| RefNo | MS/257/3/1 |
| AltRefNo | Sa.747 |
| Previous numbers | ES3/1/747 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Joseph Henry Kay, Melbourne to Edward Sabine |
| Date | 22 July 1862 |
| Description | Kay updates Sabine regarding the work at the Observatory in [Melbourne]. A large part of the [Melbourne] Observatory will be built this year and Kay remarks on its position being ‘suitable for both astronomical and magnetical observations’. Reference to the Board of Visitors and the ‘question’ of the telescope. Sabine will ‘probably’ receive a request regarding ‘a careful telescopic examination of the southern nebulae’. Refers to gaining the opinion ‘of the leading me of science in England’ before going to the [Australian] government regarding funding for the telescope. Reference to Professor [William Parkinson] Wilson as their ‘Secretary’. Kay hopes they will soon ‘have an establishment, that will be a credit to so young a colony’. Remarks may be made by the hydrographer to Sabine regarding Kay’s involvement with the Tasmanian Observatory. Discusses being forced by the ‘Admiralty to ask for a retirement from active service’, taking away his ‘half pay’, and refers to his 26 years of service. Kay remarks on the high probability he will remain in Australia permanently. Discusses being placed at the observatory by Captain [James Clark] Ross in 1840, and refers to a letter dated 1849 from Sir [Francis] Beaufort in which he expressed the unfair treatment of Kay by the Admiralty. Kay asks Sabine for his testimony regarding the valuable work Kay has conducted over many years at [Hobarton] Observatory and ‘duties which were thrust upon’ him. |
| Extent | 8p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA4898 | Kay; Joseph Henry (1814 - 1875) | 1814 - 1875 |
| NA8279 | Sabine; Sir; Edward (1788 - 1883) | 1788 - 1883 |