RESEARCH WORK IN INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25303, 1 October 1947, Page 9

RESEARCH WORK IN INDUSTRY

DEFENCE SECTION TO BE REORGANISED

CANTERBURY COLLEGE LABORATORY The Defence Development Section of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research did valuable work on radar and defence projects at Canterbury College for seven years, and it is now proposed to convert the section to an industrial development laboratory to assist South Island industries.

Discussing the laboratory’s work, Professor T. R. Pollard said that during the war the section had developed a close association with the industries of Christchurch. The idea of carrying or its work for the benefit of industry in the South Island had been put before the Manufacturers’ Research Committee which was under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and was composed of representatives of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation. This committee supported the idea and the proposal was submitted to the Canterbury University College Council about six months ago. The general idea was to keep an organisation at Canterbury College which would combine the scientific and* engineering resources of the college and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, said Professor Pollard. The combined workshop would also do work for the various departments of the college. The control of the workshop would be under a college committee which would include representatives of the department. The research and development work of the organisation was to be under the control of a committee consisting of representatives of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, the department, and the scientific and engineering departments of Canterbury University College. This proposed arrangement was agreed to by the college council and also by the interested academic departments of the college. One of the advantages of the previous arrangement was the way in which the academic sides of the scientific and engineering departments were brought into close contact with industrial work. The students of the college were also able to assist in practical applications of engineering. #ln return the department was able to use the scientific and engineering facilities of the college, and to' draw upon the scientific and technical advice of the college staff. College graduates were employed in the organisation. The senior engineer (Mr F. W. Sheldon) is a graduate of the School of Engineering, Canterbury University College, and the foreman of the workshop (Mr S. Miles) was lent by the School of Engineering. Through his efforts a firstclass workshop for the construction of experimental apparatus was built up.