ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1919, Page 6

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive of the society was held at the residence of Mr. M. Fraser, Pendarvcs Street, yesterday. The president, Mr. S. Percy-Smith, occupied the chair. Other members present were ilr. Fraser, Mr. Lang, Mr. T. Montague Avery, Rev. O. Blundell (hon. sec.) and Mr. W. W. Smith. Apologies were received from several members who were unable to be present. General regret was expressed by the members at the resignation of the hon. treasurer, Mr. A. H. Johnstone, who is leaving New Plymouth. Mr. T. Montague Avery was elected treasurer in succession to Mr. Johnstone. Correspondence was received from the town clerk, the Hon. D. 11. Guthrie, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., in reply to letters applying for a site on Marsland Hill whereon to erect the proposed new observatory. The Minister replied approving of the site being granted conditionally on the approval of the borough council being also granted. A proviso was included in the Minister's letter to the effect that the public were not in any way to be restricted. The terms as set forth by the Minister were accepted. •Mr. Blundell reported that replies would shortly be received from several astronomical instrument makers, when tho society could determine what instrument would be selected. When lately in Auckland Mr. Blundell interviewed a gentleman who possesses a good telescope, who generously offered to lend the instrument to "the society in the meantime. Estimates aiv to be obtained and the erection of the observatory proceeded with immediately. Mr. Bmrell, of Stratford, who is a practical astronomer, is to be requested to supervise the work of erecting a 15ft. dome. The society decided that when the dome is finished and the telescope installed certain free days and night would be granted weekly to the public to view the stars and planets. A committee comprising) Messrs Blundell, Avery, and W. W. Smith were appointed to draw up rules to be presqnted .to the society at a seneral meeting to be held about October m 1