THE CAWTHRON TRUST

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 147, 17 March 1919, Page 7

THE CAWTHRON TRUST

ITS AIMS 'AND OBJECTS

EXPLAINED BY MR. T. A. H.

FIELD, M.P.

. 'Before tho Parliamentary Committee of Industries lit Nelson last week Mr. T. A. H.' Field, M.P., ono of tho trustees of the C'awthron Institute, gave, a , great deal of information'concerning, the, .proposals of the trustees. He said that during tho war" .the trustees had'been able to do very little, but in that' period they had increased the incomo of the institute to .811.000 per annnm. which would be spent in research 'work. The trustees had also initiated certain scholarships for scientific training ■ which in eoven years' time'would be absorbing .£llOO per annum. . In the courso' of. his replies to nutations,. Mr.' Field said: Tho Board" of Science and Industry, recommended by the New Zealand Institute and strongly backed by tho National Efficiency Board, ■would have a statutory grant and therefore be free from Ministerial '. interference/ This proposed board might assist the Cawthron Institute with'grants and subsidies in those cases in which r large scale : experiments of an expensive type had to be. undertaken. 'Tho.idea of tho Board of - Science * and Industry as far as I understand it was to subsidise libernlly all research work in Now Zealand, whether carried out in Government laboratories, ■•university colleges,, research institutes, or by private individuals. Tho money would bo paid by direct grants or in the form of fellowships or scholarships to be hcld'at specified institutions for specifio purposes. As to the financial position of the Cawthron Institute, the cash, invested amounted to , besides which there is land at Annesbrook valued at , and observatory lands valued at ,£soo'. . Tho trustees aim at keeping the capital at .6200,000. and paying ; for buildings, equipment, etc., from income. It is proposed to appoint fit first a director, a chemist, and then a plant pathologist and an orchardist, and then increase in the direction that occasion demands: This will not only bo economical, but it will allow of elasticity in the development of the institute. By judicious investment the trustees have increased the income from 21' to 40 per cent. There will bo a C'awthron Minor Scholaiship of ,£lO5 per annum for three years at least, and a Cawthron Scholarship- for two years uf .£l5O per annum. Then it.is proposed to give a Cawthron Fellowship of ,£250 per annum if ft candidate of sufficient merit;is' forthcoming. . In seven' years' time, when this 6cheme is; in full operation, this will mean a yearly expenditure' as follows:— Three- minor scholarships of .£315, two Caw'thron Scholarships , of sC3OO, two fellowships , .£'soo, or a total of .£llls per (vnnuni, which .will mean the interest on a sum 0M22,000 devoted to the scientific training arid education of students in New Zealand.. This is open to. all .New Zealand. This should attract, a constant stream 'jof university graduates, and should be an important; factor, in retaining .in. New Zealand il large' proportion of the. most, able of ,the New Zealand science graduates .who at the present tinie leave, .'the country and do not return. "When the work of the institute is well under way'great help can l>6 giyen to technical rural ,edueation in. the Nelson district by means of lectures, demonstrations, aiid . scientific advice. . Courses,-of'lectures could be. arranged not .only-.'in Nelson, .but also in other centres. Practical, demonstrations would naturally on the pxperi- . mental.gi'ouiicls,owned or Controlled by the C'awthron Institute/in; .different parts ' of the .district/ As fresh industries, talco root in the district,-it will be a natiir'al function, of the institute, to .help in the establishment and; to foster file growth of these industries by carrying oiirinvestigatiqns , that ..will assist in their vigorous development. '' A sum of .£12,000 to iE15,00() should. cover, the east of buildings and equipment. It is proposed to havo aliirge and carefully, selected library,'which is one of the first needs of a research' -institute • Otherwise a , : worker may , spend weeks, months,or even, years;-iri arriving .'nt .(he solution "Of'^problem"Svliicli lias alrieady.'bjen solved'''by soipe other -worker, or '■which with proper library 'facilities could be solved iri a few days. This library will l>3 at the 'service of all research workers in New.Zealand. It is also proposed to'maintain the most friendly -relation- , ship with "the 'Departments' of Agriculture, Education and Mines, so'that the work of'the institute and of. the Government Departments should be' comple-. nientary of each other, having for their ultimate objects the welfare'and advancement Of the Dominion and of the Empire:' 'The late Mr. ■ Cawthroii was very mnch interested in'the establishment of aj solar observatory :-in Nelson, whose climate is particularly suited'for this purpose. Dr. Hale, of-Pasadena, has ' promised to prepare a plau of'suitable mstruments similar to that which he is preparing for Italy,- and which would be inexpensive and yet enable observations to be made the- results of which could be worked out in America, and he of the greatest value-to" , science. The trustees are .disposed-to favourably consider the matter. The- land was- purchased ■■ for the observatory before the late Mr. Cawthron's death. • ■■ '. • ' • .•; ■;

In reply to .questions, -'Mr. Field Raid that in the administration of the Oawth'ron Trust the fruit industry would receive preference.—Nelson "Colonist."