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South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889), Monday 20 October 1879, page 4
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30794942
Filename: 30794942
Synopsis: Todd has good weather data but not capable of being used for effective forecasting
Summary: Mentions continental reach, how data could be more useful in the future, analyses rainfall
influence on cropping around the Colony. Complements Todd and his staff
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1879.
We have already referred to the rainfall statistics for the year 1878 prepared by the Government
astronomer, and recently. published by order of the House of Assembly which from a most interesting
and valuable document worthy of further notice. It is not composed of cumbersome and almostendless pages of figures, for it contains an explanation of the tables, which forms a readable
dissertation on the meteorological conditions of the colony for the past year. Mr. Todd certainly
possesses unusual advantages in the department under his direction, the observing stations across
the continent affording an unbroken chain by means of which the atmospheric changes and
disturbances of one of the most remarkable regions in the world can be noted if need be from hour to
hour. These also being connected in almost every direction with the greater portion of the interior and
with most of the coast line the Government astronomer is enabled to furnish in formation of the most
valuable kind. Hitherto Mr. Todd has not thought it desirable to place before the public a
comprehensive view of the continental meteorology. This perhaps is because the stations until
recently have been too scattered, and in some respects not sufficiently systematised to be fully
available. The paper before us, however, leads to the conclusion that that time has passed away, and
that without much risk of error a valuable map might be prepared showing the isothermal and pluvial
lines for a series of years, which would form a somewhat reliable guide to persons engaged in
pastoral and agricultural pursuits. By this of course we do not mean that a completely accurate
forecast of the weather at any given time could be made, but that the nature of the different seasons
in different localities might from time to time be fairly estimated and provided for. Although in those
portions of the province which abut upon the sea, special changes, often sudden and severe, are
experienced, the general changes occur with remarkable regularity and as far as the materials at our
command enables us to judge, that regularity is also experienced in the interior. We have yet to
discover the full effect which the monsoons that visit the northern portion of Australia have upon the
subtropical regions of the continent, or how far they may affect the rainfall in the southern parts. It
seems probable that there is a substantial connection between them which sooner or later will be
made clear. No system of observations, however, will be complete in the true scientific sense unless it
can be extended beyond its present limits. What is wanted in addition to Mr. Todd's tables is an
accurate record of the currents which prevail round New Holland, so as to enable as to form some
judgment of the influence they have, if any, upon the climate of Australia. Such observations perhaps
may be beyond Mr. Todd's means or official resources just at present, but they must be undertaken
some day, and the results, there is no doubt, will amply repay the cost. The paper before us is
prepared on the basis of observations made at 115 stations starting at Palmerston in the Northern
Territory and stretching across the continent to Adelaide, passing thence south and east until Mount
Gambier is reached. The greatest amount of rainfall recorded is of course in the tropics; and at
Southport on the north coast there were 73-80 inches registered. The least was at Lake Boulka, on
the boundary of New South Wales— 5.61 inches. The orthodox quantity which South Australia
depends upon is 21.5 inches nearly. The area, however, over which this amount is expected may be
taken to be included by a line drawn from Adelaide to Kooringa, thence to the sea coast south of PortBroughton, overland thence to Port Wakefield, and along the coast-line to Adelaide again. The rest of
the colony has a rainfall not yet certainly recorded; never the less if the block above described gets a
fair share of rain the prospects of the rest of the colony are not likely to be very bad. In 1878 the
results of the harvest were only 7 bushels and 9 lbs. per acre, as compared with 11 bushells 45 lbs. in
1874-5, and 11 bushels 57 lbs in 1875-6. In 1878 at Kooringa and Adelaide, the extreme points north
and south of the area mentioned above, the rainfall was in excess of the average of the best years,
which gave 24.214 inches, by 1.357 and 1.726 respectively; the intermediate points however, showed
a heavy falling off which at Mount Gambier had reached the formidable amount of 7.180 inches. The
harvest was consequently a comparative failure. The most important months for the growth of wheat
are April, May, August, and September. In all of those months the rain was short in quantity and
irregular in its visits, so that the young plant had a poor start, and there was nothing to promote their
�development to maturity. This year we are differently situated. The rain has come in the right months
and in fair abundance, and although we are still short of the quantity which might have been
expected, the wheat plants are almost everywhere in a most satisfactory condition, and generally
good returns may be expected. There is the usual danger to be anticipated from early hot winds, and
another risk which is rarely regarded, and that is the probability of a wet harvest. The character of the
seasons in the southern hemisphere has a remarkable similarity to that of seasons in temperate and
subtropical climates north of the equator. If this holds good during the present season things may yet
turn out 11. However there is always the counter balancing influence of the general want of rivers and
high mountains, so that on the whole the prospects are not unfavorable. Mr. Todd's tables are quite
as useful to the general public as to the individual farmer or stockholder. The rainfall regulates the
water supply for the year. To the Government engineers they should be of the highest importance;
because they show them what they may depend upon in order to supply water to centres of
population. We have continually pointed out that three-fifths of the available rainfall is allowed to run
to waste, and where attempts, are made to store it for general use the exigencies of the moment only
are considered, and future development is wholly disregarded. In the Mount Lofty ranges the rainfall is
nearly 44 inches over an area of 129 square miles. From this source the City of Adelaide and the
suburbs are supplied with water. Our present storage capacity is not more than 750 to 800 millions of
gallons whilst there is more than four times that quantity which could be arrested at the Torrens Gorge
and stored if suitable receptacles were made. All Mr. Todd's exertions, however, are not likely to
impress this on either the official or the parliamentary powers which under nature control our
destinies. A growing population and a hot climate will make a revolution in the use of the rainfall, and
others who may succeed us will appreciate Mr. Todd's labors more perhaps than they are appreciated
to-day. The report is illustrated by a very good outline map prepared under Mr. Todd's directions by
Mr. W. H. Abbott. We notice, however, that the portion which refers to South Australia proper is not
marked with either latitudes or longitudes, consequently its actual value, in a scientific scene. is
greatly diminished. Subject to this remark the report is an able paper, and is creditable to Mr. Todd
and his staff.
