Insect Stowaways

How Science is Meeting Danger Created by Trans-Pacific Airways

TO a growing degree, despite the han dicap of war, the Pacific Ocean is being criss-crossed by aeroplane services; and, as the aeroplane services extend, so there increases also the dan ger of harmful insects being carried from the countries which they infest, to countries which now are free from them.

There recently arrived in Auckland, on his way to New Caledonia, Dr. F. X.

Williams, Associate Entomologist at the experimental station of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association. Pan-Ameri can Airways is about to run regular ser vices between Hawaii and Auckland, via Canton Island and New Caledonia. In order that insect pests may not be transplanted from Auckland, New Cale donia, or Canton Island, to Hawaii, the scientist is going to have a look at the insect life in those places, and ascertain what precautions are necessary.

Pan-American Airways now run a service between Asia and North Amer ica, via Hong Kong, the Philippines, Guam, Midway Island, Wake Island, and Hawaii, and it was decided that insect pests from Asia, or the Philip pines, should not invade Hawaii, if they could be kept out. The Sugar Planters’

Association established an examination station on Midway Island, and every seaplane coming in from Asia is sprayed and examined there. The entomologist in charge already, within nine months, has collected several thousand specimens of insects. Most were harmless, but there are some which might have proved injurious to Hawaiian crops, or to the health of the Hawaiian people, Mr. Robert Douglas Croudace, 55, well known Apia accountant, died in Samoa recently. He arrived in the Territory as a boy and after being educated in Aus tralia took up the accountancy profes sion, being associated with John Roths child & Co., the Samoan Public Service, Gold Star Transport Co., Ltd., and G. T.

Jackson. He was elected a member of the Legislative Council in 1920 and served for a number of years. At various times he was president of the Apia Chamber of Commerce and the British Club.