­ It was the first time the Ad­ cessing of the apples, parti­ visory Council had held one of cularly into juice. ils meetings in Tasmania and the first time both the Council Another area being developed and a State Committee had was grape growin~ for wine held a joint meeting of that production and vine physio­ particular kind 10getheL logy, he said, was taking on new significance in Tasmania. Local speakers gave their mainland visitors an overall pic­ A comprehensive picture of ture of the State, its present the "sb products research being economic situation and the dif­ done by the Tasmanian Unit of ficulties they foresaw for the the Division of Food Research future. was given by Dr June Olley who has just returned from an Leading the team from the extensive overseas tour. Hobart laboratory was the OJlicer-in-Charge, Dr Don Mar­ Mr Keith Taylor 01' the Divi­ tin, who outlined the history of sion of Entomology discussed 'Stowell', the historic building the work of his group and the CSIRO occupies in Hobart, and success they have had in con­ the type of programs which had trolling the Sirex wasp. He been undertaken over the years added that he hoped it might Participants at the joint meeting in Tasmania taking time out for some Informal discussion Included by the various Divisions. soon be possible to look at pre­ (frDm left) Or D. Martin, Offlcer-In-Charge of Tasmanian Regional Laboratory; Prof G. C. Wade; He also spoke on the work dators of eucalypts. Mr V. G. Burley, Chairman Df State Committee; Mr J. P. Shelton, Head Office, Canberra, and of his own group from the Other statI members who Mr D. Sugden, consultant engineer. Division of Horticultural Re­ spoke were Mr K. D. Nicholls, Division of Soils, and Or David search-it was transferred from Mr Roy Fagan, the former Tas­ CSIRO's research was not a re­ w.ide activities were reviewed. -Plant Industry about foul' years Ratkowsky. who described the gional activity. A meeting of tbe Executive role of the statistician at manian Minister for Indutrial ago-and explained the way the Development, and Prol'essor P. Ittranscended State bDundaries was also held in Hobart. 'Stowell'. statI was co-operating witb the Scoll, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and it was hoped that what was At the end of the program Departmcnt of Agriculture. par­ So that the visitors could and Head Df the University of done in Tasmania would prove mainland visitors who were ticnlarly where it came to tbe have a wider understanding of Tasmania's Geography Depart­ useful to other places in Aus­ abie to slay on for an extra apple industry. Tasmania when research pro­ ment, both gave addresses in tralia. Similarly, projects under­ day were taken on a visit to Much importance was at­ grams were being considered, which they spoke on the his­ taken on tbe mainland might sce the Gordon River Power tached to research into the two prominent personalities, torical, geographic and econo­ well prove to be advantageous Development Scheme in tbe mic growtb of the State. to Ihe southern State. State's rugged south-west coun­ Following the joint meeting, try where they were able to as­ Welcoming the participants the Advisory Council continued sess for themselves some of the to the meeting, the Chairman, its own session when subjects efIecls tbe $100 million project Farewell to Oliil-C Dr J. R, Price, said that related to CSIRO's Australia- would have on LIle region. Government to form ASTEC

The Federal Government that in between the telescope plans to estnblish an Aus­ and the m icroscope is some­ tralian Science and Techno­ thing called man, and it is the 'Science too duty of science to make a bet­ logy Council (ASTEC) by the ter life for him,' he said. end of this year. The decision to establish Its main function will be to important. to ASTEC follows the Govern­ advise 'he Covernment UIl the ment's invitation to interested l'oIe of science and technology groups earlier this year to sub­ in the fonnulation and realisa­ be left only mit views on the desirable com­ tion of national objectives. position and functions of an Australian Science Council. In announcing the decision to establish ASTEC, the Ministel' to scientists' for Science. Mr Bill Morrison, OECD repol't said it would report regularly future direction o[ Australian The establishment of a cen­ to the Government and, except science policy,' he said. t1'a1 mechanism to consider for classified comments on de~ 'It will give us a framewDrk science policy has also occupied fence science~ its reports would for planning, so we can then the attention of the Organiza~ be made public. decide what particnlar projects Lion for