ASTRONOMICAL STUDY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7141, 31 May 1910, Page 6

ASTRONOMICAL STUDY

FORMATION OP WELLINGTON SOCIETY CONSIDERED. Recent public references by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy and others to the necessity cf providing some up-to-date facilities for astronomical observation in Wellington led to something practical being done at the meeting of the Philosophical Society last night, when the formation of an astronomical society was briefly discussed. . In introducing the matter the. chairman, Mr A Hamilton, said that personally he did not think there was uny necessity for the formation of an astronomical society. He hoped that members would find it a sufhciently reasonable suggestion that there should be an astronomical or astro-physical section ot the Wellington Philosophical Society. Dr. Hector urged members to try awl ascertain what could be done in this direction, though lie did not advocate any particular course of action at the present juncture. He referred to.interviews on the subject appearing m the '• New Zealand Times," and said he thought that this was a very opportune time to push the matter forward and try to focus public attention upon it. Mr C P. Powles said he could not see why something definite should not be done without further delay. He theretore moved: —

That steps be. taken to form a. branch of the British Astronomical Association in connection with the Wellington Philosophical Society, After brief discussion, and on the chairman's suggestion, Mr l 3 «j}es withdrew his motion and it .was decided to set up a committee consisting of Messrs A Hamilton, A. C. Gifford, C. Adams Bell, Hudson, and Powles, /"£*« Easterfield, Drs. Kennedy and Hectoi, to consider the formation and «° astl ™- tion of an astronomical section of the Philosophical Society. Professor Bickerton -expressed the hope that the society would not set out with the idea of making observations onJy, out would go in for the study of astrophysics. __________