A century of engineering

Press, 7 April 1987, Page 3

A century of engineering

By

JENNY LONG

That essential racing equipment, the mechanical totalisator, was invented by a New Zealand bishop’s son. Sir George Julius, the inventor, was the son of Bishop Julius, and the first graduate of the school of engineering at Canterbury College.

The school celebrates its centennial this year, and the book, “Design for a Century,” has been written by Diana Neutze and Eric Beardsley.

Dr Neutze, the author of the first parts of the book, found the research fascinating. “A wonderful look at early Canterbury life” was offered by the many letters written last century, and preserved in the university library, said Dr Neutze.

She said the School of Engineering was a brave step for a new country. “There were few precedents in England, and obviously New Zealand needed her engineers to help mine gold, and de-

velop techniques for very different weather and countryside.” Robert Julian Scott, a first cousin of the Antarctic explorer, was one of the founding lecturers of the school, with Edward Dobson.

Robert Scott, with his quarter-deck manner was a splendid, dramatic figure to write about, said Dr Neutze. Dr Neutze, who wrote the first two parts of the history, is a tutor in English at the university. Mr Beardsley, who wrote the

final part, is the university’s liaison officer.

A move from crowded central city quarters to “the paddocks at Ham” was mooted in 1949, and the school moved fully in 1961. It was the first part of the university to be at Ham.

“Some of Canterbury’s engineering research, such as earthquake strengthening, and image processing in electrical engineering, are known world-wide,” said Mr Beardsley.