Economic Co~operation 'In this way, the Council will should be supported.' and Development examining be reporting to the community Mr Morrison prefaced his an­ panel which has reviewed at largc, and I hope it will get a nouncement-made when open~ science and technology· in Aus~ Mr M. D. Murray (left), the newly appointed Offlcer-In-Charge of mcaningful feedback from the ing the Australian Academy of tralia at the invitation of the the McMaster Laboratory, made a presentation to Or D. F. public,' he said. Science's fortlffi on Science and Government. Stewart, who has retired after being Officer-In-Charge of the 'The time when the directions Society in Australia at Mel­ In a report published in laboratory since 1954, at a laboratory function recently. of scientific research and the bourne University last month­ September, the three-man Or Stewart, who has had a dlstln9uished career, Joined CSIRO priorities of science could be by saying that 'science is too OECD panei said that one ap­ In 1946. left entirely in the bands of important to be left only to proach which had worked well The expansion of the facilities in the McMaster Laboratory, the scientists is past. These are now scientists. in a number of countries was building Df the lan McMaster wing and the Annex, and the issues on which the community 'Equally, government is too to create a committee of those develDpment of the McMaster Farm at Badgery's Creek all tDok must have its say,' important to be left only to Ministers wbose departments politicians,' he said. wc have major scientific activities place under his gUidance. The eouncil would have 12 'What are seeking is a partnership be­ responsible directly to the Or Stewart played a significant role in the formation of National members and membership Prime Minister. Policies for Disease Control, being the Chairman of the Com­ would not be dominated by tween scientists, governmeflt and the community.' mittee which drafted the plans for the eradication of tuberculosis scientists. This ministerial committee and brucellosis. Mr Morrison called on scien­ would formulate governmental His services to the Australian Veterinary Association were con­ Future policy tists to make a more active objective regarding the broad siderable and were recognised by his being elected President contribution outside their own priorities of research and de­ In 1955-56 and Fellow In 1958. 'ASTEC will be a body of 'narrow disciplines', velopment, make decisions on His retirement was marked by functions at the laboratories of the people with the knDwledge and 'It's time for scientists to Division of Animal Health and a public dinner. imagination to help chart the alter their horizons, to realise Cont'd on page 4 Stowell's ghost one of the family Ll-1D)T IN GREY KEEPS BlJBGLi-lHS AJVAY TOO!

JUST to l{eep the records straight ... CSIRO is not entering the field of psychic l·esearch. Tall tales 'Coresearch' was looking over the Organization's Tas­ manian operations starting with the main laboratory, no worry 'Stowell'. in Hobart's historic Battery Point. One assignment was la check former convict. Moreover she out the well-known Iegend of was expecting his child. the ghost of Stowell, the The stepfather was overcome to couple grounds being that anything with horror at the disgrace this that might alreet staft" morale is would bring upon bis family important to lCoresearch'. name-never mind Amy-and Home for 1wo lI1embers Legend has it that the spectre, on the night of the anllounce~ of CSIRO's Tasmanian staff the ghost of a young girl called ment mu rdcred her, pushing her after their marriage on 7 Amy who met her untimely over the balcony. December will be in the con­ death with a fall (or was she The second story about llCr pusbed?) from Stowell's tnwer dcath says that it wm; the scr~ verted Hat above the old gar­ abollt 125 years ago, is still vnnt who murdcrcd hcr. age at the S10well laboratory. occasi onally seen around the To date Amy herself has not corridors. revealed who-dun-it but male The young couple, Rosanne Ofiiccr-in-clull'ge of the laboM chauvinists on the Stowell staff Waller, who works on the labo­ claim she has her revenge on ratory's administrative slaff, and l'1Ilory, Dr Don Mm'Hn, has twice bad u visit [rorn her. the male sex by making sure Stephcn Thrower, a scientist that mast babies born to them with the Division of Food Re­ 'I was startled, but not exactly are girls, not boys. search's Tasmanian Unit, have surprised,' Don told 'Core­ Don IHul'tin says the place no fears about sharing their search.' actually has 11 second ~hosl. married life with the Ghost of 'I used to work back a lot at Stowel!. There have been timcs when night and my room in those he's back laic at night and he Both accept the legend of the days was the place where she has heard very dctinilc foot­ Grey Lady and althongh was allegedly Inun.lered. She"s stc)Js 011 the ground Hoor IJas~ Stephco, who also acts as care­ not supposed to like mell and sage. taker, admits it's a bit olr­ perhnl)S she resented my prc~ 'They've nothing to do with putting to have to keep shulling sence there. up the doors she allegedly un­ Amy,' he said. 