New Zealand Scientific Centenaries

In the period which we are now entering fall the centenaries of several important events in the history of New Zealand Science.

These include: Novara Expedition, 1858–9, and Hochstetter's field work in Auckland and Nelson (1859) which earned him the title of, “Father of New Zealand Geology”; appointments of geologists, who furthered all branches of natural sciences in the provinces of Otago (Hector), Canterbury (Haast) and Wellington (Crawford).

Founding of the New Zealand Institute and its branches and the passing of the New Zealand Institute Act (1868); founding of the museums, including the Colonial Museum; arrival in New Zealand of F. W. Hutton, the greatest of the pioneer biologists;

Founding of Universities, and of Government Scientific Societies.

Birth dates of prominent New Zealand scientists.

Some of these events are more appropriate for branches to celebrate if they see fit, but others are so important in New Zealand's scientific history that commemorative activity by the Royal Society of New Zealand is called for. Such commemoration might take the form of special public lectures; broadcast programmes; publications of the Festschrift type; public exhibitions; republication of relevant papers of high scientific significance.

Recommendation:

(a) That the attention of Branches be drawn to the opportunity to commemorate scientific centenaries during the coming years.

(b) That Standing Committee be asked to formulate a programme and suggestions for the commemoration of centenaries of scientific events of national significance.

(c) That the Royal Society of New Zealand organise during the next six months a fitting commemoration of Hochstetter's visit to New Zealand.

Prepared at the request of the Standing Committee.

C. A. Fleming.

Dr. Fleming spoke to the report he had brought down and on his motion, seconded by Dr. Brown the following recommendations were approved:—

“(a) That the attention of Branches be drawn to the opportunity to commemorate scientific centenaries during the coming years.

(b) That the Standing Committee be asked to formulate a programme and suggestions for the commemoration of centenaries of scientific events of national significance.

(c) That the Royal Society of New Zealand organise during the next six months a fitting commemoration of Hochsetetter's visit to New Zealand.”

Dr Powell suggested that postage stamps such as the Health stamps should be used to commemorate certain events and people—they have been using such stamps in Switzerland for the last thirty or forty years.

Scientific Education. Dr. Archey had prepared a statement on Education in Science, touching on several aspects of the subject and designed to provoke discussion and obtain the views of members of the Council. In speaking to his report, Dr. Archey raised the question of Honours B.Sc., or M.Sc., and the standard required for admission. Should the university admit all who wished to enter or should some be excluded because of insufficient standard? What should be the policy with regard to postgraduate scholarships—the effect on the university of losing its most gifted students and the need for trained scientific teachers?

Professor Percival saw no loss in students taking postgraduate courses overseas providing the country saw to it that they came back to New Zealand afterwards. He went on to outline his own attitude towards entrants.