ASTRONOMY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1908, Page 3

ASTRONOMY.

A PROPOSED OBSERVATORY. The president of tho Xew Zealand Institute (Mr. O. M. Thomson) yesterday read a letter from Messrs. T. M Fleming and H- p. Bel], on behalf of tho Victotia College Council, intimating that that body had appointed them a committee-" to submit to tho institute the proposal that the College Council should expend ths Carter bequest strictly in accordance with Mr. Carter's will, lhe fund two years ago amounted to over £2300. Professor Maclaurin, late Professor ,of Astronomy at the college, had resigned, but the council proposed to appoint another qualified Prole?sor of Astronomy* and if the fund vras entrusted to tliPm tho' council would expend it strictly - in tho provision of a suitable building and tho purchase and erection of a telescope therein, and such astronomical fittings as could be provided. Tue college was able to provide a suitabls site free of coft, and, further, the college , could provide the professor and staft required by the bequest, and the building necessary for the purpose. The president said the Carter bequest was earning 4 per cent., but h<\ did not see why 'the Public Trustee should not give 4^ per cent, for the money. It was resolved to remit tho matter to the treasurer (Mr. M. Chapman), with power lo act. Subsequently Messrs. Fleming and Bell waited on ths governors. Mr. Bell, after repeating the substance of the letter already refcired to, paid the College Council was the only body able to comply with the terms of iho bequest. The College Council could pro\ide a Professor ot Astronomy, and a site and building for an ob&ervawiy. The governors might and the College Council a useful engine foi carrying out the trust, and the council offered ittelf for that purpose He thought thcrp would be no necessity to j-eek the assistance of the Supreme Court in ths interpretation of th? terms of the trust, but the council would be willing to go with tho governors to tho court. Mr. H. H. Hill thought the institute could not very well hand over to the College Council — a local body. Dr Farr did not think much astronomical work would bo done by the council, because they would need very much more than £2000 He" differentiated between star-gazing and scientific astronomy. Mr Bell, said a profpssor was to be appointed under the U-'rm? of the will, and he thought the only body which could do thH was tho Victoria College. , In reply to Dr. Fan: ho said the telescope would be available to the public as' the Lick telescope was when' not' required by the astronomical staff. The governors intimated that tho mci.ttei- would receive confederation, and the deputation then withdrew.