Rutherford centenary

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32700, 1 September 1971, Page 16

Rutherford centenary

Sir,—Denis Wederell’s article today on the centenial of Lord Rutherford’s birth overlooked the part played by the University of Canterbury, where Rutherford’s interest in physics was first awakened, in making the occasion known overseas. The university has: held a symposium on the structure of matter attended by many eminent overseas physicists; assisted in the production of a film on Rutherford’s life by the National Film Unit; supplied information and numerous photographs for a 8.8. C. “Horizon” television programme, for an overseas photographic exhibition and for the New Zealand news media. Symposia have been held in London and Moscow; and, as a message last week from Academician Peter Kapitza showed, Rutherford’s origins seem known in Russia. Rutherford's grandson will deliver the Rutherford Memorial Lecture at the university next week and Rutherford’s medals and decorations will be displayed in the Canterbury Museum. In these and in other ways the university remembers one of its famous sons.—Yours, etc., E. T. BEARDSLEY. Information Officer, University of Canterbury. August 31, 1971.