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taken of this. The library of the Observatory is receiving publications on astronomy in exchange for our publications. Library and Publications. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of many valuable donations for the library. The printing of the list of additions to the library is deferred. The following bulletins have been published and distributed : No. 7, " Elements and Ephemeris of Eros," N.Z. Gazette No. 139, 6th September, 1917; No. 8, "Astronomical Tables of ihe Sun for the Year 1918," N.Z. Gazette No. 114, 13th September, 1917; " Seismological Records; January to June, 1917," N.Z. Gazette No. 180, 20th December, 1917; No. 9, " Occulation of a Star by the Planet Venus," N.Z. Gazette No. 26, 21st February, 1918; No-. 10, "Astronomical Tables of the Moon for the Year 1918, N.Z. Gazette No. 48,' 4th April, 1918; No. 11, "Time-service," N.Z. Gazette No. 55, 18th April, 1918; No. 12, "Astronomical Notes," N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology, March, 1918; No. 13, " Nova Aquilee," N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology, July, 1918; No. 14, " Astronomical Notes," N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology, May, 1918; No. 15, " Nova Aquilse," N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology, September, 1918; No. 16, "Astronomical Notes," N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology, July, 1918. Office Accommodation. Steps are being taken, by putting in movable book-cases, cupboards, and drawers in the clock-room, to arrange the astronomical publications and records in order as far as the limited space will permit. Accommodation for Observers. —There is no accommodation for observers at the Observatory, consequently the loss of many suitable periods for observing at night is serious. As soon as conditions improve so that this urgent matter can be attended to a considerable increase in efficiency may be reasonably expected, owing to the longer period available for observations. Cottage on Observatory Reserve. —This cottage is in the occupation of the Kelburn Boy Scouts. Equatorial Telescopes. —The Astronomical Section of the Wellington Philosophical Society has had the Cooke 5 in. equatorial refracting telescope taken down and the King in. telescope by Grubb erected in its place. The King telescope has a very rigid mounting and a good driving-clock. The building is erected on the Observatory Reserve. The Observatory has no equatorial telescope available. The Section has kindly granted the Government Astronomer full use of its equatorial telescope, and for this courtesy thanks are due to the Section. Historical Records. The desirability of preserving the observing-stations used by astronomers was urged in my last report. It. is pleasing to report that a beginning has been made in this valuable work by taking under the Public Works Act the Observatory-site at Doubtless Bay, used in the determination of the longitude of New Zealand by the Pacific Cable (see P.W.D. plan 43689, and N.Z. Gazette No. 22, 4th February, 1918). Suggestions for the preservation of other important astronomical sites are now under consideration. Admiralty Chronometers. Three box chronometers and a chronometer watch, belonging to the Admiralty, are deposited at the Observatory. New Zealand Standard Time. It is interesting to note that on the 2nd November, 1918, it will be fifty years since New Zealand standard time —exactly 11| hours in advance of Greenwich time—was adopted as the mean time for the colony (see N.Z. Gazette, 31st October, 1868, p. 507). The report of the Wellington Philosophical Society on New Zealand standard time is published in the N.Z. Journal of Science anil Technology, vol. I, No. 4, July. 1918, p. 232. The report gives reasons for urging the adoption of a standard time exactly twelve hours in advance of Greenwich mean time. It may be mentioned that all the mean-time clocks at the Observatory are already kept exactly twelve hours in advance of the Greenwich mean time, and that time-signals are given in accordance therewith. Mercury Arc Rectifier. This apparatus, for obtaining direct current from the city mains of 100 volts 80 cycles single-phase alternating current, has been installed in an extension built on to the front of the collar. The direct current is used for charging the storage batteries. Hitherto a small current for charging the batteries had been obtained from the Victoria University College, and for this assistance the thanks of the Observatory are due to the College. Minor alterations and repairs have been carried out, and the equipment, buildings, and grounds have been kept in good order. Leave of Absence. During my absence on leave at New Year, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville kindly took charge of the time service and kept the signal-clock correct. My thanks are tendered to Professor Sommerville for his kindness in giving this voluntary assistance. C. E. Adams, Government Astronomer.