MEMORIAL TO MR J. C. MERCER

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25088, 21 January 1947, Page 3

MEMORIAL TO MR J. C. MERCER

SCHOLARSHIP IN AERONAUTICS SENATE DEFERS APPROVAL OF STATUTE Because no information was available on the amount in the Mercer Memorial Fund, the Senate of the University of New Zealand yesterday deferred approval of a statute to create a Mercer Scholarship in Aeronautics. Members of the Air Pilots’ Guild of New Zealand, and friends, and admirers of Mr J. C. Mercer, as a pioneer of air transport in the Dominion, have subscribed to provide an annual memorial scholarship. The conditions proposed by the Academic Board were that applicants should be graduates in arts, science, or engineering or hold other acceptable qualifications, and also show promise of benefit from an additional year of aeronautical studies. Among the subjects suggested as suitable for study were mathematical theories of aerodynamics, aircraft and thermodynamics, experimental aerodynamics, aircraft materials and equipment, aircraft structures, propulsion systems, meteorology and navigation, and the performance testing of aircraft. If not already qualified for a civil pilot’s licence or a glider pilot’s licence, the scholar should, during tenure of the scholarship, so qualify or join the territorial reserve of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. At the completion of the scholarship the holder should furnish a report or thesis embodying the results of his work.