Use of old railway rails as telegraph posts, Observatory staff member dismissed, need a universal postal rate for postcards, Toss supported on query of extra funding for instruments at the Observatory
His impressions of Europe and mentions telegraphy, electricity, lighting, telephony (including stats), post and meteorology where SA observations are " best in the southern hemisphere"
Main feature was the parcel post negotiations. He doesn't like privatized telephony, was impressed with lighting on trains, clock for Adelaide library being built, meteorological equipment inspected and purchased
Melbourne Postal Conference, mail contractors competing with gov't funded rivals, European mandates on what ships can be used. SA meteorological records praised, continental standards agreed to on observation methods and instruments.