PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7928, 11 October 1911, Page 2

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

ASTRONOMICAL SECTION'S ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the astronomical section of the Wellington Philosophical Society was held last evening, Mr C. P. Powles presiding. Tho report stated that some substantial progress had been made towards the objects for which the section was founded. A good equatorial mounting on a cast iron pillar had been procured for the five-inch refracting telescope. Mrs pardons, of the Tower Hutt, made a valuable gift to the section by presenting a sixinch reflecting telescope which was made by the late Mr W. F. Parsons in 1873. The council endeavoured to organise, a party to co-operate with the Australian expedition which was sent to observe the eclipse of the sun in April last, but unfortunately' the difficulties iu the way proved insuperable. During the year at the meetings of the section a number of important papers have been road and lectures delivered. Officers were elected as follows; —President, Mr C. P. Powles; vice-presidents. Dr C. M. Hector, Father Kennedy, Professor Pickin, Mr Martin Chapman; council, Messrs G. Hogben, C, E. Adams, W. S. La Trobe. Sladden, Berry, Parry, Captain Hooper; secretary, Mr A. C. Gifford. A very interesting lecture on Xhe Milky Way” was delivered by Dr Hector during the evening.