A SCIENTIFIC BASE

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 51, 1 March 1921, Page 7

A SCIENTIFIC BASE

THE SAMOAN OBSERVATORY.

Whether the Sampan observatory, the official control of'which passed out of German into British hands with the occupation of the island in 1914, is to be continued in. operation or sacrificed on the, altar of retrenchment, has n* yet been officially decided. During the war its work was earned on by the resident German scientist, Dr. Angenheister, but on the settlement of the fact that the German regime had definitely passed, steps were taken to place a British scientist in charge. Three months ago Professor R Marsdeh, of Wellington, accompanied by Mr. C. J. Westland, went to Apia to take charge of the observatory until a permanent director was appointed. Professor Marsden has now returned, but Mr. Westland has remained in. Samoa.

The choice of a* scientist to control tho observatory was left in the hands of a committee in ■ London, to which, applications were made by a number of British scientists, including one in New Zealand and one in Auetralie. ■ ; Professor Marsden states that the observatory has been doing splendid work. He took over itE records and kns brought back for, publication .a large a.mount of very , valuable data, which will throw a great light on the geophysical problotns of the Pacific