24 J. H. MAIDEN. 
comprises the usual routine work for determining the local time, 
and determinations of the positions of Perrine’s Comet of November 
1896, together with observations of occultations of stars by the 
moon, and of the phenomena of Jupiter’s satellites. Mr. Tebbutt 
has during the same period published a number of papers on 
astronomical subjects in the Royal Astronomical Society’s Monthly 
Notices, the Journal of the British Astronomical Association, 
and the Astronomische Nachrichten. 
We have also a band of astronomical observers who form the 
New South Wales Branch of the British Astronomical Association, 
_the following particulars concerning which may be acceptable :— 
The inaugural meeting of the branch was held in Sydney on 30th 
January, 1895, and at the second annual meeting held in March 
last, seventy-five members were reported on the roll, and the 
finances in a flourishing condition. The objects of the association ~ 
are (1) the association of observers, especially the possessors of 
small telescopes, for mutual help, and their organisation in the 
work of astronomical observation ; (2) the circulation of current 
astronomical information ; and (3) the encouragement of a popular 
interest in astronomy. During the past two years Mr. John 
Tebbutt, F.n.a.s., was president, and during the present session 
Mr. G. H. Knibbs, F.r.4.s., occupies that position. The section 
to determine the colours of the southern stars finished during the 
past year their survey of all stars to the fifth magnitude, situated 
between 20° south and the southern celestial pole. Several inter- 
esting drawings of Mars and Jupiter were made, and paths of 
many meteors noted by various members. Monthly meetings are 
held at which papers by the members are read and discussed, and 
photographs of the most characteristic celestial objects obtained at 
the leading observatories are projected on a screen and explained. 
' 6. Paysics.—Professor Threlfall has during the year 1896-97 
been wholly engaged in the Physical Laboratory of the Sydney 
University in an experimental study of the losses of electric energy 
which ensue when a dielectric is carried round a cycle of electrifi- 
cation. The investigation was extended to a great many dielectrics. 
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