BY PROFESSOR ALEX. MCAULAY, M.A. 89" 



49.33s.; Melbourne, 9h. 39m. 53.93s. (0.04s. was 

 dropped arbitrarily when Zone time was intro- 

 duced, simply for convenience). 

 ''But I have no intention of altering our longitude at 

 present, for two reasons — (1st) Because the values 

 are by no means final. (2nd) Because there will be 

 probably soon, an opportunity for fresh indepen- 

 dent determinations of Australian longitudes via 

 America, and via Caj^e of Good Hope, through 

 Cocos Island. 



"(2nd). The uncertainty of the present longitudes. — ■ 

 On the strength of the new Madras value, I think 

 that the values— Sydney, lOh. 4m. 49.33s. ; Mel- 

 bourne, 9h. 39m. 53.93s. ; Hobart, 9h. 49m. 

 19.59s.; are within 0.7s. for Melbourne and Syd- 

 ney, and within 0.8s. for Hobart. 



"(3rd). The true value of Harkness' position relative 

 to Melbourne. — This value is 9m. 25.66s. (This is 

 the only available value). [Harkness was the chief 

 of the American 187^ transit of Venus Expedition 

 to Tasmania.] 



"(4th). Harkness' position. — This is his transit pier." 

 The piece of masonry in question is really very precious 

 to Tasmania. If she allows it to become undecipherable, 

 she will be put to much expense and much trouble once 

 more to determine her longitude. 



Commander Pury-Cust some time ago recommended 

 that this piece of masonry should be suitably inscribed with 

 the record of its meaning. This could be done at a trifling 

 cost, and I believe will be done, but in case there should be 

 hesitation on the part of the public or Ministry, I now make 

 the necessary appeal. The only reason that the Premier 

 has not yet been informed (for he has not) what to put upon 

 the stone is that his advisers (Mr. Kingsmill and myseii) 

 have not yet found exactly what the record ought to be. 



Mr. McDonald, of the Observatory, first informed me of 

 the special nature of the observations, whi^- were made by 

 the American Transit of Venus Expediiion, and led me to 

 recognise the meaning of the three marks left by them in 

 the Barrack Square. He has also lent those stereoscopic 

 photographs of the instruments and position used, which 

 are now in your hands. I should like to enter into more 

 detail about the transit operations, but i have not time. 



Two students of the University (Mr. McDonald and Mr. 

 Ray) have lately found by surveying with instruments 

 lent by Mr. Walker (an old student and present graduate)- 



