328 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



OBSERVATORY WORK. 

 WATHEROO MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY. 



Magnetician E. Kidson, having accepted the appointment of super- 

 vising meteorologist in the Central Weather Bureau, at Melbourne, 

 resigned from the Department on January 31, 1921, and his duties as 

 observer-in-charge at Watheroo were taken over by Observer W. C. 

 Parkinson, previously chief assistant. On December 7, 1920, Mr. J. 

 Shearer reported for duty at the Observatory as assistant observer. 

 The following summary of the work during the year is taken from Mr. 

 Parkinson's report: 



The magnetographs have been in continuous operation throughout 

 the year. Daily meteorological observations, weekly determinations 

 of absolute magnetic elements, weekly time observations until the 

 installation of the wireless apparatus, and monthly scale-value deter- 

 minations for the variometers were made. All prehminary reductions 

 of the traces, computations of observations, with necessary check- 

 ings, together with the necessary routine work, have been carried 

 out and the records and tabulations despatched to Washington month 

 by month. A notable magnetic disturbance was recorded on May 13 to 

 17, 1921, and was accompanied by an auroral display observed at 

 Watheroo on the evening of May 16. 



Meteorological data have been regularly supplied, as in previous 

 years, to the Commonwealth Weather Bureau, and information regard- 

 ing abnormal magnetic conditions has been furnished from time to 

 time to the telegraphs branch of the Commonwealth Postal Depart- 

 ment. 



Special determinations of the latitude of the Observatory have been 

 made and reduced. The adopted latitude is 30° 19' 05."3 south; the 

 longitude, previously adopted, is 115° 52' 38" east of Greenwich. 



During the year, in addition to the various routine, repair, and 

 maintenance work on buildings and site, the following improvements 

 have been effected: 



(1) The additions to the observers' quarters, begun in October 1920, have 

 been completed, the attic space has been floored, and the roof covered with 

 asbestos tiles. 



(2) All the buildings have been repainted. 



(3) An underground cistern, of about 2,000 gallons capacity, has been 

 constructed at the auxiliary quarters to provide additional storage of rain- 

 water for use during the dry summer months. 



(4) A well, 20 feet deep, has been sunk near the observers' quarters and an 

 elevated tank and a windmill erected above it. (The water from this well 

 was afterwards condemned by the Government Bacteriologist for drinking 

 purposes, but the water will be of great service for use in the garden and orchard 

 during the summer, while the elevated tank and windmill are now used to 

 send a supply of rain-water from the underground cistern running through the 

 quarters.) 



(5) A wireless receiving outfit has been put into operation, and time signals 

 from Perth Observatory are recorded regularly. 



