PHYSICS OF THE EARTH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 111, 4 February 1920, Page 7

PHYSICS OF THE EARTH

THE OBSERVATORY AT SAMOA. There, is at Samoa a Goo-Physical Observatory, oiio of the most important of snoh institutions in Hie world. The purpose of the observatory is for.astronomical and gca-physical observations, and those activities include records of seismology, ■ terrestrial magnetism, electricity of the atmosphere, Tadio-activity, and meteorology. Tho astronomical work (Wo is probably the least important work of the institution. This observatory was run by the Germans before tho occupation, subsidised by tho Gernian Government. The institution was in chargo of Br. Angenhcistcr, and although lio lias had in the meantime no assistance from his Government, he has' carried on the work of the observatory. Tho nuestion has been under consideration bv tho Now Zealand Government as to whether this institution is to bo carried on under the civil government of New- Zealand. The cost under Gorman rule was .£'2ooo per year. Dr. 0. D. Adams, Dominion Astronomer, visited Samoa some months ago to insneet the observatory, and to make a report to the Government as to its value and importance. Dr. Adams was present bv invitation at the meeting of tho New Zealand Institute yesterday, to tell members something about the establishment. First of all, he rend a letter from Dr. C. Coleridg« Parr, in which Dr. Fan- urged the importance of tho maintenance flf this observatory. Ho considered it one of the most important of its kind in the. world by reason of its situation in the Pacific. The expenses of runnin? were about .£2OOO a year, and as it had been run for four years without aid bv Dr. Angenhoisler, it was urged bv Dr. Farr that New Zealand was in duty and honour bound to pay to Dr. Ancrenhoisfor the sum of ..CSfIOO. Dr. Adams described the institution as tin had seen it on his visit. Generally, lie said, tho work seemed to bo important, and to Iw very well done. His opinion was that, the wort; should bo continued, and he thought that the institute' should support that policy. Ho i'"ad a letter thai: he had received from Dr. Bauer, of the Interimtifliinl Geographical and Goo-Physical Union, M'!!ins most strongly Ihat the New Zealand Government ought to maintain the observatory at least as well as the Germans had maintained it. The institute decided that a committee, consisting of Professors Coloridgo Parr. Jfnrsden, and Somerville, and Mr. G. Hoylxui, be set up to consult with the Dominion Astronomer and the Government as (o the future of tho observatory.