WEATHER PROPHETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 241, 11 October 1929, Page 10

WEATHER PROPHETS.

TRAINING THE CHILDREN

STUDY OF METEOROLOGY.

(By Telegraph.—-Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday

"Why teach children of ten years of age to.become weather prophets?" asked Sir Robert Stout, in the Legislative Council to-day, commenting on a motion by the Hon. G. J. Garland: "That in view of the vital importance of meteorology in aerial navigation (especially of airships) and also hi agriculture, the Council urges the Government to take steps (1) to ensure the teaching of meteorology in public schools and in one at least of the university colleges, and (2) to increase the staff and equipment of the Meteorological Office sufficiently to enable it to provide a complete and modern service, particularly for aviation and agriculture, and so to be enabled to devote adequate time to research into the special problems of the Dominion." Mr. Garland said new observation stations should be established at Campbell Island, Sunday Island and Lord Howe Island, as the commencement of a larger scheme.

The Hon' J. A. Hanan opposed the motion, asking what Mr. Garland' would cut out of the school syllabus to make room for the new subject.

The Leader of the Council, the Hon. T. K. Sidey, said the matter had not beeu overlooked in the public schools and not entirely in the universities. The fundamentals' of meteorology were included in at least two of the degree courses. Hβ. referred to recent improvements made in the meteorological service of the Dominion.

The motion was carried by 29 votes o 6.