III

Scientific Societies

As New Zealanders are more interested in facts than in theories they tend to frequent their science clubs more than the generally cultural ones. The war healthily stopped the superficial interest in the latter. It is interesting to note however that the chemical society asked for original addresses and was extremely successful. This practice should become more general and seems to me at the present stage even more instructive than asking outside speakers.

The Mathematics and Physics Society has not submitted a report. This is a pity for I looked forward to it to solve the mystery what it has done during the two years I have been searching for it in vain. I am quite sure that many are as eager as I to join these Eleusian sages.

The Biological Society sent me an impressive list of activities. There were six lectures of outside speakers on topics chosen to have a general interest: Dr. Li on plant introduction and exchange, Count Wedzicki on Polish universities, talks on blood transfusion and insect ecology, and other matters also suitable for non specialists.

Excursions are an integral part of club life; there was this year a week end trip to study the vegetation above Fields hut. This is also the second year that the society publishes its annual magazine, a record of information gained in field work and an attempt at spreading general knowlege of biology.

The Chemical Society had a most satisfactory year. I mentioned the success of the talks by junior students on topics like Vitamins, Explosives, and even on Carcinogenic Compounds, which is a deep organic subject, I hear. The lectures of outside speakers were also popular (leather tanning, glass blowing, and soil chemistry) and they were well attended. A further innovation this year were screenings bearing on theoretical Chemistry. In addition the society visited the gas works.

The Law Faculty was less active. It organized an amusing and instructive lecture by Mr Justice Blair on "How to conduct a case in Court," and participated in inter-society debates on legal subjects. As usual it supplied its "Supplement of the N.Z. Law Journal" prepared by students. There was also a farewell tea party to the president, Professor James Williams, who departed to Sydney.