Royal Observatory, Greenwich : Transfer to Hurstmonceux

Abstract

IN the House of Cominons on March 25, Mr. Hollis raised certain important points about the conditions prevailing at Hurstmonceux and also regarding the delay in assembling the instruments and in providing adequate accommodation for the staff. Mr. Hollis h a number of matters that have already been emphasized by the Astronomer Royal in the Report for 1948 to the Board of Visitors and repeated by the Chief Assistant elsewhere. Mr. Hollis urged that the work at Hurstmonceux should be given an extremely high priority and pushed forward with all dispatch. The cost of the building necessary to put the new Observatory into full commission amounts to about half a million pounds, and, while admitting that such an amount cannot be treated lightly, it was pointed out that the prestige of Great Britain has been highly valued on account of the position of the meridian of Greenwich, and that there are "few matters on which such a sum could be better spent". In addition to scientific issues, Mr. Hollis raised another point-the artistic problem of Hurstmonceux. The south side of the castle presents an unsightly spectacle with a number of temporary huts of brick and wood, and although they were not placed there by the Admiralty, it was suggested that the Admiralty should remove them. Further, when permanent buildings take their place, these should be screened from the castle. He asked for a guarantee from the Civil Lord of the Admiralty that the Royal Fine Art Commission should be consulted in the matter, and made some suggestions regarding the site of these new buildings.