Science Clubs Committee

Sci-Com, as it is called, was formed at the end of 1903, as a liaison between the various science societies mentioned above. The committee comprises two members from each society, an Executive member, and an observer from the Radio Club.

One of Sci-com's main purposes is to organise the science functions such as the science welcome to freshers, the Science Faculty Ball, to be held in June, and the first New Zealand Science Students' Conference, to be held in the second week of the May holidays. This will be attended by about 100 New Zealand and Australian graduate and senior undergraduate students. The Conference will centre around the position of science in the community and a full week of activities is planned. Full details can be obtained from the poster on the University notice boards.

Professor N. F. Barber, professor of Theoretical Physics at Victoria will discuss. "Where is Science Going?" He will talk about the unlimited scope of scientific enquiry. He recently said. "We might reflect that the object of scientific enquiry is to allow us to make happen whatever we wish."

He will also point out the place that the imagination has in scientific research. "An idea has to be imagined before it can be done." He will draw an analogy between scientific imagination and poetical imagination.

Other lectures will be given by Dr. C. A. Fleming, President of the Royal Society in New Zealand and Dr. Probine, a biophysicist with the D.S.I.R. He will lecture on the growth of plants and the effects that the strength of cell walls has on plant growth. Professor Lilburn of the Victoria Music department will lecture on "Electronic Music," and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency will have a lecture and display on "Space Research."

Dr. Northcote lecturing on "Computers" will discuss the basic ideas behind them. His talk includes the way in which data is stored, how information is fed into and obtained from a computer and a discussion of some of the applications of computers including their use in the translation of languages.

The discussions in which (he students are expected to participate include topics as diverse as "Science and Religion" and "Government versus University Research." Dean Hurst and Professor Lauden will be discussing "Science and Religion" and Dr. Llewellyn of the University Grants Committee and Dr. Hamilton of D.S.I.R. in "Government versus University Resrarch" will discuss the division of research between Government Departments and the Universities. Other discussions to take place are "Opportunities for Science Graduates in N. Z." and "What emphases on pure and applied research."

Visits will be made to parts of D.S.I.R., Broadcasting House, and New Zealand Breweries Ltd.

The social side of the conference includes a picnic lunch, a wine and cheese tasting evening, a buffet tea and the conference dinner.