LECTURE ON THE MOON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1186, 3 June 1884, Page 3

LECTURE ON THE MOON.

On Friday evening last, the Hon J. B. A. Acland delivered a lecture on 'The past History of the Moon.' The Rev. J. Preston presided, and during the couiseof his opening remarks deprecated the paucity of the audience, especially commenting on the absence of the youthful residents in the district. Prior to the lecture commencing a musical entertainment was given, the piano being presided over by the Misses Fish, and songs were contributed by Mrs Glass, Miss Andrews, Messrs Lloyd, Wilkinson and others. The lecturer, who was received with applause, commenced with comments on the past history of the mooa, going through its various stages until it became, as it i* supposed to be at the present time, a dead world. At the same time he wished to ■■ be distinctly understood that he was not aiming a blow at the Biblical version of the creation of the world, and that a right reading of the first < I' 'Genesis raised no conflict with sci<-"?o on tb • creation of this and other worlds. He adopted the Nebular theory in order to explain ih# origin of the solar system. He entered very fully into explanations in reference to the craters now extinct, as clearly dis cernible on the moon's surface, and referred his audience to several photographs and diagrams that were displayed on the end wall of the hall. Tha lecturer quoted largely from Nasmyth and Carpenter's works dealing with reference to the moon. He also noted the ring formations, mountains, etc., visible to man by means of the telescope. A brief interval often minutes ensued, at the conclusion of which music was again brought into requisition. Mr A.cland devoted the second part of his lecture to ' The Uses and Abuses of the Moon.' He explained the moon's action in regard to the • tides, distinctly averring that she is of far more use to mankind through her action on the sea than as a light giver. He also spoke in regard to the various superstitions that had arisen, especially that it exercised considerable influence on the weather ; its influence on people's sanity ; the tendency of the moon's rays to decompose meat, fish, etc., and that by shining on the eyes of a sleeper it produced blindness, and the determining of the hour of death by the moon. He regarded all these superstitions as utterly without foundations. At the conclusion votes of thanks were passed to the lecturer, the ladies and gentlemen who had contributed the musical part of the entertainment, and the rev. Chairman. The proceeds of the lecture will be handed over in aid of the funds of St. Mary's Church, Geraldine.