THE WEATHER PROPHET.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13181, 13 February 1936, Page 4

THE WEATHER PROPHET.

DEFENCE OF DR. KIDSON. A NASTY ACCUSATION. Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, Last Night. “That the Government Meteorologist does so well is a tribute* to his high skill,” said Professor Burbidge, head of the physics departure at Auckland University College, when interviewed to-day. He protested strongly against ill-informed and extravagant criticisms and outlined the great difficulties of weather forecasting in New Zealand. Professor Burbidge expressed surprise at the- Auckland Provincial Farmers’ Union discussion yesterday and said that some of the reported remarks displayed deep ignorance. He would recommend the Kaipara committee to call at the Wellington office and see a little of the complicated business of lorecasting before classing forecasts as “dead reckoning or rule of thumb.” The accusation that the Government Meteorologist was not doing his job was a nasty accusation to make about a scientist of international reputation and known hard-working habits “whom we are fortunate to have in. New Zealand/’ said Professor Burbidge. He explained that the weather was governed b.v extensive weather systems covering an area as large as continents, and changes in such systems might move very rapidly—3oo miles a day was an average rate. New Zealand, therefore, was a very difficult place for forecasting, as it was surrounded by oceans from which only chance reports came via wireless from odd ships. “Hi at the Government Meteorologist does so well is a tribute tc his high skid, and none more than he would welcome an extension of the meteorological sei*vice, 9 Professor Burbidge added.