SPIRITED DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1936, Page 12

SPIRITED DEFENCE

METEOROLOGIST'S WORK

PROBLEM OF FORECASTING

"NASTY ACCUSATION"

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. "That the Government Meteorologist does so well is a tribute to his high skill," said Professor Burbidge, head of the physics department at Auckland University College, when interviewed today. He protested strongly against illinformed and extravagant criticisms, and outlined the great difficulties of weather forecasting in New Zealand. ! Professor Burbidge expressed surprise at the' Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union discussion yesterday and said that some of the reported remarks displayed deep ignorance. He would recommend the Kaipara committee to call at the Wellington office and see a little of the complicated business of forecasting before classing I forecasts as "dead reckoning or rule of thumb." The accusation that the Government Meteorologist was not doing his job was a nasty accusation to make about a scientist of international reputation and known hardworking habits "whom we are fortunate to have in New Zealand." said Professor Burbidge. He explained that the weather was governed by extensive weather systems covering an area as large as continents, and changes in such systems might move very rapidly—3oo miles a day was an average rate. New Zealand, therefore, was a very difficult place for forecasting, as it was surrounded by oceans from which only chance reports came via wireless from odd ships. "That the Government Meteorologist does so well is a tribute to his high skill and none more than he would welcome an extension of the meteorological service," Professor Burbidge added.