V1U 



responds to a lateral distance of + - lin. at a distance of 6,479ft. 

 The meridian mark in its present position is quite useless for the pur- 

 pose intended, and I would suggest that it be moved 2ft. eastwards 

 into the true meridian, and also that there be cut in on the face of the 

 stone, in addition to the present x in circle, a few micrometer teeth 

 on either side, exactly similar to the marking of the pressnt temporary 

 wooden scale. This would enable the residual small errors in azimuth 

 of the transit telescope to be at any time during daylight read off in 

 seconds of arc and allowed for in the usual manner, instead of the 

 frequent injurious alterations of the adjusting screws of the instrument. 

 4. I would further wish to point out that, although when this alteration 

 is effected, the time by the transit instrument will be obtained with all 

 the accuracy necessary for the purpose, yet that the present means of 

 communicating it to the shipping in port by means of the time ball are 

 quite inadequate aid liable to error. Signals are sent from the Obser- 

 vatory to the signalman at the flagstaff. Fort Mulgrave, where the time- 

 ball is situated, by electricity during the last minute previous to 1 p.m. 

 The electrical fittings are so inferior that they frequently break down 

 entirely for days together. Mr. EUery, the Government Astronomer 

 at Melbourne, whilst recently in Hobart gave as his opinion that this 

 might be remedied by a very simple alteration. Again, the ball is 

 hoisted by a rope and winch, and in order for the ball to appear to 

 drop at 1 p.m. it is necessaryfor the signalman to let go the winch handle 

 a certain time beforehand ; this he does when he sees the last time 

 signal at 2s?c. to 1 p.m., he actually lets go about lsoc. to 1 p m., and 

 the ball itself drops about half a second past 1 o'clock ; by dint of long 

 practice and habit this error is fairly constant, and varies from O'Ssec. 

 to O'Ssec. too late, but it is obvious that the error is Uable to variation, 

 and that under the circumstances it is absolutely impossible for the 

 man to drop the ball exactly at 1 p. m. This, I think, might be obviated 

 by some simple automatic method of dropping it, to work uith the 

 assistance of a relay by the same electric current from the Observatory 

 as works the time signal. It would be a good plan in future when the 

 time-ball fails in'accuracy to hoist it a^ain immediately half-mast, close 

 upatl'55, anidrtp it in the usual manner at 2 p.m., publishing the 

 error in the next morning's paper. This is the usual method adopted 

 in many ports in similar cases. 5. Lists of Stars — The Nautical 

 Almanac is quite ioadequate for transit work, especially in south lati- 

 tudes, by reason of the small number of stars, and especially South 

 Polar stars, for which the apparent places are given. It is seldom or 

 never used, even at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the French 

 " Oonnaissince des Temps," published annually, price 4f. 7oc, being 

 much preferable ; e.g., in the " N. A." the App. places of 224 time stars 

 are given, and one South Polar star ; iu the " Connaissance " the App. 

 places of 360 time stars, and 11 South Polar stars. I would suggest 

 that this work be added to the Observatory Library. 6. Geographical 

 Position. — The position of the transit instrument has been calculated 

 from that of the transit pier in the Barrack-reserve, used by the U.S. 

 Transit of Venus Expedition in 1874. As this latter stone is the 

 standard of longitude for Tasmania, I would suggest that a permanent 

 record be cut on it giving the exact latitude and longitude. These are 

 furnished by the Melbourne Observatory, viz., 1st, 42'53 deg. 24min. 

 6sec; long. 147'19deg. 57min. E. I have the honour to be, sir, your 

 obedient servant, Herbert K. Pury-Oust, Lieutenant and Commander." 



That is the report, and the colony owes a debt of gratitude to Captain 

 Cust in providing us with it, and for which the colony did not spend 

 one penny. 



Mr. Madlt urged that the great utility of the work done at the 

 Observatory would be enhanced if the Government would add to the 

 establishment some magnetic instruments. 



