ON ESTABLISHING A SOLAR OBSERVATORY IN AUSTRALIA. 47 



away with the State observatories and combine them all in one central 

 observatory for Australia ; he would like to hear the reasons why that 

 should not be done. Present war obligations precluded voting large 

 amounts; he would see, however, how far the matter could be carried, 

 and would promise that one of the last things to be set aside on the 

 score of economy would be the suggestion made by the deputation. 



In addition to the speakers, Professors E. "W. Brown, A. S. Edding- 

 ton, and J. W. Nicholson supported the deputation, and Mr. Baracchi, 

 Government Astronomer for Victoria, wrote a letter strongly emphasis- 

 ing the need for solar research in the Commonwealth, and expressing 

 the opinion from personal observation that Canberra would prove a 

 suitable site. 



The Secretary of the Committee was subsequently invited to discuss 

 the matter with the Prime Minister, with the result that estimates were 

 drawn up for making a beginning of the institution. These and the offer 

 of apparatus mentioned at the deputation were the subject of discussion 

 at a Cabinet meeting, the outcome of which was the following letter: — 



COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. 



• 



Prime Minister. 

 Melbourne, Aug. 20, 1914. 

 Dear Sir, — With reference to our interview relative to the question 

 of establishing a Solar Observatory and to the offer made by you to 

 hand over immediately to the Commonwealth one Farnham 6-inch tele- 

 scope — the Commonwealth paying freight and packing charges — also 

 later on to present to the Commonwealth one spectroheliograph and one 

 pyrheliometer, both of which have yet to be purchased with funds 

 collected and in your charge, I desire to inform you that the Commons- 

 wealth Government has much pleasure in accepting the instruments so 

 kindly offered, and appreciates the public spirit of the donors. No 

 guarantee, however, can be given when a Solar Observatory will be 

 established beyond saying that when times are more favourable the 

 instruments will be erected in an appropriate building and observations 

 conducted. Meanwhile the instruments will be carefully housed and 

 looked after. 



Yours faithfully, 



(Signed) Joseph Cook. 

 Professor W. G. Duffield, D.Sc, Sydney. 



Upon receipt of this letter Professor Duffield handed over to the 

 Commonwealth the Farnham telescope, which had been offered in 1908 

 by the late Mr. W. E. Wilson on behalf of the trustees of the late Lord 

 Farnham. The telescope has been temporarily housed at the Melbourne 

 Observatory by the Commonwealth authorities. 



Subsequent to Mr. Cook's relinquishing office the present Govern- 

 ment, under Mr. Fisher, has taken over the obligations entered into by 

 Mr. Cook and Mr. Deakin, and has defrayed the cost of freight, package, 

 and repair of the Farnham telescope, and also has made provision for 

 an Evershed spectroscopic attachment, amounting in all to 1001. 



Other activities by members of the Committee were displayed by a 



