Notes

Abstract

Two deputations have recently waited upon Mr. Hanbury to put before him the two sides of the question referring to the proposed establishment of the National Physical Laboratory in the Old Deer Park at Richmond. On one side are some naturalists and inhabitants of the neighbourhood, who protest against the proposed buildings as an interference with the amenities of the neighbourhood of Kew Gardens; on the other are the physicists and the members of the Committee, which, after giving great attention to the question of site, decided that Kew was most suitable. It is a little unfortunate that this difficulty should have arisen, and it could probably have been avoided by the exercise of a little tact and consideration when selecting the site for the laboratory. Much of the misapprehension which at present exists as to the character of a physical laboratory might thus have been removed. Some people seem to think that the fifteen acres required will be covered with buildings in which noisy operations comparable with those of large engineering workshops will be carried on. This, of course, is entirely incorrect. In the first place, the actual area to be covered by buildings is only a quarter of an acre, or the sixtieth part of the whole area proposed to be taken, and secondly, quiet and freedom from all the perturbing characteristics of towns and manufactories are essential for the investigations to be carried on in the laboratories. When this is kept in mind, the alarm of a certain portion of the public, especially those who appreciate the beauties of Kew Gardens, that the buildings would break the present charm. seems a trifle unnecessary. The Observatory being already in the Old Deer Park, it is natural and proper that the laboratory, which is under the same administration, should be there too. As, however, the Park is over 350 acres in extent, it ought not to be difficult to find another suitable site if there is a persistent opposition to the one already selected. In any case, we are convinced that a modus vivendi could be arrived at if the representatives of the opposing interests were to meet one another in a conciliatory spirit.