writer had examined various vacant lands in Ottawa for a site, and the two that were considered suitable were: the preceding overlooking the Rideau, and the other beyond the T. C. Keefer property at Rockcliffe on the high land and overlooking the Ottawa; but the Minister was disinclined to purchase land.

On May 28, 1901, the Chief Astronomer asked the writer to make a rough plan of the Observatory, which he did. (It is preserved in the library of the Observatory.)

June 3, 1901, Chief Astronomer to Deputy, asked authority to order telescope and to visit Cleveland and Allegheny to make contract. The Minister approved and our 15-inch telescope was ordered.

On June 18, 1901, the writer called on the Minister, when the latter said he had tentatively chosen a site at the Experimental Farm (being the little rising ground where now the large supply tank stands). He asked the writer to look over the Farm, as the Observatory must be on Government ground, as there was no appropriation for the purchase of land.

On June 19, 1901, the writer examined the Farm and determined upon the best site.

On June 20, 1901, the Chief Astronomer and the writer visited the Farm together. The Chief Astronomer agreed and concurred in the choice made by the writer, and immediately 'phoned the decision to the Minister-Mr. Sifton-who agreed thereto, also the Minister of Agriculture, under whose jurisdiction the Farm is. And so the final site of the Observatory was settled. and there the Observatory stands to-day.

On June 22, 1901, the writer made a survey of the Observatory site for expropriation puproses.

On June 25, 1901, the writer showed the Minister the rough ground plan drawn for the Observatory, which he asked him to show to the architect; the Chief Astronomer had similarly drawn a rough plan for the architect. The former plan had a straight front, while the latter was in the form of an L. The architect combined the two with an angle of 150° between the two wings. to which we agreed, and this form the Observatory has.

To Warner & Swasey, of Cleveland, was awarded the contract for the mechanical parts of the equatorial, and also for the dome, while J. A. Brashear, of Allegheny, received the contract for the optical parts of the 15-inch equatorial; spectroscopic grating, etc.

From Clemens Riefler the standard sidereal clock was obtained. Fauth & Co., of Washington, made, under the supervision of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, a half-seconds pendulum apparatus-Medenhall type-for the Observatory. Troughton & Simms, of London, received the order for the meridian circle, 6-inch aperture; and for a transit theodolite, 12-inch horizontal and vertical circles.

From the Zeiss Optical Works, Jena, a comparator was ordered. During 1901, the Chief Astronomer, contemplating installation in the Observatory, as well as in the Parliament and Departmental Buildings, of a system of electrically-controlled clocks, corresponded with many manufacturers, institutions and observatories: Paul Bunge; Howard Watch & Clock Co.; The Self-Winding Clock Co.; U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey; U. S. Naval Observatory; Royal Observatory, Greenwich; Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland; Kullberg, London; E. Dent & Co.. London; Favarger & Co., Neuchatel; Brèguet, Paris; and G. Borel, Paris.

On November 15, 1901, the printed specifications for contract for the erection of the Astronomical Observatory were received by the Chief Astronomer from the Department of Public Works.

On February 19, 1902, the Chief Astronomer gave to the writer a memorandum to proceed to Washington concerning the half-seconds pendulums ordered; the iced-bar base measuring apparatus, and precision level.

On February 28, 1902, the writer furnished a long report on his visit to Washington. Iced-bar apparatus was ordered.

On September 4, 1902, the writer observed for azimuth and defined the east and west line for contractor.

On October 12, 1902, the Chief Astronomer informed the writer that the Minister (Mr. Sifton) authorized the trans-Pacific

longitude work, utilizing the newly-laid "All Red Line" cable, thereby wiring the British Empire together astronomically and completing the first astronomic girdle of the world. The writer had charge of this work.

In January, 1903, the Chief Astronomer directed the writer to proceed to Cleveland to inspect and examine the completed equatorial, and if satisfactory, have shipped. Cost, with accessories, $14,625.

