Dominion Physical Laboratory (N.Z.)

Date: 24 Oct 1943-8 Oct 1947

From: Australian Joint Copying Project : Miscellaneous Series microfilm

Reference: Micro-MS-Coll-20-2852

Description: Quantity: 1 microfilm reel(s).

Date: [Between 1926 and 1954]

From: Marsden, Lady Joyce : Assorted photographs and negatives from the papers of Sir Ernest Marsden

Reference: PA1-o-135

Description: Album of photographs relating to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Reasearch presented to Dr Ernest Marsden in 1954. Includes detailed photographs of various laboratory procedures and apparatus, including meat dehydration plant in the Meat Research Laboratory; mass spectrometer; electron microscope; Borthwick Beta-Ray apparatus; soil consolidation machines; geothermal bores; knock resistance tests, with a CFR engine; separating constituents of butter fat, the Fats Research Balance Room; members of the Soil Survey Conference in Napier, 1950, and members of the Geological Survey Conference in 1952; Rongotai Aerodrome under construction; the Magnetic Observatory building in Christchurch; the Dominion Observatory, and the Seismological Observatory; Crop Research Division buildings; Hop Research Station; members attending the Grasslands Conference in 1933; and members attending the Seventh Pacific Science Congress in 1949. Inscriptions: Album page - Presented to Dr. E. Marsden with the good wishes of the senior staff of the D.S.I.R. and in appreciation of the help & encouragement he has given them throughout the years of his association with the Department, 1926-1954 (With 30 signatures) Dr Ernest Marsden was Director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research from 1926-1947 Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Brown album, 26.5 x 32 cm

Date: 30 July 1953-24 Sept 1954

From: Lysaght, Muriel Mary, 1917-2005: Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-11784-01

Description: Contains quotations from nurserymen, seedsmen, florists and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dominion Physical Laboratory, for tests on clay bricks. Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 18 Oct - 12 Dec 2005

From: Royal Society of New Zealand Wellington Branch oral history project

By: Marr, Julene, active 2000s; Rumsey, Norman Jack, 1922-2007

Reference: OHInt-1008-14

Description: Interview with Norman Rumsey, born in Brisbane in 1922. Discusses his family background, growing up in Queensland and his father's occupations. Refers to moving to Auckland [1935]. Talks about his schooling in Australia and at Auckland Grammar, and studying maths and physics at university. Mentions joining the tramping club. Talks about moving to Wellington, studying at Victoria and being recruited into the Army during World War II. Mentions being transferred to the Navy because of his knowledge of electronics. Discusses getting a job in the National Physical Laboratory after the war, his ties with Victoria University and the construction of an electron microscope. Refers to getting a job in the optical design team of the Dominion Physical Laboratory (DPL), Dept of Scientific and Industrial Research. Comments on having further training in optical design and geometrical optics at the University of Tasmania. Talks about designing lenses before computers were used and the need for perfectionism. Refers to the International Geophysical Year and making a fast photographic lens for spectrographic studies of the high atmosphere. Refers to a permanent laboratory in Otago [at Lauder] for upper atmospheric studies. Comments on the hierarchy and culture at the DPL and his promotion to section head. Refers to the advent of computers. Discusses telescopes, his beginnings in astronomy and the Mount John Observatory. Refers to building reflecting telescopes. Mentions variable stars, super nova and pulsars, and continuing his astronomical observations after he retired in 1992. Norman Rumsey was also interviewed in 2003 for the Astronomy in Aotearoa oral history project (OHColl-0957). Interviewer(s) - Julene Marr Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-023182 - OHC-023192 Quantity: 10 C60 cassette(s). 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s) (incomplete handwritten summary). 1 interview(s). 10 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-7611 (incomplete). Search dates: 1922 - 2005

Date: 1983

From: Pickering, William Hayward (Sir), 1910-2004 : Papers relating to association with New Zealand and career in the United States

Reference: MS-Papers-8979-07

Description: Correspondence relating to a visit to New Zealand in 1983 and correspondence relating to scientific and business issues in New Zealand Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss, typescripts and printed matter

Date: [1912-1959]

From: Riddiford family : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-5714-028

Description: Comprises correspondence and other papers re vehicles (1947, 1959); driving infringements (1922, 1923); letter from Algar Williams re land at Te Awaiti (1920); letter re sale of bookcase (1915); telegram re Riddiford's employment of German shearers (1914); Dominion Laboratory water analysis of `Longwood's water (1912); telegrams re wool sales (1921); Tauherenikau and Featherston-Longwood water races (1913-1914); letter, M Murphy re romney studs, and being a bachelor (nd); letter W Pollard re trees 1923); letter, C F Pierce, re taking Sheridan to work (1926); letter re firewood for Te Awaiti (1921); correspondence with Arthur Iorns and Williams and Kettle re sale of Te Awaiti (1920, 1922); wool prices (1921, 1922); papers re Land Tax scheme (1912); papers re Eric Lees' financial problems (1921); `Memorandum on the wool question' by DHS (1920); notes re Tom Smith and financial loss (1927); confidential open letter re wool freight costs (1923); note re labour costs (H F Johnston, 1928); letters, T Lloyd of Marton, re Comethup (a horse) (1913); letters re Castle Fire Alarm (1912); extract from the `Morning Post' `To revive trade; demands of income tax payers (1922); letters from Ian MacRae re assistance in `Tyneside' mortgage (1928); letter, Nancy Rilleston, re job (19121); letter, DHS to W B Martin, re recreation ground, Featherston (1927); telegram re donation or sale of Karori land to school (1919); letter, Dept of Immigration, re importation of farm boys (1914); and letter, C Tilleard Natusch re house building proposal in Martinborough (1914) and Quantity: 1 folder(s).

