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Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 3, 28 September 1921, Page 5

How a man’s instinctive liking for a study will persevere despite the most scions handicap is well exemplified by the life of Mr. Frank H. Hitchings, known ,as “the astronomical chimney sweep.” wliosg death, at the age ,of 77 years, occurred at Christchurch on Thursday (states an exchange). While voyaging Io New Zealand in the ship fiilena in 1869. Air. Hitchings became interested in astronomy throjigh the good offices of the captain of tho vessel, and after a’’rival in New Zealand he pursued a life-long study of tho fascinating subject." - For a number of Vcars lie lectured on his hobby, and was the possessor of the largest telescope in tho Dominion. He became a member of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, and ' the Canterbury Microscopical Society. Further, ho became a valuable contributor of records of -nnspots to tho Loyal Geographical Society. All this ho accomplished despite llm fact tbnf his solo schooling consisted of '.only a few weeks nt a night school, and that he was by no means a rich mon. The big telescope still stands in a circular hut in Mr. TTitchings’s back yard, but as Mr, Hitchings hnd been nillng for years past, ft Is deteriorating from lack of use. The hut has a, revolving roof, and permits of good observations. Tn another' part, of the yard is a small room containing rows of chemicals and photographic apparatus, which he used it? connection with his study. A working model to illustrate the solar system also stands there, and out in the open are the remains of a reflector telescope which the astronomer built. Mr. F. J. Niall, general secretory of the Freezing Workers’ Federation, left last night, for Christchurch, to attend a •itting of the "Conciliation Council in connection with the Canterbury freezing workers’ dispute