ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. Il 
In observing the transit of Mercury in November last, the 
observers were stationed at Bathurst, Katoomba, and Sydney, 
places which I thought far enough apart to secure different 
weather ; but to my surprise the weather was practically the 
same at all places, at the same hour. This led to unpleasant 
reflections,—it might be cloudy all along the coast on the 6th of 
December; and I was therefore glad, when the recent Commission 
went to Lord Howe Island, to take advantage of Mr. Conder’s 
offer to make inquiry as to the suitability of that island as a 
station for observing the transit of Venus ; and I am glad to say 
he thinks it very suitable. An elevated spot iseasy of access, and 
the weather at the hour and season is almost sure to be fine. I 
will not detain you with further details; I think I have said enough 
to show that an effort is being made to make the best possible use of 
the opportunity and of the means at our command ; and from 
the active part the Royal Society took in assisting me with certain 
portions of the work of preparation for the last transit of Venus, 
I am sure that this information will be at least interesting to the 
members here present. 
In this bright land of ours we sometimes get too much of the 
sunshine ; and our recent experience, indeed the present state of 
some parts of the Colony is such that I am sure I need make no 
apology for introducing some considerations which may help us to 
form a correct opinion as to the possibility of producing rain arti- 
ficially. From time to time the rain-doctor appears, not with the 
old “ tom-toms” it is true, but with certain modern counterparts of 
them. He works with nitroglycerine, with cannon, with electrical 
machines, with kites, &e. Now, I hope to be able to show you 
that in the opinion of the highest authorities there may still be a 
place left for the rain-doctor, if he works reasonably, but not other- 
wise ; he must not pretend to pull down the clouds with a wire or 
to frighten them with a few crackers; there must be a correct 
understanding of cause and effect, i hei is sg epgiasit aE re 
