At Trong Trong a meteorological observatory was established and in flying to the estimates for 1879 Sir. M. Hicks Beach wrote to the governor
"The Committee were informed that the matter should be considered on the next occasion when the finances of the colony were brought before my notice, and though it, perhaps, would be unwise at the present time to devote any of the funds of the Colony
MINUTE PAPER.
an outlay of $10,000 for an Observatory you are at liberty to propose to the Council a vote for that amount in the Estimates for 1881.
And in referring to this purpose I shall be glad if you will give it your consideration"
In forwarding the estimates for 1880 the Governor stated that he should submit to the finance committee a vote of $10,800 for a general Scientific observatory" and to include it in a Supplementary estimate for 1880:
The answer was "If you are satisfied that the finances of the colony can bear it the Governor stated he hoped soon to lay before the Council the plans of the small building necessary for the Observatory" and he asked that in the meantime "the instruments necessary for recording the observations" might be obtained from Mr De La Rue and Mr B. Pugh.
This list was obtained and the cost of the instruments estimated in it was $2,771 for 1881.
Gov 80: $16,201
Gov 7 Gov: $20,861
$10,000
64 79: $11,203