NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 109, 1 February 1930, Page 23

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE

SIDEY TRUST FUND AWARD OF MEDAL The annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute was held at Victoria College on Thursday, the president, Dr. C. C. Farr (Christchurch) being in the chair. Those also present were: Dr. L. Cockayne, Dr. E, Marsden, Air. B. O. Aston, and Mr. W. IL B. Alwin (Government nominee), Mr. G. T. Hudson (Wellington Philosophical Society), Professors N. W. Segar and F. P. Worley (Auckland), Dr. C. Coleridge and Mr. A. M. Wright (Philosophical Institute of Canterbury), Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., and Professor James Park (Otago), Professor Easterfield (Nelson), Air. W. A. Gutbrie-Smith (Hawkes Bay); and Mr. M. A. Eliott (Alanawatu). In the course of his presidential address, Dr. Farr suggested that the name of the New Zealand Institute be amended to the Royal New Zealand Institute, in conformity with similar institutions all over the world. They should also have a vice-president resident in Wellington. He was further of opinion that a fellowship should be established for the eradication of the young brambles before they became overgrowths like the blackberry. .. . National Research Council. In speaking of the National Research Council, i the president said the question of whether or not to establish such a council would be further advanced. The proposal had been favourably received, but it was important that it should not supersede the institute in its legitimate functions as defined in the Act, and that the council should be so constituted that it could pronounce the best and most authoritative opinion on any scientific matter which might come before it. If such were its functions he was convinced that the National Research Council would meet with no official opposition, would be welcomed by official science as a brother, and would be of distinct assistance and a complement to the council of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. To Commemorate Summer-time. The president mentioned the request of Sir Thomas Sidey that the institute should become custodian of the fund raised by shilling subscriptions as an appreciation of his efforts in putting the clocks forward. The amount was approximately £5OO, and Sir Thomas Sidey suggested that a medal should be struck and awarded with a money prize for work showing the influence of light, visible and invisible, upon human welfare and its health and happiness. It was unanimously felt that the institute should accept the trust, and a draft deed of trust was to be submitted for its approval. It was desired that the institute should have wide discretionary powers, but that provision should be mads for the capital sum to be increased. 'The institute, he said, had within its power of award three notable medals for the encouragement of scientific research—the Hector, Hutton, and Sidey medals. This battery of honourable recognition was probably enough for its present needs, and if it was desired to perpetuate the names of others it was a matter for consideration as to ,whether some other memorial than a medal should not now be found. Funds placed in the administration of the institute were assured of being legally and conscientiously used m accordance with the wishes of the testator, although it was desirable that the institute should have the largest discretionary powers. Syllabus Chaauce. On the motion of Professor Worley, seconded by Dr. Afarsden, the following resolution was carried: “That the Academic Board and the Entrance Board of the University of New Zealand be requested to consider the possibility of modifying the syllabus for the university entrance examination and the syllabus of the university entrance scholarship examination in such a way ns to encourage the study in schools of natural history in its original sense.” National Research Council. The scheme for the formation of a National Research Council had been considered by a sub-committee, which reported that all institutes except Otago were in favour of it. The committee approved the scheme outlined by the Auckland Institute, only omitting reference to proposed section 11. No section should have more than ten members. The scheme referred to provides for

the creation of ten sections, as follow:— Agriculture and veterinary science; anthropology and ethnology; astronomy, mathematics, seismology, and meteorology ; botany, forestry and zoology; chemistry and metallurgy; economics and statistics; engineering and mining; geography and geology; mental science and education; medical science, physiology, and pathology; manufacturing industries. A motion was passed favouring the formation of a National Research Council capable of functioning as a National Research Council.