POLAR METEOROLOGY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20650, 23 August 1930, Page 11

POLAR METEOROLOGY.

DAILY WEATHER MAPS. WORK. BY- NEW ZEALAND. A PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME In connection with the coming Polar Year, in which New Zealand will join with the other nations, the aim of tho meteorological work will be the broad study of tho atmosphere in polar regions and its relation to the atmosphere iu lower latitudes. One- of the principal objects, of immediate practical value, : jvill bo the preparation ;>f daily weather maps representing the state of'the atmosphere at sea level in the two polar regions. At present daily weather maps very seldom permit a thorough study- of conditions and changes on the ." polar side of the great atmospheric disturbances .-of the temperate zone and a .new series "of.Jnaps is required for this purpose, based "on a better distribution of stations. In tho northern hemisphere this neod- will be met by radio messages from some, if not all, of the stations taking part in th« main magnetic and metc&rological work, and by the establishment of a number of well distributed ordinary meteorological stations to fill gaps in the existing circumpolar network of meteorological reporting stations. Problems of the Antarctic. In the Antarctic the problem is more difficult. No permanent meteorological stations exist in high southern latitudes, with the exception of that in the South Orkneys, and apart from the Antarfrtio continent the land areas there are of small extent. The great expanse' of sea makes it probable, however," that tho phenomena of the "polar front" occur there in a more simple form than in the north, where they are complicated by the land areas. • ■ h

It is desired to investigate the region of the sub-Antarctic islands .-rather than the conditions close to the South Pole, and this need would be met by the establishment of a very few stations on the Antarctic continent, combined with as many as possible on the islands, and by the organisation of meteorological observations on board ships, especially on the whalers, which are numerous in certain parts of the Antarctic waters. Still more important will be the investigation of the circulation of the air between the polar regions and lower latitudes, which is necessary for the .study of the mechanics of the atmosphere, as well as for immediate progress in weather forecasting. Pilot balloon observations will be made wherever possible. New Zealand's Part. New Zealand is expected to undertake its share of the investigations abovementioned, and New Zealand scientists are naturally anxious that it should do so. The matter has been taken up enthusiastically by the New Zealand Institute, on the initiative-of its president, Dr. C. Coleridge Farr, F.R.S. The institute has appointed a committee to organise the Dominion's contribution to the general plan. This committee consists of the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, Professor C. Coleridge Fair, Sir J. J. Kinsey, Mr. George Shirtcliffe, Dr. E. Marsden, Mr. H. E. Walslie, Mr. W. R. B. Oliver, Mr. A. E. Hefford, Professor D. M. Y. Somnierville, Piofessor W. N. Benson, Professor P. W. Burbidge, Professor D. C. H. Florance and Dr. E. Kidson (convener). The committee held its first meeting on Wednesday, July 16. Mr. George Shirtcliffe was elected chairman and Dr. E. Kidson secretary. , It was resolved to get into touch with the Australian authorities, with a view to co-operation and the co-ordination of effort in these regions. A discussion was held .regarding the programme which should be aimed at. Final decisions will, of course, not he possible until after thorough discussion with other authorities, and until it is known what funds will be available. In the latter connection it inay be mentioned that since the expeditions will not leave until 1932, there is every reason for hoping that the present financial depression will have passed before it will be necessary to provide the actual funds. In principle, therefore, the committee decided to envisage the following provisional programme:— (1) That the British authorities be urged to establish a station at Cape Adare, it being felt that European countries should not concentrate solely on the Northern Hemisphere. (2) That New Zealand should establish its main station at Macquarie Island, where huts are already available, while a subsidiary station may be established at. the Auckland Islands. (3) That as much biological, botanical and geological work as conditions allowed should be undertaken by the New Zealand expeditions, in. addition to the meteorological and geophysical work. (4) It was thought probable that another station, such as Sir Douglas Mawson's base in Adelie Land, be established by Australia, thus completing a good distribution in these regions. The occasion of the Polar Year will be a very important one in scientific history and the committee confidently anticipates a lively interest in - the project on the part of the general public, and active support in the furtherance of its plans.