[Extract from the Minutes of the Royal Astronomical Society, Nov. 11, 1828.]
President—Mr. Herschell, President; Mr. Baily, Mr. South, Mr. Strathford, Captain Beaufort, Mr. Gomperty, Mr. Riddle, Mr. Sheepshanks.

Resolved unanimously—That this Council are decidedly of opinion that the continuation of the Observatory at Parramatta as a national institution, in addition to that already existing at the Cape of Good Hope, would be of the highest importance to astronomy, and they ground this opinion on the following reasons in which it will be observed that they do not contemplate a removal of the Cape Observatory, as precluded by its very advantageous situation on the same meridian with the principal Observatories of Europe, and from the great expense already incurred and powerful instruments erected in that establishment.

First—The great difference of geographical situation, in longitude and of climate, of the Cape and Parramatta, which renders it practicable to obtain numerous observations at each not susceptible of being made at the other, either from cloudy weather or from the circumstances that the phenomena take place below the horizon of either Observatory, or may actually happen at the one and not at the other.

Secondly—The effective verifying check and corroboration, and the great increase of diligence and accuracy to be expected from the emulation of rival observers.

Thirdly—The remarkable and also highly advantageous geographical situation of Parramatta, it being almost exactly at the antipodes of Greenwich, and the peculiar excellence of its climate.

Fourthly—The very imperfect state of Southern Astronomy, and the wide field of research which has been laid open by the observation of new stars and nebulæ already made, which the Council consider as affording ample employment for two of the most active observatories without interfering with each other.

Lastly—The indispensable importance of a long-continued and exact series of observations at a fixed station on some part of the immense Australian continent, for the purposes of a geographical and hydrographical survey of its interior and of its coasts, when the circumstances and extent of the Colony shall render such operations necessary, and which ought to, be commenced as early as possible in order to give time.

And the Council cannot but regard their opinion of the future importance of an Observatory at Parramatta as strongly sustained, whether by the rediscovery of Enche's Comet when not visible in Europe, or by the important mass of observations already forwarded from it to this country by Sir Thomas Brisbane.

Bureau of Meteorology