�
News Article contemporary
Newspaper Articles conteporary to the news being reported
Original Article
URL of original article
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30794942
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30794942
Date
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18791020
Title
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Todd has good weather data but not capable of being used for effective forecasting
Description
An account of the resource
Mentions continental reach, how data could be more useful in the future, analyses rainfall influence on cropping around the Colony. Complements Todd and his staff
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
News Article-contemporary
Subject
The topic of the resource
Meteorology
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Mid Australia 1873-90
Creator
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South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889)
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National Library of Australia – TROVE - Newspapers & Gazettes
Publisher
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South Australian Meteorological Association
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This work by Sir Charles Todd online Research Centre is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
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South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889), Thursday 3 November 1881, page 1
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article34272044
Filename: 34272044
Synopsis: Todd's paper on transit of mercury and state of meteorology in Australia
Summary: This is a seminal paper in Australian meteorological history
ROYAL SOCIETY'S MEETING.
A meeting of the Royal Society was held at the institute on Tuesday evening. November 1. There
were about twenty fellows and visitors present, including Professor Custance, and the president of the
society, His Honor the Chief Justice, occupied the chair. <clip>
<clip> Mr. Todd. C.M.G., then read the following paper on "The Transit of Mercury" —" I wish to call
the attention of the society to the transit of Mercury on Tuesday next, the 8th inst. <clip> (detailed
description follows)
(Ed. See full article for detailed view of state of meteorology in Australia)
<clip> Mr. Todd also read an interesting paper on the recent storms on the east coast, in the course
of which he said:—"In the absence of any more important paper I have thought that a few remarks on
the recent storms which have passed over the eastern and south-eastern portions of Australia would
not be without interest to the society. Unfortunately the storms to which I refer have been attended by
the sad loss of several vessels, and still worse, the loss of many valuable lives. As the society is
aware, we have had in active work for some time past an extensive system of daily weather reports,
which include the greater part of Australia, from the west coast at Perth to the east coast, the whole
length of the south coast, inland the valley of the Murray and the Darling, the interior along the
telegraph line, and the north coast at Port Darwin. Recently, or since the last Meteorological
Conference held in Melbourne in May this year, we have had reports from Low Head in Tasmania,
and also from New Zealand. We still require the co-operation of Queensland and more stations in
Western Australia. You will thus see that we have now brought as it were daily under our eye the
meteorological condition of a large area of the earth's surface and possess therefore an immense
advantage over the observer who in the past knew only what was going on immediately around him.
Until comparatively recent times the latter position was common to all observers, and meteorology
with its complications made but slow progress. All this is now changed by the agency of the telegraph,
which brings us to information almost of the birthplace, but certainly of the approach and course of
storms traversing considerable distances, and often enables us to give timely warnings to others
situated in the direction of their march, but whom they have not yet reached. Now one of the most
important facts taught us is that nearly all atmospheric disturbances travel in a general direction from
west to east, recurring, however, and pursuing «.j opposite direction in some places where they abut
against the coast-line of a continent running north and south. I have traced many storms from the east
coast of Africa to Australia and New Zealand, or, at all events, have had good reasons for believing a
storm first reported in the neighborhood of the Mauritius and Madagascar to be identical with one
subsequently experienced here. <clip>
<clip> In conclusion, I would draw attention to the value of isobaric maps in studying the changes of
weather and forecasting what is likely to follow. At the Observatory we now lay down the isobars and
direction of the wind every morning on receipt of the reports, and it is intended shortly to exhibit them
at the Central Telegraph Office, and probably at Port Adelaide also. Mr. Ellery publishes a map in the
Argus, and Mr. Russell does the same in the Sydney Morning Herald. On the whole I think we may
congratulate ourselves on having made some progress in the study of Australian meteorology, and
admit that the conferences held in Melbourne and Sydney have produced good fruit.'' He expressed
his willingness to furnish the newspapers with every information relative to meteorological conditions if
they would publish a map, as was done by the Argus in Melbourne and the Sydney Morning Herald.
Mr. Todd concluded by giving a description of the new transit Instrument provided for the Adelaide
Observatory, by means of which he would be placed in a much more favorable position for taking
observations than he had been formerly. In a short time the meteorological department of the
observatory would be very much enlarged, and the whole institution would be placed on a footing of
equality with the great European observatories so far as the instruments were concerned.
South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Thursday 3 November 1881, page 2
�<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47099749>.
(same article, but with this added at end.)
<clip> Mr. Todd also showed two photographs showing the new instrument for observing transits. It
had entirely superseded the old instruments used for the purpose. The telescope was provided with
two circles 30 inches in diameter, both of which were read off by four micrometer microscopes. A
room was now being built for its reception, where it was intended to be placed on granite foundations.
The meeting then adjourned.
�
News Article contemporary
Newspaper Articles conteporary to the news being reported
Original Article
URL of original article
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article34272044
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
34272044
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
18811103
Title
A name given to the resource
Todd's paper on transit of mercury and state of meteorology in Australia
Description
An account of the resource
This is a seminal paper in Australian meteorological history
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
News Article-contemporary
Subject
The topic of the resource
Astronomy,Meteorology,report
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Mid Australia 1873-90
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889)
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
National Library of Australia – TROVE - Newspapers & Gazettes
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
South Australian Meteorological Association
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This work by Sir Charles Todd online Research Centre is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
PDF
Astronomy
Meteorology
obs network
report
synoptic