38 HENBY DEANE. 



Lands Department of Melbourne. For immediate use in the 

 public offices a photo-lithograph to the same scale has been printed. 

 It may here be stated that a photo-lithograph to the same scale as 

 the original map is rather a troublesome process in the printing, 

 on account of the minute detail. 



It is needless here to enter upon the importance of accurate 

 territorial maps ; these are absolutely necessary for the manifold 

 purposes of government, e.g., administration of the public estate, 

 postal and telegraphic services, parliamentary electorates, public 

 works and local government divisions. This necessity is recog- 

 nized in all civilized countries, and as an instance the beautiful 

 territorial maps of America may be mentioned, which are published 

 and sold at very low prices. It is to be hoped that in due course 

 the map referred to may be engraved, and may be widely distributed 

 throughout our public institutions and offices, not forgetting the 

 instruction of the youth of the country in the public schools ; and 

 thus one of the objects may be attained which justify the publica- 

 tion of geographical maps by the State. 



Observatory. — Mr. Russell informs me that there has been no 

 original investigation during the past year, as the additions to 

 the ordinary work have taken up the few hours that he used to 

 have to spare for other investigations. 



The New South Wales Branch of the British Astronomical 

 Association with its head quarters in Sydney — now in the fourth 

 year of its existence — still continues to do useful work under the 

 presidency of Mr. G. H. Knibbs, f.r.a.s. Having for its object 

 the advancement of a popular interest in astronomy, and the 

 formation of sections to study different branches of the science, 

 regular monthly meetings are held and papers are read and 

 discussed. During the past year the Jupiter, cometary, meteoric 

 and solar sections were active, and the observations obtained 

 were forwarded to London for discussion by the directors of 

 the sections of the parent association. 



Mount Kosciusko Observatory. — Mr. Wragge has successfully 

 established a mountain experimental observatory on the summit 



