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 C Russell, 13 May 1863

Observatory
May 13th 1863

Sir

I have the honor herewith to forward the estimate of the probable cost of repairs to the observatory buildings for the year 1864, furnished by the colonial architect.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
H C Russell

The Honorable The Colonial Secretary

Letter by H C Russell, 24 April 1871

369

Govt Observatory
24 April 1871

Sir

I have the honor to request that you will take the necessary steps
to have some repairs to the vane and Time Ball machinery effected.

The vane will not show the direction of the wind being too stiff to turn. and the Time Ball requires so much force to put it up that we are in constant fear that the wheels will break.

Mr Lewis repaired the Ball before and I would like him to do it again as he understands it all.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
H C Russell

The Colonial Architect

Letter by H C Russell, 23 April 1892

203

Observatory
April 23 1892

Sir

Certain necessary additions to the furniture of the Observatory consequent upon the alterations and additional rooms made last year were not made for want of funds. And I have now the honour to request that these additions to the furniture may now be made. They are urgently required and the room made into a library cannot be used for want of the necessary bookcases &c

The furniture wanted is as follows
(1) Bookcases table chairs & gas fire for Library.-
(2) To repair the oil cloth on floors of two rooms in the North Dome
(3) To cover the floors of two new rooms with oil cloth or Linoleum.
(4) To put down old carpets in Library and small computing room
(5) To put new carpet in Mr Leneham’s room in place of one worn out, and a carpet in Mr Sellors room in place of oil-cloth worn out.
(6) General repairs to messengers quarters: nothing has been done to them for six years and the repairs are urgently needed.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your obedient Servant
H. C. Russell
Govt Astronomer

The Under Secretary for Public Instruction

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

201

Sydney Observatory
December 1 1870

Sir

I have the honour to request that you will take the necessary steps to have certain repairs done to the paper in the rooms which the plasterer has repaired and as I think torn down the paper in a very unnecessary way rendering the rooms unfit to use in the mean time.

Also to have one ceiling repaired which was left when the others were done.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Obedient Servant
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer

The Colonial Architect

178

Sydney Observatory
2 November 1870

My dear Adams

I shall be glad to meet you at Bars?? but I cannot say the day for My Transit has been delayed at Tornaghi’s to get Cary done I was there yesterday and it was not finished nor do I think it will be for two or three days yet, the Packing is arranged and he has the Bases and cork chip I have also both Boxes ready for the Standard Bar as soon as Tornaghi can come to pack it. I had a letter from my brother but he does not say when he is coming down.

Would it not do to put a long glass in the levels?? Smalley had made I do not thin they can be got ready made. I have a lot of ?? here making alterations and repairs and I wish them at ?? they interfere so with the work.

Believe me
Yours very truly
H C Russell

27 October

My dear Sir

I am much obliged for the abstract of months for 1869 if you could give me the same for 1867 & 1868 I would be much obliged I have your Book to the end of 1866.

Several evenings lately I have thought the southern sky looked auroral, but the continued dense clouds here prevented me from seeing anything and with the lurid light from the city at night and especially from some manufactory due south and near Botany it is very difficult to distinguish between the artificial and the real aurora.

We are in state of paint, repairs and alterations for new Instruments and shall be so for about 10 days or more. But if you do not mind the inconvenience I shall be glad to see you on Thursday or Friday next week. But if you are not pressed for time, I hope to have all right again by Novr 10th and shall be glad to see you then. I have a New Standard Thermometer which Mr Smalley got and about 3 years since?? but it is not quite what I like and I will probably have another before long.

Believe me
Yours very truly
H C Russell

J?? Tebbutt Esqre
Windsor

495

Government Observatory
Sydney 19 October [1871]

Sir

I have the honor to request that you will take the necessary steps to have a branch made from the road leading to the Observatory to the gate at the Flagstaff and a ?? places for vehicles to turn without going on the grass.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer

The Colonial Architect

PS The repairs asked of 6th October are urgently required.
HCR

488

Govt Observatory
6 October 1871

Sir

I have the honor to request that you will take the necessary steps to have the following repairs effected at the Observatory where they are urgently needed.
To repair a small hole in the slates over the Transit Instrument.
To effect some repairs to the main drain from the Observatory.
To put a new chimney top on one chimney.
To sweep five chimneys.
To reset a clothes ??
To repair venetian blinds in the Observatory buildings.
All the above are urgently wanted.

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your obedient servant
H C Russell
Govt Astronomer

The Colonial Architect