NEW PROFESSOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19027, 26 May 1925, Page 10

NEW PROFESSOR.

CHAIR OF AGRICULTURE. MR. W. RIDDET APPOINTED. , YOUNG SCOTTISH GRADUATE. i'SOUND PRACTICAL TRAINING." The, appointment of Mr. William Riddet, B.Sc., Lecturer in Dairying and Assistant Dairy Research Officer at tho Dairy School of Scotland. Kilmarnock, to tho chair of agriculture <it tho Auckland University College, was made yesterday at a meeting of the College Council. Mr. Riddet is o£ Scots nationality, is 29 years of age and unmarried. He holds the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Glasgow University, 1923, also national and college displomas in agriculture and dairying. He was educated at the Dairy Higher Grade Public School and Irvine Royal Academy, and was dux medallist at the former in 1010. Matriculating as a dairying and agricultural student at the West of Scotland Agricultural College in April, 1914, Mr. Riddet had completed only his first year's course before joining the Army in 1915. He served in the ranks of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps from May, 1915, until he was gazetted to the Royal Scots Fusiliers in August. 1917, attaining thjj rank of captain. He was on active service on both the Eastern and Western fronts with the Fourth Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. Many Branches of Study. On demobilisation in 1919, he resumed his studies, which he completed in October, 1921, with tho award of national and college diplomas, with honours. The course for these diplomas embraced agriculture. botany, chemistry, veterinary hygiene, zoology, land-surveying,, engineering, geology and bacteriology, and also included six months' practical dairy school training. . During his college career he obtained first-class certificates and prizes in all his classes; being awarded all medals and special prizes open for competition. At tho Glasgow University he received distinguished certificate!; in botany, geology and political economy. Throughout his college and university career, Mr. Riddet took an active part in the students' corporate life, was president of the Students' Discussion Society, and a member of tho Students' Representative Council. Mr. Riddet brings to his appointment practical experience as well as scholastic attainment. The greater part of his practical experience was gained on his father's farm at Cubeside, Dairy, Ayrshire, where a breeding stock of pedigree dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and horses is kept. Related on both sides to a long line of farmers, and trained to lake part in all operations from childhood, he claims an intimate knowledge of all work associated with mixed farming, such as cropping, breeding, feeding and management of stock, production of milk, manufacture of cheese and butter, and general farm control. He spent an extended- period on the farm after leaving school, and before taking up specialised study, in order to acquaint himself with th'e various branches of the work at all seasons. Organising Experience. After obtaining his diplomas be was appointed to the staff of tho West of Scotland Agrizultural College, and on completion of his degree course, and before graduating in 1923, was appointed organiser for tiie County of Ayr. He also acted previously as temporary assistant organiser for the counties of Renfrew and Dumbarton, and in these posts was responsible for agricultural education in tho counties named. He received his appointment as lecturer in dairying at the Dairy School for Scotland in January, 1924, his work embracing the preparation of students in all branches of dairying and dairy farming for degrees and diplomas, aiding in examining students for college diplomas and advising on all matters pertaining to dairy technique. The various testimonials forwarded with Mr. Biddet's application all emphasise the advantages of the sound practical training lie received on his father's farm. He is described by Professor W. G. R. Paterson, Principal and Professor of Agriculture at the West of Scotland Agricultural College and University of Glasgow, as a particularly competent lecturer, an able organiser and a reliable adviser. For a short time he also assisted the professor with the publication of a series of volumes on farm crops. Professor R. H. Leitch, M.A., B.Sc., Professor of Dairying and research officer in the West of Scotland Agricultural College, states that apart from his very complete scientific training, Mr. Riddet' has a special talent for research, and the investigations in milk and dairy products carried out by him were of high order.