DR. HAGYARD’S “BABY”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29853, 20 June 1962, Page 14

DR. HAGYARD’S “BABY”

Long History Of

Scheme

A calcium carbide industry for the South island has been the dream of Dr. T. Hagyard, senior lecturer in chemical engineering, ever since he came to the University of Canterbury. All connected with the present scheme agree that it is “his baby.” But Dr. Hagyard yesterday would take no personal credit. “Very many people over very many years have been concerned,” he said. "I think Parry of the old Public Works Department was the first in 1918.”

The chemical engineering department of the university had been very keen to see the industry established, ever since it was formed in 1952, because calcium carbide was so versatile. It had so many derivatives that it was the “best bet” for a truly chemical industry because other developments would snowball round it.

Dr Hagyard said that he was personally grateful for the support of such bodies as the Canterbury Progress League, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Canterbury Public Relations Office, the West Coast Miners Central Committee at Grey mouth, all West Coast interests, and even some in the far south who had rallied round the promoters without a sign of parochialism. The final drive, which led to success, came when Mr M. A. Connelly, M.P., pushed the scheme in Parliament and when Wilkins and Davies. Ltd., invested a considerable sum in exploratory enterprise, Dr. Hagyard said.