Canterbury Philosophical Institute. 461 
Some of our members have had this object at heart for a long time, and the 
approaching transit of Venus *made them the more anxious to take steps 
towards the accomplishment of their wishes. The 16th December being the 
twenty-first anniversary of the arrival of the Canterbury settlers was deemed 
a suitable time for moving in the matter. Accordingly, at a most influential 
meeting held on that day, resolutions were passed, and a committee appointed 
for carrying out the desired object. The committee has since had the satisfac- 
tion of learning that while the subject was under consideration here the 
Imperial Government was communicating with the Colonial Government at 
Wellington on the same subject, and suggesting Canterbury as the probable 
site, and that Dr. Hector is of opinion that Canterbury, from its position and 
climate, is the most suitable place for the observatory. In furtherance of the 
object the Provincial Council has voted a sum of £1,000 for the establishment 
of an observatory, and £200 for providing a suitable site, on condition that 
the Colonial Government will undertake the maintenance of the institution. 
A farther sum of £200, contributed by’ subscribers, has been placed at the 
disposal of the Astronomer Royal, to be used by him as he may think 
expedient for promoting the object of the subscribers. We have good grounds 
for hoping that our efforts will be liberally supported by the Colonial, and 
perhaps also by the Imperial Government. 
I need not point out the great advantages to the cause of science that must 
result from the establishment of an observatory, and from the residence 
amongst us of a professor whose observations and lectures would extend the 
knowledge of the oldest and grandest of the sciences, and who would moreover 
indirectly benefit the colony by bringing us into friendly relationship with 
other scientific bodies. Another very important consideration connected with 
the subject is the incalculable advantage that may be derived by our youth 
from having access at all times to means of information and assistance in the 
study of this most attractive science, comprehending as it does a knowledge of 
mathematics, without which no great advance can be made in that or any 
other of the higher departments of science. 
The actual amount of work done during the session has not been large. 
Thirteen papers were read—some of them of considerable interest. I should 
be encroaching on the privilege of his Excellency Sir George Bowen were I to 
enter into a detailed consideration of these papers. They, as well as the 
papers read before the other affiliated societies, will, doubtless, be adverted to 
by his Excellency in his annual address. One of them, a very clear and 
practical paper, by Mr. Dobson, upon “ The Influence of Railway Gauge upon 
the Constructive Cost and Working Expenses of. Railways,” will form a 
supplement to an interesting paper on “The Political Economy of Railways,” 
by his Honour Mr. Justice Chapman, read before the Otago Institute, in 