Date: 20 Apr 1961

From: Marcus, Desire Stephann, 1905-1996 :Panoramic photographs of staff at the DSIR and the Ford Motor Company, also a photograph of a DSIR open day

Reference: PA6-763

Description: Panoramic group portrait of identified DSIR Dominion Physical Laboratory staff outside their building in Gracefield, circa 1942. Includes men and women, many in lab coats. Photographer unidentified. Accompanying information - List of identified staff accompanies this item Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s) panoramic photograph. Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 15.2 x 38.1 cm

Date: [ca 1942]

From: Marcus, Desire Stephann, 1905-1996 :Panoramic photographs of staff at the DSIR and the Ford Motor Company, also a photograph of a DSIR open day

Reference: PA6-762

Description: Panoramic group portrait of unidentified DSIR Dominion Physical Laboratory staff outside their building in Gracefield, circa 1942. Includes men and women, many in lab coats. Photographer unidentified. Accompanying information - Envelope with identification of group and dates of D S Markus's employment with the Dominion Physical Laboratory Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s) panoramic photograph. Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 18.3 x 39.1 cm, on mount 21.6 x 32.6 cm

Date: 7 May 1943

From: Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 :Photographic albums, prints and negatives

Reference: 1/4-000431-F

Description: Anthea Abercrombie measuring screw gauges in the metrology room at the Dominion Physical Laboratory, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in Gracefield, Lower Hutt, Wellington. Photograph taken 7 May 1943, by John Dobree Pascoe. Original caption reads: "Precision work in the measurement of screw gauges at the Dominion Physical Laboratory involves the use of instruments that are a pride to the staff." An original print from this negative is in the War Effort Collection IA 79 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).

Date: 1943

From: Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 :Photographic albums, prints and negatives

Reference: 1/4-000533-F

Description: Dominion Physical Laboratory staff in Gracefield, Lower Hutt, waiting for Eleanor Roosevelt's arrival. Shows men and women, many in lab coats, standing outside. The bonnet of a Rolls Royce is in the foreground. Photograph taken in 1943, by John Pascoe. Other - Pascoe's heading in the Photographic Archive file 6/1/30, for the set of photographs at 1/4-000519 to 000579, reads: "Mrs Roosevelt in New Zealand." Other - Pascoe's caption, in Photographic Archive file 6/1/30, for this photograph reads: "Some of the men and women who work at the Dominon Physical Laboratory." Source of descriptive information - File print Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

From: K E Niven and Co :Commercial negatives

Reference: 1/2-208950-F

Description: Window display, Dominion Physical Laboratory, photographed by K E Niven and Co of We Description from negative envelope and studio card index. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative Finding Aids: Studio card index: Miscellaneous Isolated Order Clients no 909.

Date: 30 Aug 1943

From: Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 :Photographic albums, prints and negatives

Reference: 1/4-000532-F

Description: Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt visiting the metrology section of the Dominion Physical Laboratory, in Gracefield, Lower Hutt, Wellington, during her visit to New Zealand. Jean Miller, Laboratory superindendent, is explaining the activities of Eileen O'Brien (later Kenna), seated. Joe Heenan, Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, who managed Mrs Roosevelt's tour, is in the background, on the left. Inscriptions: Marginal notes on negative - top left - 20, 532 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: [ca 13 May 1943]

From: Pascoe, John Dobree, 1908-1972 :Photographic albums, prints and negatives

Reference: 1/4-000429-F

Description: Anthea Abercrombie using a pitch measuring machine, to get accurate dimensions of screw gauges, at the Dominion Physical Laboratory, Gracefield, Lower Hutt, Wellington, circa 13 May 1943. Photograph taken by John Dobree Pascoe. Other - Pascoe's caption, from the Photographic Archive file at 6/1/30, for the first of the set of photographs at 1/4-000428 to 000436, reads: "Science to the aid of industry. Led by scientists and precision engineers, the Dominion Physical Laboratory does specialist work that enables manufacturers to increase their production on defence output. The staff at the Laboratory includes men and women specially trained for their war-time job..." Caption - Pascoe's caption for this image in Photographic Archive file at 6/1/30 reads: "A worker trained to use a pitch measuring machine, to obtain accurate dimensions of screw guages. The Dominon Physical Laboratory specialises in precision measurement to 1/10,000 inch and less." Inscriptions: Marginal notes on negative - top left - 20, 429 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative

Date: 14 Nov 1959

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: EP/1959/3872-F

Description: Photograph taken for the Evening Post newspaper of Wellington by an unidentified staff photographer. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Cellulosic film negative, 6.5 x 6.5 cm