'She's only been locks and tllfning olf lights after 'I knew that she was a fre­ seen on the top Ooor. But I've quent visitor to the matron of gone downstairs many a time to her, they both feel she will add the hospital when Stowell was something to the excitement of see who was there only to find Jiving in such an atmosphere. used for that purpose in the the place absolutely empty .. time between the two Wurld of humans anyway.' During ollice hours Steve is Wars, She was also seen occa­ well content to get on with his Don admits - with a twinkle sionally by one of our former in his eyc - that he never dis­ scientific work which has largely libJarians and I always felt it been centred around the investi­ courages the legend of the was just a matter of lime be­ Grey Lady. gation of heavy metals in oy~ fore I too, would see her. sters. He is also particularly 'In tbe nearly 30 years CSIRO IOn both occasions when she has' occupied Stowel1, we've interested in quality control of materialised for me she was Stowell's tower bathed in the cold moonlight. frozen seafoods and sees a great never had a case of burglary or wearing a grey crinoline gown, vandalism.' future for the export of jet­ hooped at the bottom, with Ieg­ fresh seafood to Asia and else­ of-mutton sleeves. I never saw where if transport problems can bel" face. That was all filmy, be overcome. misty. But aftcr hours he and Ros­ 'Shc simply HIlllcared Hud INTREPID HAUNTERS anne have spent a lol of their then dissolved away,' Don snid. spare time renovating the old (Uy Amy, Corcscarch's sllcciul invaded by four mortals stum­ flat. In doing so, tbey have One story about Amy's death sjJcclrc cOlTesllondcnf) bling around your home in added to its old-world cbarm. has been recorded in a p(IIY by pitch darkness, uttering hoarse New papers now cover the Hal Porter called 'The Tower'. crics of 'Amy, where are you?' OF THE walls but behind them you can In this, Amy was the step­ It was really quite and 'If she appears I'll faint!' still sce the outline of secret daughter of an ambitious and eerie ... Actually, the lady folk were panels and doors. ruthless early settler who lived no trouble. One could sense Stowell is one of the oldest the life of elegance in tbe I was putting the finishing their gentility and decorum. NIGHT buildings CSIRO ownS. It was stalely home of Stowe(l. touches to my petit-point be­ nul those two men .. , really! originally built in 1831 by Cap­ Amy upset her stepfather's fore beginning my rounds, ( knew one of them by sight In the gloom I could sec the tain Monlagu, a member of plans to many her to a social.ly when this unholy din shattered - he often follows me on my visage of the other fellow begin Colonel Arthur1s administration acceptable young man when she the peace of StoweIl. rounds testing door latches and Co (~IHW a glmstly green. in early Hobart Town, and announced that she already had I mcao to saYl what would checking that those funny 'And around this corridor completed in 1834. a lover, an assigned servant and you think i( your privacy was machines are turned off. A nice llcre is where she appears most young gentleman. But some­ often,' bow he was dilferent that night. It was the young gentleman's Perhaps it was the illnuence lady speaking in uncompromis­ of that otber ticket-ol'-Ieave ing tones. fellow -the one with the tin­ The whimpering sound I type apparatus that he said took heard was inexpertly disguised pictures, and the black box by a high pitched giggle-eum­ thal captures sounds. Came cough. Heally, that other man! from Canberra, he said. If he wO' so sick, he should 'I don't think it was such a not be out in the middle of the good idea coming here,' he night. kCllt muttcring. 'I get scared in lie could calch his dca(J\ ... 'he dnyHght', let alone ut mid~ night.' They shumed thei,. way into They clung together (the men, the old storeroom leading to I mean) and let the ladies lead my tower. the way. Hardly chivalrous be­ 'You lead on ... no, you go haviour. One could take a first ... llD, I insist. after you.' nasty rail climbing around Sto­ The ladies led the way, clam­ well's tuwer - and let me tell bering up the shelves of the you, I speak from personal noor-to-ceiling wall rack to lhe experience. manhole which had been in­ 'This is the door whieh keeps stalled after some sillv man had myster.iously unlocking,' the removed the lower Jlij];ht of young gentlcman was saying. access stairs. As though that They werc on the second floor. would stup mc. 