HECTOR MEDAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8341, 30 January 1913, Page 9

HECTOR MEDAL

AWARDED TO PROFESSOR EASTERFIELD,

At yesterday's meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, the president, Mr F. Cheoaoman, F-R.S., broke a sealed envelope which contained the announcement of the Hector Memorial Committee foe 1913, and he read the enclosed statement, as follows: “I have the honour to report to you that it is the unanimous opinion of tho committee that the award of the Hector Medal for 1913 should _ he to Professor Eastorfield, of Victoria College, Wellington, for his distinguished work in chemical research, especially, in connection with New Zealand products —work having a direct as well as indirect bearing on the scientific knowledge, the health, and tho prosperity of the community.” The letter was signed by the chairman (Mr G. M. Thomson) and Professors Ormo-Masson, F. D. Brown, and W. E. Evans, and the recommendation was adopted, amidst applause. Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., read a letter he had received from Professor Evans, who expressed his opinion that the award was in danger of being made on wrong principles. Tho leaflet seemed to him to stipulate for research in New Zealand subjects. “Surely this is a mistake,” said Professor Evans. _ “I fancy tho Hector Medal was to be given according to the original trust, for research carried out in New Zealand—a very different and also a very much moro important matter.” UNSATISFACTORY REGULATIONS. Some discussion took placo on the regulations, which were declared by Dr. Cockayne to bo in a very unsatisfactory condition, and in contravention of a resolution of the Hector Memorial Committee, under which the trust was made. He moved, and the Hon. H. D. Bell seconded, that a legal opinion should he obtained as to whether the deed Of trust, being in contravention of the report of the Hector Memorial Committee, adopted by the Board of Governors, could bo altered so as to accord therewith; if not, whether the deed or tho resolution of the Boar<;l of Governors should prevail, as defining tho objects of th« award. This was carried. HUTTON MEMORIAL. With regard to the Hutton memorial, Dr. Cockayne said that the regulations did not express what was intended, nor did they meet the pase. lie gave notice of intention to move for an alteration in these regulations next year.