INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 13 
built small observatories, some of whom have done astronomical 
work occasionally, including observations of comets and of the 
last transit of Mercury by Mr. J. P. Thomson, F.R.G.S., re- 
corded in 1895 volume of this association. For the observa- 
tion of the transit of Venus in 1882, a British observing party 
under Capt. Morris, R.N., took up its station in Queensland, and 
successfully observed the phenomenon. One of the telescopes 
brought out by Capt. Morris’ party was afterwards bought by 
a Mr. Norris, of Townsville, and with it Mr. Davidson discovered, 
in 1889, the comet now called after him. Some few years ago 
an effort was made to establish an astronomical society in Bris- 
bane, and a number of gentlemen subscribed a sum of money, 
and purchased a 6-in. Grubb equatorial. I believe the society 
was not formed, and that the telescope is laid by unused. 
The three principal Australasian observatories—Melbourne, 
Sydney, and Adelaide—since their establishment, have taken 
part in several important undertakings, either in co-operation 
with other national observatories or among themselves, in the 
observation of phenomena requiring special preparations, estab- 
lishment of temporary observatories, and sometimes expeditions 
to distant parts of the colonies. The first occasion, I believe, 
was 1862, when a very favourable opposition of the planet Mars 
took place for the determination of the sun’s distance, and both 
the Williamstown and Sydney Observatories were asked to co- 
operate with English and European astronomers in the requisite 
observations of the planet and comparison stars. 
At Williamstown the whole programme was _ successfully 
carried out, and the results were used in the determination of 
the sun’s distance adopted after that time. A valuable series of 
measures were also obtained at the Sydney Observatory, but for 
some reason were not used nor published. 
A total eclipse of the sun occurred in 1871, the path of totality 
crossing the north of Queensland between Cape York and Cook- 
town, and the assistance of Australia was naturally looked for 
to obtain thorcugh observation of the phenomenon within its 
territory, for at this time many important physical appearances 
connected with total eclipses required further elucidation. The 
late Professor Wilson, of the Melbourne University, brought the 
subject before the Royal Society of Victoria early in that year, 
urging that the society should take steps to fit out an observing 
expedition to Northern Queensland. The co- operation of the 
Sydney Observatory was at ence secured, and both the Victorian 
and New South Wales Governments promised to contribute to 
the cost, and through the instrumentality of Mr. Russell, Govern- 
ment Astronomer, Sydney, the steamer “ Governor Blackall” was 
lent by the Queensland Government to convey the observers to 
the place selected as the observing position, viz., one of the 
Claremont Islands, off Cape Sidmouth, in the Barrier Reef. The 
