AN OBSERVATORY IN CENTRAL OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14357, 29 October 1908, Page 8

AN OBSERVATORY IN CENTRAL OTAGO.

Siitj—A short time back some remarks appeared in the Otago Daily Times with reference to cresting an observatory in Central Otago. As very great interest is taken in this matter, I send at foot copy of a letter which appeared in tho Nelson Evening Mail a few days ago, as it throws considerable light on the subject.—l am, etc., Pro Bo.n'o Publico. Dunedin, October 27. Sin—ln your issue of .Ihe 13tli inst. I' notice a brief note throwing cold witter on my suggestion to establish on astronomical observatory at or near Maruia thermal springs. The objections raised are twofold— first, that the matter has been settled by the Carneeio Institute deciding to erect an observatory "in the Southern Andes"; and, secondly, that the climate of Mantis, renders the site I suggest " a most unsuitable spot" as compared with Central Otago. 1 bc£ for spaco to touch neon both points. As to the first of these objections, I wouid like to point out that tho argument tells in just tlm opposite direction. The recent advance of scientific astrology lias made it iinperativo for the scientific and commcrcial world to recognise ihe practical influence of sun-spot periods. New Zealand, the most advance:! country on tho earth in sr>mc respccis,is now the only country in the Southern, Hemisphere which in those important i'c-' spocts is seriously lagging behind. • The ercction oi an .observatory " in the Southern Andes" by the. Carnegie Institute may (but probably would not) prevent the Carnegie Institute from financing a similar institution in New Zealand; but it would by no means obviate the necessity for an observatory in New Zealand. My suggestion was that the present is an opportune moment for the Kelson Chamber of Commerce to bring this matter before the attention of both the Carnegie Institute and the New Zealand Government. With regard to the second objection— that Maruia is not so good a site for an observatory as Central Otago,—l maintain that the neighbourhood ot Maruia hot springs would combmo many advantages, which cannot possibly belong to any spot in either Central Otago or any other part of th e South Island. The principal points to be considered in this connection are latitude, altitude. and distance from the seaboard. As to the climate of Maruia Valley, I can bear testimony from personal experience, I lived there in an open tent- on the river flat during the whole of last winter, and was, as on previous greatly struck with the clearness of the sky and the general absence of clouds _ and storms. An observatory' at Maruia ininergi springs could at the same time be devoted to many purposes: it would be in the best possible position for combining all the advantages of a solar, stellar, seismic" magnetic, and meteorological observatory' and it would be right in the heart of the Dominion, almost as near to Wellngton and Auckland as to Duuediu and Invercar«ill At tic same time, such an establishment would lend additional attraction lo tourists Finally, such an establishment would supply the crying need in i\ T cw Zealand of a thoroughly equipped mutiplex observatory.—l an l:, otc v, . , (Revd.) Joseph Taylor. 13 IDOS Institute, Nelson, October