Proposed Observatory in New Zealand

Abstract

ON Dec. 16, 1850, the first ship-load of emigrants, under the auspices of the Canterbury Association, landed at Port Lyttelton and commenced the foundation of the present province of Canterbury. On Dec. 16, 1871, the settlement attained its twenty-first year, and it was felt by a large number of gentlemen here that it would be well to celebrate the majority of the province by some permanent memorial. A meeting was held on that day, attended by a number of the most influential residents; and it was unanimously resolved to form an association for the establishment of an astronomical observatory near Christchurch. It was remarked by several speakers that this province possesses considerable advantages for such an institution. Between the ocean on the east and the great range of the Southern Alps on the west, there stretches an expanse of unbroken plain more than 100 miles in length and 50 in breadth. The remarkable clearness of the atmosphere, joined to this large extent of level land, renders it possible to observe a much larger area of the heavens than is usually the case. The meeting fully endorsed the remarks of the promoters of the movement; a temporary committee was formed, and lists of subscribers and donors were at once commenced.