On the proposed Leake school of practical astronomy

During my visit to Hobart in January last I was struck with the brightness and translucency of the atmosphere, and it was evident to me that the weather of the fortnight I was in Hobart would have enabled me to do as much as I had done in Sydney during the preceding two months. And, in conversation with some friends, I expressed regret that such fine skies for the Astronomer should not be taken advantage of, and an Astronomical Photographic Observatory established.
I was told that Tasmania, like other parts of the world, was passing through a period of commercial depression, and the Government did not seem to be disposed to add to expenditure by starting an Observatory, but that the late Mr. Leake had left a sum of £10,000 for the foundation of a School of Astronomy, and it was hoped that an Observatory would be established very soon.