WELCOME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 29 October 1925, Page 4

WELCOME

SIR ERNEST RUTHERFORD

i.TTIZENS DO HIM HONOUR

LARGE ASSEMBLAGE AT MUNI (.'I I U. CHAMBERS

Sir Ernest Rutherford, who- arrived ft mu Havelock this foretiooii. was ack rdod a civic reception at the -Municipal Chambers at noon. There was a toy large and representative gathering , t citizens, including maty Indies, and the di •Anguished scientist met with a flattering reception. The Mayor (Mr Lock) presided, and among those in attendance were a number of City Councillors, cx mayors, chairmen of local bodies. Bishop Mules, Hon. \Y. \Y. Snodgrass. M.L.C., and Mr 11. Atmore.

On entering tlit- chamber accompanied by the Mayor and Town Clerk, Sir Ernest, was loudly cheered on the call ol the Mayor.

"We are pleased and proud." said the .Mayor, "to have with us to-day a distinguished Nelsonian who has a magnificent record and who is to-day the foremost scientist, in the British Empire, it not. the world ; ami on, behalf ol the citizens of Nelson l desire to do honour aml extend a most hearty welcome to Sir Ernest Rutherford. He has done great honour to the country of his birth, to the Nelson College, wiiere In was for some years a student, and to the Dominion and the Empire. 1 hope that his winy amongst us will he a most happy and enjoyable one. and that lie will derive much pleasure from visiting his birthplace and the Irenes of his boyhood days. Sir Ernest has had a wonderful scholastic record of which any man should feel proud. To rise to the highest position in the scientific world is. indeed, a great achievement—the greatest any man can attain to. He is w.tlmui doubt the greatest man New Zealand has produced—a credit to himself. New Zealand, and the Empire. It. may lie of interest lo give you idia of Sir Ernest Vi unique record, lie was horn in this district, at Spring Grove, lie won an Education Board seholaiship entitling him to entrance to Nelson College, where for some years he studied, became the head hov of the school and gained a University Scholarship in 186 a. He took his M.A. and B.So. degree with honours at Canterbury College. He then gained a Science Scholarship entitling him to go to Cambridge University, where lie studied under Sir. J. J. Thomson, at that time Cavendish Professor, who was the most distinguished mathematical physicist in Europe. At Montreal in 1898. Sir Ernest was appointed professor of physics. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1893, and professor of Physics at Manchester in 1907. In recognition of his brilliancy, especially in scientific investigations he was knighted in 1914; and fit 1919 he succeeded Sir J. J. Thomson as Cavendish professor. In 1920 lie was appointed Professor of Physics at the Royal Institution, hutstill letaiiis the Cnverdu-ih Professorship. In 1920 lie had conferred upon him the Older of Merit. This is a very high and exclusive honour and it is never conferred except for most distinguished service either military or civic, and is limited to 24 members in tile whole of the Empire. Some time ago there were only 15 or 16 people in tile Empire who .held that distinction. Amongst other honours won by Sir Ernest Rutherford may he mentioned Hie Rumlord Medal of the Royal Society and the Nobel Prize. The revolutionary and far reaching discoveries of Sir Ernest Rutherford have paused him to he acclaimed by the greatest men of our time as the leading British scientist. They recognised hi.a phenomena! brilliance, and his pronouncements are received with confidence throughout the. scientific world. He has been famous for the past 20 years, and said to he the most skilful experimenter in radio activity now living. Such a remarkable record should he an inspiration and eneouragement to every student to do his best to succeed, for by hat'd work, concentration and application, there is r.n knowing wiiat achievements a studentmay accomplish or to what high position ln> may attain. The city is honoured by Sir Ernest Rutherford's visit. We give him the hearties welcome and trust that both lie and Lady Rutherford will continue to enjoy good health and bnnpinens and that Sir Ernest may he able to render in the future as in. the past, great and valuable service which will pionmte the well-being of the Empire. lie of benefit and blessing to- the whole world, and promote the progress and happiness of mankind. His future career will he watched with the deepest interest by liie people of Nelson and Hie Dominion.”

The Mayor’s remarks were punctuated with applause.

