PLANETARIUM POPULAR

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 8

PLANETARIUM POPULAR

Visits By 17,292 People

In the five months since the planetarium at the Canterbury Museum 'was opened, 17,292 people, including 7924 schoolchildren, have visited it, the Museum Trust Board was told yesterday. Over the last month, the total was 3847, comprising 824 of the general public not in parties, 438 in parties, and. 2585 schoolchildren. Altogether, 295 sessions have been held, with an average attendance of 58.8 out of a possible accommodation total of 79.

The museum theatre has been used on an average three times a week since the-end of January, the total number of people using it over the period being about 18,000. Already 89 bookings have been made for next year. Attendance of children at museum classes from November 17 to December 15 totalled 5561. of whom 3830 were in regular primary-school classes. A feature of the recent work of the education section has been the marked increase in the number of secondary pupils dealt with, a great number of these attending lessons on astronomy.

“Star Of Bethlehem” Programme A special Christmas programme entitled “The Christmas Story" is being given every day. and twice on Thursdays and Sundays in the Plantarium at the Canterbury Museum from now until Christmas ■ Eve. The programme deals with the Star of Bethlehem. It is given at 2.30 p.m. daily, as well as at 8 p.m. on Thursday and at 3.40 p.m. Sunday. From Boxing Day until January 29 Inclusive, the same hours will be observed, but the programme will be a general one covering such things as simple astronomy, the southern sky as seen from Christchurch, and the planets currently visible. Mr Mata-afa Invited To Washington (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, December 14. The United States Government has invited the Prime Minister of Western Samoa (Mr Mata-afa) to pay a courtesy visit to Washington later this week. The Prime Minister is at present in New York, where he has been attending the meetings of the United Nations Trusteeship Committee on the future of his country.