University research for Pacific islands

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32474, 8 December 1970, Page 16

University research for Pacific islands

The United Nations and the South Pacific Commission have made $9OOO available for two students from the University of Canterbury’ to conduct research in the Takelau Islands and Western Samoa on the damage done to coconuts by the rhinoceros beetle.

The director of the research! project is Dr E. Young, a former staff member of the] University of Canterbury’s 1 zoology department. The research fellowships, which will be for a duration of 18 months, were announced at yesterday’s meeting of the University of Canterbury Council.

i A $lO,OOO research project i financed by the National (Roads Board and conducted by a master of engineering student at the University of Canterbury is expected to have important applications in New Zealand and overseas bridge design. The research conducted over the last two years by Mr A. W. Charleson is related to damage bridges may suffer in an earthquake. During the course of his investigations Mr Charleson developed special testing devices never used before in the southern hemisphere. The results of his research were released yesterday in the form of a 140-page report to the National Roads Board. Gifts accepted by the University Council were 125 sets of periodicals from the Food Chemistry Division of the Denartment of Scientific and Industrial Research and a pressure vessel for the School of Forestry from Mr A. Brasell, of Wood Enterprises, Ltd, Wanganui.