LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1759, 26 May 1913, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SOLAR PHYSICS OBSERVATORY, REPLY TO PROFESSOR. COLERIDGE i'ARK'S LETTER. ' Sir, —Willi reference to Professor Farr's letter in to-day's Dominion concerning tho Solar Physics Observatory, I would .say, that at tho meeting of the New South Wales branch of the British Astronomical Association 'in Sydney March, Mr. Beattie, the secretary, read a letter from the Commonwealth Government, in which the statement was made that, they drclined to accept the money and instruments which had been collected by Dr. Geoffrey Duflield for the proposed Solav Observatory in Australia. Therefore, one could scarcely expect Mr. Cawthron to offer assistanco where apparently it is not desired. Possibly, in view of the fact that Dr. Duffield's efforts to further the cause had proved a failure, it was stated at a meeting in London of the Royal Society and the Royal Meteorological Society last December, that tho erection of a solar physics obserntory either in Australia or New Zealand was essential. This item was cabled to Australia, and was the actual cause of my visit to New Zealand last Decemlwr. The interest displayed here in the matter encouraged mo to return for a lecture tour after completing my visit to tho Solar Physics Observatory at Kodaikanal, in India, and Mr. Thomas Cawlhron, of Nelson, nobly responded 011 behalf of the cause. _As far as suitable sites are concerned Nelson is assuredly far moro appropriate than Canberra, the .temporary site selected in' Australia.

With reference to Professor Farr's remarks concerning Sir Robert Ball, he lias been written to principally beoauso I am lecturing in Australasia at his suggestion, and, secondly, because he is naturally in close touch with all that concerns the work of the Solar Physics Observatory which has recently been removed from South Kensington to Cambridge. Naturally, Professor Farr, being an Australian, is anxious that the honour of. forging the final link ill the chain of solar observatories girdling the earth should bo claimed by Australia, but unfortunately, though the opportunity has been within its grasn since 1907, so far nothing of special value has been accomplished. Once in six weeks Professor Baracchi, Government Astronomer and Mr. Baldwin, of the Melbourno Observatory, visit tho summit of Mount Strombi, a lonely site in the desolate region of Canberra, making meteorological tests, as I was informed by Mr. Hunt, tho Government Meteorologist. In a conversation with Mr. O'Malley, tho Minister for Homo Affairs, and his secretary, Colonel Miller, I was informed that though they sympathised with tho cause, yet in consideration of tho fact that the New Federal capital at Canberra had to be built up thero would necessarily be some delay in tho erection of the Solar. Physics Observatory. , Naturally, these delays seriously hamper tho work of the International Solar Research Union, which has patiently awaited during the past five years tho erection of the proposed Solar Observatory in Australia. Tho latter has neglected her opportunity, and New Zealand, through the generosity of Mr. Cawthron, has been enabled to avail itself of a chance % take its place in the foremost rank of scientific research—l am, etc.,

MARY PROCTOR, G Shannon Street, Wellington. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. Sir,—ln speaking on Wednesda!y evening last at 'a gathering of Wellington South supporters of the Bible-in-Suhools' League, 1 had no desire to misrepresent the Wellington Central Branch of the Women's Christian Temperauce Ui;icn. Nor did Ido so. My statement was that the action of that branch in voting against tho platform of the Bible-ill-schools' Leaguo was not representative of tho members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union of Wellington a3 a whole, as the Wellington District "Union had not yet voted on the question. In the report the three words, "as a ; .\holo" were unfortunately omitted, ifrs. Atkinson will agree, 1 think, that tiie statement I made was quite correct. May I add that the stand taken by the Women's Christian Tcmpcranco Vnion is being closely watchcd throughout the Dominion. Many, both inside :ind outside the union, have felt keen regret st the change of front at the Nelson o.i.nvaution, after the union had passed eo M'any icfolutions in favour of Bible-resding in schools. The adoption of whit is known as the "Nelson system" is not before the public. If it wero, lam convinced a number would oppose it as vigorously as they now oppose the league's platform. Introducing it simply means dividing' tho forces of those who favour Bible-teaching in State schools, and strengthening the hands of those who oppose it. This I much regret. —I am, etc., J. WARD. Methodist Parsonage, Wellington South, May 24, 1913.