Kaitaia Astronomical Society

Northland Age, Volume 7, Issue 12, 17 December 1937, Page 1

Kaitaia Astronomical Society

Annual Meeting The annual meeting of the Kaitaia Astronomical Society held on Tuesday evening, was well attended by members and other interested in the study. Mr. C. B. Michie occupied the chair. Report Prior to the business of the meeting being dealt with a report on the New Zealand Solar Eclipse Expedition of which he was leader, was given by Mr. Michie. The report was illustrated with lantern slides and created considerable interest among those present. Mr. Michie dealt with the long yxeriod of organisation and the necessity for very complete equipment beingtaken by the party as it was proceeding to an uninhabited island. A vivid description of the voyage of the party to Canton Island and of the places visited was given. This included a description of life on the island and of the, arduous work of erecting the instruments prior to the eclipse. A series of lantern slides showed the instruments in various stages of erection, the camps of both the New Zealand and the American party and a most interesting collection of bird life on Canton. Slides of the eclipsed sun taken by the cameras that were used were shown and the details explained by the lecturer. The voyage back to New Zealand and the stay of the party in Samoa, was also depicted on the screen. Mr. Michie spoke of the splendid equipment of the Ameriican party. This party was able to obtain the finest equipment possible as it had almost unlimited funds at its disposal (£25,000 having been expended) while so far as the New Zealand party was concerned each had to pay his own expenses. New Zealand should be carrying out s. jenrific and astronomical work, but so far, the Government had not seen fit to make the finance available for this research. It was hoped that in the near future this work would be undertaken and if an observatory was built in New Zealand, the North, through its geographical position and other conditions had a strong claim as the site for such an undertaking. Speaking of the results achieved by the expedition, Mr. Michie said that although it was too early for a full study to have been made of the eclipsed plates, a study that was now being carried out in England, still the results already shown clearly indicate the success of the expedition which had travelled over 5000 miles and spent seven weeks away from New Zealand for the purpose of making observations of a phenomena that lasted only 3i minutes, but this was one of the greatest eclipses of his- . tory, as it was of longer duration that any for the past 1200 years. Speaking of his own instruments which had used a new principal in eclipse work, Mr. Michie said that the results were so satisfactory that they encouraged him to proceed with the experiments. In concluding, Mr. Michie paid a tribute to the assistance he had received in the organisation from the members of the Kaitaia Astronomical Society. For his very interesting talk, Mr. Michie was accorded a vote of thanks that was carried with acclamation. In speaking of the Eclipse Expedition, Mr. F. 11. S. Matthews said that Mr. Michie deserved full credit for the very capable manner in which he had organised the expedition and led it to a successful conclusion. Votes of Condolence Members stood in silence as a mark of respect for the family of the late Mr. W. C. H. Wigley who had been an active member of the Society. Election of Officers The following officers were then elected : President —Mr! C. B. Michie; Vice-Presidents Messrs. D. Buckle and W. F. Berry ; Secretary and Treasurer—Mrs. F. Begley. Subscription : As the Society had funds in hand it was decided not to collect a subscription for this year. New members : A number of new

members were nominated. Votes of thanks : For the very generous donations of a series of as- | tronomical slides of the Society, Mrs. McLea of Mangonui, was accorded a vote of thanks as was Mr. Foster for the use of his room for meetings. Next meeting : The next meeting of the Society will be held early in February when it is probable that lantern slides will be used to illustrate the lecture on the subject that will be discussed. Destroying Dogs Without Collars A legal opinion was read at the la.st Council meeting on the question cl whether the dog- registrar had the right to destroy a dog not wearing a registered collar whether registered oi not. Alter hearing the opinion the conclusion was reached that great care would have to be exercised lest there should be a claim for damages. No dog could be destroyed without the special authority of the Council. Ihe clerk said he believed that an opinion had been given by Mr. Martin that a dog- could only be destroyed if found worrying sheep. Shooting Accident While out shooting on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Ivan Black of Kaitaia, had the misfortune to shoot off one toe and damaged another through the accidental discharge of the gun he was carrying under his arm. Mr. Black was taken to the County Hospital where he is now an inmate. Schools Close for Summer Holidays. —The schools in the district closed today, Friday, for the summer vacation.