REPORTS OF RESEARCH COMMITTEES. 293 



Professor T. Griffith Taylor, D.Sc, at that time physiographer 

 to the Federal Weather Bureau, writes: — "While admitting the 

 gi'eat value of the records during Antarctic occupation, and as a 

 half-way station to the Antarctic, I feel that money can be better 

 speijt in ether ways in Australian meteorology. 



(1) From the three years' records we now have a very fair 

 idea of average isobars in that region and their relation to 

 storms and cyclones in our seas. 



(2) The longitude precluded the telegrams (radiograms) 

 being of any use for forecasting in Australia. 



(3) The island is too far south to be much use to New 

 Zealand either. 



(4) On the other hand I have long advocated a station of 

 the same type on St. Paul or Amsterdam Islands, lat. 35 deg. 

 S., long, 80 deg. E., in the middle of the Indian Ocean, not 

 far from the latitude of Melbourne (and that of Perth, 

 Adelaides Sydney, &c. T.W.E.D.). 



(a) This is right in the middle of a great ' centre of action ' 



(or Permanent High), from which all our anti- 

 cyclones bud off. 



(b) It is about five days aM^ay, as regards the travelling 



Highs, and might give us invaluable data for fore- 

 casting just where we want it. 



((■) It is close to the steamer route to Durban. 



(d) No other ' centre of ajption ' has ever been occupied, 

 I beilieve. 



Personally, I shall vote for this locality." 



Mr. D. C. Bates, Director of the Dominion Meteorological Office, 

 New Zealand, writes: — "I have received the following letter 

 from the Secretary of Marine : — 



' With reference to your {i.e., D. C. Bates'. T.W.E.D.) 

 memorandum. No. 1/7/4 of the 1st inst., on the subject of 

 a grant for the re-establishment and maintenance of Mac- 

 quarie Island Wireless Station, I have to inform you that the 

 Minister has decided, in view of the necessity for economy, 

 that he cannot see his way at present to contribute towards 

 the work. The question is being referred to the Lands De- 

 partment in case it wishes to take any action. — Robert 

 Duncan, Secretary.' 



As I referred to other benefits, for tide survey, that would be 

 derived through establishing a station in the Antarctic, the Marine 

 Department has referred the letter to the Lands and Survey 

 Department." 



