£900 NEEDED FOR PLANETARIUM

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28888, 7 May 1959, Page 16

£900 NEEDED FOR PLANETARIUM

Subscription List Reopened

The planetarium for the Canterbury Museum has now been ordered, actual costs of the instrument have been covered, and it is hoped that it will be in operation by the end of the year —if the public will subscribe the £BOO or £9OO still required for the projection dome, reclining seats, and other ancillary equipment.

The Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand, which sponsored the project originally. last evening reopened its subscription list in the firm expectation that the required funds will be found promptly. When an import licence was refused a year ago, contributions were flowing in steadily from all over Canterbury, including firms and school children. The appeal was suspended; but the Royal Society believes that the great interest evident then will now be matched because of the prospect of opening the planetarium this year. The president (Dr. C. D. Ellyett) told members last evening that the instrument would cost £2400 and the total Installation £3600 to £3700. Last year’s appeal had produced £l6OO and Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon’s recent gift of £lOOO now ensured that the cost of the instrument could be met. Mr Mac Gibbon’s gift also meant that there would be no hitch in importing the projector and it also left a quicklyattainable sum to be found. It should be mentioned that the same donor, a year ago, had made a substantial contribution on the opening of the appeal. Mr Mac Gibbon, who presented his cheque for £lOOO amid loud applause, said he was glad that the museum (where he is trust board chairman) would soon receive another major attraction for entertainment and instruction.

(Contributions may be addressed to Planetarium Appeal, Royal Society, care of the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch.)