Meteorology in South Africa. 6^ 



The largest sum devoted to Meteorology in any country is that 

 of ^195,000 granted by the United States Government, next in 

 order being Russia with ^£44,^2 2, followed by India with ;^2 2,ioo, 

 the British Isles with ;^i 5,300, and Canada with ;^i 2,936. Although- 

 no details are given regarding the German Empire as a whole, Prussia 

 alone spends ;^io,75o per annum on its Meteorological Institute. 



However, passing over these Great Powers, and looking at the 

 smaller territories, we find Hong-Kong, with an area of 30^ square 

 miles, spending ^^^3,000; Mauritius, with an area i-40oth that of 

 the Cape Colony, devoting ^1,300 to this work, while even Servia, 

 with an area of about i-i5th of ours, spends ^£1,2^0. 



Turning now to what is being done in South Africa, we find 

 that Xatal, with its area of jo, 850 square miles, is relatively better 

 off with its ^200 than we are with our ;£8oo to meteorologically 

 explore an area of 277,151 square miles, although meteorology in 

 Natal cannot be considered to be in a satisfactory condition. In the 

 Orange River Colony the sum of ;^2oo was voted last vear to estab- 

 lish six Second Order Stations under the superintendence of Mr.. 

 J. Tyle, of the Grey College, Bloemfontein. 



Although no sum has been specially voted for meteorological 

 purposes in Rhodesia, there seems to be no obstacle put in the way 

 of obtaining whatever instruments may be required. It may here be 

 stated that this study in Rhodesia is developing rapidlv under the- 

 fostering care of the Government Statist, Mr. Duthie, and of the 

 Meteorological Committee of the Rhodesia Scientific Association. 

 The lead in this subject, as in many others, is, however, being taken 

 by the Transvaal Government, which has voted ;^6,ooo for meteoro- 

 logical purposes, ^2,000 of which are to be spent in establishing the- 

 usual Second and Third Order and Rainfall Stations, while the re- 

 maining ;^4,ooo is to be spent on a First Order Station, equipped 

 with continuous self-recording apparatus for the accommodation of 

 the Director of the Meteorological Department. There is also a 

 strong possibility of the original vote of ;^6,ooo being increased to- 

 ^,{^10.000. 



It will be noticed that while all the other South African States 

 are progressing rapidly, the Cape Colony is standing still, no provision- 

 even having been made for the re-establishment of the many stations 

 destroyed during the late war. 



Whatever outside criticism may be offered regarding this 

 Department, it can safely be asserted that no one will venture to state 

 that it is run on extravagant lines, especially when we consider that 

 this is one of the most expensive British possessions to live in. 



GENERAL REMARKS AND SUGGESTIONS. 



It may seem to many that an unnecessarily long portion of this 

 paper has been devoted to the historical aspect of the subject, and 

 a large number of drv details mentioned which might have been 



