1891-92.] CIRCULAR-LETTER. 309 
REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE 
Of The Canadian Institute and The Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto. 
SANDFORD FLEMING, C.E., C.M.G., LL.D., Etc., Chairman. 
Canadian Institute. Astronomical Society. 
ARTHUR HARVEY, President. CHARLES CARPMAEL, M.A., F.R.A.S., Etc., President. 
Gro. Kennepy, M.A., LL.D. Joun A. PATERSON, M.A. 
ALAN MAacpouGaLL, C.E., Secretary. G. E. LumspEn, Corresponding Secretary. 
TORONTO ‘April 20th, 1863. 
Your Committee on the subject of Astronomical Time Reckoning, beg 
leave to report as follows :— 
(a) That the Sixth Resolution of The Washington International Con- 
ference of +884, which was carried unanimously by the representatives of 
the twenty-five nations there assembled, counting among them several 
astronomers of world-wide fame, reads as follows :—“ The Conference 
expresses the hope that, as soon as may be practicable, the Astronomical 
and Nautical Days will be arranged everywhere to begin at Mean 
Midnight ;” 
(4) If any action is to be taken on this Resolution, the most appropri- 
ate date for the new reckoning to take effect would be the first day of 
the new century ; 
(c) As the Ephemerides are usually prepared four or five years in 
advance, it is obvious that if it be decided to make Astronomical Time 
accord with Civil Time at the date named, a common understanding 
should not be delayed beyond the year 1895 or 1896 ; 
(2) To arrive at an agreement, it is considered essential to ascertain the 
views of those concerned ; 
(e) The Canadian Institute and The Astronomical Society should, in 
the general interest, assume the duty of inviting opinions upon the sub- 
ject, to be collated, tabulated and published in a special report ; 
(7) If the weight of opinion expressed by those who respond to such 
invitation, be in favour of a change, further steps may be taken with the 
view of reaching an international understanding ; 
(g) Your Committee suggest that the opinions which have already 
been expressed by some leading astronomers be published. To this end, 
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