IN MEMORY OF RUTHERFORD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23000, 30 March 1938, Page 12

IN MEMORY OF RUTHERFORD

Everywhere in the Dominion the action of Mr. Arthur Sims, in offering £SOOO toward a university research scholarship in memory of Lord Rutherford, will be approved and appreciated. In itself, the offer is a generous one, prompted by a desire to do honour to a great New Zealander, but the evident care taken by Mr. Sims to make an appropriate memorial possible gives his proffered contribution a double value. A scholarship adequately endowed can be a perpetual tribute ; many others that might be suggested could have only doubtful endurance. Moreover, a scholarship awarded for outstanding merit and promise in physics, chemistry or mathematics—subjects conspicuously reminiscent of Lord Rutherford's splendid genius—can be an inspiration to pursue the shining path he trod; all aspiring to win it will be encouraged to apply themselves to arduous study and those holding it will be.enabled to engage in adventurous research. Himself a graduate of Canterbury College, where Lord Rutherford received his training in science, and whence he went to scientific conquests universally renowned, Mr. Sims has naturally made his offer through its council; but he has praiseworthily requested that his gift, should the conditions of its acceptance be fulfilled, shall have no merely parochial result. The scholarship, according to his wish, shall be open not only to graduates of Canterbury College, but also to other graduates of the University of New Zealand and to graduates of any other university who may be resident in this country. In addition, he desires that it be tenable at an approved institution of research anywhere in the British Empire or elsewhere. Thus his proposal is conceived in the broadest possible way, in perfect keeping with the spirit and effect of Lord Rutherford's achievements. It is to be hoped that the Government, to whom Mr. Sims looks for a completing contribution equal to his own, will immediately endorse Mr. Fraser'e promise of strong support to the project. .