^ BY PROFESSOR ALEX. MCAULAY, M.A. 93 



Probably, if what I have now to propose should be 

 adopted, such a School of Astronomy as Mr. Russell antici- 

 pated, would grow up, even without the inestimable ad- 

 vantage of a bequest of £10,000, and such a school would be 

 a great benefit to the whole of Australia. 



The Meteorological Department is over-worked, under- 

 manned, and under-paid. It is inevitable that under these 

 conditions some of its work is not as efficiently performed as 

 it would be were its resources adequate. 



My proposal is that that department be relieved of the 

 astronomical work, but let it be most clearly understood 

 that I, for one, will not counsel any such re-arrangement of 

 duties if a single penny be as a consequence diverted from 

 the Meteorological Department. 



I propose that, leaving the pecuniary position of the 

 department precisely as it is at the present, the whole astro- 

 nomical work be forthwith handed over to the University. 

 It m?vy be asked how this is to be done, since the University 

 f nds difficulty in performing its present duties efficiently. 



I will now make certain definite suggestions for the 

 effecting of this scheme. The suggestions are definite, rather 

 because I want a practical discussion here and elsewhere to 

 be raised, than because of their intrinsic merit. 



Let those who are competent pull tue suggestions to 

 pieces as much as they like, so long as the main object is 

 kept in view, namely, the high desirability of laying the 

 foundation of a really valuable School of Astronomy in Tas- 

 mania. Such a school (there are many in the United 

 States) would be a beneht and a credit to the whole of the 

 Commonwealth, and it would also be a benefit to the world 

 at large. 



I would submit then to your consideration the follow- 

 ing suggestions : — 



(a) No funds to be diverted from the Meteorological 



Department. 



(b) The Meteorological Headquarters to remain in the 



Barrack Square, as at present, even if the Square 

 be altered, as lately suggested by the Minister of 

 Lands. 



(c) The Government astronomical work to be handed 



over to the University on certain conditions. 



(d) All the astronomical instruments to be transferred 



to the University grounds, and re-erected there, at 

 the cost of the Government. 



(e) Loan of the Transit Instrument m the possession 



of the Melbourne Observatory, which for many 

 years was lent to Adelaide, to be asked for. 



