NEW DIRECTOR OF OBSERVATORY

Southland Times, Issue 24152, 14 June 1940, Page 9

NEW DIRECTOR OF OBSERVATORY

MR H. F. BAIRD APPOINTED

The appointment of Mr H. F. Baird as Director of the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory is announced in the latest issue of The Public Service Journal. Mr Baird succeeds Mr H. F. Skey, who has retired. Mr Baird has been on the staff of the observatory since 1920. Bom at Takaka in 1898, he was educated at the Takaka District High School, Nelson College, and Canterbury University College. He graduated master of science in electricity and magnetism. He joined the head office of the Lands and Survey Department as a cadet in 1915, resigning shortly afterwards to further his education. In 1917 he rejoined the public service, taking a position with the Health Department in Christchurch and serving also in Wellington and Dunedin. He was appointed to the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory in June of 1920. Mr Baird has engaged in several geophysical surveys and upper air observation work and has investigated areas damaged by earthquakes at Arthur’s Pass, Buller, and Hawke’s Bay. His particular study has been seismology. He is a member of the Seismological Society of America. During 1935-36 he was Acting-Director of the Apia Observatory. Last year he visited observatories and attended the Science Congress in Australia. He is a vice-president of the Public Service Association by virtue of 1 ’ his office of chairman of the Canterbury section committee. He has served on many other executives, including the Scientific Society, the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury (president 1935), the Public Administration Society, and the Elmwood School Committee, of which he is now secretary. He has held tbe highest offices in a public service club and an old boys’ association.