Boost recommended for observatory

Press, 30 November 1987, Page 2

Boost recommended for observatory

By

OLIVER RIDDELL,

In Wellington

A new feature for the Carter Observatory in Wellington, and its Black Birch station in Marlborough, is recommended in a report to the Government The review committee looked at the observatory’s funding formula and long-term funding, its role and organisation, whether it should be independent and what legislative backing it needed. Four options were considered:

• Continuing as at present that was not considered viable because lack of funds would lead to its closing. • Putting it under the wing of the physics department of the University of Canterbury; that was not considered costeffective and would also cost the observatory its national role. • Setting up an astronomical institute at the University of Canterbury; that would involve loss of Independence for the observatory. • Retaining a national

Carter Observatory; that was considered the best if there were increased funding from the Government, sharing the cost of running Black Birch with the University of Canterbury, and seeking outside funds. The committee said that the functions of the Carter Observatory were important to New Zealand for scientific, educational and cultural reasons. It should retain its national observatory function, with an inflationadjusted annual grant from the Government,