4 



Report of the Keic Observatory Committee. 



and the declination curves for certain selected days during the years 

 1892, 1893, and 1897 have been made and forwarded to him. 



Information on matters relating to various magnetic data has been 

 supplied to Dr. von Bezold, Professor Milne, and Mr. Gray. 



The Observatory has been visited by Dr. A. Schmidt, of Gotha, 

 Professor Eschenhagen, of Potsdam, and Professor Liznar, of Vienna, 

 members of the International Conference on Terrestrial Magnetism, 

 which was held at Bristol in September. 



In spring the unifilar magnetometer and dip circle, previously lent 

 to the Jackson-Harmsworth Polar Expedition, were put in order and 

 lent to Mr. P. Baracchi, Acting Government Astronomer, Melbourne 

 Observatory, for observational use in Australia and New Zealand, or 

 in Antarctic exploration, as he might decide. Later in the year an 

 old dip circle was put in order at the cost of Sir George Newnes, and 

 lent for tlie use of the Antarctic Expedition, under Mr. Borchgrevink. 

 It was also agreed that if Mr. P. Baracchi should be willing to 

 transfer to Mr. Borchgrevink the unifilar magnetometer and dip 

 circle referred to above, the Committee would raise no objection, 

 provided Sir G. Newnes should become responsible for the safe 

 return of the instruments. 



A course of magnetic instruction was given to the two magnetic 

 observers of Mr. Borchgrevink's expedition, Mr. Colbeck and Mr. 

 Bernacchi, the latter of whom had already practised the use of 

 magnetic instruments at Melbourne Observatory. 



II. Meteorological Observations. 



The several self-recording instruments for the continuous registra- 

 tion of Atmospheric Pressure, Temperature of Air and Wet-bulb, 

 Wind (direction and velocity), Bright Sunshine, and Rain, have been 

 maintained in regular operation throughout the year, and the 

 standard eye observations for the control of the automatic records 

 duly registered. 



The tabulations of the meteorological traces have been regularly 

 made, and these, as well as copies of the eye observations, with 

 notes of weather, cloud, and sunshine, have been transmitted, as usual, 

 to the Meteorological Office. 



With the sanction of the Meteorological Council, data have been 

 supplied to the Council of the Royal Meteorological Society, the 

 Institute of Mining Engineers, and the editor of ' Symons' Monthly 

 Meteorological Magazine.' 



EledrograpJi. — This instrument worked in a satisfactory manner 

 till May, when the action markedly deteriorated. Tests of the 

 battery showed chat its E.M.P. had fallen off considerably ; this was 

 so far remedied by cleaning and recharging the top row of cells. At 



