Letter by H C Russell, 16 May 1868
Government Observatory
Sydney
May 16 [18]68
My Dear Sir
I received your second telegram about the keys this morning and have sought in vain for another bunch. I went to the dining room and looked myself and Annie told me she had looked upstairs and felt your pockets without finding any.
One of the bunches I forwarded on Thursday was tied with string and Annie found it on the dining room mantelpiece. I have looked twice in your room also in the Magnet House and other places to no purpose. I sent a telegram to you this morning Goulburn but finding I could not save any time and would spend 30 shillings to forward it to Boro, I cancelled it and have written for today’s post.
Believe me
Yours very truly
H C Russell
G R Smalley Esquire
Government Astronomer
Letter by G R Smalley, 7 May 1869
17
Government Observatory
May 7th 1869
Sir
I have the honor to enclose Voucher in Support of the last advance for Magnetic Survey, and request a further advance of £25 for the same purpose.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
George R Smalley
The Under Secretary for Finance & Trade
Letter by G R Smalley, 5 May 1870
68
Royal Observatory
May 5 1870
Sir
I have the honor to request that the Colonial Secretary will be pleased to approve of my disposing of the annual vote of £120 for the purpose of taking Meteorological Observations in different parts of the Colony in such proportions and in such places as I may think it expedient for the Publick [sic] benefit without limitation for a first scale of remuneration for each individual observer Voucher for each payment with details being returned to the Treasury as usual.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
George R Smalley
The Principal Under Secretary
Letter by G R Smalley, 19 March 1869
13
Government Observatory
March 19th 1869
Sir
I have the honor to Enclose Vouchers in Support of the last advance for Base Line Measurement and request a further advance of £49”10”9 for the same purpose.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
George R Smalley
The Under Secretary for Finance & Trade
Letter by G R Smalley, 9 March 1869
11
Government Observatory
March 9th 1869
Sir
I have the honor to enclose Voucher in Support of the last advance of £10 for Incidental Expenses, and request a further advance of £9”12”8 (the unexpended balance of Vote for 1868) to defray Incidental Expenses incurred during that year.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
George R Smalley
Govt Astronomer
The Under Secretary
for Finance & Trade
Letter by G R Smalley, 8 March 1869
10
Government Observatory
March 8 1869
Sir
I have the honor to enclose Voucher in Support of the last advance of £18.7.6 for Magnetic Survey (1868) and Request a further Advance of £18.7.6 for the Same purpose.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
George R Smalley
Govt Astr-
The Under Secretary
for Finance & Trade
Letter by G R Smalley, 10 February 1869
5
Government Observatory
February 10th 1869
Sir
I have the honor to enclose Voucher in Support of the payment of £49”14”7 for Base Line equipment and a quote for further Advance of £49”14”?? for the same purpose.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
George R Smalley
Under Secretary
Finance & Trade
1
Government Observatory
February 1st 1869
Sir
I have the honor to Submit for the consideration of the Colonial Secretary some further explanations in Reference to My Communication of the 11th ??.
Previous to these communications I was not aware that it was the rule to obtain Special Authority for the Remuneration of persons employed in the Public Service, for overtime work. I therefore believed that I was quite justified in Remunerating my Computer and Meteorological Assistant for extra labour performed day after day, at the Very ?? rate of one Shilling an hour, net of Votes above granted by Parliament for Incidental?? work.
The Principal Under Secretary
[Unsigned but appears to be written in Smalley’s hand-writing]
61
Royal Observatory Sydney
Jany. 13. 1870
Sir
In reference to your Circular of the 11th inst I ?? the honor to inform you for the information of the Hon. The Colonial Secretary that the Sums required for my Department for the ?? matter, exclusive of salaries are as follows.-
Incidental Expenses £2”10”0
New Books 2”10”0
New Instruments 18”6”8
Magnetic Survey 12”10”0
Total £35”16”8
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
George R Smalley
The Principal
Under Secretary
Government Observatory
January 11th 1864
Sir
I beg to draw your attention to the following matters which require immediate attention.
1st The floors of formal rooms are suffering serious injury from white ants by which they appear to be infested.
2ly. The kitchen is quite inefficient until it has undergone thorough repair
3ly. The water tank does not keep up a sufficient supply of water.
4th. Three chimneys and one flue require sweeping.
I am informed that a requisition has already gone in to the Minister of Public Works, to have the buildings painted and whitewashed – as well as some papering in the dwelling house?? It is very desirable that this should be done at as early a period as possible.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
G R Smalley
Astronomer
Colonial Architect
