NEW PROFESSOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23512, 24 November 1939, Page 10

NEW PROFESSOR

.ENGINEERING' SCHOOL i ' ' LECTURER FROM SYDNEY A DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR INTEREST IN AERONAUTICS Out of 22 applicants, the Auckland .University Council at a special meeting yesterday chose Mr. Thomas David James Leech, of Sydney University, to succeed Professor S. E. Lamb as professor .of engineering at the Auckland University College. Professor Lnmb is retiring at the end of the year after a lengthy " period of service at the college. Professor Leech, who was horn in Sydney in 1902, is married and has a family of .four. Ho has been lecturer in cjvil engineering at the University of Sydney and University Extension Board lecturer in aeronautics since 1926, and has been lecturer in aerodynamics at the university during this year. He holds the degrees of B.Sc. and B.E. in civil engineering of the University of Sydney, and is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, an associate member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, a member of the Royal Society of New South Wales, and a pupil member of the Royal Aero Club of Now South Wales. Aeronautics has been his hobby since 1911. A Colleague's Tribute A colleague who has known Professor Leech for the past 18 years describes him as the most distinguished scholar of his year both in science and civil engineering. and one who graduated in both faculties with honours. In hydrodynamics, including aerodynamics, he had established and developed lecture courses on modern lines coinparablo .with the best given in the universities of Britain, and he was one of the bestinformed authorities in Australia to-day in hydraulic and aeronautical engineering. • Professor Leech took his secondary education at the Parramatta High School, where he secured first place in the school for general proficiency. From 1920 to 1937 he has won numerous notable prizes for geology, practical .physics, highway engineering and specialised resonrch. His teaching experience began in 1922, when he was appointed part-time demonstrator _ in practical physics at Sydney University, and has been varied and extensive ever since. He was the founder of the Sydney University Glider Club, and lias delivered many courses of lectures in aeronautics and aerodynamics. Aircraft Design All the aerodynamic equipment of his university was designed by Professor Leech, who supervised its construction. He has acted as consultant to a considerable number of aircraft companies, has been adviser to the New South Wales Government in matters of aviation, and has sat in conferences to determine the cause of major air accidents. „ , He is the author of a large number of papers published in technical journals, and some years ago wrote an introductory t«sxt book entitled liie Principles of Flight." Professor Leech will take up his duties in Auckland at the beginning of the coming academic year. CHAIR OF LAW APPOINTMENT[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Thursday The Council of Victoria University College, Wellington, at a meeting this evening appointed Mr. R. 0. McSi' 8.A., LL.B., of Sydney, to the vacant chair of law in succession to the late Professor .Tames Adamson Mr. McGechan is deputy-professor of law in the University of Sydney.