296 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 
Solar Observatory in Australia.—Final Report of Committee (Prof. 
H. H. Turner, Chairman; Dr. W. G. Durrretp, Secretary; Rev. 
A. L. Cortiz, Dr. W. J. 8. Lockyer, Mr. F. McLeay, Sir A. Scouster) 
appointed to aid the work of establishing an Observatory. (Drawn up by 
the Secretary.) 
In September 1922 the Secretary paid another visit to Australia, but the General 
Elections which followed his arrival, and the rearrangement of the political parties in 
Australia, precluded any attempt to approach the Federal Cabinet before Easter 1923. 
A memorandum was prepared setting forth the history of the movement since its incep- 
tion in 1907, and the measure of support accorded to it by the various Ministries before 
whom the project has been brought. 
This memorandum was presented to the Rt. Hon. Senator Pearce, P.C., Minister 
for the Department of Home and Territories in the Commonwealth Government, and 
further information was provided by the Secretary in the course of an interview. 
Senator Pearce gave his own warm support and promised to bring the matter before 
the Cabinet. This body subsequently agreed to the proposals which had been made. 
These were briefly as follows :— 
(1) Srrz.—The provision of a site upon Mt. Stromlo, about 7 miles from the Federal 
Capital City, Canberra. 
This site had been tested by photographic and visual observations made under the 
zgis of Mr. Baracchi over a period of 15 months, with a 9-inch refractor and a 34-inch 
camera lens, and reported upon very favourably. 
The site is already furnished with a road to the summit, 2,600 feet above sea-level, or 
600 feet above the level of Canberra. 
A water supply is assured, because the pipe-head reservoir providing the city with 
water is situated upon Mt. Stromlo about 100 feet below the summit. 
Electric energy is also available for light and power; the transmission lines from 
the central electric power station pass about half a mile from the site of the Observatory. 
(2) Equipment.—The provision of a sum of £3,500 for the purchase of equipment 
during the first year, July 1923-—July 1924. 
In addition to this sum, it may be noted that a sum of over £1,500 has been sub- 
scribed by supporters of the movement. Towards this the British Association contri- 
bution is £50. 
There was also at that time the following equipment : (a) a 9-inch Grubb refractor 
presented by Mr. James Oddie, and mounted upon Mt. Stromlo in a building consisting 
of a dome and foursmall rooms. This instrument is furnished with a prominence 
spectroscope, and an excellent battery of eyepieces, etc. 
(5) A 6-inch Grubb refractor, presented by the Trustees of the Estate of the late 
Lord Farnham. This is at present housed at Melbourne Observatory. 
(3) AnnvaL UpKreEr.—The provision of a sum of £3,500 for the wpkeep for the first 
year, 1923-1924. 
This sum was to be devoted to the provision of a Staff consisting of the following : 
Director, First Assistant, Second Assistant, Research Fellow, Mechanic, Apparatus 
Mechanic. 
(4) Housine.—The provision of laboratories, offices, library, observatory buildings, 
and houses for the staff. 
After consultation with Senator Pearce, it was decided that the first step towards 
the establishment of the Observatory should be the appointment of the Director, and 
the Commonwealth Cabinet subsequently invited the Astronomer Royal and Professor 
Turner to act upon the selection committee. The recommendation which was made 
by these gentlemen after consultation with Professor Newall and Professor Fowler was 
ultimately adopted by the Government. 
Before leaving Australia Mt. Stromlo was visited by the Director-General of Works 
for the Commonwealth (Colonel;Owen) and Professor Duffield, and the general lay-out of 
the Observatory site provisionally agreed upon. 
During the past six months progress has been made in selecting apparatus and in 
appointing assistants. 
The Director is fortunately able to report a notable gift to the Observatory by Mr. 
J. H. Reynolds, of Birmingham, who has presented to the Observatory a 30-inch reflect- 
ing telescope, similar to the instrument he had previously given to the Egyptian 
Observatory at Helwan. This is being adapted for the latitude of Canberra and is 
being otherwise put into perfect condition. 
a a 
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