New Zealand Science Congress Opens

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 11

New Zealand Science Congress Opens

History repeated itself for the opening of the tenth New Zealand science congress, organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand, In Christchurch yesterday morning.

As the sun shone brilliantly through the big stained glass window at the north end of the University of Canterbury Hall on a packed assembly of delegates, Professor G. A. Knox, chairman of the congress’s executive committee, reminded the gathering that the first congress organised by the Royal Society of New Zealand had also been held in Christchurch in February, 1919.

Of that first congress, it was said: “In spite of the influenza epidemic and the postponement of the university examinations from November, there was a big assembly . . . and the usual fine weather of Christchurch smiled upon the gathering.”

“History has repeated itself,” said Professor Knox.

On beta LI of the University of Canterbury, the ViceChancelor (Dr. L. L Pownall) welcomed congress delegates to the university, where mor of the scientific session will be held. Dr. Pownall wished delegates “warm temperatures, ana fruitful discussions.” The president of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Dr. C. A. Fleming, then welcomed delegates to the congress, and also members of the general public—"who we hope will attend some of the session. and take part m them.” he said. He also especially welcomed Professor C. W. Snoppee. of Sydney University, who will be guest speaker, and who has come to Christchurch under the joint sponsorship of the congress and the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry. The congress was being

held in Christchurch to coincide with the centenary of the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of NewZealand, formerly the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, said Dr. Fleming. The Royal Society itself would not celebrate its centenary until 1967—“ this is case of the offspring being older than the parent.’’ said Dr. Fleming.

.On the value of science congresses. Dr. Fleming said that “some of the brightest jewels in the crown of the Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research” were a consequence of recommendations of the first congress in 1919. That congress had recommended that a soil survey be undertaken, that seismographic equipment be installed in Wellington, that a national herbarium be established. and so on. said Dr. Fleming. Introduced by Dr. Fleming, •he Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr Tennent) congratulated the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society on having completed 100 years in the cause of science. “It gives me a great deal of pleasure indeed, to be present today.” said Mr Tennent. “My pleasure is the greater because of the fact that this congress is being held in Christchurch 100 years after the founding of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, which played so important a part of the early history of science in this country”

Tracing the history of the Canterbury institute, Mr Tennent mentioned some of the famous names of its past members, who had done brilliant pioneering work in science in New Zealand These included Sir Julius von Haast. Captain F. W. Hutton. Professor Coleridge Farr, who had pioneered seismological research, Professor Charles Chilton, Leonard Cockayne, the botanist, Professor Evans, a chemist -well known for his work on New

Zealand coals, and Professor A. W. Bickerton, a brilliant physicist, among whose pupils had been Rutherford. Mr Tennent recalled that the very first paper read to the Canterbury Institute had been given by a Mr E. J. C. Stevens on the subject of “Thistles, and theta- Eradication."

“I suppose the moral of that is that the work of the scientist is never ending,” said Mr Tennent. In 1864. an acclimatisation society had been formed in Canterbury—“l suppose a lot of pleasant time was spent with rod and gun in the pursuit of science,” Mr Tennent said.

In 1870, the Canterbury Museum had been opened, and in 1872 the institute had supported the setting up of a university province in Canterbury. In 1907 had occurred perhaps the most important scientific work done by the institute —the expedition to the sub-Antarctic islands, and the publication in 1909 of two fine volumes on the findings. In 1933, the New Zealand Institute had changed its name to the Royal Society of New Zealand and in 1936 the Canterbury Institute had likewise changed its name to the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society. “I congratulate the Canterbury branch on now having completed 100 years in the cause of science," Mr Tennent said.

Conversazione

A well-attended conversazione was held in the new school of engineering at Ham to mark the first evening of the tenth science congress in Christchurch. The programme included music provided by the John Ritchie String Orchestra, and films of scientific and general interest were shown The new university computer was also on display.