RHODES SCHOLARS

Evening Star, Issue 20556, 7 August 1930, Page 3

RHODES SCHOLARS

THE AUCKLAND NOMINEES [SpEC’AL to the *Stak.’] AUCKLAND, August 6. Auckland’s two nominees for tho 1931 Rhodes scholarship have been selected by the University College Professorial Board. They are Mr J. S. Watt,_B.Sc., and Mr G- E. Watt, of tho Auckland School of Engineering. Though of tho same name they are not related.

Mr John Stephen Watt was born in Western Australia in April, 1908, and attended the Renmera District School and the Auckland Grammar School, which ho entered in 1921. While at tho Grammar School he gained prizes in mathematics and science, together with a senior national scholarship and a university entrance scholarship, which ho won in 192 C. lie took out a course in science at the Auckland University College, holding the position as lec-turer-demonstrator in chemistry from 1928 onwards, and graduating B.Sc. this year. Ho was recently awarded the Sir George Grey scholarship in science, and is at present studying for honours in chemistry. Mr Watt is well known in local athletics, being the holder of the Auckland half-mile championship for 1927-28 and for 1930. Ho has been a record-holder for the half-mile at both the Auckland Grammar School and the Auckland University College, where he is also mile champion. He was awarded his “ blue ” in athletics last year, and he is at present chairman of the University Athletic Club and of the College Scientific Society. Mr George Ernest Watt has also been successful in a variety of activities at school and college. Born in the Waikato in February, 1908, he attended the Frankton District School, the Matamata High School, and - the Hamilton High School, gaining senior and junior national scholarships. At school ho was the holder of prizes in mathematics and science, and in 1926 he entered the Auckland University College, where he was awarded a timber research scholarship. Ho is at present studying for his degree in civil engineering, and is lecturer-demonstrator in the strength of materials. Mr Watt has gained outstanding success in shooting, winning many championships at school, while he has been a member of the university team since 1928. In 1927 ho gained the third highest score in competitions between the Australian and New Zealand universities, and ho was runner-up for the King’s Medal at Trentham this year. At Hamilton High School ho played for the first football fifteen, and is at present a member of the university senior B team. Ho has also served on many student executives, being tho present secretary of tho Students’ Association, and he was also tho Auckland delegate to tho University Rowing Council. Mr Watt has also gained success in the New Zealand Air Force, graduating for his “wings” and pilot’s commission at Wigram Fast year, and he is at present studying for his commission as a flying officer. Tho nominees from tho four colleges will be summoned to Wellington towards tho end of November, when the final selection will be made.