| Description | Many thanks for Kempe's letter. He was very glad to hear that Mr Mackenzies was not personally hostile: for a small book on British East Africa, which Gregory passed for press last year may be out now, shows how greatly he respects the disinterestedness of his East African administration. It is the most honourable chapter in Chartered Co. rule in Africa.
In regard to Kempe's remark that had Gregory been in England it might have been arranged for him to keep on with the expedition, he doubts whether it could have made any difference. As soon as the essential requirements of the magnetic and meteorological sub committees were disregarded and the topographical work made supreme, there was nothing to justify so long an absence for him. The fact that Koettlitz is good enough for the part shows that the work to be done is comparatively elementary.
Kempe's letter affords him the excuse of calling attention to a point which concerns the honour of the Royal Society and is the matter on which he feels distressed and aggrieved.
In December 1889 and January 1900 he could rouse no interest in London in pendulum work and the need for it was pooh poohed. So on arrival at Melbourne he asked Mr Bernacchi, the Government Astronomer, who at once offered the loan of the Melboutne set of instruments. This set has been so standardized that it was too great a responsibility to accept it. He then offered to ask the Victorian Government to provide money for a new set. Thinking that perhaps the RS, Kew or Greenwich might prefer to provide their instruments if they were to be used, he asked Mr Bernacchi to wait till he had reported this offer to the Ex. Cttee. In due course he received a reply from Sir Clements Markham (16 June 1900) approving the proposed loan and telling him "you are authorized to make this arrangement". He made it; the instruments have been made. Mr Bernacchi has spent much valuable time in standardizing them and getting the kit into full order. And now in Markham's recent Presidential Address to RGS he repudiates the arrangement he authorized by saying that pendulum observations will be made with instruments supplied in this country. It is only in reference to the pendulums he inserts that clause.
So after the Royal Society had got the Observatory here to waste its time and money the arrrangement is thrown over without a word of explanation or regret. It is especially annoying now, as owing to the confusion introduced into State finances by Federation, it is difficult to get a penny out of the Government for scientific work, and the amount will no doubt be debitted to the Observatory.
He has said nothing about it there, as if the press or the Government knew the facts they would be very indignant. And he hopes Kempe will not think that he is animated by personal annoyance. But he is bound to tell one of the RS officers of the breach of faith to which the Society has been made party. And having now done this his responsibility in the matter ends. |