To facilitate the transmission of daily weather reports Sir James Hector his prepared a series of isobaric maps, which fairly represents all the different types of weather. These maps are numbered in consecutive order, and stereotyped copies are supplied to each station, so that all that is necessary is for the head office to telegraph to each office the number of the map to be posted up for the information of the public. In the same manner typical maps of the pressure in Australia have been prepared, with the assistance of Mr. Russell, of Sydney. The reports from a few selected stations, a brief description of she weather, and the number of the map are daily exchanged between Wellington and Sydney (representing Australia); the New Zealand reports being transmitted by telegraph to the head office in each of the other colonies.

Spread throughout the colonies we have 357 meteorological stations, more or less completely equipped, and 2,575 rain gauges.

It will be seen that, excepting the magnetic and meteorological observatory at Hobart, established in 1841, which was an Imperial institution, systematic observations under the auspices of the Colonial Governments date, speaking approximately, from about 1858, a date which closely coincides with that given by Professor Waldo (1860) as marking a definite epoch in the development of the modern science of meteorology. The investigation of the law of storms by Buys Ballot, Dove, and others, and the researches of Ferrel, then just commences, on the theory of atmospheric motions, cleared the way to further advances; and, later on, the utilisation of the electric telegraph, which is to the meteorologist what the telescope is to the astronomer, in extending his field of view over large areas of the earth's surface, enabled the observer to mark and watch the birthplace of storms, track their course and rate of translation. The same means informed him of the general distribution of pressure, and, knowing the laws governing the circulation of air currents round regions of high and low barometers, her soon felt himself justified in issuing warnings of coming gales and the probable state of the weather some hours in advance. He was no longer confined to his own particular locality, laboriously compiling statistics and studying local prognostics; he could look far around him, see storms a thousand or more miles distant, and tell people with a considerable amount of confidence when they might be expected and what would be their force. This is the great function of modern meteorology. But, like everything else, it took time. It required money from the State, which was not always readily forthcoming: it required, moreover, a complete and extensive organisation of skilled observers, all working on the same lines and with the same objects in view. It had also to win the confidence of the sceptical public, which still placed confidence in quack weather prophets, who, like Moore and Saxby, could tell them what the weather would be all the year through. according to the phases of the moon. Confidence, we are told. is a plant of slow growth. So it is, and so it should be if progress is to be made on a sound, solid, lasting basis.

So long ago as 1854 Admiral Fitzroy advised the Home Government to establish a meteorological office, with a view to the issue of weather forecasts and storm warnings to all the principal ports of the kingdom. This suggestion was ultimately adopted, and a Meteorological Department, under the Board of Trade, was organised, over which Admiral Fitzroy presided until his death, and storm warnings were issued as proposed. Leverrier, at Paris, also commenced the publication of daily weather bulletins.

On the death of Admiral Fitzroy the Government invoked the aid of the Royal Society, which resulted in the appointment of a standing committee to superintend the meteorological work undertaken by the Board of Trade.

Bureau of Meteorology