PENDULUM OBSERVATIONS. 



IT was early decided by Captain Scott, on the advice of the late Professor Helniert of 

 the Central Bureau fur Erdmessiing, that further pendulum observations should be made 

 in continuation of the work in the Antarctic by L. Bernacchi, of Captain Scott's former 

 ' Discovery " Expedition, and of Professor von Drygalski, the leader of the German 

 Expedition of 1901. 



By the kindness of the late Professor Helmert, the loan was offered of the necessary 

 apparatus from the Potsdam Geodetic Institute. Early in June, 1910, therefore, 

 I proceeded to Potsdam in order to gain experience in the use of the instruments under 

 the able tuition of Professor L. Haasemann. Thanks, again, to the efforts of the late 

 Professor Helmert and Professor Haasemann, who had already standardized the 

 apparatus and found its constants, I was able to complete the necessary observations 

 and return with the apparatus in time to catch the " Terra Nova " at Cardiff. 



On the journey to Cardiff, the apparatus was treated with the greatest care, since any 

 serious variations in length of the pendulums (due, for instance, to sudden shocks), would 

 be almost fatal to accurate work. The pendulums are peculiarly liable to such shocks 

 when travelling by rail and, wherever possible, it was customary to travel by boat in 

 order to avoid these disturbances. After leaving Cardiff, no rail journey of more than 

 about 6 miles length was undertaken until the pendulums had completed their work 

 in the South. On the return, however, it was found necessary to bring the apparatus 

 across Canada via the Canadian Pacific Railway, but, thanks largely to the kindness of 

 their officials in Vancouver and elsewhere, all the pendulums accomplished the journey 

 without mishap. 



The list of those, exclusive of Captain Scott, Dr. Simpson and other members of 

 the Expedition, to whom I am indebted for valuable help and assistance, is indeed 

 a long one. 



First and foremost comes Professor Helmert, by whose efforts the observations 

 were made possible, and Professor Haasemann, who gave up so much time to the 

 standardization of the apparatus and so ably coached me in my first observations. 

 To Professor Schnauder also, for coaching and valuable advice on time observations for 

 clock rate, my best thanks are due. 



In New Zealand, I have to acknowledge the loan of instruments by Dr. C. C. Farr. 

 of Christchurch, while to Mr. H. F. Skey, Director of the Magnetic Observatory, I am 

 indebted not only for instrumental aid, but also for much valuable time and personal 

 help in the setting up and working of the pendulum apparatus and of the transit 

 instrument at Christchurch. 



