Presi i le nt’s A d< Iress. 
13 
site means for establishing a powerful reflecting telescope in 
Victoria ; and again in the following year appointed another 
committee to consider the whole question of the establish- 
ment of a Magnetical, Meteorological, and Astronomical 
Observatory, on a scale commensurate with the position 
occupied by the Colony. 
At that time astronomical observations were carried on at 
Williamstown, by Mr. Ellery, with great zeal and energy, 
though with very insufficient instrumental means, and in a 
situation singularly unsuitable for the purpose. 
A series of meteorological observations wore being carried 
on by Mr. Brough Smyth, at the Crown Lands Office, and 
Professor Neumayer had just at that time arrived in Mel- 
bourne, furnished with sets of instruments both for carrying 
on a systematic series of magnetical observations and for 
conducting a magnetic survey of the Colony. 
The Committee recommended the establishment of an 
observatory in the Royal Park, in which these three branches 
of science should be carried on under one superintendence. 
After specifying in detail the instruments, buildings, and 
personal staff requisite for carrying the recommendation into 
effect, the Committee added : — 
“ We wish it to be borne in mind, that in recommending 
to the Government the establishment of an observatory, 
the Philosophical Institute (which was the title at that time 
of our present Royal Society) is not asking anything for 
itself, but is only coming forward to urge upon the Govern- 
ment to undertake in its own way, what it believes to be a 
great national work.” 
Though this recommendation met with no immediate 
response, beyond a verbal expression of approval on the part 
of the Chief Secretary, still in due time it bore its fruits. 
Ample funds were supplied to Professor Neumayer, by the 
Legislature of Victoria, for carrying out an elaborate system 
of magnetical and meteorological observations, extending 
over a period of five years, and also for completing a 
magnetic survey of the Colony. 
The Astronomical Observatory at Williamstown, also 
received additional instruments, and the buildings were 
rendered somewhat more suitable for the purposes of the 
observer. 
As the expenditure on these institutions increased with 
their growth, it was considered necessary that there should 
