Description | Informs the Officer that he [Chamberlain] has received a letter from the Royal Society on the subject of the reduction of staff at the Perth Observatory. Notes that it appears that the Government Astronomer [William Ernest Cook] has been instructed to dismiss all officers not required for local work, including those working on the [International] Astrographic Chart of the heavens. If this happens, the Perth Observatory will be unable to complete the portion of the Chart assigned to it. Notes that the Royal Society suggests the possibility that more essential parts of the Chart could be completed in two years. Hopes that the Ministers will reconsider, and continue the necessary expenditure towards the Chart. |