WEATHER OFFICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 9

WEATHER OFFICE

INSTALLED IN AWATEA

INTERESTING RESEARCH

AID TO AIR SERVICE

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) SYDNEY, April 14. The Awatea became an official meteorological station from today when a meteorologist signed on. His duty will be to assist in forecasting the weather over the Tasmah Sea for the projected air service between Sydney and New Zealand.

The necessary instruments were installed in the Awatea before her departure tonight for Wellington. An officer of the Commonwealth Meteorological Department, Mr. A. Martin, has been selected to make the weather observations.

. Officer? ,of the Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau, who installed the instruments in the Awatea, stated that she is the first merchant ship in the world to have a meteorological office. The instruments installed are valued at £1000 and include a specially stabilised theodolite which will not be affected by the roll of the ship. There is also a thermometer which can be attached to the mast and whose readings will be electrically recorded in Mr. Martin's office. There is a sea water reading thermometer and an instrument to measure wind velocity aboard the ship. Other equipment comprises a barograph and a liberal supply of balloons filled with hydrogen for gauging wind force and pressures. Mr. Martin's task will in some respects be difficult as his calculations will be subject to the ship's speed and other considerations which do not exist on land. ~

The Tasman Sea, it is pointed out, is a most interesting field for meteorological research as cyclones come from all directions and it is expected that some time will elapse before the station is in full working order.