H. —34.

Solar Parallax Programme. In response to a request from Dr. H. Spencer Jones, Chairman of the Solar Parallax Committee, H.M. Astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope, the 9 in. telescope was used during January and February for taking photographs of the minor planet Eros. This was part of a programme for the determination of the solar parallax, in which sixty-four observatories took part. Owing to extremely poor weather conditions at the time, only eighteen plates could be attempted on the regions in which Eros was situated. The planet was definitely located on six of the plates. This work was undertaken by members of the New Zealand Astronomical Society, in conjunction with the staff of the Dominion Observatory. The plates have been forwarded to Dr. Spencer Jones, who will have them measured up, and the material will be used in his work on the solar parallax. International Astronomical TJnion. By the courtesy of the Central Astronomical Bureau, arrangements have been made for this Observatory to receive advice of all important astronomical discoveries. The information is forwarded by the Bureau at Copenhagen to this Observatory through the Melbourne Observatory. The following information was received in this way during the calendar year 1931 : — (1) Discovery of an object by Nakamura, Mag. 11-8, 1931, June Bth. (2) Rediscovery of Encke's Comet by Bobone, Mag. 9, 1931, June 21st. (3) Confirmation of discovery of comet by Nagata, 1931, July 27th. (4) Ephemeris of Comet Nagata, 1931, July 27th. (5) Discovery of a comet by Ryves, Mag. 4, 1931, August 14th. (6) Ephemeris of Comet Ryves, 1931, August 21st. Comets. Of the objects reported by the International Astronomical Union, only Encke's Comet was observed in New Zealand. The other objects were either too faint for most instruments or were in an unsuitable position for southern observers. Encke's Comet was observed visually at Wellington with the 9 in. telescope on July sth, 16th, and 17th, six observations being taken of its positions by means of the equatorial circles. The observations were forwarded to Dr. A. C. D. Crommelin, England.

Meteors. Summary of Meteors for 1931.

Besides these appearances, which were brilliant enough to excite public notice, a large number of observations were obtained by the Meteor Section of the New Zealand Astronomical Society for the determination of southern radiants. " New Zealand Nautical Almanac." An article on the Dominion time-service arrangements, giving full particulars of all the time signals supplied by the Observatory, was prepared and published in the "New Zealand Nautical Almanac." - Summer Time. The Summer Time Act, 1929, provided for the time in New Zealand being half an hour in advance of New Zealand standard time for the period beginning at 2 a.m., New Zealand standard time, on Sunday 11th October, 1931, and ending at 2 a.m., New Zealand standard time, on Sunday, 20th March, 1932. Seismology. Seismological Stations. During the year 1931 the two Milne-Shaw seismographs, the Galitzin-Wilip vertical seismograph, and the Ishimoto clinograph (E.-W. component) have been in continuous operation at the Observatory. On January 28th a Wood-Anderson short-period seismograph was established at the Observatory for the purpose of recording local earthquakes. The Milne twin-boom seismograph at Suva has continued in operation during the year. The seismograph is operated by Miss Mune, of the Telephone Exchange, Suva. The records are developed and forwarded to this Observatory for measurement. The Milne seismograph at Arapuni has been maintained and operated under the charge of the District Engineer of the Public Works Department, Arapuni. The records of this station were particularly useful in locating the epicentres of many of the Hawke's Bay earthquakes. The following new seismological stations were established in New Zealand during the year 1931 : The Imamura strong-motion seismograph was transferred from Wellington to Takaka in January. This seismograph has been recording continuously in the charge of Mr. W. J. Smith, Postmaster, Takaka.

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Place. New Zealand Date. 1 Notes. 8 is Auckland .. Feb. 18d. 201i. 15-5m. Left train. Wanganui .. Nov. 17d. .. .. Very brilliant, left train, disappeared in direction of sea.