At a meeting at the residence of Mr Dudley Eglinton, Toowong, on Saturday 10^th May 1919 the ‘Queensland Popular Science and Art Society’ was formed. There were about 35 persons present including several dignitaries. Mr Hardacre, Minister for Education and “Secretary for Public Instruction” was the chairman. The meeting was informed ‘that Mr Eglinton had succeeded in purchasing an excellent telescope in the south.’¹Reported on page 9 of The Brisbane Telegraph and Page 6 of the Daily Standard Brisbane, both of Monday 12th May 1919.

It was also reported²Daily Standard that ‘Funds to purchase the telescope had already be subscribed and it would be the property of the new society…  Mrs M. Banford was particularly mentioned…as it was mainly through her enthusiasm that the necessary number of subscribers had been found to enable the telescope to be purchased. It was also stated that while astronomy would be the central pivot of the society, it would be constituted to embrace all branches of science and art…’

Further, the chairman, Mr Hardacre ‘promised the society a meeting room in the old Fire Brigade building³Telegraph and Daily Standard. The Minister (Hardacre) giving further proof of his sympathy with the movement by granting the use of the large meeting room in the old Fire Brigade station which is now under his jurisdiction, for the purposes of the society.’

There are interesting aspects to this meeting. The attendees were made aware that there were several other scientific and quasi scientific societies and that if thought necessary, the limits of the society should be defined.

Also:

‘The Chairman thought the society aimed rather at the exclusions of such persons as would be likely to bring about a repetition of the previous troubles over the ownership of the telescope.’ ⁴TelegraphThis is quite remarkable coming from the Minister.

The meeting also dealt with other matters that are not relevant to this discussion.

It would be reasonable to assume that Eglinton was a principal mover behind the acquisition of this new telescope.  The pattern of ‘subscriptions’ seems to have been very similar to that employed for the Brisbane Astronomical Society in 1896 when the Grubb 6” refractor was purchased. Perhaps Eglinton had some subscriptions from persons who had had an interest in the 6” Grubb that were assigned to him. Bear in mind he was unsuccessful in the 1917 auction of that instrument, which was now (1919) in storage and about to be installed at St. Leo’s College.

It is noted that J. P. Thomson, and for that matter John Beebe, are not specifically mentioned as being present. The reason for the absence of the former is obvious. As for Beebe, he was involved with the design and construction of St Leo’s Observatory, containing the former BAS 6” Grubb refractor and this fact may have caused some strain.

The instrument Eglinton purchased appears to have belonged to Mr George Hoskins of Sydney who had in 1917 purchased an 18” instrument to replace his 12”. He was a prominent British Astronomical Society (New South Wales Branch) member. There is no further mention of this 12” instrument in Sydney and from later events it would appear that Hoskins was in touch with Brisbane astronomers so the sale through Eglinton is quite logical⁵Orchiston email 28 Jan 2019.

On 24^th June 1919 the Brisbane ‘Courier’ reported on page 4:  ‘It was announced that the large telescope purchased in Sydney would be forwarded by rail at once, and could be expected in Brisbane during the coming week. It is proposed to exhibit it in the windows of Messrs. Smellie and Co.’s shop in Queen Street for a few days.  Arrangements will then be made for placing it on top of the Old Fire Brigade station, near Central Railway Station. Although this is not regarded as an ideal position, it will afford many advantages, at least temporarily, and will be very accessible.’

On 3^rd July 1919 The Brisbane ‘Telegraph’ reported on page 4 on a meeting of the Council of this society. It stated ‘…that the telescope which had been purchased through the society for the advancement of astronomical research and study in Queensland was daily expected to arrive in Brisbane when it will be exhibited etc etc.’  There follows the same material as previous and ends: ‘As soon as the telescope is placed in position and safely housed, astronomical observations will begin, and public lectures on astronomy delivered by Mr Dudley Eglinton, F.R.A.S., under auspices of the society….’

On Monday 28^th July 1919 on page 3 the Brisbane ‘Telegraph’ reported the display of the telescope, that it had been made by Calver extolling its quality, and that it was being re-silvered as the mirror coating was tarnished. It reported where it was to be erected and that ’A platform and small house to protect the telescope are to be erected.’

On Tuesday 7^th October 1919, page 11 (Woman’s World Social), it was reported ‘…Mr Dudley Eglinton explained what had been done by the society in securing the largest telescope in Queensland, which in about a fortnight would be placed on the roof of the Old Fire Brigade Station, and would be available for the community to learn something of the great works of the Creator in the heavens. The telescope had a 12in. Reflector, and possession of this instrument was something of which the society and the public had reason to be proud.’

