xxxii report — 1859. 



next. They are to serve either for eye-observation or for continuous photo- 

 graphic record, or for both, occasional eye-observations being desirable in 

 any case. The space which it is proposed they should occupy, is 12 feet by 6 ; 

 and their relative position, as well as that of all their parts, will be determined 

 by their being fixed into a slate floor or basement, capable of being separated 

 into portions for more easy conveyance to a Colony, but designed, when 

 there, to be put together and cemented into one solid floor, which must rest 

 on a secure foundation. The protection from the weather which the instru- 

 ments will require, will be (in the Colony) a double wall either of logs or of 

 stone, having space between the outer and inner wall, and a similarly double 

 ceiling. When the instruments are set up in the space near the Observatory 

 at Kew, a simple boarding will suffice in lieu of double walls and ceiling, as 

 the equalization of temperature is of no moment when the purpose is simply to 

 give instruction in the use of the instruments. The instruments for absolute 

 determinations will require a small separate building, in which the absence 

 of iron will be the only requisite, the variations of temperature not being of 

 the same moment in their case. 



"It is proposed that the description and the principal instructions for the 

 use of these differential instruments should form an appendix to Mr. Welsh's 

 report on the self-recording Magnetic Apparatus at Kew, which apparatus has 

 now been in steady work for some months. Mr. Welsh's report is to be pre- 

 sented to the Aberdeen Meeting, and will be printed forthwith. 



" Viewing the importance of time, I took on myself in October last the 

 responsibility of directing Mr. Adie to proceed in the construction of these 

 instruments. On the understanding conveyed by your letter that one Observa- 

 tory at least will be sanctioned, and supposing that the instruments shall be 

 found to answer their purpose satisfactorily, I shall be relieved from the pecu- 

 niary responsibility so undertaken ; but I had at anyrate very little apprehension 

 on this account ; for the improvement of standard Magnetical and Meteorolo- 

 gical instruments has been so thoroughly recognized as a proper ground of ap- 

 plication to the Government Grant Committee, that I should not have hesi- 

 tated to ask for aid from that quarter, if needed. It was probable, moreover, 

 that had the instruments not been required by our own Government, a ready 

 sale might have been found for them to some projected Colonial or Foreign 

 Establishment. 



" If Mr. Adie keeps his time, the Observatory will be ready for inspection 

 and for practice early in the next summer, when it is hoped that those who 

 are competent to judge of the suitability of the instruments will examine 

 them, and will offer such suggestions of improvement as may be applicable, 

 either in the present case or in Observatories for the same purpose which may 

 be required hereafter. 



" Captain Blakiston of the Royal Artillery, to whom I had written to offer 

 the best offices in my power towards his appointment to the charge of the 

 Vancouver Island Observatory (supposing always that His Royal Highness 

 the Commander-in-Chief should be favourably disposed towards the employ- 

 ment of an Artillery detachment as the 'personnel' of the Observatory), 

 has replied by stating his readiness to accept the charge, and to enter at once, 

 on his return from his present employment, on the training required for the 

 photographic work. He is the Magnetical Observer of Mr. Palliser's 

 Survey Expedition on the east side of the Rocky Mountains. The Expedi- - 

 tion is ordered to return to England in the next summer; consequently at 

 the close of the summer Capt. Blakiston will be available for this dutv. I 

 may add, in evidence of the zealous interest taken by this officer in Magnetic 

 researches, that I have very recently received from him five months of hourly 



