40 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION A. 



observatory would have a direct value for the people of Australia. Indeed 

 there is no branch of astronomy which more fully deserves the support of 

 the Government because of its probable utility, than the study of solar 

 radiation in its relations to life and climate and power upon the earth." 

 October 31, 1907. 



In addition to the above institutions and to British and Colonial Ob- 

 servatories, the project has the support of the following : — 



The Alt. U'ilson Solar Observatory, California, U.S.A. 



The Royal Observatory of Catania and Etna. 



The Society of Italian Spectroscopists. 



SEISMOLOGICAL COMMITTEE. 



Originally appointed Sydney, 1887. 



See also Adelaide volume, 1907, p. xxix. 



Reappointed Brisbane, 1909. 



" That a Committee be appointed to investigate and report on 

 the Seismological Phenomena in Australia." 



The Committee to consist of : Sir Charles Todd, K.C.M.G. 

 (since deceased) ; Professor T. W, E. David, B.A.. F.R.S. ; Pro- 

 fessor A. McAulay, M.A. ; Mr. W. E. Cooke, F.R.A.S. ; Dr. E. F. 

 J. Love, M.A. ; Mr. R. F. Griffiths ; Messrs. P. Baracchi, F.R.A.S., 

 and G. Hogben, M.A. (Secretaries). 



At the Sydney meeting 1911, the Committee was reappointed 

 with the addition of the Rev. Father E. F. Pigot, S.J. 



NEW ZEALAND. 



Report of G. HOGBEN, M.A. 



During the past year there was an important series of earth- 

 quakes in the Western Pacific region. The origins of several of 

 these have been approximately ascertained, as far as the imperfect 

 data available admit of such determination. For instance, of two 

 earthquakes recorded at most, if not all, of the Australasian stations 

 on the 29th June, 1909, one probably had its origin beneath the 

 surface of the ocean between the New Hebrides and the Ellice 

 Group, and the other came from the neighbourhood of Antipodes 

 Island. Other shocks recorded during the year came from origins 

 intermediate in position between these two. It is suggested that 

 the attention of the Committee should be concentrated upon the 

 task of the definite determination of these seismic centres, and as 

 far as possible of the nature of the movements that are taking place. 

 For this purpose each Observatory should send to the other 

 Observatories in the group at least as often as once a month 

 particulars of its chief records, in the manner in which this is now 

 being done by the Perth Observatory, and that seismograms should 

 be sent therewith to one of the Secretaries, and on request to any 

 other member of the Seismological Committee who is willing to 

 work out the results. Having already determined most of the 

 New Zealand origins apd several of the other Australasian centres 

 of disturbance, I am willing to do what can be done with whatever 

 data may be placed at my disposal. The Secretaries should also- 



