442 Proceedings. 
Messrs. Thomson and Jackson. There was no necessity for the paragraph, 
it could have been left out without impairing the usefulness of the report. 
_ After some remarks by Captain Hutton, 
Mr. J. M‘Kerrow pointed out that Captain Nares’ remarks as to the 
S2rious consequences that might ensue from adopting a longitude for the 
time ball not in accord with the chart longitudes of the New Zealand coasts 
were so evident as to require no argument. It was curious that Captain 
Nares should have been misinformed on the subject. In setting Captain 
Nares right, it was singular that Dr. Hector should not have referred to the 
longitude as determined by Captain Carkeek, but only to that of Messrs. 
Thomson and Jackson, as though they had been the occasion of Captain 
Nares’ warning. In regard to the discrepancies in the determination of 
absolute longitude between the Australian and New Zealand observers, it 
was worthy of note that Carkeek, J ackson, and Thomson, each for his own 
observatory, had determined by long and repeated series of observations, 
principally of moon culminations, the longitude absolutely and indepen- 
dently, and that these determinations were published long before the means 
were available for comparison by connection of observations. The very near 
agreement of results when connection was made was indeed remarkable. Dr. 
Hector’s selection and adding up of longitudes to tally with an already 
accepted result was of no weight, and the allusion to the Board of Longi- 
tude at Wellington only excited a smile. The determination of longitude by 
that body consisted in their taking a chart longitude, and converting it into 
time. The recommendation to the observers of the transit of Venus to 
accept a longitude so obtained was simply a burlesque. Had Major Palmer 
succeeded in obtaining good observations, he and his party would have 
devoted several months to the determination of absolute longitude at Burn- 
ham. At Queenstown, Professor Peters determined the longitude absolutely. 
He also, in concert with the officers of the « Swatara,”’ determined the 
longitudinal difference between Queenstown and the coast line, with the 
view of sending an officer to connect through, as soon as New Zealandis. 
connected with the telegraphic system of the world. 
Srxra Meetine. 24th August, 1875. 
J. S. Webb, President, in the chair. 
New Members.—E. Campbell, Dr. J. Gillies. 
PAPERS. 
1. “On the Maori Kitchen-Middens of Shag Point,” by Capt. F. W. 
Hutton. (See Transactions, page 103. 
2. “ Notes on Moa Caves in the Wakatipu District,” by Mr, Taylor 
White. (See Transactions, page 97.) : 
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