On Comet Seeking.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 15, 1882, Page 524

6. Archdeacon Stock submitted to the Society a circular sent to him by Mr. Tebbutt, of Windsor Observatory, New South Wales, inviting assistance from New Zealand observers in systematic “comet-seeking.” Dr. Hector explained that Mr. Tebbutt was a most zealous worker in this branch of astronomy, and had been foremost in discovering the southern comets. He had been requested by the Astronomical Society at Boston, who had established a corps of comet-seekers, to endeavour to get information from southern latitudes, and hence this appeal to New Zealand. He (Dr. Hector) knew that there were many amateur observers in possession of good instruments who might do valuable service in this direction. It was a pity that we had not in New Zealand a properly-equipped astronomical observatory placed in a suitable position; and he believed, if the societies combined in an appeal to Government, something might be done in this matter. He would suggest that a copy of this circular be sent to the other societies inviting co-operation in this special matter of comet-seeking, and in an endeavour to bring about the establishment of a permanent observatory. The President concurred, and said he thought such an appeal would be successful.