The New York herald., 1874-12-07
Tho Swatara I'm Port 1t BLUFF Harbor-
lnteres ing Preparation for Observing

AASOA % sA1A8 AAVpAA AesAVAs Aux OSoo3 Wig
the Phenomenon.
UNITED STATES STEAMER SwATARA,
BLUFF HARBoR, New Zealand, Oct. 10, 1874.
The United states expeditionary ship Swstara,
with the Bun Harbor and Chatham Island Venus
transit parties on board, arrived here yesterday,
nve days from Hobart Town, Tasmania.
THE WORK AZ HOBART TOWN.
At Hobart Town we left, not only Professor
Harkness and his corps OF assistants, with all OF
their impedlmenta but also the party originally in
tended for the Crozet Islands. A few days
after our arrival, however, he received informa-
ton from the Superintendent OF the Melbourne
Observatory that he had received complete pho
tographic apparatus to be used In connection wtth
their rejecting telescope-the largest In the
word-in observing the transit OF Venus So that
there was 40 longer any reason for going to Mel.
bourne with his instruments, but many reasons
why he should establish himself elsewhere. BY
increasing the number Of separate and distinct
stations the chances for fine weather and
good observations are multiplied, not to speak
of other advantages accruing from q large
number Of widely spread observing sta
tions. And while they were determining
upon site that should possess the necessary
qualifications, along comes letter from DR..
Valentine, gentleman Of scientific tastes and
attainments residing upon his estate at Camp
about eighty miles from hobart Town, offering to
Captain Raymond his park as a site for his OBJ
servatory, and promising to provide bed and
board in his own house for the Captain and two OF
his assistants THIS generous orer, so courteously
extended, was not to veIused, and, after
learning much in favor OF :. capabilities OF the
place an observing sta -.on, and especially that
1t possessed tcegraphic communication with H0-
bart Town, to enable him 10 determine accurately
the longitude OF his position, he unhesltatingly
accepted DR.. Valentines hospitable invitation,
and day or two after he loaded his boxes
upon wagons and started over the hills with his
tram for CampbelstOwn.
THE HOBART TOWN Patty OF AMERICANS.
Professor harkness, OF the United States Navy.
In charge oil the hobart Town party, had In the
meantime been busy making his preparations.
The colonial authorities had onered him every
assistance. including the use OF storehouses for
his instruments and Whatever land he might
choose as a site for bis observatory buildings,
sometimes termed-the place was selected and
the masons at work laying. the foundations for
was upon slight elevation in the outskirts OF the
city, lar enough from the roadway TO
insure perfect steadiness and absence OF vibra-
ti0n to the instruments, and right at the
side OF the large water main that connects the
reservoir with the water pipes OF the city, iresn
Photographic plates and plenty OF it, because
during the time occupied by the transt-about
four no. noursnthere wili De some zoo plates taken
Impressions is vtrulent pos0n-prussic acid
A constant now OF wafer must, therefore, be kept
up TO carry on the large quantity OF the poison
used upon so many plates In the comparatively
short period occupied IN the transit; otherwise
the lumes rising from the bath would In q very
short time tncapacltate the photographers lor
further operations. Vita Professor Harkness are
associated Mr. Waldo, assistant astronomer; Mr.
Moran and Mr.. Churchill as photographers. They
have taken up their quarters at one OF the hotels
in the city convenient to the observing station
and will, doubtless, pass three very pleasant
| months IN this beautiful city.
THE PEOPLE sYMPATHIzR WITH THE GRAND IDEA.
| Here, as at Cape Town, the citizens were very
Kind and hospitable.s The Ministry OF the colony
| entertained Captain Chandler, the On1cers OF the
transit parties and the oiicers Of the Swaara at
State oanquet and the ladies OF the city gave us
grand BAN In the City Hail. not to speak VI private
| parties, who INDUCED us continually In SORT or
| social festivities. E#H4
HOBART TOWN
IL the capital city OF the colony. ft has popula-
ton OF ABOUT rs, 000 and Is very quiet, well Dult,
English looking city, supported principally by the
wool trade with the interior. 1t 10 remarkable ior