LINKED SCIENCE WITH COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17728, 12 September 1919, Page 8

LINKED SCIENCE WITH COMMERCE.

SIR JOHN, BRUNKER'S SUCCESS. Sir John who is dead at tho ago of 77, was the sou of a Swiss clergyman of Zurich, who was naturalised in England 55 years ago. His forefathers were burgesses of Bulach since the fifteenth century. Sir John himself was born at Everton, Liverpool (whero his father, having married a Manx wife, settled as a. schoolmaster) and, becoming associated with the great chemist, Dr Ludwig Mond, tho two founded at Northwich, in 1873, the alkali works of Brumier, Mond. and Co., .which became the greatest in tho world. "The firm of Brrauier, Mond, and Co. was distinguished not alone for its capacity of output but for the method by which the younger men were trained along scientific lines," says the Westminster Gazette. 'Die partners instituted within their own vrorks a coursr- of technical instruction which mado apprenticeship conditional uv>on the lads attending the classes and attaining a high degree of efficiency. " 'Every penny I liavo in tho world,' ho onco assertod, 'has come from the application of science to commerce.' 'What was good for tho individual, he argued, was good for tho community. 'If this country would spend 10 millions in putting- up buildings and founding profeesorinl chairs, , ho said on ono occasion, 'w-a should orrt tho money Kack a hundredfold in tho course of a generation.' Tn this spirit ho. pavo £10.000 to Liverpool University, and l.irnroly nndowrvd the local grarnmT school within ttie district of his works."