It is noted that in 1919 the observatory building at ‘Ardencraig’ was dismantled and transported to the Old Fire Brigade building where it was re-assembled on the roof, this time to house the 12 inch reflector⁶Advice from S. Hutcheon.  Details are scant.

On Saturday 28^th February 1920 page 38 of The Queenslander (Brisbane):

Eglinton describes the night sky etc. and states: ‘…although the largest telescope in Queensland is on top of the old Fire Brigade Station, now called Education Building, its complete adjustment has not yet been effected, and some month or two must elapse before the telescope can become usable. Fortunately the measures already taken seem to make it almost certain that vibration caused by street traffic, or the proximity of the railway, have been effectively dealt with.’

The reason for the apparent delay in final installation of the telescope is uncertain but Eglinton’s wife Martha had died on 30^th October 1919. His daughter Vera died on the 3^rd December 1919, (1889-1919) and her inscription is directly beneath her mother’s, as ‘Vera’ on the tombstone. Cemetery records show her as “Rolleston Vera” but with the entry for the Eglintons (possibly the cause was the ‘Spanish Influenza’ pandemic). These events would have been a major blow for Dudley.

It would appear that the teething problems were ultimately fixed because on Thursday 21^st September 1922 the Brisbane ‘Courier’ reported at page 5:

‘The Telescope at the Old Fire Station

Mr Dudley Eglinton, F.R.A.S., advised the ‘Courier’ last evening that he would be at the telescope housed on top of the Teachers’ Training College  (old Fire Brigade Station), at the corner of Edward and Ann Streets, this afternoon between 3 and 5 o’clock and would be pleased to see all who had subscribed towards the purchase of this instrument.’ 

There are few later references to the Queensland Popular Science and Art Society.

Reports on their 12” instrument after this date are sparse though Eglinton continued to lecture and write articles.

However, Eglinton’s blindness in 1924/5, would have curtailed his travelling and prevented his conducting demonstrations with the telescope. Therefore, after two years at best, another demonstrator was necessary. Eglinton had single-handedly occupied the position of demonstrator for over a quarter of a century. It is unclear that there was anyone to fill this vacancy.

This 12” remained atop the Old Fire Brigade Building for a number of years (largely unused) and was later removed and went through a number of moves and refurbishments, coming after a time to the Astronomical Society of Queensland.  A satisfactory permanent home was never found. The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium has some remaining parts of it (the main mirror, optics and some fittings), that are on occasional display. The main mirror itself is quite historic. Its rear is engraved ‘With of Hereford made me in February 1877’ beneath that ‘Laus Deo’ (Praise be to God). Under this inscription appears another ‘Corrected by G. Calver /04”.

George With was a famous telescope mirror maker who produced up to 200 mirrors over a 30 year period to 1887. In fact, he sold his remaining stock of over 100 ‘choicest reserves’ in that year, about sixty of which Calver purchased.

George Calver was a professional telescope maker who employed several assistants and it is estimated that the number of mirrors made or refigured by Calver was over 4,000.  He died in 1927.

Mr McDonald subdivided the Ardencraig estate and advertised it for sale by auction: ‘For sale on the grounds 4^th November 1916.’ It was so advertised in the Brisbane ‘Telegraph’ (afternoon newspaper) on 7^th October 1916 (page 11).

Nevertheless, use of the telescope continued for a short while as reported at page 8 of the Brisbane Courier dated 10^th October 1916.

A notice also appeared on page 2 of the Daily Mail (Brisbane) on 3^rd November 1916 for the auction the following day. Doubtless there was more advertising. The worrying aspect of this notice stated:  ‘…There has been a good demand for plans and buyers are reminded that the sale commences at 3pm sharp with the buildings for removal and the galvanised iron, to be followed immediately by the sale of the allotments.’

In the subdivision plan the observatory building and roll off roof straddled the 16 perch lots numbers 10 and 11 with the bulk of it on lot 11.

Finally, on the 4^th November 1916 a notice appeared on Page 6 of the ‘Brisbane Courier’ that ‘Owing to the sale of land at Ardencraig today the Astronomical Society’s telescope will not be available to visitors until further notice.’

The Page research (from 1959), previously referenced states: ‘This work (the public demonstrations), was abruptly terminated by Thomson, acting now as sole trustee, who “surreptitiously” removed the objective from the telescope to a house in Laidlaw Street, East Brisbane, on the pretext that the sale of ‘Ardencraig’ jeopardised the safety of the instrument, and with that action, the Brisbane Astronomical Society walked out of existence.’   

