Four scientists made fellows

Press, 30 August 1986, Page 35

Four scientists made fellows

PA Dunedin The New Zealand Institute of Chemistry has awarded four honorary fellowships, the highest honour it can confer. Announced at the institute’s annual conference in Dunedin, they are awarded for especially meritorious service to the institute, or to science or to the profession of chemistry. Honorary fellowships were awarded to Mr I. R. C. McDonald, of Wellington, the former Government Analyst and chief director of the D.5.1.R.; Dr J. Roger, of Auckland, the former director of the Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Research Association and general secretary of the institute; Dr H. P. Rothbaum, of Wellington, the former deputy director of the Chemistry Division of the D.5.1.R.; and Mr A. H. Wolff, of Christchurch, who was a teacher at Christchurch Boys’ High School. The institute elected Dr Brian Halton, of Wellington, to succeed Professor George Petersen, of Dunedin, as president.

Dr Halton has been a reader in chemistry at Victoria University, Wellington, since 1977. He has published more than 70 scientific papers, monographs and a book.

He was awarded the Research Medal of the Association of Scientists in 1974, and the 1.C.1. medal of the Institute of Chemistry in 1980. Mr T. R. Hitchings, the principal of Riccarton High School, Christchurch, was elected first vicepresident, and Dr D. R. Llewellyn, of Hamilton, second vice-president. The Easterfield Medal and Prize for outstanding research in chemistry by a candidate under the age ' of 35 went to Dr Peter Steel, of Canterbury University. The 1.C.1. Medal and Prize was awarded to Dr William Denny of the Cancer Research Laboratory at the Auckland Medical School, and the Shell Industrial Chemistry Prize to Mr Neil D. Blazey, of New Zealand Pharmaceuticals, Ltd, of Palmerston North. Mr Geoffrey Groves, teacher at Ellesmere College, Leeston, was awarded • the Chemical Education Award, the first time this award has been made.

The Chemical Essay Prize went to Mr B. Whittington, a University of Canterbury student, and the Student Paper Prize to Mr Antony M. Manning, a biochemistry student at Otago University.