Koss. — On the Declination of the Magnetic Needle. 9 



My object is simply to direct attention to a department of science, the exist- 

 ence of whicli seems in New Zealand to Lave 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, ever-interesting 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 tlie 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 oflScer ; 

 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 BluflT, Observation 

 Point, Moeraki and Kauroo Districts, in this Province, periodic observations 

 be made under assimilated conditions. If these suggestions are acted on, 

 I believe that Xew Zealand will be in a fair way to take a prominent part in 

 i-emoving the veil which yet conceals from mankind what may be termed the 

 moving mysteries of terrestrial magnetism. 



* Some Provinces may possibly be already possessed 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 which", 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 scientilic instruments, at the Exhibition held in 

 Dunedin eight or nine years ago. 



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