520 New Zealand Institute. 
The New Zealand weather for each day is now published the same after- 
noon in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide; and there is no reason why, with 
a few changes in the organization of the system, the Australian weather 
phase for each day should not be published in all the principal towns in 
New Zealand on the following morning. By this means from twenty-four 
to sixty hours’ notice would be given of all the most important weather 
changes. 
OBSERVATORY. 
The time-ball service for Wellington is at present suspended, as the ball 
was dismounted when the old Custom House was removed. Arrangements 
are being made, however, for its re-erection in a prominent position. In 
the meantime the Telegraph Department continues to be supplied with 
mean time, and time signals are furnished to Lyttelton and to various 
private persons by galvanometers. 
In reply to an application from the Home Government, arrangements 
are being made for organizing a corps of local observers for the forthcoming 
Transit of Venus in December, to assist the party of observers that are to 
be sent out from Greenwich Observatory. 
LABORATORY. 
The number of analyses performed in the Colonial Laboratory for 
ordinary purposes during the past year is 265, and the Laboratory number 
now arrived at is 8,285 
These analyses are subdivided as follows :—Coals, 13; minerals and 
rocks, 58; metals and ores, 40; examinations for silver and gold, 89; 
waters, 21; miscellaneous, 40. Total 265. 
Besides the above, a large number of examihations have been made 
under the Adulteration Act of 1880, by the Analyst; and about the month 
of August time was occupied in visiting the Rotorua District, at which place 
he collected samples and analyzed specimens of water from the various 
springs. The Analyst has also been occupied at various times in verifying 
certain sets of weights and measures, in compliance with the Act. 
The results of the analyses, which are of general interest, are noted in 
full in the Annual Report on the Museum and Laboratory. 
James HECTOR. 
