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Mathematical and Physical Society

A cloud was cast over the Annual General Meeting of the Mathematical and Physical Society by the recent death of Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville. Professor Sommerville was one of the founders of the Society and had, in no uncertain manner, helped to raise it to its present position. His kindly manner and disposition will cause him to be remembered by all who came into contact with him.

The meetings held during the 1934 session have been very successful. A number of visits were arranged and these were much appreciated. Parties were conducted over: The N.Z. Railway Workshops; the Dominion Observatory; the Statistician's Office; and the Meteor-logical Office. Another innovation this year was a combined meeting with the Wellington Philosophical Society, the N.Z. Institute of Chemistry and the Victoria College Camera Club. Mr. Townsend, a New Zealander who has invented a new method of colour photography, delivered a paper on "Colour Cinematography." The paper was followed by a demonstration of his colour films.

The first paper of the year was given by Mr. C. J. Seelye, M.Sc., who spoke on "Wave Mechanics." He indicated how the theory of the electron had arisen and how knowledge was still indefinite as to whether electrons were particles or waves. Their general properties were described in terms of wave mechanics. The lecture assisted materially to clarify any vague notions of the subject.

Mr. J. C. McIntosh, M.Sc., presented a most interesting paper on "The Upper Atmosphere." He had a comprehensive knowledge of every branch of this wide subject and described the methods adopted for obtaining the data regarding this very important yet fully unexplored region. Mention was made of the recent balloon ascents into the stratosphere and the probable effect this region has on the earth's weather. A radio sonde balloon (from the Ellsworth expedition) was exhibited.

Mr. I. D. Stevenson, M.Sc., read a paper on "Square Root of—1." He explained that primitive man was aware of positive numbers but chafed at not being able to subtract 2 from 1. The concept of "— 1" then arose followed by imaginary quantities—e.g., "Root of — 1." Mr. Stevenson demonstrated many applications of this remarkable number and also several interesting fallacies.

Mr. N. R. Palmer, B.Sc., delivered an address on one of the most recent advances of modern physics, viz-,"Heavy Hydrogen.' The speaker explained the nature of isotopes and the fundamental importance of the discovery of the heavy isotope of hydrogen. After he had described its preparation and properties (including those of heavy water) there was an extremely interesting discussion on other applied aspects of the subject.

After the supper at this meeting a presentation was made to Mr. C. J. Seelye (Travelling Scholar in Arts) who was about to sail for Scotland. Mr. Mcintosh, in making the presentation, mentioned Mr. Seelye's out-standing ability and wished him, on behalf of the Society, every success. Further eulogistic remarks were made by Professor Florance, Mr. Miles and Mr. Stevenson.

The final lecture was given by Dr. E. Marsden on "An Outline of Technocracy.'" The speaker showed how the idea arose and illustrated how chemical processing and mass production had upset the relationship between man hours per unit of output and wages. Certain American scientists had thus been led to propose energy as a fundamental basis of value instead of the conventional money.

The Society is indebted to Mesdames Florance and Miles who so kindly provided the suppers which are a feature of the Society's activities.