On June 30, 1904, the Chief Astronomer submitted memorandum of furniture and fittings required for Observatory, at a cost of $6,500. Building was now completed.

On July 4, 1904, the Chief Astronomer submitted a memorandum to the Minister (Mr. Sifton) which is herewith given in full :

As large expense is being incurred for the erection and outfitting of the Dominion Observatory, and as the sole justification for public expenditure is resulting public benefit, the following remarks upon the object of the observatory, with special reference to its utility, are submitted.

1. Primarily, the equipment of the Dominion Observatory is designed for the carrying out of definite lines of observation and investigation of a scientific character. These observations will not be astronomical only, but meteorological, seismological, spectroscopic, etc.

Such observations are for the general advancement of science, and, if conducted on a systematic plan, are of the highest value, though this value computed in dollars and cents may be remote. The absence of direct return from astronomical investigations calls for the aid of Government in a greater degree than do most other branches of science. State aid is given to astronomy by all civilized nations, and it is fitting that Canada should take part in the deevlopment of this branch of science.

2. The advantage to a nation in supporting such a science as astronomy is not confined to the ultimate results. In the very course of the work the men who do it derive special training, not only in the observing itself, but in the practical application of many branches of science which are closely bound up with modern astronomy.

This tends to develop a class of men of special training and knowledge, who will be useful to the country, wherever accurate observation and investigation is required. For instance, explorations, geodetic work, etc., call for men of this stamp whose trained intelligence enables them to adapt their methods to overcoming the peculiar difficulties which they encounter.

3. A branch of the work of the Observatory is the determination of

longitudes. The determinations which have already been made under this office have proved useful in the construction of maps, the correction of surveys, etc. They have from time to time been asked for by various departments of the public service. Under the organization which the completion of the observatory will render possible, they can, it is believed, be made more rapidly and economically.

4. Another branch of the work will be the transmission of accurate time to the city and the public buildings.

5. Arrangements will be made for testing chronometers, a service frequently required by many departments, but for which there are now few facilities. Miror instruments can also be tested, such as sextants, aneroid barometers, etc.

6. An indirect advantage will be the public interest which it is hoped to arouse in astronomy and science generally by the exhibition of the instruments to visitors at stated times. In many countries, above all the United States, large contributions to scientific objects have been made by private persons. There seems to be no reason why similar benefactions should not be made in Canada, if public interest were directed towards these objects.

Minister of the Interior,
City.

Respectfully submitted,

(Signed) W. F. KING,

Chief Astronomer.

In October, 1904, the equatorial was mounted.

In April, 1905, the Chief Astronomer and staff moved from their old quarters in the Thistle Block in the city to the Observatory. On April 29, 1905, the press visited the Observatory in the evening, was entertained, and the next day the Dominion Astronomical Observatory became known throughout Canada. and Dr. W. F. King became its Director, holding in addition as heretofore the title of "Chief Astronomer of the Department of the Interior."

In conclusion, a few statistics may be given of the money invested in the Dominion Astronomical Observatory. On August 28th, 1902, the contract for the main building was awarded to Theophile Viau for $74,999, and completed on June 25th, 1904. The heating contract was for $2,749, and was carried out by Butterworth. The transit house was built by McGillivray and Labelle for $14,789, and finished November 30th, 1905. Besides

the above, there were built two azimuth mark buildings, a small observatory for stellar photometric work, a magnetic hut, the Director's house and a machine shop, besides laying out and improvements to the grounds, so that the whole may be summarized: HON. CLIFFORD SIFTON,

Observatory and auxiliary buildings.
Instrumental equipment..

Library, 9,000 volumes..

$180,000

100.000

30,000

$310,000

Total investment, Dominion Observatory.

The above is a brief story of the genesis of the Dominion Astronomical Observatory. The data are mostly taken from official reports and files, and supplemented by extracts from the diaries of the writer, which are continuous in foolscap volumes from August 16, 1866, to date, over fifty years.

OTTAWA,

DOMINION ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY,

July 6, 1918.