Funafuti to Get Rarotonga’s

Met. Station

rwas the intention of the New Zealand Meteorological Service to establish equipment for the measurement of upper winds at Rarotonga, Cook Is. this year, but it is now learnt that this plan has been shelved for an indefinite period.

The equipment will probably be installed at Funafuti, Ellice Group.

Three Cook Islanders who under went a training course on similar equipment at Nadi, returned home from Fiji late May. One at least of these observers was reported to be highly skilled in the use of the

equipment.

The equipment measures the velocity and direction of the winds high above the earth by means of radar —a balloon with a metal re flecting device being followed by the radar through the clouds.

Earlier methods using a theodolite were useless through cloud. Another device known as a radio sonde, attached to the same balloon, is a miniature radio transmitter, which automatically transmits certain signals which are governed by the temperature, humidity and baro metric pressure. A receiver on the ground thus obtains a record of upper air conditions which are essential for preparation of aircraft forecasts of icing conditions at high altitudes.

The information is of great im portance to jet aircraft. Recording stations are required at points off the main aircraft routes as well as those already established on the routes across the Pacific.

Their Excellencies, Sir Ronald and Lady Garvey, entertained about 1,200 guests at Government

House, Suva, at a Coronation Gar den Party on June 11. The grounds were still soft from heavy rains but the weather was fine and the guests, from the verandahs, en joyed a musical programme by the Band of the Fiji Military Forces.

Pleasure was added to the function by the excellent catering provided by the RNZAF.