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1881. NEW ZEALAND

INTERCOLONIAL METEOROLOGICAL CONFERENCE HELD AT SYDNEY IN 1879 (MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

MINUTES OF PEOCEEDINGS OE THE INTEECOLONIAL METBOEOLOGICAL CONEEEENCE.

Tuesday, 11th Novembee, 1879. The Conference met at the Sydney Observatory at 10 a.m. Present: E. L. J Ellery, Esq., F.E.S., Government Astronomer, Victoria; James Hector, Esq., M.D., C.M.G-., E.E.S., Inspector of Meteorological Stations, New Zealand; 11. C. Eussell, Esq., 8.A., E.E.S.A., Government Astronomer, New South Wales; C. Todd, Esq., C.M.G., F.E.A.S., Government Astronomer, South Australia. H. C. Eussell, Esq., was called to the chair. The Chairman read the following letter: — SiE, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, Bth November, 1879. I am directed by the Colonial Secretary, at the instance of the Minister of Justice and Public Instruction, to transmit herewith copies of propositions for the consideration of the scientific men nominated by the several Australian Colonies to consider what means should be adopted to improve the system of intercolonial weather signals. I have, &c, •The Chairman of the meeting of scientific men appointed to consider Ckitchett Walkee. what means shall be adopted to improve the system of intercolonial weather signals. Propositions for Meteorological Conference. 1. To consider the meteorology of Australia and New Zealand, with a view to united action in its investigation. 2. To consider whether additional first-class stations shall be established, and, if so, in what localities. 3. To consider the desirability of using the same class of instruments at all stations, and making the observations at the same local hour. 4. To consider the desirability of securing the co-operation of the meteorologists of New Zealand and Tasmania in the system of weather telegrams which now embraces the Colonies of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. 5. To consider by what means the weather telegrams may be transmitted and published for public information at an earlier hour than tliey are at present. 6. To consider whether meteorological stations should be established upon the highest available mountains for the special study of winds. Observatory, 27th October, 1879. H. C. Eussell. He said the object for which the Conference had met was to devise some system by means of which more united action might be established in respect to meteorological observations, and especially with regard to weather telegrams. He had experienced great difficulty in obtaining telegrams from the different colonies with sufficient punctuality, and he thought that if the matter were discussed in Conference some suggestions would be made by which the transmission of these telegrams might be greatly facilitated, and earlier information furnished to the public. Holding this opinion, he had suggested the desirability of having a Meteorological Conference, and the Government of New South Wales had sent invitations to the Colonies of South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Queensland and Tasmania had not responded to the invitation, or at least they had not sent representatives. He very much regretted the absence of the representatives of the Colonies of Queensland and Tasmania, but thought the Conference should proceed with the business before them. 1. United Investigation of Meteorology. —To consider the meteorology of Australia and New Zealand, with a view to united action in its investigation. Mr. Ellery thought it would be well to start by affirming the desirableness of united action, and he would therefore move formally, before entering upon other questions, the following resolution in reference to the first proposition.- " That, in view of the great importance which a better knowledge of the movement and origin of strong gales and storms on our coast-lines and neighbouring seas is to

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