Speculation about the role of a satellite tracking station being built at Mount John, near Lake Tekapo, is increasing.

The station is being set up by the U.S. Navy and manned by the U.S.A.F.

Equipment will include a Baker-Nunn camera capable of photographing a six-metre sphere at the distance of the moon and of recording other images which are 3000 times more faint than could be seen by the human eye.

Negotiations

There has been negotiations between the U.S.A.F. and the University of Canterbury on leasing the site.

It has no direct connection with the University Observatory, which is maintained and financed by the University of Canterbury and the University of Pennsylvania.

It has been suggested that this station could be used by the U.S. for part of its early warning system, and as such might become a target in the event of a nuclear war.

Committee To Organise Demonstrations

A group of about 50 students set up a committee to organise demonstrations yesterday.

It is the Political Action Coordinating Committee.

It hopes to become affiliated to the Students' Association.

Mr Gager, who chaired the meeting, said that the need for such a committee had arisen because there was no one on executive capable of organising a demonstration.

"The recent Omega demonstration proved this," he said.

The group's first activity is a demonstration against the Security Service next Wednesday.

Demonstrators will leave the university at 1.30 p.m. and will proceed to 175 Taranaki Street where an open forum will be held.