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 phase for each day should not be published in all the principal towns in 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 3,285. 



These analyses are subdivided as follows : — Coals, IB ; 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 examinations have been made 

 under the Adulteration Act of 1880, by the Analyst ; and about the month 

 of August time was occupied in visiting the Botorua District, at which place 

 he collected samples and analyzed sj)ecimens 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 Beport on the Museum and Laboratory. 



James Hector. 