Clearly the following information was not available to Page at the time of his research. The existence of ready access to historical newspapers via ‘Trove’ has revealed much extra information.

An article on page 6 of the Brisbane ‘Courier’ on 21^st March 1917 describes the events:

The ‘Ardencraig’ Telescope

‘More than ordinary interest attaches to the announcement of the sale in Brisbane next Saturday of a telescope. This is the instrument which has for many years been the property of the Brisbane Astronomical Society, having been acquired in 1896 for £70 (sic) by Mr Dudley Eglinton, with the financial assistance of about 70 others. As Mr Stanley, the then vendor, still lived at ‘Ardencraig’, the telescope was not removed, and Mr Stanley permitted the new owners to use his well-adapted observatory.

When the Brisbane Astronomical Society was formed an effort was made to get members to use the telescope by taking up special branches of observational work, but with scant success. Proposals at different times to hand over the telescope to the Royal or the Geographical Society or to the University failed, such proposals being opposed on the ground that they were contrary to the purpose for which the telescope was acquired, viz for the use of the purchasers and to prevent its removal from Mr Stanley’s observatory.

When the property was sold to Mr Francis MacDonnell, that gentleman allowed the telescope to remain on the payment of a nominal sum for security, and proposed an arrangement by which it was used in aid of the ‘Courier’ Patriotic Funds (which benefited to the extent of over £23) till the land on which it was situated was again sold.

Prior to the sale Mr J. P. Thomson, acting in his capacity as sole remaining trustee, without the knowledge of Mr Eglinton, who had virtually been custodian of the instrument for many years, took possession of the telescope “for safety”. A meeting of the shareholders of the society was subsequently held, and it was decided to sell it, Dr Taylor and Messrs. Eglinton and Thomson being appointed trustees with power to sell the telescope, which is now in the hands of the auctioneer.

Mr Eglinton does not concur in the proposal to sell, but has been overruled. Some of the surviving shareholders have assigned their interests in the telescope to Mr Eglinton, and that gentleman has in the past done much to promote the study of astronomy locally, it is hoped that he will be put in a position to secure the telescope and continue his work.’

Note: Dr Taylor’s letter below explains why Eglinton had no prior knowledge of the removal action.

On page 5 of the Brisbane Courier for 22^nd March 1917, two letters are printed, and the key paragraphs are reproduced below.

It is best at this stage to introduce Dr William Frederick Taylor (1840 -1927). His medical career in London and Paris, and New South Wales, and country Queensland (Clermont and Warwick) is not relevant. He was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. He came to settle in Brisbane in 1883 and remained there for the rest of his life being a member of the Legislative Council from 1886 to 1922.

To quote from the newspaper:

‘Dr W.F. Taylor…states, inter alia, that at the last annual meeting of the members of the Astronomical Society, Brisbane , held about 10 or 12 years ago, he was elected Chairman and D. Eglinton Secretary, and they remained in office until November 24 last, because all attempts to hold meetings of the members proved futile.

During that time Mr Eglinton assumed charge of the telescope, and kept possession of the key of the house in which it was erected, but he consulted the Chairman of the Society (Dr Taylor) on all matters requiring decided action.

On October 27^th 1916, Dr Taylor had brought under his notice an advertisement for the sale of the Ardencraig land, on November 4^th 1916.  He saw that prompt action should be taken to protect the telescope, and started to ring Mr Eglinton on the telephone, but found that he would not be at his residence at that hour, 11AM. Then he got in touch with Dr Thomson, the only remaining trustee of the telescope who at once consulted his solicitor, and was advised to take immediate possession of the telescope, for when the land on which it stood was sold, the purchaser might raise some objection to anyone removing it. He (Dr Taylor) then urged Dr Thomson to act on his solicitor’s advice, and get possession of the instrument as soon as possible.

At a meeting of the members of the Astronomical Society on November 24 1916 the subject was fully discussed and the following resolutions adopted – ‘That this meeting confirms the action of Dr Thomson in removing the telescope under the circumstances of the sale of the site.’

Mr Eglinton and Dr Taylor having been appointed trustees to act in conjunction with Dr Thomson, the following resolution was adopted – ‘That the trustees be empowered to sell the telescope after advertisement to the highest bidder.’

This resolution was confirmed at the subsequent meeting of the members of the society held on February 26, 1917, in conformity with the above, the trustees decided to place the telescope in the hands of Mr A.S. Phillips, auctioneer, Queen Street, for sale and sent him a letter of authority which all three signed.’

