ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 41

ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY.

CENTRAL OTAGO SITE ADVOCATED. It is the intention of the Carnegie Institute, America, to establish an astronomical observatory on very advanced lines somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere,s.n<d three places have been suggested as suitable sites. These are South America, South Africa, and New Zealand. Dr Coleridge Farr, of the Canterbury College, who has been interesting himself very closely in the movement, and who has been in communication with the Carnegie Institute in connection with the work of the magnetic survey of the world, is very desirous that this observatory should be secured for this Dominion. All who know the position consider that Central Ot-ago is the ideal place for its establishment. The matter has been before the Council of the Otago Institute, and a joint report by the president (Dr Hocken), Professor Park, and Professor Benhatn has already been forwarded to Dr Farr. The establishment of such an observatory in Central Otago would be of immense advantage, scientifically and otherwise, to this island, as it is believed it is intended that the observatory is to be one of the finest of its kind in the world. In connection with the above propo«al, Mr G. M. Thomson (president of the New Zealand Institute) has forwarded the following letter to Dr C. Coleridge Farr, of Canterbury College: — "In my opinion Central Otago would furnish several eminently suitable sites for such an institution. Exact meteorological data are not available, but at a distance of about 50 miles inland in a north-west direction from Dunedin, and extending for another 100 miles or more north and west, the country is high, with extensive elevated ridges and plateaus, the air is extremely clear and dry, and the geological conditions point to freedom from earthquakes and earth tremors. To the west of the valley of the Taieri River rise the Rook and Pillar Range, which ruus in a nearly north and south direction, skirting the line of the -river and the Otago Central railway, and rising to a height of 4675 ft. Due west of this is Routrh Ridge, with an elevation of between 2000 ft and 3000 ft. Perhaps the ideal site would be found about Blackstone Hill. 110 miles N.N.W. of Dunedin. 3244 ft high, and within a few miles of the ra.ilwav line. From records takon some years ago in the neighbourhood the rainfall in this part of Otago wojjld appear to be from lOin to 15in per annum. The summer heat seldom reaches 85decr F., while the winter temperature may fall to Odeg F., though it has been recorded as low as — ITdeor F. The air is extremely crisp, dry, and clear, w ith a remakable freedom from du*t and smoke. There is no forest growth to any extent within (probably) 100 miles. The geological conditions are, I believe, very suitable, but these I must leave to Profesor Park to describe. The country throughout Central Otago is all easily accessible, so that whatever site waa ultimately selected the observatory would be distant from any thick settlement, in $. regiqn almost absolutely free from dust

J and smoke, and yet within half a day's journey of Dunedin. I may add that some i 30 years ago the late Sir James Hector i urged the claims of Central Otago as the ideal site in Australasia for an astronomical observatory." The joint report forwarded to Dr Fan 1 on the same subject by Dr Hocken (president of the Otago Institute) and Professor Park and Professor Benhara also makes a strong claim for the ■establishment ment of the proposed observatory in Central Otago. In that communication, said , Dr Hocken to a Times repoiter :>n the 241 h, I they had expressed their delight at the prospect of such an observatory being established in New Zealand. They considered that there was no place in the Dominion more eminently suited for the • establishment of an observatory than Cenj tral Otago. which was Egypiian in its climate and the clarity of its atmosphere. Earthquakes were almost unknown, while earth tremors occurred only at very long intervals, and were of no duration. Central Otaao was traversed by railway and branch coaches, and was therefore easily accessible to Dunedin. The rainfall was extremely small, and the high altitudes were free from fogs, though their peaks collected sufficient moisture to produce alpine vegetation, oto. The geological formation was chiefly schist. The places which were regarded as most suitable were referred to, such as Rough Ridge, the Dunsta-n. Range, St. Bathans, and the Reck and Pillar Range. The members of the Otago Institute who were responsible fey the report na3 interviewed the Rev. M>' Dutton, of Cavereham, an accomplished astronomer, and a. frequent contributor on astronomical subjects to local journals. He was thoroughly acquainted with Central I Otago, and he agreed that- it -was in every respect suited, for the setting up of an ; observatory. He had also been on the t African veldt, and he considered that Central Otago was in every respect quite equal to that country for the purpose in question. Exact details jn_ regard to locality, etc., would, said Dr Hocken, have to be discussed at a later stage, but in the meantime they reioiced to know that there was a prospect of this Dominion being chosen as the position of the observatory, and they were prepared .to give every assistance to the movement.