Ross.—On the Declination of the Magnetic Needle. 9 
My object is simply to direct attention to a department of science, the exist- 
ence of whieh seems in New Zealand to have been wholly forgotten, and to 
suggest the desirability, nay the necessity, of establishing magnetic observa- 
tories in the Colony, where regular and systematic observations may be made 
of the ever-varying, everinteresting phenomena. I think that no person will 
deny the desirability, and that the necessity exists will be apparent when I tell 
you that, for scientific purposes, the results of the observations I have noted are 
of comparatively little value; and to say this is not disparaging to the 
observers, who, I have no hesitation in saying, have taken these observations 
carefully and accurately. But when we consider that the results obtained by 
the celebrated Halley, on a voyage made expressly to collect the data necessary 
to determine the elements of magnetic geography, ** were deprived of the chief 
part of the advantages which ought to have attended them, because of the 
absence of uniformity in his instruments and the neglect of making proper 
comparisons of them with others," we need not wonder that results obtained 
by surveyors, when prosecuting their routine duties, are, from similar causes, 
of little value, and of least value when at the place of observation magnetic 
disturbance prevails to the greatest extent. 
In conclusion, I would suggest, firstly, that a set of magnetical instru- - 
ments similar to those supplied to the Colonial Observatories at Canada, 
St. Helena, Cape Colony, Tasmania, Victoria, and India, be furnished to the 
Observatory at Wellington, and placed under the supervision of Dr. Hector, 
the Director of the Geological Survey, or some other competent officer; 
secondly, that a declination compass and dipping needle be supplied to the 
meteorological observatories in each province*; thirdly, that systematic and 
regular observations be taken at each station ; and, lastly, that at out-stations 
where any remarkable features present themselves, as at the Bluff, Observation 
Point, Moeraki and Kauroo Districts, in this Province, periodie observations 
be made under assimilated conditions. If these suggestions are acted on, 
I believe that New Zealand will be in a fair way to take a prominent part in 
removing the veil which yet conceals from mankind what may be termed the 
moving mysteries of terrestrial magnetism. 
* Some Provinces may possibly be already te ciis of some of the required instru- 
ments. A very excellent declination compass is, I know, among the stored instruments 
belonging to our Provincial Government, and Sich I think I am correct in saying, has 
not during a dozen years been taken out of its box, except once, when it was taken out 
in order to be shown, along with other scientitic instruments, at the Exhibition held in 
Dunedin eight or nine years ago. 
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