DR WOLFRAM PENSELER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21734, 27 August 1932, Page 12

DR WOLFRAM PENSELER

RESEARCHES IN NEW ZEALAND COALS Acting on the recommendation of the external examiner, the vice-chancellor of the University of New Zealand yesterday conferred the degree of doctor of science on Wolfram H. A. Pcnscler for his researches on the microstructuro of New Zealand coals. Dr Wolfram Penscler is a mining engineer and an Associate Member of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy in London, and is the present director of the School of Mines in Himtly. Ho was born in New Zealand and received his early education in Germany, England and Now Zealand. He entered the University of

Otago in 1020 as the holder of a School of Mines scholarship and continued his studies 5u mining, metallurgy and geology. In 1922 ho was awarded the Ulrich Memorial Prize and Medal for Mineralogy and Petrology; in 1924 the degrees of B.Sc. and B.E. (raining), and the diploma of A.O.S.M. (mining) were conferred on him. In the following year he was awarded the degree of B.E. (metallurgical), the diploma of A.O.S.M. (metallurgy), and the diploma of land and mine surveyor. During 1925-26 Dr Pcnseler carried out research for the Mines Department in Wellington on the briquetting of New Zealand coals. He also continued his geological studies at Victoria University College and carried out research work on the microstructure of Now Zealand coal, for which the degree of M.Sc. (honours in geology) was conferred on him in 1926. For the year 1926 Dr acted in the position that had become vacant through the illness and death of Professor D. B. Waters, professor of metallurgy at the Otago School of Mines. Since men he has been engaged on professional work in cornicetion with mining and geology both in' New Zealand and Australia. During this period he ulso continued his researches in the micropetrological examination of the structure of New Zealand coals, notably those of the Waikato coalfield. This work is in line with a world-wide research to determine the exact constitution of coal.