PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2792, 9 June 1916, Page 8

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Mr. C. 6. G. Berry, chairman of the astronomical section of the Wellington Philosophical Society, presided over a. meeting' of that section in the Dominion Museum oil Wednesday. Mr Berry expressed regret at the fact that the late Mr. Cawthvoii, of Kelson, died before carrying out the project lie had .formed of estab--lishing a Solar I'hysics. Observatory in the vicinity of Nelson. Steps had been taken to acquire a. site and arrange preliminary details, and it is hoped that the untimely death of the .potential benefactor will not upset the .whole scheme.

Br. C. K. Adams read a paper describing his year's work and experiences at the Lick Observatory in C alifornia. This magnificent observatory is maintained as an integral part of the State University of California by a population about twice that of New Zealand. Dr. Adams is certain from liis experience in New Zealand and California that sites of at least equal excellence aro to bo found in'the Dominion, .'and pointed, out ftiat the brightness and number of tho stars in the Southern Hemisphere make it certain that particularly useful records could be obtained here. He stressed the need for a National Observatory in New Zealand, and meanwhile for organised work among tho many ■ amateur astronomers. of the Dominion"'. Dr. Adams received a vote of thanks for his interesting lecture.