N.Z. DEFENCE SCIENTISTS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28284, 23 May 1957, Page 8

N.Z. DEFENCE SCIENTISTS

Four Officers For Training

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 22. The appointment of four new officers to the Defence Scientific Corps, including one to work for the Army in the thermo-nuclear field, was announced today by the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald). The Army appointment is that of Lieutenant R. N. Franklin, aged 22, of Auckland. Educated at Howick District High School, Auckland Grammar, and Auckland University College, he has master’s degrees in both engineering and mathematics. Mr Macdonald said that Lieutenant Franklin has entered the Regular' Army to work in the thermo-nuclear field and has already left to further his studies at Oxfqrd University. The others appointed are Flying Officers W. I. Axford, of Napier, and J. E. Packer, of Christchurch and Sub-lieutenant D. A. Nield, of Dargaville. All are university graduates with honours degrees in science or engineering. After a period of service training they will continue their studies and research into such subjects as nuclear physics and aeronautics, with emphasis on defence needs, said the Minister. Flying Officer Axford, aged 24. was educated at Napier Boys’ High School and Canterbury University College, where he graduated M.E. and M.Sc. His future work will be concentrated on aerodynamics, including basic research on aircraft design. Flying Officer Packer, aged 23, was educated at Christ’s College and Canterbury University College. He has a M.Sc. degree, with first-class honours in chemistry, and will continue his studies at London University, specialising in physical chemistry as related to peroxide' fuels. Sub-lieutenant Nield, aged 22. was educated at Dargaville High School and Auckland University College, and has a M.Sc. degree in mathematics. He will continue his mathematical studies at Cambridge University for subsequent research on the propagation of sound waves, before returning to work at the Naval Research Laboratory, Auckland. Flying Officers Axford and Packer and Sub-lieutenant Nield are at present completing their normal service training and scientific attachments in New Zealand. They are expected to sail for the United Kingdom next August to continue their scientific training and research studies.