'It has two bolt locks - top '\'Vhy on eurth did you bring and bottom - a standard knob, n lca(owel?' and a k.ey lock. You can lock It was the otber ladv whisper­ the door as carefully as you ing. That strange fellow was please. and two hours laler crouching in the corner on the when you try it, the thing is Rosanne Wailer wltb her fiance, Stephen Thrower. unlocked.' Cont'd on page 4

187-1974 $110 million Budget Summary of Estimates and Expenditure for 1974-75 ,Increase Estimates Expenditure or Decrease Undcr CSIRO control: $ $ $ for 1974-1975 Salaries and general running expenses .. .. 81,090,000 69,502,677 11,587,323 Buildings, works, plant and development items 2,480,000 5,477,780 -2,997,780 The 1974-75 Budget hrought down by the Government To(al undcr Direc( Coutro! of csmo 83,570,000 74,980,457 8,589,543 provides a total amount of $110,462,100 for CSIRO's Under Department of Services and !'ropcrty control: annual and capital expenditnre, of which $94,050,000 will Acquisilion of sites and buildings ...... 220,000 799,434 -579,434 be provided directly by the Government, $12,675,000 by Under Depnrtmcnt of Housing and Construction conirol: Ibual Indnstry Committees and $3,736,600 by various Buildings und Works ...... 9,000,000 4,952,243 4,047,757 other contributors. Furniture and fittings ...... 160,000 156,269 3,731 Repairs Hnd maintenance of buildings 1,100,000 885,933 214,067 ---- Treasnry ftmds computing, mathematics and statistics, research services To!al CSIRO - Trellsury fuuds . 94,050,000 81,774,336 12,275,664 Of the amount of $94,050,000 and administration, will ab­ Contribut01'y Funds: from Treasury' Appropriation, sorb $2,117,000. Salaries and general running expenses .. .. 15,243,400 14,171,485 1,071,915 $81,090,000 will be for salaries • An amount of $512,000 has Buildings, works, plant and development items 1,168,700 643,170 525,530 and general running expenses, been set aside to meet in~ ---- $11,860,000 for capital expendi­ creased grants to such bodies Totlll Funds CSIRO - All Sources .. !l(j,462,!Q1 ~6,588,991 J},873,109 ture and $1,100,000 for repairs as the Standards Association 10 buildings. of Australia, the National Tbe allocalion for salaries Association of Testing Autho­ and general running expenses rities and Research Associa­ laboratory for the Division mans Bay for the ])ivision of Fishing Industry Research represents an increase of tions. of Mechanical Engineering, Fisheries and Oceanography, Trust Account, $226,600; $11,587,000 over the actual ex­ The capital allocation from Highett, $160,000; poultry $t35,OIlO; two houses at Narra­ Dried Fruits Research Trust penditure for 1973-74. Treasury sources is divided into unit and quarantine facilities bri for the Division of Radio­ Accounts, $51,900; Chicken This increase will cater for three categories: works under for the Division or Ani­ physics, $50,01l0; and a care­ Meat Rcsearch Trust Ac­ the following requirements: the control of CSIRO, those mal Health, Maribyrnong, taker's cottage at Highctt for count, $6,500; Pig Industry controlled by the Department $557,000; provision of insect the Division of Building Re­ Research Trust Account, • Increments, reclassifications, of Housing and Construction proofing for large animals search, $35,000. $12,100; Poultry Industry loading on recreation leave a"d those handled by the De­ for the Division of Ani­ Trust Fund, $15,000. and salary adjustments aris­ partment of Services and Pro­ mal Health, Indooroopilly, Other fuuds ing (ram arbitraLion deter­ perty. $720,000. Only a small proportion minutions are expected to The erection of: a labora­ The joint Commonwealth­ ($397,900) of these funds re­ absorb $7,717,000. The first group of items total lates to capital items. The re­ $2,480,000. This will be spent tory building for Division of Rural Industry funds provide a large part of the nnance avail­ mainder $12,277,61l0 will cater G The planned development of on developmental work at field Fisheries and Oceanography, Cronulla, $179,000; a fisheries able to CSIRO from non-Trea­ for salaries and general run­ new and high priority pro­ stations $500,000; )he purchase ning expenses for current pro­ jects will absorb $1,241,000. of major items of laboratory research laboratory for Divi­ sory sources. In 1974-75 the sion of Fisheries and Oceano­ total will be $12,675,500, most grams of agricultural research The more important of the equipment $1,150,000; the Cyber except in Ihe case of Dried activilies in this category are: 76 compuler $750,000; pre­ graphy, Cleveland Point, Qld., of which will be utilised for $1,070,000; a /isheries re­ wool and meat research. FrUits, Fishing and Pig Indus­ Population genetics of beef liminary expenses associated tries where funds have been with the planning and design of search laboratory for Divi­ The various Rural Industry cattle sion of Fisheries and Oceano­ funds and the amounts that they provided for five new projects. Sheep infertility in Western a fisheries research vessel $80,000. graphy, Marmian, W.A., will provide are: Australia $851,000; a computer bnild­ Other expenditure from Biological control of dung The second category includes Wool Research Trust Fnnd, and weeds $9,000,000 which provides for ing for Division of Comput­ grants and donations from com­ ing Research, Black Moun­ $9,449,0{)O; Meat Research mercial enterprises and Govern­ Storage of grain building projects under the tain, $1,043,000. Trust Account, $2,161,800; Marsupial physiology control of the Department of Wheat Research Trust Ae­ ment Departments will amount Tropical grain crops Housing and Construction. The acquisilion~ proposals count, $211,700; Dairy Pro­ to $3,736,600. This will cover Evaluation of vertebrate fish $7,380,000 will be needed for whieh are handled by the De­ duce Research Trust Account, a wide range of collaborative resources buildings under construction at partment o[ Services and Pro­ $247,900; Tobacco Industry projects involving most of the Characteristics of marine the end of 1973-74 while the petty include land at Water- Trust Account; $293,000; Divisions. coastal environment remaining $1,620,000 will meet Forest land use and re- the costs during 1974-75 of new sources works to be started in the cur­ Plant proteins rent year. Built environment Those ilems costing more Solar energy utilisation than $100,000 included in the • Increased cost of goods and 1974-75 New Works Program services due 10 price rises in are: the past year, additional Provision of chiller refri­ postal and telephone charges, geration for Division of service costs for new accom­ Food Research, North Ryde, modation, including cleaning, $150,000; a prototype animal lighting and telephones, and health laboratory for the additional support for current Division of Animal Health, research programs including Maribyrnong, $375,000; a For your information Infornmtiou circulars 74/84 7.10.74 CSIRO post graduate studentships 1975. 74/85 4.10.74 Long Pocket Laboratories, Indooroopilly, Qld. 74/86 8.10.74 Change of telephone number. Division of Tribophysics, Parkville. 74/87 14.10.74 Acting Chief, Division of Entomology. Acting Oflicer-in-Charge, Dairy Research Laboratory, 74/88 15.10.74 Chief, Division of Mathematics and Statistics. 74/89 16.10.74 Royal Society of New South Wales- Waiter Burfilt Prize. 74/90 2J.lO.74 Christmas-New Year Holidays 1974-75. 74/91 28.10.74 Swiss Government Scholarships 1975-76. 74{92 29.10.74 Division of Human Nutrition. 74/93 3J.lO.74 Kimberley Research Station- Acting Officer-in-Charge. How to live dangerously in CSIRO Policy circnlars To create the chaos shown in the photograph above you will need the following chain of 74/45 3.10.74 Advances against travelling allowance - Visits circumstances: within Australia. • Flammable liquid in a glass vessel over a gas burner. 74/46 10.10.74 Sale find distribution of CSIRO publications. • Assortment of hazardous chemicals stored In, and under, the fume cupboard (e.g. there are 74/47 25.10.74 Living away from home allowance; Canberra four 500 ml bottles of carbon diSUlphide on the right hand side shelves). boarding allowance. •A small flammable liquid fire at the back of the cupboard and some indecision about how 74/48 30.IO.74 Salary adjustment - technical officers find draftsmen. to put it out. 74{49 30.10.74 Salary adjustment - printing tradesmen. G An explosive concentration of flammable vapours In voids under the fume cupboards 74/50 30.10.74 Salary adjustment - animal attendants, ignites, expelling and breaking some of the containers stored there. assistants - road service, assistanls - lab. • TI1e fume produced restricts the efforts of the fire fighters. service, caFeteria supervisors, caretakers in Does anyone know where the scene Is set for a repeat performance? residence, cleaners, farm assistants, gardeners, hOllsekeepers, housemaids, labourers, lift GII Barnes, attendants, caretakers in residence - supervisor) Safety Olllcer. allowance. 74/51 31.10.74 Salaryadjustment-nrchitects.

