ASTRONOMICAL LECTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1919, Page 3

ASTRONOMICAL LECTURE.

BY REV. 0. BLUNDELL. There was a very good attendance at the Assembly Hall of the Boys' High School last night, when an illustrated lecture on astronomy was given by the Rev. 0. Blundell, The chair was occupied by Mr. S. Percy-Smith. Mr. Blundell said his lecture was intended to be something in the nature of an introduction to the study of astronomy. He referred to the aim of the society recently formed in New Plymouth, which was to secure the establishment of an observatory in New Plymouth to aid in the development of the study of astronomy. Application had been made for permission to have such a building erected on a portion of Marsland Hill, and the Boroivgt Council had expressed itself as favorable to the application. Mr. Blundell especially stressed /he educational advantage that would follow the building and equipping of an observatory. He then dealt with the telescope, and showed, by photograph and diagrams, the methods by which its work was performed. The lecturer then proceeded to show what the telescope levealed, dealing with the sun, the moon; and a number of planets. Mr. Blundell also spent some time in dealing with •omets. The slides, which were shown by Mr. W. H. \Moyes with the High School demonstration lantern, were a particularly fine lot. The lecture was followed with the closest interest, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Blundell. i