These developments did not prevent research staff from continuing their work on the frontal analysis of surface synoptic charts as a means of ensuring its adoption throughout the Bureau, and the issuing of broadscale analyses and prognoses for use by forecasting staff in the field. Additional work was carried out on the use and interpretation of radiosonde and radar data. At the same time D. E. Halsted oversaw the introduction of the new Hollerith punched card machines into the Bureau's Statistical Section, in order to transform its ancient data management and processing system into a reliable database. This database later proved to be invaluable for research purposes and assisted the advent of numerical weather prediction.

Since this involved very new technology the Bureau had to develop its own expertise to devise the best method of attacking the problem. For this reason the groundwork was carried out by Research Section personnel using data obtained from Bureau stations on Heard and Macquarie Islands. Once the new system was fully operational, it was applied to the entire Australian network (BOM [11]). Such a concentration on developmental matters and continuing staff shortages all but precluded any fundamental research until the mid 1950s, when group and individual programs commenced.

These difficulties and the appointments of Warren and subsequently E. W. Timcke as Director following Warren's unexpected death in 1950, prompted the committee of the Australian Branch of the IOP to write to the Minister for the Interior drawing his attention to the lack of scientific leadership within the Bureau. The committee suggested that the lack of professional direction led to a downgrading of the scientific credibility of the Bureau within international organisations and a failure to achieve an "enlightened and progressive attitude" within the Bureau (Martin [55]).

E. W. Timcke, Director from 1950 untill 1955

Bureau of Meteorology