A NEW METEOROLOGIST

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 105, 6 May 1927, Page 8

A NEW METEOROLOGIST

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Tho writer, in common no doubt with most other persons, has been astounded, to rend the announcement that tlio Government Meteorologist, Mr. D. C Bates, is to bo superseded and an outsider appointed iv his place at a greatly increased salary.

Now. Sir, why is this being done? As a student of meteorology for many years 1 can claim to know something about weather forecasting, and it is unquestionable that in Mr. Bates this Dominion has an extremely able and accurate forecaster. In this I am certain I will be borne out by everybody who is competent to judge. Although personally unknown to Mr Batea 1 know of the valuable services he has rendered and is still rendering to the Bcatoriug and farming communities of Aew Zealand at an inadequate salary for the expert knowledge required, and to my mind an immediate and full explanation is required as to why this officer, after many years loyal and ungrudging service, ib to be superseded and an outsider take his place nt a salary of £235 more per annum than Mr. Bates is receiving. Who is responsible for this decision, and what are the motives and grounds upon which it is, made? The public who have to pay have a right to the fullest information on these points. I hope, Sir, that you will not allow this matter to drop until the fullest light has been thrown on what appears to the man in the street to be an utterly unjust deal —I am, etc.,

ISOBAR.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—-1 was amazed to read in this evening s Post" the announcement of the appointment of a Director of Meteorology at £900 per annum. Certainly some explanation is due to the public of the new appointment. Why has Mr. D. C. Bates alter a quarter of a century's faithful and emeient service, been superseded? Has he proved in any way incompetent? What do the shipping masters say? What do the shipowners in the high countries say; My information is that he is held in high esteem. In any case a competent meteorologist with some 25 years' special study of New Zealand conditions cannot bo lightly brushed aside for an outsider, whose birth in New Zealand has no bearing whatever upon the main issue. We all have our standing joke against the weather bureau—"Punch" had it before most of us were born. Australia has it, New York has it, and London has it. But no one takes the joke seriously who knows the difficulties of weather predictions, more particularly in New Zealand Ihe question for the Government to answer is, why has Mr. D. C. Bates been superseded by an outsider at a much higher salary?—l am, etc..

MERCURY.