Chemical Society

The V.U.C. Chemical Society is essentially an academic society, and its main activities include lectures given by experienced chemists on chemical or allied topics. Some of the more outstanding lectures delivered over the past three years have been: 1954, Dr. Peter Harris of the Soil Bureau on "Geochemistry," and Mr. Athol Rafter of the Dominion Physical Laboratory on "A New Approach to the Study of the Earth." 1955 saw a demonstration by the College glassblower on practical glassblowing, and a talk by Mr. McDowell on The Nature and Distribution of New Zealand Clays." In 1956 there was a talk by Dr. England on "Nigeria, the White Man's Grave" and a discussion by Professor Munro on "The Education of Chemists in England."

The other, and possibly less academic, activity of the Society over the past few page 86 years, is the annual Study Week trip. In 1954 a group of some thirty members visited the Wallaceville Animal (Research station. Much interest was evoked during the tour, in particular the efforts of the scientists to brew an acceptable honey mead from the large quantities of uncommercial black honey available in New Zealand.

The following year, under the guidance of an active committee, an ambitious trip to the Kinleith Pulp and Paper Mills was planned. After travelling by passenger transport at night, a total of two days was spent at Kinleith. The plant management was particularly generous.

The 1956 project, although less ambitious than that of the preceding year, was again a two-day event. This time three commercial concerns were visited: Ivon Watkins Ltd., the Plant Hormone works at New Plymouth, the New Zealand Farmers Super-phosphate Works, and McKechnie Bros. brass extrusion plant. The chemical technology of all three industries was investigated to the full by all members of the party, whilst the mechanical intricacies of high temperature brass extrusion proved most fascinating.

This year the Society is endeavouring to make a return trip to the Kinleith Pulp and Paper Mills.