78 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION A, 



Survey was made by Mr. Rumker, the survey being in con- 

 junction with the measurement of an arc of the meridian, which 

 Mr. Rumker had undertaken to execute." 



And the pendulum apparatus which was used by Rumker at 

 Parramatta, and with which he made the length of the Seconds 

 Pendulum there to be 39.0891435 inches, was evidently brought 

 out to be used in connection with the measurement of an arc of 

 the meridian. 



With the instruments that came from the Parramatta Obser- 

 vatory to Sydney, when it was dismantled, was a zenith sector 

 which appears never to have been used, but is a large one 

 and evidently intended for accurate work. A transit circle also 

 came in the same way, and it would appear that this instrument 

 was very little, if at all, used, and there was no room for it in the 

 original building, hence it was set up on the outside of it. It was 

 a good instrument, and, with some repairs, did duty in Sydney 

 Observatory from 1859 to 1876, and it is still there, but not in 

 use. 



The transit circle in its day, 1830, was justly considei^ed a 

 first-class instrument, and must have been intended for accurate 

 determination of star positions for tlie measurement of the arc of 

 the meridian. 



[APPENDIX A.] 



31st August, 1827. 

 To Governor Darling. 



I have the honor to inform you that I have this day paid to Messrs. 

 Macdonald and Campbell, agents of Sir Thomas Brisbane, the sum of one 

 thousand six hundred and fourteen pounds, thirteen shillings, for the 

 purchase of certain Astronomical instruments and books left in the 

 Observatory at Parramatta, and referred to in Mr. Macleay's letter to me 

 on 27th September last. 



(Signed) EDWARD BARNARD. 



[APPENDIX B.] 



Government House, 



10th September, 1827. 

 The Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, has com- 

 municated in a despatch, No. 9f5, dated 1st March, 1826, that His Majesty's 

 Government with the view of promoting the interests of science in this 

 part of the globe, has consented to the purchase from Sir T Brisbane, of 

 certain astronomical instruments, specified in the enclosed list which in 

 compliance with the Address of the Council had been left by him in the 

 Colony, for the sum as valued Ijy him of £1,614 13s. 



He has directed that the necessary remittance of this amount should be 

 made to the Colonial Agent to enable him to reimburse Sir Thomas 

 Brisbane for the instruments in question. Let the necessary communica- 

 tion be made to the Auditor and Treasurer as to tlie remittance of this 

 amount in order that it may be duly provided for by the first opportunity, 

 and let Mr. Rumker be called upon for a list of the articles left by Sir 

 Thomas Brisbane in the Observatory under his chax'ge, that it may be 

 compared with the specifications herewith. 



(Signed) R. A. DARLING. 

 To Colonial Secretary. 