187-1974 flow about that! ASTEC to be formed Cont'd from page 1 and should he developed to­ gether. Textile Physics IS major new proposals for re­ The report of the examining search and development and panel was disclIssed recently at consider the nat ional science a fconfrontation' meeting at the twice blessed budget. OECD headquarters in Paris. On all matters of detail, it CSJRO Chairman, Dr J. R. Royalty stopped by the DIvi­ learned, after they've forgotten would be assisted by an Ad­ Price, who was among the five sion of Textile Physics in the drama and trauma of the visory Council [or Scientific Austraiian delegates at the Sydney recently - or so they'd last one, a period that usually and Technological Policy, which Paris meeting, said there was have us think. means about a three-year time would prepare the work of the much useful discussion and Some in-depth investigative lapse. Ministers and work out the de­ comment by the examiners m\d by delegates from other OECD Journalism on the part of 'Co­ Bob Haly was the producer tails of the national science research' however, revealed policy in consultation with ap­ c01l11tries. for 1974, the compere was lan A report of the meeting had that the couple below were Watt and incidental and other propriate experts, really Joan Davies and Bob music was in the hands of been forwarded to Mr Morri­ The panel believed it was im­ son and would eventually be Haiy and it was part of the John Bristow and his organ. Division's 1974 Revue. portant to include the word published together with the The revue was staged 'for The revue was enjoyed by a technology in its title. Examiner's Report and a com­ the helloflt'. No charities, no capacity audience of Division While the system of scientific plementary Background Report reason, just for a night of members and famiiles, former research dilIered eonsiderahly on the scientific and techno­ good clean fun. members who know what such from that of technological de­ logical situation in Australia. It's something they turn on revues are like and who come velopment and had very dif­ Dr. Price remarked that at Textile Physics, 'Coresearch' back for more, and friends. ferent motivation and condi­ CSIRO's high reputation was tions for success, the two sy­ well known among the dele­ slems were inseparably related gates. Haunters Conl'd from page 2 top of tower landing. The others were standing quietly, no doubt hoping to capture the mood. 'She might orrer us a cuppu,' he ventured, pulling out some cups and glasses, 'and il's only common courtesy that we do the drying up.' The bmvado of the creaturel He was clutching it to his check and nibbling on his thumb. Well, if he was going to take this intrusion 011 my domain so lightly it was about time J brought him back to reality. A litHe concentration and the towel' tcmpCl'8{ul'C dropped a few degrees. Now, for some sound effects • .- these old places do tend to creak, don't they'! More concentration ~ moon­ Vie. Credit Society light fiILering through the dusty windowpanes can cast shadows 'Oh, the Cro-Magnon bones are connected 10 the Neanl/erthal bones, remarkably akin to a stately the Neanderthal bones are connected to the Heidelberg bones, the lady in a hooped dress with sound position Heidelberg bones are connected to the Peking bones. .. .' leg-of-mntton sleeves. Courtesy SnfJll'iJay Rel1jew. The exodus from the tower Direc(ors o[ the CSntO Co­ society slowed to such an ex­ was hardly dignified. With ol'endive Credit Society Ltd in tent that the processing of loan strangled screams of lDon't IJrCscntiug (heir annual l'eport applications was severely cur­ leave me here' the men fled (0 members have drawn atten­ tailed. For Ol1e period this after the ladies. tion to the diflicnlt year ex­ activity ceased altogether. Back on the ground floor IJcrienced by the society fhrough In a continuing endeavour to near one o[ the laboratories the (he oontiulIul upward movemcnt attract more capital, the Dir­ headlong rush stopped. of in(crcst rHtcs ill the com­ ectors increased interest rates 'You women certainly have munify. This, thcy said led to on four occasions. vivid imaginations,' the nice incl'eascd cOlllpetition for in~ young gentleman was saying. There was a gradual response vcshllcn(. by invcstors to those rates and 'Perhaps she was out tea,' or There were limes during the towards the cnd of the financial the other chided coarsely, fur­ year the society was