a—la

II

The differences between the observed and computed latitudes show, in common with results formerly reported, that there is a very considerable deflection of the plummet at various points. From* Mr. Humphries's report it will be seen that in the Taranaki Provincial District the differences per se of stations around Mount Egmont are nearly 10", or a difference of 1,000 feet between the stations at New Plymouth and Hawera, thirty-eight miles apart, on a line bearing S. 18° E., with Mount Egmont, 8,260 feet high, nearly in the middle. The station at Midhirst, due east of the mountain-top, also shows a discrepancy of 8" from Marsland Hill, New Plymouth, the distance between the two stations being only nineteen miles. In both cases the results show that the plummet is drawn towards the intervening mountain mass. It would be interesting to observe at more stations in this district, with a view to finding out the particular locality where the greatest discrepancy exists. There are other districts also where it would be interesting to pursue this inquiry; but, as sufficient latitudes have now been observed throughout the colony for geographical purposes, it is not proposed to continue taking more observations for the present. The triangulation of Westland having been extended via Haast Pass to a connection with the Canterbury and Otago triangulations has afforded data for the computation, by Mr. Mueller, of differences of latitude and longitude and convergency between the initial stations of the meridional circuits of Okarito, Jackson's Bay, Lindis Peak, and Timaru. Triangulation. The area of 5,500 square miles has been brought under triangulation during the year, of which 3,050 square miles have also been topographically surveyed. In the North Island Mr. L. Cussen has extended the network of major triangles referred to in last year's report over the King country to the Taranaki provincial boundary, where he closed on the stations of Mr. H. M. Skeet, who also was engaged during the season in extending a triangulation over the northern portion of the Taranaki Province. Both officers were in the field to a late period of the season, and their computations are not yet finally completed ; but, so far, the closures show a discrepancy between the two surveys of two links to the mile, of only 3" in bearing, and of 1 foot in altitude —results, in every respect, very satisfactory; the bases from which the surveys were made being 200 miles apart in a direct line, and the country difficult and trying to the surveyors. The Appendix contains reports both from Mr. Cussen and from Mr. Skeet, descriptive of the country, and a map, on which the topography of their joint labours is shown. It is at present, for the most part, a wild, bush country, tenanted by a very sparse Maori population, about one to the square mile, although, from numerous clearings and other evidences of occupation, it would seem to have been more populous even quite recently. That deduction, however, must be received with some degree of caution, for, as is well known, the Natives

Station. callyobserved Latitude. Latitude calculated through the Triangulation from Mount Cook, Wellington. Difference between Astronomical and Triangulation Latitude. Triangulated Latitude, how obtained. O I II O ' II n lount Cook Observatory fount Cook Initial Station langonui, 20 A Linerican Transit of Venus Station, 1882 ... lount Eden... 'auranga, Domain laketu risborne, Trig. Station 108 41 18 0-59 41 1759-3 34 59 29-8 34 59 35-79 36 51 50-58 36 51 41-1 36 52 38-7 37 40 53-5 37 45 33-4 38 40 40-8 5-99 9-48 Via Tatarakino and Eden. Ditto. Via Tatarakino. 37 40 57-31 3-81 // 38 40 38-04 1-76 tt Via Hawke's Bay and Tatarakino. 'rig. A, Poverty Bay ... lapier, Station 60 lawke's Bay, Station A felson, Botanical Hill Surnhain, British Transit of Venus Station, 1874 and 1882 )itto, by Major Palmer, E.E. ... 39 28 43-52 38 37 23-5 39 28 45 39 38 57-9 41 16 23-2 1-48 it Via Wharita. 41 16 14-82 8-38 43 36 48-54 43 36 48-4 43 36 43-3 43 36 43-3 5-24 5-1