34 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION A, 



Reasons have already been presented to this Association why 

 it is so desirable that Austraha should undertake her share in the 

 work ; they may be briefly summarised thus : — 



International Reasons. 



(a) Australia's position in longitude would enable her to fill 

 a gap at present existing in the chain of Observatories 

 round the earth. 



{b) Australia's position in latitude. — No station devoted to 

 solar research exists south of the equator, where one is 

 required to extend and verify the work -of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution's Observatory at Washington. 



(c) Australia's climatic conditions would allow investigations 

 to be made under excellent conditions at a time of 

 year when, on account of the rainy season, work is 

 generally impossible at other Observatories. 



National Reasons. 



(a) The advancement of Science. 



(b) The educational advantages accruing from the study of 



an intellectual subject. 



(c) The practical advantages which meteorology may fairly 



expect to gain from a proper understanding of the 

 connection between solar and terrestrial phenomena. 



The Universities throughout Australia gave their cordial 

 support to the project by appointing their Professors of Physics to 

 be their official representatives upon the Committee. 



In accordance with the unanimous resolution of the Council of 

 the Australasian Association to the effect that the Federal Govern- 

 ment be strongly urged to secure the establishment of a Solar 

 Observatory in Austraha, the Committee, having met in Melbourne, 

 formed a deputation to wait upon the Minister for Home Affairs 

 (Mr. Mahon) of the Commonwealth Government (Fisher Ministry), 

 whose favourable reply is given below. 



Before further action could be taken by this Ministry, Mr. 

 Deakin came into power, and to demonstrate that the movement 

 is one which is supported most vigorously, on October 26th, 1909, a 

 public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Melbourne, by kind 

 permission of the Lord Mayor, which was presided over by the 

 Governor-General, who was supported by the Governor of Victoria. 



The following scientific bodies appointed representatives to 

 attend the meeting : — 



University of Melbourne — Sir John Madden, G.C.M:G., Chancellor. 

 University of Hobart — ^Sir John Dodds, K.C.M.G., Chancellor. 

 University of Sydney — ^Professor David, F.R.S. 

 University of Adelaide — Professor Henderson. 

 Melbourne Observatory — Mr, P. Baracchi, Government Astronomer 



of Victoria. 

 Perth Observatory — ^Mr. W. E. Cooke, Government Astronomer of 



West Australia. 



1. Indicates that the delegate was unable to attend the meeting. 



