ASTRONOMY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1921, Page 5

ASTRONOMY.

NEW PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annua] meeting of' the New Plymouth Astronomical Society was held last night, Mr. W Laing presiding over an attendance of about twenty members. Apologies were received from the president (Mr. S. Percy Smith) and Messrs. G. HL White and M. Fraser. The secretary (Mr. O. Blundell) reported: “In presenting the second annual report it is desirable io express great satisfaction at the success that has attended the establishment of an astronomical society in this town. The membership has steadily increased and there is now a total of 149 members, 123 subscribing and 26 life members. It is evident that there is great Interest being taken in the subject of Astronomy, and it is hoped that it will eventually bring about considerable advance in knowledge of the universe ' The year has been the definite beginning of the work of th© society. The observatory was opened on August 19, 1920, and the Gin. Alvan Clark refractor placed in commission. Subsequent observations proved that the society is possessed of a very fine telescope and that its qualities make it worthy of being mounted in a better manner than as at present. A fund ha ; been established with a view to obtaining a first-class mounting and driving clock for the instrument, as ”t present no reliable position of celestial objects can he secured nor good observations be made of a satisfactory kind. The keen interest taken in'the 'bservatory may be 'seen by the fact that since the beginning of 1921, when regular records commenced, 943 people have been shown various objects in the telescope and have expressed pleasure and wonder of the things seen. A contribution box has been placed at the observatory and is being liberally supported. The hon director is assisted by Messrs. J. T. Morsehead, D. Wilkinson and A. E. Anderson in z the care of the observatory and equipment Goodacre’s solar map in 25 sections has been procured and placed in position at the observatory. The thanks of the society are due to the following: Messrs. Thos. Humphries, F.N.Z.1., for circumpolar chart of the heavens; G. Maunders for copy of Deverau’s Astronomy; E. Anderson for work in improving the telescope; F. J. Morsehead for loan of 2-inch refractor finder telescope; S. Percy Smith for copy of Practical Astronomy; A. Smith and T. A. Thompson for installing electric light at observatory; W. F.-Fussell for copy of Outline of Astronomy; and J. Downs for assistance in connection with repairs to path. Application was made to the Borough Council for installation of electric light at the observatory, but was refused for financial reasons. The president (Mr. P. S. Smith) and Messrs. K. A. Anderson and T. J. Morsehead retire from the executive, and the two, later offer themselves for re-election. Monday night has been appointed members’ night at the observatory.

A credit balance of £l7 7s 7d was reported. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Dr. G. Home, C.8.E., was elected president of the society. Messrs. E. W 7 . M. Lyson, D. Wilkinson and J. Alliman were elected members of the executive. The action of the executive in electing Mr. O. Blundell hon. director of the observatory was confirmed.