682276-1881-Observatory-Hongkong- — Page 2

800

No. 69.

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 3RD SEPTEMBER, 1881..

THE ACTING SURVEYOR GENERAL TO THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, 14th April, 1881.

SIR,--With reference to the Observatory proposed to be erected on Mount Elgin in the Kau-lung peninsula, and for the construction of which a sum of $10,000 has been provided in the Colonial Esti- mates for the current year, I have, with a view to the preparation of the plans, specification and esti- any information mate for its erection, searched the records of this Office, but have not been able to find as to the accommodation to be provided in the proposed Building. I have the honour, therefore, to request the instructions of His Excellency the Governor as to the nature of the work to be undertaken in the Observatory and the accommodation to be provided therein.

1. Will the Buildings be limited to, and used only for, giving the correct time, and for dropping a Time-Ball? Or is the Building to include within its walls accommodation for a complete system of Meteorological and Astronomical Observations, in addition to the above?

2. Are quarters for the Observer and his staff to be provided in the same building, or are they to be postponed, and separate and detached buildings erected for their accommodation from time to time as they may be required?

3. Is a Magnetic observatory to be included in the general scheme? This would have to be a separate and distinct building, constructed under ground at some distance from the other Observatory.

I have the honour to be,

To the Honourable

THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY,

&c.,

&c.,

&c.

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

E. BOWDLER,

Acting Surveyor General.

MINUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

On sending the letter of the Acting Surveyor General, of the 14th of April, to Major-General DONOVAN, he was good enough to sanction Major PALMER'S being consulted by the Acting Surveyor General as to the plans and details of the proposed Observatory.

23rd April, 1881.

J. POPE HENNESSY.

[In C.S.O. No. 1091.]

MINUTE BY THE ACTING SURVEYOR GENERAL AND MAJOR H. S. PALMER, R.E.

,

As desired by His Excellency the Governor, this matter has been referred to Major PALMER, who and has prepared a Report, with plans, embodying a complete scheme for the Observatory and staff, now submitted for His Excellency's consideration, together with a covering letter from the author. The Acting Surveyor General entirely agrees with the statements in Major PALMER's report.

A contoured plan of Mount Elgin, prepared in the Surveyor General's Office, is also submitted herewith.

E. BOWDLER, Acting Surveyor General.

H. S. PALMER,

Major, R.E.

5th August, 1881.

MINUTE BY THE Acting COLONIAL SECRETARY.

Report submitted to His Excellency.

5th August, 1881.

M. S. TONNOCHY, Acting Colonial Secretary.