Gr. 8. A. Gibbs, Mr H. Atmnre, and Hon. W, W. Snodgrass. M.L.C.. also spoke in nattering terms of the distinguished visitor. SIR ERNEST'S REPLY In rising to respond. Sir Ernest was greeted with loud and prolonged applause'. Alter it had subsided he said lie feit highly honoured by the warmth i f the welcome and the reception they had given him. He could say that- in a sense he was in his home town, but he did m -t expect such a cordial reception was awaiting him. He went on to ray that ho came to New Zealand on a \ isit tii his parents and his relatives; hut found that incidentally he was expected to deliver lectures in the principal centres of New Zealand and also in Australia. "1 am sure that you will be interested to know,” he continued that L have been visiting my parenls in New Rlvniouih and that my mother and niy father are both well and in full possession"—the remainder of the sentence was drowned in a storm of appianse. Further applause broke out when Sir Ernest slated that his mother informed him that his parents’ marriage was solemnised by Bishop Mules-. "This is supposed to bp a holiday." lie wontmi.’"but 1 must say that even though enjoyable it is a strenuous time forme.'' He referred to his visit to Blenheim •oul Havelock on his wav through. Coining up the .Sounds from’ Wellington •he stcannn wan met with launches ci i-wiled with school children who cheered vociferously. “I was credibly in laughingly stated the speaker. •hat the cheers were for me." At Havelock hr visited his old school aid tiddresji.-'d the scholars, arid also-planted - tree, he heinsr expected "to remove aboui 1 ewt. of earth in so doing.'' (Laughter). I lie Mnvnr had told them

-onirthing of the fuels of his history, so hr would no- try lo vie with thr mavor in enumerating thr events c.i his life.

I may mentiii." he continued, "lint i wa.s hoi n in Spring Grove, hilt I un'b island the house . 1 wax horn in ban hren dismantled and another house ■•reeled near-by. I went to the Foxhill Si h. i i at live years n-f ago. the late Mr Ladh-x iu-inir the master. There I

(D'lut the three IF sc and remained n.’til 1 was ten or eleven. From there I wen l to Havelock school in charge of Mr Reynolds, who [ regret to sav is now dead, lie was a most admirable teacher. and after school hours helped myself aid my young brother to learn something nlimit Latin and algebra; and it. \ on won t he troubled with colds this ''•’miner if yon keep “NAZOL” handy. 1 G buys 60 doses.

was from (hat school that L won a scholarship to Nelson College. (Applause).” Sir Ernest continued that lie remained for three years at College, and owed a verv great deal to that institution. The principal at the time was Mr Ford, and he paid a warm tribute to his old master. “In addition we had that very great teacher and great man Mr Littlejohn"—(loud applause)—and 1 owe a great deal to him. He first initiated me into the mysteries of school science and mathematics.' Mr Jovnt was also principal of the College during the speaker's period there. Sir Ernest went on to say it was a very great pleasure for him to come back to the scenes of his boyhood. 'T feel that the fact that so many of you have assembled to-day is not so much a welcome to me individually but a welcome to me from the fact that 1 was born in the Nelson district ami in recognition of the factthat a Nelsonian has been able to achieve some distinction and hold up the end of New Zealand in the world. (Applause). So it is in that sense that 1 take the welcome.” He was always a New Zealander first and :i sclent die man and a Britisher afterwards. Sir Ernest, went, on to speak briefly of the aims of pure science, of tlio search for fundamental principles without- thought, from the scientist, immediate application, and the search again for other principles upon which advancement was really based. He re fcrml to the great interest being taken in scientific matters and of the keen interest ii: research work generally. Incidentally' lie mentioned the Cawthmn Institute, which be felt sure, under Professor Easterfield, would achieve great and lasting success. The scientific life, he said, provided a, life of adventure unequalled in any other walk of life. It- was not easy work, and in many instances required all the qualities found in practical men. Sir Ernest concluded by expressing regret that .Lady Rutherford had been unable to accompany him to Nelson. Owing to the disorganisation of shipping caused by the strike, Lady Rutherford 1 had proceeded to Christchurch in order) to spend the few remaining days with! her mother. He again thanked those present for their warm welcome and the speakers for their flattering remarks. (Loud and continued applause.) The proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem. WELCOME BY OLD BOYS The Nelson College Old Boys’ Association will extend a. welcome to Sir £jVl.est Rutherford in the Assembly Hall this evening at 8 o’clock. It is notified that all old boys, whether they have rcepted an invitation or not, are particularly requested to be present. Dress optional. CAWTHRON LECTURE To-morrow evening Sir Ernest Jlutliufnrd will deliver the annual Cawthron Lecture at the Empire Theatre, ilis subject will be “Matter and Electricity.” VISIT TO HAVELOCK (United Press Association.) BLENHEIM, This Day. Sir Ernest Rutherford arrived at Blenheim last night and was unofficially' welcomed' by a large number of friends and admirers. He proceeded to Havelock, where practically the whole town turned out. A reception in his honour was given and the distinguished scientist received a warm welcome back to his own home town.