again able tively refolding his teatowel in year, the reJ;lOrt states, when the level of Jnvestment in the to accept and process loan ap­ the dark. pJications without restrictions. Thc IncHes werc smiling as Despite all the dilIicuILies, the they made for the exit, 'Ghosts society was in a sound fInancial arc fol' children. I menu, four posltion, the report continues, grown I)Cople cl'ccl)ing m'olll1tl From BSIP and the year's trading resulted in the middlc of the night in in a profit of a little more than sem'ch of a legend •.. lhe $5000. scicntiHc mind boggles.' Once again there were no bad The F. C. pye Field Environment Laboratory of the Division of Yes, it is a litHe silly, isn't debts. Environmental Mechanics held Its 1974 Donor's Dinner on it'l Hallowe'en. But I can tell you they arc 'This rellects not only sound management practice but also The Dinner is an annual event in honour 01 Mr F. C. Pye, the still wondering how the pelot N.S.W. grazier whose benefactions to CSIRO enabled, among light on the centrifuge machine the co-operative spirit and sense of responsibility which other things, the building of the Laboratory. Unfortunately, next to the fish laboratory hap­ Mr and Mrs Pye were unable to attend this year. pened to be on as they left. members bring to their busi­ ness affairs and is a record of Head Office guests at the Dinner were those of Dr J. R. Price, The machine had not been Or A. E. Pierce, Mr L. G. Wilson, and Or J. B. Alien and their used for three weeks, and the which the society can be justly proud.' wives, and Mr V. D. Burgmann. nice young gentleman had Messrs Finnlgan, K. M. Perroux, T. Talsma, and J. White, checked the building thoroughly The membership of the J. J. when the other scientists society at the end of the finan­ and Ms C. Talsma were captured in the photograph towards the finished their work earlier in cial year slood at 2441, a net the night. increase of 78 for the year. Ah well, one has to do one's 'About 33 per cent of all New award bit for science- ... doesn't one? 'Coresearch' CSIRO employees .are me~nbe~'s An annual award of $100 to of the SOCiety, a tact whlch IS purchase tools of trade and 'Coresearch' is produced encouraging la the directors, technical reference books is to by the Central Communica· Official The Chemistry Section of the especially as similar credit be made to the CSIRO appren­ tion Unit for CSIRO staff. societies operate in both Members are invited to con­ The use of the courtesy title Division of Soils In Adelaide tice who has achieved the most has a Solomon Islands visitor Sydney and Canberra,' the re­ significant improvement in all­ tribute or send suggestions 'Ms', the cause of a contro­ port adds. versial debate in 'Coresearch' for six months. He Is Mr S. round performance during the for articles. The deadline when it was first introduced in Lekueta (above) from the BSIP's The total amount of money final year of his apprenticeship. for material is normally the this paper a couple of years Soils/Plant Nutrition Section held on deposit by the society The award, oiIered for the first day of the month pre­ ago, has now been officially re­ of the Department of Agri­ was almost $3.15 million, a sum first time this year, will be ceding publication. cognised by the Organization. culture on Guadalcanal. that was very close to last year's named after the late Arthur Material and queries should CSJRO will nOW use 'Ms' as Arrangements for Mr Lekueta's figures, Frost, foundation secrclary of be sent to the Editor an alternative to 'Miss' 01' 'Mrs' Fellowship were made by the This eontrasled sharplv with the NSW Laboratory Craftsman (Dorothy Braxtonl, Box 225, on official forms. Austraiian Government. the growth rate which the Association and at the time of Dlckson, A,C.T. 2602, Tel. According to a recent policy While he is at the laboratory society had experienced in pre~ his death, General Secretary of 484478 or Wendy Parsons, circular, CSIRO wiil also drop he will work with Mr A. R. P. vious years and reflected, the the CSIRO Association. 484227. the use of the expression 'Chris­ Clarke studying the iatesl tech­ Directors believed, the econo­ Interested craftsmen should tian names' and instead use niques for the analysis of soils mic situation at present pre­ consult information circular the expression fgivetl names', and pianl material. vailing in the community. 74,79 for details. Printed hy CSIRO. Melbourne

187-1974