Science Faculty ...

"Salient" Visits Some Clubs

The lectures give one an opportunity to discover which problems are receiving particular attention in research in this country, and often provide an extremely lucid Introduction to relatively unknown subjects. Though given by experts, lectures arc rarely too difficult (or freshers to understand.

I visited the President of the Biological Society, who was particularly enthusiastic us this is the Society's 21st year, and it plans even more ambitious activities than previously. "The field trips, evening meetings and lunch-hour film shows which the society has held in the past will be continued this year," he said. "Field trips of one or more days' duration are made to such places as Mana and Kapiti islands, the Tararua Range, the South Coast of Wellington, and so on At each evening meeting a guest speaker discusses some topical subject of general as well as of biological interest.

The showing of films at lunch time has proved extremely popular, as many as a hundred students attending some screenings.

The Chemistry Society has as yet considered no business more serious than their float for Procesh; their usual activities are films and lectures.

The Photographic Society has as its main aim the completion of a new darkroom in the army hut by the Low Temperature Lab. Members will be able to develop and print their photographs and the society will provide a service as recorder of college activities. Lectures for beginners will be held as well as the usual ones for those interested in advanced methods and unusual subjects.

The Maths and Physics Society has prepared a promising programme for its thirty-fourth year (biologists note). The speakers include a geophysicist, a nuclear physicist and mathematicians. Professor Hughes has agreed to address the society. This should be of wide interest and may help end the childish dislike of philosophers which some scientists profess (vide Fred Hoyle). As usual, the year's Honours bods will be required to give an account of themselves. A finalised programme, printed in a convenient form, should be available in few weeks.

"Salient" hopes to report some of these activities in future issues, because we believe they are of interest to a wider public than they usually reach.