H.—l2a.

30

the erection of the instruments in the first instance. For these reasons, it will be evident that such assistance should be supplied as soon as possible, in order that the officer upon whom this work will devolve should have time in which to become conversant with the manner of carrying on the work, and that there should be no doubt that such officer take a great interest in this special duty of weather forecast, I would suggest that I should be authorized to select some person from the staff employed upon the experimental storm-signal service since its commencement, as it appears, to me that to place any person in charge of the office who has not taken an active part in this work would be an act of injustice to those who have so fully placed all their knowledge at my disposal, and to whose zeal I am mainly indebted for the satisfactory results shown in the letters accompanying this report. With the aid of such assistance as already proposed, I should have time to investigate the material already collected, while many of the minor events were as yet within my own recollection. The information thus found would be of great assistance ; and it has always been a matter of considerable regret to me that I have never been able to take up any such study since I commenced these duties. In the estimates I have already made for the storm-signal service, I have not made any mention of the necessity for this assistance, as I was not then aware that the warnings were considered of such a reliable nature as they have now been shown to be ; but as the duties I have to carry out are evidently becoming a matter of serious responsibility, I have considered it necessary to bring this matter before you. The accompanying replies to your circular letter requesting information as to the results of the warnings issued during the past nine months will show that very favourable opinions are expressed as to their value at most places. I have, &c, E. A. Edwin, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs. Commander, E.N.

No. 2. [A Cieculae Lettee relative to Progress made in Stoem-Sigwal Seevice.] Sic, — Office of Commissioner of Customs, Wellington, 9th June, 1875. Some months ago you were informed of the desire of the Government to establish a system of storm warnings, and as you have since taken part in making the necessary observations and have been in receipt of storm warnings, I have no doubt that you have had opportunity of remarking what has been the result of the warnings received at your station. You are aware that the duties that are now carried on are experimental, and before taking any further steps in the matter, I am desirous of collecting the opinions of some of the observers, so as to ascertain whether there is any probability of the storm warnings being of real value. I have therefore to request that you will be good enough to forward me by return mail your opinion as to whether these warnings have been borne out by the weather subsequently experienced at your station, and what you consider is as nearly as possible the proportion of the whole number that have been found useful; also any suggestions you may be able to make for the more fully carrying out the object in view. I am aware that you have most likely not kept any register of the results of the storm warnings you have received, but have no doubt that you will be able to give such information as will enable me to form a reliable opinion upon this subject. I have, &c, Wilmah H. Reynolds.

No. 3. Mr. J. M. Mttnce to the Hon. W. H. Eeyitolds. Sib, — Telegraph Department, Bealey Station, 25th June, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant. The storm warnings received have in most instances been borne out by the weather subsequently experienced at this station, but as I have kept no record of the storm warnings, or their results, I am unable to state the proportion of the whole that have been found useful. As far as my experience goes, I have no doubt as to the value of the storm warnings in places where there is a large population. I have, &c, J. M. Munce, The Hon. the Commissioner of Customs, Wellington. Officer in Charge.

No. 4. Mr. Sheath to the Hon. W. H. Eeynolds. Sib, — New Zealand Telegraphs, Tauranga, 22nd June, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, requesting me to forward you my opinion .hy return mail as to whether I considered the storm warnings would be of real Value, and whether the warnings have been borne out. I regret not having kept any register of the weather indicated by Captain Edwin, but on the whole