1890 91.] F0RTY-.SKCOXD ANNUAL UKVORT. 61 



every part of tlie world of the use of cosmic time, has received much 

 attention and consideration from the Council and Institute. The move- 

 ment has made marked progress during the past year. The use of this 

 system of marking time has been adopted by the Governments of many 

 countries, from Germany to Japan. 



The circulars of Lord Knutsford, of dates 26th July and 2ist Nov., 

 1890, being addressed only to the Colonies and dependencies of the 

 British Empire, your Council, observing this, directed the attention of 

 His Excellency the Governor-General to this fact, and respectfully sug- 

 gested that he should direct the attention of foreign Governments to this 

 important movement, which he agreed to do. 



Two years ago, when the Royal Commission on Mines was formed, 

 Mr. Hamilton Merritt, F.G.S., chairman of our Geological Section, was 

 placed upon it. A most interesting and valuable report was issued last 

 summer. Recognizing the value of the work done by the Commission, the 

 Institute, on the petition of the Geological Section, called a Mining Con- 

 vention to be held here on the 31st March, which was held on that day 

 and the two succeeding days. The Convention was largely attended, 

 nearly all the leading miners and persons interested in mining matters 

 in the Province being present. The resolutions submitted through our 

 Section on the establishment of a Provincial Mineralogical Museum ; 

 the establishment of a properly equipped school of mines, and the 

 appointment of a departmental head for mining matters, were all 

 adopted by the Convention. Before the convention broke up, a depu- 

 tation had several interviews with the Government, which have led to 

 the enactment of legislation which will have direct and practical bearing 

 on the future of our mining development. 



The Biological or Natural History Section, with its sub-sections in 

 Microscopy, Ornithology and Botany, has added considerably to our 

 museum, as well as encouraging largely an interest in all these important 

 branches among many of our young men in the city. 



The Historical Section, formed on the 15th Feb., 1890, for "the study 

 and investigation of the history of Canada and cognate subjects, such as 

 Archaeology, Genealogy and Ethnology," has been most active in pro- 

 moting the objects for which it was formed. 



At an interview with the Government the Hon. Atty.-General Mowat 

 requested the deputation to forward a memorandum in writing of such 

 documents as they thought should receiv^e consideration. A memorial 

 on " Historical documents deserving the attention of the Administration 

 of the Province of Ontario, with a view to their publication," was for- 



