XVI PEOCEEDINGS, AUGUST. 



advantages of Hobart as a site for astronomical work, and especially for 

 stellar photography, but also for the clear and practical du^ections it con- 

 tained as to the requirements of an Observatory and the cost of apparatus 

 and maintenance. He thought that Mr. Russell's proposal would olFer a 

 Strong inducement to the Leake trustees to bestow this noble gift within 

 their own colony. Co-operation with the great Observatories of the world 

 in the special work proposed would at once give the Leake Observatory a 

 certain prestige, and the name of its founder would be associated with a 

 scientific undertaking of universal interest and importance. This would be 

 attained without detriment to the express object of the donor, which was 

 the practical teaching of astronomy in connection with a University. It 

 was premature to discuss details ; but he might suggest that as it was im- 

 possible to divorce astronomy from the study of the higher mathematics, 

 the Leake professor would naturally take the higher mathematical work of 

 the University. "With the co-operation of the different bodies mentioned 

 by Mr. Clarke, arrangements might be made for two University lecturers. 

 The lecturer in physics could take a part of the mathematical course, leav- 

 ing the Leake professor free to give his whole attention to the astronomical 

 ■work and the higher branches of mathematical study. 



Extract from the will of Mr. Arthur Leake, late of Ashby, Ross, 

 Tasmania : — 



" I direct my said trustees to stand possessed of a third sum of £10,000, 

 upon trust for the purpose of founding or establishing a school for the 

 practical teaching of astronomy, in any of the Universities, colleges, or 

 leading schools mentioned in Clause 6 of this, my will ; [i.e., in either of 

 the Australian cities of Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, or Brisbane ;] 

 a part of such teaching to consist of demonstrative lectures with diagrams 

 and instruments. And I declare that it shall be lawful for the persons for 

 the time bsing holding the said sum of £10,000 to lay out and employ 

 £3,000, part thereof, in purchasing and providing instruments in aid of 

 such teaching." 



Another clause of the will authorises the trustees to pay over. the said 

 sum of £10,000 to the University in connection with which the school may 

 be founded. 



The Rev. Dr. Scott thought there would be insuperable obstacles 

 the way of attachiog the Leake bequest to the chair ot mathematics, in 

 The Leake bequest at the very outset contemplated the establishment 

 of a school for the teaching of astronomy, and the whole terms of the 

 will implied that the teacher should be a teacher of astronomy, having 

 also attached his chair to the work of demonstration in such a way as 

 to give up his time very largely to this important branch of learning. 



Mr. H. C. KiNGSMiLL, M.A., dealt with the teaching aspect of tbft 

 ouestion, and thought that whilst the scheme contained many excellent 

 points the duties in connection with the Observatory could not very well 

 be undertaken by the professor of mathematics. 



A further resolution was passed, on the motion of Sir Lambert 

 DoBsoN, seconded by the Hon. N. J. Brown, — " The Royal Society 

 having placed itself in communication with the Council of the Univer- 

 sity with the view of formulating a scheme for securmg the benefit of 

 the Leake bequest to the colony of Tasmania, the Premier be requested 

 to refrain from making any permanent appointment to the office of 

 meteorologist pending the result of such conference." 



HEMARKS ON SIR ROBERT BALL's PAPER (READ AT THE HOBART 



meeting of the australasian science association), entitled : 

 " the astronomical explanation op a glacial period." 

 By a. B. Biggs. 



The author said he wished to refer to Sir Robert Ball's paper (read 

 at the Hobart meeting of the Australasian Science Association), 



