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No. 14. Sir Q-. B. Aibt to Dr. Hectoe. Deae Sib, — Eoyal Observatory, Greenwich, London, S.E., 20th April, 1874. I write at this moment principally to acknowledge your letter of the 15th February (which arrived a few days ago), and to thank you and the officers of the Government for your kind attention to the possible wants of the expedition for the observation of the transit of Venus, and for the care taken in the provisional selection of a station. I think that it will be desirable to abstain from any positive arrangement until the party arrives. I can imagine it possible that the distance of seven miles from the city will be felt as an inconvenience. Assistance of tradesmen or workmen may be many times required in the course of several weeks ; but on this and all other points the able officer who is to command the party (Major Palmer, E.E.) will probably decide at once when actually on the spot. I have, &c, Dr. J. Hector. G. B. Aibt.

No. 15. Dr. Hectoe to the Undeb SECBETABr. Sie,— Geological Survey Office, 21st July, 1874. Referring to the correspondence that has taken place relative to the observation in New Zealand of the transit of Venus across the Sun's disc on the Bth of December next, I have the honor to suggest that it will be necessary to provide funds for the purpose of affording the assistance which has been promised to the Imperial officers, and also to defray the expense of the auxiliary observations which are intended to be made simultaneously in other parts of the colony, in order to provide against the contingency of unfavourable weather. For both these purposes I think the sum of £300 will be sufficient. I have, &c, The Under Secretary. James Hectob.

No. 16. His Honor the Supebintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetabx. Superintendent's Office, Sib, — Christchurch, Canterbury, N.Z., 19th January, 1872. In further reference to my letter, No. 13, of this day's date, I have the honor to request that you will be good enough, if there is no objection to such a course, to supply me with any information on the subject of the intentions of the Imperial Government, or on any other matter connected with the establishment of observatories, which may come into your possession. I understand, from a reference in a telegram from the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, that a memorandum on the subject has been written by Dr. Hector, which would no doubt be of value and interest to the society. I have, &c, ¥m, Eolleston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent.

No. 17. His Honor the Sttpeeintendent, Canterbury, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Superintendent's Office, Sib, — Christchurch, Canterbury, 19th January, 1872. I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a message sent by me to the Provincial Council (luring its recent session, on the subject of the establishment of an observatory in this Province, and of the reply which I received from that body. In accordance with the terms of the resolution, a sum of £1,000 has been appropriated for the purpose of establishing an observatory, and £200 for the providing a suitable site, on the understanding that the above sums shall be expended in case the Colonial Government shall undertake the future maintenance of the institution. The society has already a large number of annual subscriptions, amounting to upwards of 150, and a considerable sum has been received in donations. Its wish is to co-operate with the Imperial and Colonial Q-overnments in making the arrangements necessary for the observation of the transit of Venus in 1874, and also to secure the maintenance, in permanence, of the observatory. With this object, it has taken steps to place itself in communication with similar institutions in Europe, and it has determined at once to contribute a sum of £200 towards the preliminary expenses which will be incurred in making preparation for the object which the Astronomer Eoyal has immediately in view. I enclose a copy of a memorandum which was written by me, and forwarded for circulation in England by the last mail. The principal object of my present letter is to ascertain from the Colonial Government whether it will be willing to make an annual contribution towards the maintenance of an observatory, or give