A NOTED SCIENTIST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19503, 11 June 1925, Page 7

A NOTED SCIENTIST.

RETIREMENT OF DR CHREE. WORK OX ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. (F.kosi Oce Own Cohp.sspokdent.) LONDON, May 6. Thirty-two years ago a young Scotsman, Dr Charles Ohree, F.R.S., was appointed to the post of superintendent of Kow Observatory. This week, when he retires from the position which lie has filled with great distinction, it will be as one of the world’s foremost authorities in geo-physical subjects—namely, terrestrial magnetism and atmospheric electricity. “I shall continue my mathematical work in my retirement,” ho says. ‘‘At present I am reducing the observations of the Australian expedition to the Antarctic under Sir Douglas Mawson. The results from observations of geo-physical conditions in the id ghor latitudes are always interesting, and in this ease the party was able to establish a station near the magnetic pole. The. results may enable guidance to bo given to another expedition in respect of what, instruments to use and what big disturbances to provide for.” SOME KNOWLEDBE OF lONS. Speaking of his research work in connection with magnetic disturbances of the earth ho explained that, these magnetic conditions were alvtays changing, and that constant observation was necessary in order that navigation charts might be continually altered. lie was one of those who helped to prove that the sun was the immediate cause of magnetic storms, and that there was a tendency, owing to the intensity of the earth’s horizontal force, for it to rise in days tiiat were free from disturbances. But for these disturbances the earth’s magnetism would he doubled jit about 20 years. He had also shown that in a minority of 'cases sunspots recurred after a period of 27 days, but lie had failed to prove (hat there was any connection between these sunspots and the amount of sunshine which we enjoyed. ‘‘ln fact,” added Dr Ohree. ‘‘though the science of terrestrial magnetism is quite an old one, and observations were taken at Llmchou.se as far hack at 1553, we geo-physcists have not succeeded in getting very far yet. Certain filings which were once believed im[xxssible wo have proved to be true, and we have, established, for instance, the, existence of ions and have acquired some knowledge of them.” When Dr Three first arrived at Kow, in 1893, the observatory, which was built by George 111 to view (he transit of was used as the National Physical Laboratory, and it was not appropriated solely for" ’meteorological and geo-physical observations until 1912. For the past 70 years meteorological observations have been carried out there, while from 1858 magnetographs, which record photographically magnetic movements of the earth, were miming continuously until tin's January.- They were stopped them, as (lie proximity of the electric trains made them unreliable, and they are to he replaced by a set. of modern sensitive Galitzin seismographs. Nearly every dav earth tremors are recorded at, Kow', while five or six earthquakes are registered monthly by means _of t Dr I‘hroe’s smeessrn- is Mr F. .1. W. Whipple, a meteorologist, and superintondent of rite British Painfah Organisation. Dr Ohree says it is retirement will give him more time for mathematical and other research. He is an authority on electroculture of crops, and is working out electrical experiments to be conducted at, Rot hamster).