ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1922, Page 4

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The executive council of the New Plymouth Astronomical Society met on Friday evening at the residence .of the president, Dr. Home, who occupied the chair. Apologies were received from Messrs. Alleman, W. W. Smith, and E. M. Lysons. Mr. G. H. Dolby, who has been elected to the executive, was welcomed by the president and members. The director moved the following resolution, which was carried in silence: “That this meeting of the executive council of the New Plymouth Astronomical Society places on record its profound respect for the memory of the late S. Percy Smith, Esq., F.R.G.S., first president of the society, and its high estimation of the encouragement and assistance which he rendered during the earliest days of the society’s existence. His brilliant achievements in the realm of ethnology, hia long standing and great value as a public servant, and his well-known interest in all branches of scientific research, lent very considerable weight to the efforts of the society in its infancy, and encouraged the promoters to no small degree.” The treasurer (Mr. T. M. Avery), presented a satisfactory statement of the financial position, there being a credit balance at the bank of £59. The director reported that the new equatorial mounting for the 6-inch telescope had been installed by the maker, Mr. J. T. Ward, of Wanganui. As soon as the observing members had become thoroughly used to the working of the new instrument, the observatory would be re-opened, and arrangements made for the general public to be shown celestial objects in the telescope. It was decided to pass for payment Mr. Ward’s account for the equatorial and work done in connection with the driving clock, which amounted to £B2. As the payment of this will more than absorb the balance held, it is requested that outstanding subscriptions be paid forthwith.

Messrs. Alleman, Lysons and Avery were appointed a sub-committee to make arrangements for a popular illustrated lecture to be given by the bon. director early in July. It is hoped, now that the telescope is properly mounted, that funds will be available for the purchase of a spectroscope, a micrometer, and other necessary adjuncts to the telescope; also for the mounting and housing of the 12-inch parabolic mirror possessed by the society, which will give magnificent views of the planets and nebulae. It was decided to urge the New Zealand Government to send Dr. and Mrs. Adams, of Wellington, to represent the Dominion with the expedition which is to go to Australia in September of this year for the purpose of observing the solar eclipse there.