Letter by W Scott, 22 May 1860

Observatory Sydney

May 22nd 1860

60/21

Sir

I send you this day for Jenny Lind the barometer sent to Sydney for repairs. I enclose the instrument maker’s account for which I must ask you to obtain the necessary sum from the government of Queensland.

The barometer must be kept in the inverted position until ready for use when it must be gently turned into its true position and the adjusting screw at the bottom immediately turned back so as to allow the mercury to fall to its proper level in the tube.

In future the instrument should not be removed unless by someone who thoroughly understands the mode of handling it.

I send you by the same opportunity a rain gauge which will be paid for by my department as it was ordered before the separation of the colonies.

I am sir
Your obedient servant
W Scott

J L Hay Esquire

The appointment of a new observer in place of Miss Gaden must rest with the Government of Queensland; or perhaps you had better consider yourself the observer and employ anyone on whom you can depend.

Letter by W Scott, 12 May 1858

Observatory Sydney

May 12 1858

58/61

Madam

I beg to call your attention to the enclosed remarks: I fear you may be getting tired of your undertaking particularly when you find every little inaccuracy or omission remarked by a very unsparing critic. Allow me to assure you that your returns are very good for an amateur, at the same time they may not be that perfect accuracy and regularity that might be expected for a paid observer.

You will oblige me by informing me if there is any near prospect of the appointment of the schoolmaster, as I wish to make definite arrangements with the government as to salary. May I mention without giving offense to ask you to allow your name, or rather your brother’s, to be placed on the list of salaried observers?

I have the honor to be
Madam
Your obedient servant
W Scott

Miss Dalton

Letter by W Scott, 11 May 1857

29

The Astronomer to the Colonial Secretary respecting Meteorological Observatory at Parramatta

11 Macquarie St. South
Sydney May 11th 1857

57/57

Sir

I have the honour to inform you that I have established a Meteorological Observatory at the Lunatic Asylum Parramatta, and appointed provisionally to the office of Observer, with a salary of ₤20 per annum, Mr. Statham the Storekeeper, who seems particularly well qualified for the office.

Mr. Statham commenced his duties on the 1st Instant.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
W Scott
Astronomer

The Honourable The Colonial Secretary

Letter by W Scott, 10 May 1858

Observatory Sydney

May 10th 1858

My Dear Sir

I have to thank you for your letter of October 15th containing information as to size and price to equatorials. We should probably content ourselves with a seven inch Telescope accordingly being completed to spend the money at once or not at all, I have had the equatorial room built to carry a dome 17 feet diameter.

The observatory will be finished in another month, after which I will send you a full description. I see no mention of a collinating eyepiece for Meridian Circle. Of course, Messrs Troughton & Simms will supply one.

Trusting that your large telescope may answer your expectations.

I remain dear sir
Yours very truly
W Scott

Letter by W Scott, 9 May 1857

28

11 Macquarie St. South
Sydney May 9th 1857

57/50

Sir

Your request for a copy of the registry of rainfall at Sydney for as long a period as possible was referred to me for the first time yesterday. I send you the returns from April 1840 to October 1856, at which time the observations were discontinued.

I fear these results will be of very little service to you in calculations relating to Geelong or its neighbourhood, as the rainfall there must be altogether different from that at Sydney.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
W Scott
Astronomer

The Engineer in Chief
Water & Sewerage Commission
Geelong

Letter by W Scott, 6 May 1857

22

The Astronomer to The Hon. The Colonial Secretary enclosing Estimates for 1858

11 Macquarie St. South

May 6th 1857

57/44

Sir

The enclosed Estimates though necessarily vague and inaccurate will not I trust prove very incorrect. I have proposed one additional salary for a working man to act as Messenger and Porter to take the entire charge of the Observatory Computing Room and Library and (if possible) of such public walks or grounds as may be attached to the Observatory; the ……… of some such person is evidently necessary.

The Estimates for 1858 are larger than may be expected in future years as including the whole of the furniture necessary for the use of the Observatory.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
W Scott

The Hon. The Colonial Secretary

Letter by W Scott, 2 May 1857

17

11 Macquarie St. South
Sydney May 2d. 1857

57/39

Sir

I am requested to inform you that there will be forwarded to you this day by the Colonial Storekeeper Sydney ten packages of Meteorological Instruments and stands addressed to the Police Magistrates of Albury and Deniliquin who will arrange for their conveyance from Melbourne to their destinations.

The two smaller cases containing the Instruments require to be treated with the greatest possible care. I have to request that you will be good enough to advise me of their arrival and to take charge of them until you shall hear from The Police Magistrates of Albury and Deniliquin on the subject.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
W Scott
Astronomer

The Colonial Storekeeper
Melbourne

Letter by W Scott, 1 May 1857

15

The Astronomer to The Honourable The Colonial Secretary respecting leave of Absence.

11 Macquarie St South
Sydney May 1st 1857

57/37

Sir

In reply to your letter of 30th April I beg to state that it was my intention to establish the Observatory at Parramatta before leaving Sydney; also that to establish those at Maitland and Goulburn would occasion a considerable waste of time and money, as I must pass through Goulburn on my return from Melbourne via Deniliquin, Albury, Cooma, Goulburn & Bathurst; and must pass through Maitland on my road to Armidale.

I therefore beg for leave of absence for six weeks, commencing on the 14th Inst, and, in order to complete my arrangements beg the favour of as early reply as may be convenient.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
W Scott

The Honourable The Colonial Secretary

Letter by W Scott, 30 April 1857

14

57/36

11 Macquarie St. South
Sydney April 30th 1857

Sir

I beg to inform you that I have selected The Lunatic Asylum at Parramatta for the establishment of a Meteorological Observatory, and that you are appointed provisionally to the office of Observer at a salary of Twenty Pounds per annum from 1st May; such appointment being subject to the approval of the Government.

The Instruments will be forwarded to you by Steamer on Saturday next and you will be good enough to attend to their safe removal to the Asylum. I propose to visit Paramatta with a view to their erection on Monday next.

I am Sir
Your obedient Servant
W Scott
Astronomer

W. Statham

Letter by W Scott, 28 April 1857

13

11 Macquarie St South
Sydney

April 28th 1857

57/35

Sir

Having been directed to apply to you for such Postage stamps as I might require for the use of my department I wrote to you on 21st Inst requesting you to send me the quantity which I considered necessary.

Not having received any supply and being unacquainted with matters of official routine I conclude there was some informality in my application

If so may I beg that you will be so obliging as to inform what course I ought to pursue on such an occasion.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
W Scott
Astronomer

The Postmaster General