THE YALE TELESCOPE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1923, Page 3

THE YALE TELESCOPE.

A DUNEDIN DISCUSSION. DUNEDIN, October IG. A general statement as to the present position of the oiler from Yale University of a high grade telescope to New Zealand was made at the close of the meeting of the astronomical branch of the Otago Institute this evening. At the request of the chairman, Rroffessor D. R. White, Mr. J. C. I’egg explained the position. Mr Begg said that most of those interested in astronomy were nwanting the project which was on foot to acquire the Yale telescope for New Zealand had taken a turn different from what had been antieapated. Tliev bad heard from the Mayor of Auckland that an arrangement had beet! made between Auckland City and Yale University to have the Yale telescope erected in Auckland. That was rather

a surprise to them here, as negotiations had been taking place between the New Zealand Astronomical Society and Yale to have different sites tested, so that the instrument might be placed in the most favourable position. A cablegram was sent to Yale by the New Zealand Astronomical Society,

and be would read it so that the position would be clearly understood. It was as follows:—“Alleged closed arrangement with Auckland, hindering our -ite testing operations. Kindly cable i nnlirmat ion or denial. KuH'icienl funds available in south for building-. Urge vi-it New Zealand bcioro deciding." That cablegram was sent because it was felt that it would be almost in tiie nature of a disaster it tin observatory, v.linli was probably de-tined to become the nucleus of a national ob-ervalorv should be in this

precipitate manner placed in a situation which bad not been thoroughly tested and proved to be suitable. Tbo reply was to this elfecl : —“Auckland arrangement confirmed. Letter foi lows." It was not perfectly clear li'ut.i flint that, a closed contract existed between Auckland and Yale, but the suggestion certainly was that things we iv well mi toward- finality in 'he matter of arrangements between YoV and Auckland. However, a loiter we.-, lio doubt, at the present: time ell route Irom Yale to New Zealand, and lie did Hot think it desirable or necessary t> .-.ay anything I'ui'tbcr in regard to their procedure until that letier ar rived. They mu-i. ju-t leave ii r!

that till tin; let ici' came to ham!. l’iole-,oi White a.lded that neither the New Zealand Astronomical Society nor their own branch proposed to take any action at present until they heard the term.- of the letter from

Yale University. It bad been suggest e.l that Otago might have been remiss in her ell or ls, and in reply to that be would ills! -ay that, knowing Hie "bole ol the donations front tile first,, there was no one in Nett Zealuud who bad been more actively interested or wlm bad done more m order to receive ■be 4 ale offer lor New Zealand than Mr Bogg. ("Hear. hear” and ap