MAGNETIC OBSERVATIONS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14563, 14 January 1913, Page 2

MAGNETIC OBSERVATIONS.

THE CHRISTCHURCH STATION.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS

In the course of an interesting inter-

view, Mr Skey yesterday gave a "Press" reporter a good deal of information regarding the work at the Christchurch observatory.

"The return of the two Antarctic expeditions is looked forward to about tho beginning of April," he said, "and the observer of Captain Scott's expedition will no doubt find it advisable to check the Constance of his dip-circles, etc., at tho Christchurch observatory before his return to Europe. A lot of work is on hand in tho way of getting out the results to be used in connection with this expedition, and all information will be forwarded as soon as available to the Royal Society. The work in hand at present includes the routine work of the observatory, the registration of earthquakes and magnetic forces, meteorological work, ■ and the preparation of information required by other observatories." ,

"The latest additions to the outfit of the Christchurch observatory include tho Eschenhagen magnetographs which have been housed in a small building in the Kowai Domain (Amberley), the Kowai Domain Board giving permission for the building to be erected there. These magnetographs will, when in continuous operation enable records of magnetic declination, horizontal force, and vertical force to be obtained undisturbed by any extraordinary effect duo to return electric currents from the tramways. It has been proved that effects are felt up to a distance of twenty miles from tho nearest electric tramway line. This is tho experience of the Cheltenham magnetic observatory near Washington. In tho meanwhile, before continuous registration is attempted, the instruments are being used to obtain accurate observations during term hour periods, arranged in connection with Dr. Mawson's Antarctic expedition, aud now being observed by Mr Webb, magnetic observer of that expedition, and also by Mr Wright, physicist with Oaptain Scott's expedition, and by numerous co-operating observatories throughout the world."

Tho building at Amberley is at present sufficient for these 'term hour observations, but in order to fit it for continuous registration over the 24 hours it is intended to put in a 2ft instilatifag wall of sawdust to mitigate the effects of outside alteration of temperature. It is highly necessary that these delicate instruments should be kept at, as near as possible, a uniform temperature.