STUDY OF WEATHER

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1930, Page 7

STUDY OF WEATHER

NEW METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE

BUILDING AT KELBURN

The new Meteorological Office at Kelburn, Wellington, built near the Dominion Observatory, was officially opened on Friday by the Minister of Health, Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Here, as the Minister said, the meteorologist has a building which, though of modest appearance and dimensions, was designed for his particular purposes. He has his instruments for recording the weather at his hand, and at the same time has a. clear view of the heavens.

The gathering was small, but representative. Mr G. Shirtcliffe chairman of the Council of Sientific and Industrial Research, wlio presided, said that until recent years comparatively little interest was taken in this science of meteorology. It was looked upon as the hobby of a few more or less amateur weather prophets. Thanks to those few enthusiasts, however interest was created among the community, and eventually what was now known as the Meteorological Office was established.

New Zealand, he thought, was very fortunate in securing the services of Dr E. Kidsml, ft man of high qualifications and wide experience. The impetus given to meteorology during the last few years was rather remarkable, and was due no doubt to the development of aviation. _ The two scienoes were more or less interlocked. Up till quite recently the recording had been done at Kelburn, and the office work in town. The arrangement was most unsatisfactoy. It was felt that a more efficient service would be rendered if the office was alongside the recording station. Mr Shirtcliffe wished Dr. Kidson and his staff every success. The Minister, who apologised for the absence of the Acting-Prime Minister, Hpn. E. A. Ransom, said it gave him great pleasure to open officially a building devoted to the study of the weather. It might be said that the history of civilisation was, to a large extent, the story of the development of man’s capacity to l render himself either independent of the vagaries of the weather, or more fully in co-opei‘ation with, its ascertained principles. “In New Zealand nature has been particularly generous to us in the provision of a climate which is unrivalled for stimulating the soil to productivity,” said Mr Stallworthy. “Our climate is our greatest asset. But even our climate is subject to fluctuations, each of which has its effect on til© yield from the land. And since it is on this latter that our whole livelihood, our very existence, depends, it is clearly of very great importance that we should record and study our climate and elucidate • the effect of its variations. There are undoubtedly many ways in which practical operations can be more closely, adapted to our climate, and its variations with corresponding advantages in increased productivity and wealth.”

NEEDS OF SHIPPING. The forecasting of the weather had been developed in the first place to meet the needs of shipping and that was still one of the most important services to which it catered, he continued. But the forecast was being made increasing use of in ordinary advocations, while to the man on the land new applications were continually being found. Perhaps the most valuable service given by weather forecasts was to sheep farmers at shearing time, when heavy losses might be entailed through exposing newly shorn sheep to cold and wet in open paddocks. At lambing and harvest times, also, much use could be made of an accurate forecast, especially when, as now, it could k*e made promptly available through the medium of wireless telegraphy in the farmer’s own home. “There is no doubt,” concluded the Minister, “that meteorology must receive increasing attenion in the modern community, and I dm very glad to be able to declare this, the first home _of its own that meteorology has had in New Zealand, officially open.” Dr B. Kidson, Director of Meteorological Services, expressed satisfaction at the erection of the new building. Some of the modern developments in forecasting, he said, had been based on a thorough, study of the information which the appearance of the atmosphere itself gave, and therefore the favourable situation of the building was an important advantage. Mr It. A. Wright, M.P., moved a vote of thanks to the Minister, which was carried bv acclamation.

Visitors, after an inspection of the buildintr, were entertained to afternoon tea.