METEOROLOGICAL WORK IN AUSTRALIA. 255 



in certain well-selected positions in the several Austra- 

 lasian Colonies, including New Zealand, in addition to 

 those existinj^. 

 IV. That the definition of the work of a first-class station, 

 given in the preface to the New Zealand Meteorological 

 lleport for 1873, be adopted, viz.: — "The observations 

 taken are limited to those for determining atmospheric 

 pressure, maximum and minimum daily temperature of 

 atmosphere, and of insolation and radiation, the average 

 daily amount of moisture, the rainfall and number of 

 rainy days, the force and direction of wind, and amount 

 andcharacter of cloud." 

 V. That the instruments at each first class station consist of 

 a mercurial barometer, of either the standard or Board 

 of Trade form ; thermometers of new or approved 

 patterns, compared with standards as frequently as 

 possible ; rain-gauges of Sin. collecting diameter, and 

 wind-gauges of any a])proved form. The local hours 

 of observation to be 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m. Beau- 

 fort's scale of wind to be adopted. The observations 

 to be recorded in equivalents and pressure. 

 VI. That it is very desirable to obtain the co-operation of the 

 Government of Tasmania, and to persuade them to 

 establish a station at the public expense at Hobart Town. 

 VII. That it is desirable to secure the co-operation of the 

 Governments of Western Australia. New Zealand, and 

 Tasmania in" the system of weather telegrams, which 

 now embraces the colonies of South Australia, Victoria, 

 New South Wales, and Queensland. 

 VIII. That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is desirable 

 that weather telegrams and forecasts shall, in all cases, 

 depend upon the observations used for general meteoro- 

 logical and climatological statistics, and be under the 

 direction of the head of the meteorological department 

 in each colony. 

 IX. Thar this Conference, having been informed that the 

 Eastern E.x:tension Telegraph Company will charge half 

 rates for the transmission of weather reports through 

 tlie cable connecting Australia and Tasmania, and 

 probably also the cable to New Zealand, recommend 

 that the cost of such reports be defrayed hj the 

 participating colonies in equal proportioiis ; and that, in 

 the opinion of this Conference, such cost need not exceed 

 in the aggregate £350 per annum. 

 X. That, in the opinion of the Conference, this expenditure 

 is justified by the extreme importance to the shipping 

 interest of early information of the approach of dangerous 

 easterly and westerly gales. 



