SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1932. Volume 3. Number 3.
Crambe Repetita
Crambe Repetita.
Dr. Leonard Cockayne.
Amongst the bright young people receiving degrees this year was one of the brightest and youngest spirits that New Zealand has ever produced. This is Dr. Leonard Cockayne (whose degrees are legion), a man who brought great honour to New Zealand by his outstanding work in the botanical world.
When one considers the honours that have been bestowed on him even in the bust few months—to mention only a few—the award of the Veitch Memorial Medal, the appointment to the International Council of Botanists, which comprises the first ten botanists of the world, the honorary degree of D.Sc., which has been bestowed on him by our own University, and realizes the number of years that he has devoted to his beloved subject of Hot any, one would tend to picture a man who had almost lost all interest in the commonplace affairs of daily life. But those of us who have been privileged to meet "The Old Doc.," as he is affectionately dubbed by some who know and love him well, are struck with his vital and stimulating enthusiasm in all lines of interest. As one of his friends has been heard to say, "He is one of the youngest people I have ever met." In spite of his age he emanates that fire which is usually found in the youth who is on the threshold of his career. As a conversationalist his company is delightful, as a scientist his capabilities are unsurpassed.
We gladly take this opportunity to offer tribute to the man who, in spite of physical handicaps, is still carrying on his remarkable work.
The Late Dr. H. T. Ferrar.
It was with deep regret, which we know is shared by the students of this College, that we learned last month of the death of Dr. Ferrar. He first came to New Zealand as a geologist in Captain Scott's first expedition to Antarctica, where he spent two years. In 1905 he was appointed to the geological section of the Survey Department of Egypt. After ten years in Egypt, where he did much valuable work, Dr. Ferrar returned to New Zealand, and was a master at Christ's College when he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. On his discharge from the Expeditionary Force in 1919 he joined the staff of the New Zealand Geological Survey, and the splendid services he has rendered this country are well known.
This year the New Zealand University granted him a Doctorate in Science. His passing is a great loss to the Dominion, and we sincerely sympathise with his family, and his friends in this College.
Weir House.
With eager interest we have all been watching the growth of this fine building, which will silence for ever all reference to Victoria College as a mere "Night School." She will come to her own as a "Residential College—a co-eval with the venerable Magdalen of Oxford! Weir House would doubtless have been completed ere this had not the earthquake necessitated an alteration of plans, not to mention many other difficulties that had to be contended with. At last, however, she (Weir House Is a "she," isn't she?) is coming up the straight in good trim, and by the beginning of next session will be ready to house a merry hive of students. How their matutinal songs will usher in the gladsome day! How their quiet studiousness in the evenings will be welcomed by the neighbouring residents! No more excuses for being late for lectures—it's only across the Park; or is that a very large excuse?