SOLAR OBSERVATORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1772, 10 June 1913, Page 3

SOLAR OBSERVATORY.

MISS MARY PROCTOR HONOURED.

A reception was given by tlie Mayor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. I«ko) and Mrs. Luke to Miss Mary Proctor in the Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall last night. There were about 150 guests present. Mr. Lulie tendered a hearty welcome to Miss Proctor, congratulating her upon, the success that had crowned lier eflorts to have a solar physics observatory established in New Zealand. Ho was sure til© people of New Zealand could' not tail to admire the splendid example set by Mr. Cawthron in showing in a practical way his interest in astronomy. Mr. Cawthron had telegraphed that day regretting his inability to be present at the celebration. Mr. Luke also welcomed the Hon. James Allen, and congratulated lnm on having been able to secure "three milliona j of money to scattcr in New ZcaMr. C. E. Adams (Government Astronomer) said it gave him very great pleasure to take part in tho demonstration in honour of Miss Procter. What had appealed to those who met Miss' Proctor on her arrival in Now Zealand, to her en unknown field, was her ■unbounded pluck when her prospects of success did not seem at all bright. It was indeed fortunate that she had managed to earn the sympathy of Mr. Cawthron, and fortunate that Sir. Cawthron desired to hove tho observatory established at such a suitable place as Nelson. Of course, it must not ba supposed that when the solar observatory was erected everything would be done that need be done in connection with astronomy in New Zealand. He hoped it would bo only the beginning, for New Zealand wag particularly well suited for stellar observatory work. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy, after congratulating Miss Proctor on the success of her mission, 6poke of the suitability of Nelson as a site for a solar observatory. ChieHy its qualifications were the amount of bright sunshine—about GO per cent of tho possible amount—and the stillness of tlio atmosphere. Professor Laby spoke of the significance of the gift of the observatory, and expressed a. hope that it would fulfil its object by adding to the store of scientific truth. He was pleased to bo able to say that other generous gifts to science had ■ been made in New Zealand. And tlui should be so, for the community owed so much to science. Miss Proctor acknowledged the kindness of the welcome accorded her that evening, and generally thanked the people of New Zealand for the kindly reception they had given her. She explained how it came about that she visited New Zim-

land, and how she met Mr. Cawthron. He had been unable to go to her lecture, at Nelson, and she had called on him at his house, hearing that he was interested in' the study of astronomy. Thcro Mr. Cawthron, unsolicited, offered to find the amount which ho was informed was required to found tho observatory. The result was that now New Zealand would take n foremost place in tho world of science and another link would be forged in tho chain of solar physics observatories circling the planet. (Applause.) At tho invitation of tho Mayor the people present signified their appreciation of Sir. Civwthron's generous gift with a. round of hearty applause, and a similar compliment was paid to Mr. A. C. Clifford, secretary for thp Astronomical Society, for tho work ho hail dono in arranging Miss Proctor's tour. Songs wero sung during the evening by Madam Brainsby, and by Mr. Fletcher, and both had to respond to recalls from an appreciative audience.