RHODES SCHOLARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26027, 15 December 1945, Page 6

RHODES SCHOLARS

DOMINION NOMINATIONS SELECTION ANNOUNCED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. *l4. The special committee for the selec-’ tion of Rhodes Scholars for the Dominion announce that the applications of the following graduates have been forwarded to Britain for approval by the trustees:—-G. L. Cawkwell (Auckland). B. F. Harris (Auckland), and J. W. Ridley (Canterbury). The committee in a report on the selection states that applications had been called both in New Zealand and overseas. The university colleges and the agricultural colleges considered the applications in the usual manner and nine nominations were submitted to the selection committee, which, after a full discussion and interviewing all the available candidates, felt that the three graduates mentioned above fulfilled most nearly the requirements of the trustees, but that discrimination among these three candidates was very difficult The committee therefore decided to make no announcement until the trustees had been consulted as to the possibility of a third award. Now that cabled authority has been received from the trustees, the committee has sent forward the names of the three candidates selected. Lieutenant Cawkwell Lieutenant G. L. Cawkwell is a graduate of Auckland University College, having taken the degree of master of arts with' first-class honours m Latin in 1941. In 1942 he was selected as a post-graduate scholar in arts. He won the Fowlds Memorial Priae .at Auckland University College, and he took a full part in the activities of the college. His principal sporting activity has been Rugby football, in which he has been captain of the King’s College fifteen, captain of the Auckland University College senior fifteen, and captain of the Auckland B representative fifteen. He also played football and cricket while in the forces, and in 1945 was captain of his battalion fifteen and a member of the New Zealand Army fifteen in Fiji. Lieutenant Cawkwell was trans--1 ferred in March, 1942, from the RN.Z.A.F. reserve to the staff of Northern District Signals. Almost immediately he was selected to attend an 0.C.T.U.,* and after serving for a time in the Pacific he was transferred to the Fijian forces, and on April 14, 1944 he was wounded in action. After his return from the combat zone he spent the remainder of his war service in FijiCaptain Harris T/Caplain B. F. Harris is also a graduate of Auckland University College, having taken the degree of bachelor of arts in 1942. He was awarded a senior scholarship in Greek, and also qualified for a senior scholarship in Latin. Both at the Auckland Grammar School and at the university he was keenly interested in literature, and took part in college activities in this respect. His sports have included swimming, athletics, Rugby, and hockey at the university He was a member of the Junior Grade college football team, and he also plaved hockey for Auckland University College, and in 1945 as a New Zealand Army representative. Captain Harris was mobilised in April, 1941, and gained his commission in the Dominion. He reverted to the ranks on proceeding overseas, but early regained his commission in tho Middle East, and is reported on by his commanding officer as possessing more than an average knowledge of technical gunnery, and as being an excellent leader and an outstanding suualtern. He was selected for specialist duty Lieutenant Ridley Lieutenant J- W. Ridley, of Canterbury University College, is a graduate both in science and civil engineering. His special interests in engineering studies are in irrigation and river control. He has also taken a leading part in college activities. While overseas he acted as captain of the senior Rugby team of the 32nd Field Company. He has played cricket, and has also been a specialist education officer in the Engineers. Lieutenant Ridley went overseas with the Engineers in 1942, and participated in the operations at Vella Laveila and Green Island. After a brief return to the Dominion he again left with the Engineers and saw action in Italy as second in command of a troop in the assault squadron.