140/89
Sydney Observatory
June 3rd 1889
Dear Sir
The stove pipe in the Messenger’s quarters has fallen in and is beyond repairing – will you kindly give instructions for a new one to be placed in position, as apart from the smoke filling the room there is the danger of fire catching the building.
I have the honor to be
Dear Sir
Your Obedient Servant
Henry A Lenehan
Govt Observatory
The Colonial Architect
Letter by H A Lenehan, 30 May 1887
130/87
Sydney Observatory
May 30th 1887
E R Field Esquire
[ Added in pencil: Chambers 87 Elizabeth]
Dear Sir
I can arrange if you particularly desire it for your visit at five thirty pm to see Saturn, but the planet being low down in the western sky even at this time of the evening is not at all in a good position as they haze and sun through which it would have to be observed would consequently veil its beauty and the moon also getting well on towards full would interfere. However if you will let me know in the forenoon of the day you wish to come up I will make the necessary arrangements to be in to meet you; with regard to the Quick refractors we have, I don’t feel justified in the absence of Mr. Russell in negotiating for the sale.
I am dear sir
Yours truly
H A Lenehan
Acting Government Astronomer
Letter by H C Russell, 21 May 1873
694
Government Observatory
21st May 1873
Sir
I have the honor herewith to enclose the claims of H C Russell and H A Lenehan payable out of the superannuation Reg? Funds together with ?? of the returns ?? of salary in ?? case??
I have the honor [to be]
Sir
Your obedient Servant
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer
The Principal Under Secretary
Letter by H A Lenehan, 15 April 1887
73/87
April 15 [18]87
Observatory
L Newman Esquire
Cooma
Enclosed is crossed check for last quarters pay as Meteorological Observer – send memo acknowledging receipt.
N A L
Letter by H A Lenehan, 14 April 1887
72/87
Sydney Observatory
April 14 1887
Sir
I have the honor or forwarding herewith vouchers in adjustment of advance of 250 pounds, five shillings and six pence made me on first April Instant.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
Henry A Lenehan
Acting Government Astronomer
The Auditor General
Letter by H A Lenehan, 6 April 1887
63/87
April 6, 1887
Observatory
The Editor
Evening News
Re: Weather Forecast. It was distinctly understood that the observatory was not to be known in the matter of the forecast I will therefore feel obliged if you will remove the name ‘observatory’ from the diagram, otherwise the information which you have had will be curtailed to the readings of barometer and thermometer.
H A Lenehan
Acting Government Astronomer
Letter by H A Lenehan, 5 April 1887
Letter by H A Lenehan, 5 April 1887
61/87
Sydney Observatory
April 5th 1887
Mr. L. Houp
Woolgoolga
‘The Grafton’
Dear Sir
Your note of 17th ultimo in which you offered to record the rainfall in your locality I received a few days ago and have delayed replying until I found out if we had a station in your neighborhood. This I find we have Mr. W J Pullen’s place at Cowper, which is situated about three miles north of you I will not be able at present to forward a gauge, as our stock is limited to a few. But when our next supply at the end of this year is received Mr. Russell who will by that time have returned from England, may reconsider your application. I have given instructions to have forms sent to you and will be thankful if you will forward them with the information you have already collected and that which you will no doubt continue to record.
I am dear sir
Yours truly
H. A. Lenehan
Acting for Government Astronomer
Letter by H A Lenehan, 4 April 1887
Sydney Observatory
April 4th 1887
W J Goyden Esquire
Dear Sir
I regret the breakage of the thermometer as we have only a few left in stock and the risk of breakage by post is so great that I would be pleased if any person from your locality was in Sydney you would ask him to call and take charge of a new one for you. The size of the one you have would not suit a tube that was not made specially for it.
I am dear sir
Yours truly
H A Lenehan
Acting Government Astronomer
Letter by H A Lenehan, 31 March 1887
Sydney Observatory
March 31st 1887
55/87
Dear Sir
Replying to your of the 28th inst the Walcha evaporation is the average annual evaporation for the last four years. It seems excessive but the conditions under which the record is made are not the same as a tank or waterhole the record is made from a can which has its sides exposed to the sun and wind and gives a greater reading, but it is the only result in your locality.
You are correct in the assumption that with water as 1.000.
Grassed earth will be 0.860.
And bare earth will be 0.688.
I will be glad if you will undertake to have the two rain gauges forwarded today placed with the people you name Taylor and Perreth as they are in localities which will be valuable.
With regard to your own offer I have not more rain gauges than I can place to more advantage at present as the Department of Mines require for the tanks. [??] If it had not been that Armidale and Evaleigh only a few miles from [??] had them sent their records I would have been very glad to get your services.
Should you on the return of Mr. Russell at the end of this year still wish to take the observations he may be glad to avail himself of the opportunity.
I send a cutting from the map and will be glad if you will give the names of the localities and the positions If not marked correctly.
I am dear sir
Yours truly
H A Lenehan
Acting for Astronomer
P.S. Two forms of conditions herewith
S A Donnelly Esquire
Superintendent Roads, Armidale
96, 98
Observatory
Janry 16th 1891
Sir
In response to the letter of Mr John Eedy: I have the honour to report that the statement made by him “A great deal of work is done at the Government Observatory for Private Persons. is [sic] absolutely without foundation. Mr Leneham the first assistant has for years past done some work for Almanacs but [sic] it has been done in his own home and in his own time.
I have the pleasure to enclose his report upon Mr Eedy’s letter.
And may I add that this work is highly technical, and it is usual to get it done by some assistant in an Observatory. Such is the case I know in many instances and it would be unfair to publishers if they were prevented from employing the most competent computer. So long as such work does not in any way interfere with official duty.
In reference to the particular Almanac referred to by Mr Eedy, Mr Lenehan informs me that the Publisher Mr Knaggs, begged him to supply the information: and that he did not in any way try to get the work.
Mr Eedy further says, “I may mention that the whole of the information given to the Almanacs Year Books Newspapers ……. Is done at the Observatory Officially”
A statement which is simply untrue.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
H.C. Russell
Govt Astronomer
Secretary for Public Instruction
