Retorts

More Honours

I received my copy of New Zealand Science Monthly [July] last Friday and I congratulate you and your colleagues on an interesting and varied issue. There was one small point that caught my eye. On page 9 you correctly refer to the recognition of Drs Kirton and Stevens in the Queen's Birthday Honours. However, may I point out that Dr Charlotte R A Wallace received an OBE in the same Honours List.

Charlotte was especially deserving of mentioning in your note because of her contributions to biological sciences at the University of Waikato. She was a Foundation member of the university and retired in 1985. She has been a pioneer in conservation and environmental issues and was associated with the establishment of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust.

Charlotte was born in England and graduated in 1942 from Oxford, then gained a PhD from Cambridge where she researched in the field of reproductive endocrinology at the School of Agriculture. Her research interests in genetics have been maintained over the years and she has in recent years published pioneering research on the genetics of the water snail Potamopyrgus jenkinsi.

In 1946 Charlotte married Dr L R Wallace and returned with him to New Zealand. Dr L R Wallace was to become Director of the Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre and a notable researcher in agriculture in New Zealand. Charlotte had various part time appointments as she strived to maintain her interests in science while nurturing the growing Wallace family. As their five children grew up, Charlotte was able to extend her activities in science. Initially at the University of Waikato she established a multi-disciplinary course in science history and at the time of her retirement was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Dr Wallace's career helps to illustrate some of the challenges facing women in a creative endeavour such as science. Early in her career there were few opportunities for part time work. Science is a rapidly evolving endeavour and there can be many difficulties for a woman re-entering this field after nurturing children to early maturity. In her case, Charlotte was able to "keep her foot in the door". Having a sympathetic and helpful husband is of course essential. The Wallaces established a partnership in their activities.

In my view, Dr Charlotte Wallace deserves special recognition for her achievements in combining her interests in science and coping with the demands of a large family.

Dr Andy Thomson, Centre for Studies on NZ Science History, Christchurch

[I'm particularly mortified at having missed noting Charlotte Wallace's OBE as I was a speaker at Waikato's graduation ceremony this year where they presented her with an honorary Doctorate of the University. - Ed.]