Navigation Data

Mr Gatty's researches mainly concerned navigation, and as a result of his researches in the Turnbull Library he had produced a booklet which was distributed to all American airmen in the Pacific area during World War II. It showed them how to find their way anywhere in the Pacific by methods used by the early Polynesian voyagers.

Mr Gatty had, as a result of his studies in the Turnbull Library, obtained a description of an instrument used by 17th century navigators. He was able to modify this for use by modern aircraft, Mr Taylor said.

Mr Taylor said the library sometimes went back into its records in connection with Maori land claims about the origins of which pakehas were hazy, and had been able to provide valuable information.

"Anyone who says that historical research is not worth while is foolish," Mr Taylor said. "It is not just an academic pastime."