MASTERY IN THE AIR

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1929, Page 8

MASTERY IN THE AIR

METEOROLOGICAL CONFERENCE. LONDON, August 23. Meteorological experts from all parts of the Empire are sitting in London discussing the relation of meteorology to aviation, marine navigation, agriculture, and the fighting services.

Lord Thomson, the Air Minister, in his address' of welcome, said since'he had taken 'up- aviation lie had felt that meteorology was the real secret of success in air transport. “I am convinced,” he continued, “that in the years to come aeroplanes, properly guided by meteorological stations, will 1 be able to save an immense amount of fuel and seek out favouring winds and follow routes hitherto . undreamed l of in flying around the sur-. fact of the world. This applies much more to the navigation of airships. I cannot see how airship navigation is going to be practised with the success for which we all hope without very great development in meteorological science.

“The astounding performance of Dr. Eckener in the Zeppelin is only a very mild beginning of what will, I believe, be accomplished by airships in the future. These ships will be in continual touch with meteorological stations arid will, find their way through storm areas in exactly the same way as the mariner at sea finds his way through reefs and shoals by means of well-established charts.”

MATHEMATICAL MAGIC. Lord Thomson added that Sir Hubert Wilkins, the explorer, drew his inspiration from an ancestor, a Bishop of Chester, 200 years ago. This bishop pointed out how much' loss was incurred by agriculturists through ignorance of weather conditions. He said that in order to get full knowledge of meteorological conditions it would be necessaijto establish stations as far north and south as possible, “Sir Hubert Wilkins told me” continued Lord Thomson “that he had s-tidied the bishop’s writings with the greatest care. They are treasured in the family. One of these writings was called Mathematical Magic, in which the bishop prophesied a lot of things that are happening now. It 4 was through reading these documents that Sir Hubert was inspired to make his explorations in the Arctic and in the Antarctic in order to fulfil the wishes and realise the visions of his ancestor.”

Discussing Polar exploration, Dr. G. C. Simpson, director of the Meteorological Office, said if there was to he a definite attempt to investigate the Polar regions, north and south, in 1932, we must be prepared to take ouipart. Canada and Australia were to bo approached about sending out expeditions.