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1881. NEW ZEALAND.

INTERCOLONIAL METEOROLOGICAL CONFERENCE HELD AT MELBOURNE IN 1881 (MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE).

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

MINUTES OF PEOCEEDINGS OF THE INTEECOLONIAL METEOEOLOGICAL CONFEEENCE HELD AT THE OBSEEVATOET, MELBOUENE.

Thursday, 21st Apeil, 1881. The Conference commenced at 2.30 p.m. Present : E. L. J Ellery, Esq., F.E.S., F.E.A.S., Government Astronomer, Victoria ; James Hector, Esq., M.D., C.M.G., F.E.S., Inspector of Meteorological Stations, New Zealand; H. C. Eussell, Esq., 8.A., F.E.A.S., Government Astronomer, New South Wales; C. Todd, Esq., C.M.G., F.E.A.S., Government Astronomer, South Australia. E. L. J Ellery, Esq., was called to the chair. 1. The Chairman stated that, in accordance with the understanding between the members at the close of the Conference held at Sydney in November, 1879, —that it was desirable to hold a second Conference in Melbourne early in 1881, —he had addressed the following letter to the Hon. the Chief Secretary of Victoria :— SIK, — Observatory, Melbourne, 17th March, 1881. In November, 1879, the New South Wales Government invited the different colonial meteorologists to meet in Sydney and hold a Conference with a view of bringing about a more satisfactory intercolonial weather-telegram system, and to decide upon the best means of improving our knowledge of Australian meteorology generally. This Conference was held, and among other matters it was decided, if possible, to hold a similar Conference in Melbourne about twelve months later for a similar purpose. I now find that the gentlemen representing this science in New Zealand, New South Wales, and South Australia will be able to attend in Melbourne about the middle of April. I have now the honor, therefore, to inquire if you approve of such a Conference being held here, and, if so, whether you will cause an invitation to be sent to the Governments of New South Wales, South Australia, and New Zealand, asking that their respective Astronomers or Chief Meteorologists may be authorized to attend such a Conference about the second or third week in April. I would also respectfully suggest that the Governments of Tasmania, Western Australia, and Queensland be invited to send representatives. I have, &c., Hob. L. J Elleey, The Hon. the Chief Secretary, Melbourne. Government Astronomer. The Minister approved of the proposal to hold a Conference, and at once invited the various colonies to send representatives. Ee plies from New South Wales, South Australia, and New Zealand agreeing to do so were received. Telegrams were also received from Queensland and Western Australia to the effect that those colonies were unable to send representatives. The following message from the Government of Tasmania was also received:—• 2nd April, 1881. We have no such officer as the one mentioned in your telegram. This Government cannot send delegates to proposed Conference, but concurs generally in objects sought to be obtained, and if Conference is held will communicate their views to the Chairman by letter or memorandum. To Chief Secretary, Melbourne. Wm. Moobe. The only colonies, therefore, represented at this Conference were New South Wales, South _lustralia, New Zealand, and Victoria. The Chairman also stated that the Government had placed the services of a shorthand writer at the disposal of the Conference. It was then resolved that the Government be thanked for their consent to grant the services of a shorthand writer. 2. The Chairman reported that the following resolutions were adopted by the Conference held at Sydney in November, 1879 :— I. 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 the shipping and commercial interest generally, it is desirable to secure, as far as possible, co-operation in all the Australasian Colonies for tbe investigation of storms, as well as for agricultural and general climatological purposes.