Another letter is quoted from immediately below:

‘Mr Francis MacDonnell, in the course of a letter states:  Sir, in your paragraph this morning concerning the ‘Ardencraig’ telescope there are one or two sentences which may cause a wrong impression and lead the public to think that I derived some pecuniary benefit from the money subscribed towards the “Courier” Patriotic Funds, towards which Mr Eglinton and I collected at the observatory in 1915 and 1916. I do not think for a moment that such is suggested, but some people are often ready critics and therefore I shall be glad if you make it plain. In April 1915, after I had come to live here, it occurred to me that the telescope which was securely housed at ‘Ardencraig’ might be used to some purpose to benefit some of the funds which were then afoot. I consulted Mr Eglinton and he very enthusiastically approved my suggestion.

He offered to pay me rent but I agreed to allow it to remain rent free while the war lasted, provided that the proceeds were to be devoted to the purpose indicated above. We agreed that he should pay a small sum and that it should be one penny per month during the continuance of the war. This we considered sufficient to establish the relationship of landlord and tenant between us. When Mr Eglinton paid his rent, I put it on the plate. Let this therefore explain that I allowed the telescope to remain on the payment of a nominal sum for security.’  With regard to the telescope being removed “for safety”, I may state that whilst being housed here, it could not have been safer in the Bank of England. It was in a strong wooden structure, roofed with iron, and under lock and key. With its removal I had nothing to do. Had it been allowed to remain, Mr Eglinton, I am sure, would have been only too glad to continue as before, during the war.

Very few know except myself, the number of dreary nights he spent there in the dark, waiting for the patrons who failed to come, whilst I sat outside under the shelter of a friendly bush or tree to look after the signal lights, and guide the visitors to the observatory. The results of our endeavours were not tremendous, but we both feel that we did our “little bit” to help the Belgian Relief Fund and the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. The “Courier” gave us valiant, ungrudging, and loyal help in the yards of free advertising.’

This last letter ignores the legal position if the land upon which the observatory stood was sold to new owners as previously mentioned. Curiously Mr MacDonnell himself was responsible for this situation, but I suppose he wanted to justify his position and from the letters there seems to have been a certain amount of controversy, otherwise they would not have been written.

But why was the action taken to remove and sell the telescope? The immediate impetus was the sale of the land upon which it was situated, but examining the matter more closely, the Brisbane Astronomical Society had ceased to operate. In the 20 years since they acquired the telescope, the only person who was regularly using it was Eglinton, and nothing had been achieved in finding a home for it in a new location. The obvious and sensible course of action was to sell the telescope and remove this continuing burden. Thomson seems to be the practical pragmatic man, and just the person to do it. Whether he removed the whole telescope or just the objective, it set the steps in motion, and it is now obvious that this was carried out under the proper authority, and subsequently ratified by a meeting of the society.

At the base of page 22 of the ASQ 1959 proceedings, Page refers to the telescope as missing and that the newly formed society in 1927, which soon changed its name to the Astronomical Society of Queensland, had a claim to it because Eglinton (now a vice President of the new body), managed to have the funds and property of the old Brisbane Astronomical Society transferred to it. They therefore regarded themselves as direct successors.

However new information available via ‘Trove’ tells a different story. As advertised on page 8 of the Brisbane Courier of Saturday 17^th March 1917, the telescope was to be auctioned by Auctioneer A. S. Phillips on 21^st March 1917.

A news item appeared at page 6 of the ‘Brisbane Courier’ on 26^th March 1917:

‘The ‘Ardencraig’ Telescope

The fine 6in astronomical telescope from ‘Ardencraig’, Toowong, concerning which some correspondence has appeared in recent issues of the ‘Courier’, was disposed of at auction at Mr A. S. Phillip’s mart on Saturday morning, when it was purchased on behalf of Dr Duhig, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, for £85. Dr Duhig states that the telescope will be mounted at one of the Roman Catholic colleges in the Brisbane district, where arrangements will be made for scientists, students, and the public to have access to it.’

The article then goes on to physically describe the instrument and its history and concludes:

‘The members of the society, however, took very little practical interest in the instrument, Mr Eglinton being the only one whose enthusiasm stood the test of years. Recently the representatives of the society decided to sell the telescope by public auction, and Mr Eglinton made an effort to enlist aid to secure it, so that he might continue his astronomical work. In this, however, he was not successful, the instrument being bought, as already stated, by Archbishop Duhig.’

Duhig had been appointed Archbishop the same year (1917) and this was the beginning of a long and illustrious career that would see Catholic churches crowning many hilltops in the Brisbane area.

Therefore, the telescope was auctioned, and Eglinton failed in his bid to secure it. The Brisbane Astronomical Society or its successors could lay no claim to it.