2fi REPORTS ON THE STATE OP SCIENCE. 



Avebury, and this Committee by the Chairman and Secretary. In the 

 unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth at 

 an extraordinary meeting of the Imperial Conference, the deputation 

 was received by Mr. Batchelor, the Minister of External Affairs of the 

 Commonwealth. 



Sir David Gill, leading the deputation, referred to the gap in longi- 

 tude which it is necessary to fill before the complete scheme of solar 

 research can he effected, a gap which an Australian Solar Observatory 

 would obviate, and pointed out her unique position south of the Equator. 

 He mentioned the fact that the British Association had voted the sum 

 of 50L towards the scheme, and asked on behalf of the Committee that 

 the Australian Government would relieve him of the responsibility of 

 this money by promoting the object for which it had been voted. He 

 trusted that the work done by existing State observatories would not be 

 interfered with by the establishment of a new observatory for the study 

 of the sun. 



Professor Ncwall emphasised the need for a station in Australia on 

 the ground that continuous observations of the sun were required, 

 and spoke of the possibility of solar research proving of value to the 

 meteorologist. 



The Astronomer-Royal referred to the excellent climatic conditions 

 of Australia for solar observations. Pie pointed out the great theo- 

 retical value of a close study of the sun in its relation to the study of 

 the physical conditions of the stars and of their development. He 

 emphasised the importance of research work being carried on because 

 of its educational value, and expressed the view that the existence of 

 a Solar Observatory would stimulate the study of physics generally as 

 well as astrophysics in the Universities of Australia. 



Lord Avebury dwelt upon the unusual support that has been 

 accorded to this scheme by learned societies, and suggested that such 

 an observatory if established would ensure three of the four links in 

 the chain of solar stations round the earth being within the British 

 Empire, and all four — the British, Indian, Australian, and American — 

 being conducted by English-speaking peoples. 



Dr. Duffield referred to the progress of the movement in Australia, 

 to the previous action of the Fisher Ministry in offering 1Z. for 1/., 

 to the vigorously supported public meeting in Melbourne, and to Mr. 

 Deakin's promise of the upkeep jwovided 10,0007. were privately sub- 

 scribed. He further stated that over 4,000L had already been offered 

 in money and apparatus, and that this was a sufficiently substantial 

 sum to convince the Government that the people of Australia are in 

 earnest in the matter. The Press of Australia were unanimous in its 

 favour. 



The Minister, in reply, stated that he was impressed with the 

 desirability of filling the gap in longitude, but that before action could 

 be taken it would be necessary to consult the other members of the 

 Cabinet. This would be done upon his return to Australia, and he 

 personally promised to urge upon the Prime Minister and his colleagues 

 the desirability of establishing a Solar Observatory in Australia. 



