REPORT OF THE KEAV COMMITTEE. XXXVll 



" 2. Whether any, and what steps should be taken for arranging, tabula- 

 " ting, publishing, or otherwise maldng nse of such data, 



" 3. Whether it is desirable to continue Meteorological Observations at sea, 

 " and if so, to what extent, and in Avhat manner. 



" 4. Assuming that the system of Weather Telegraphy is to be continued, 

 " can the mode of carrying it on and publishing the results be improved ? 



" 5. What staff will be necessary for the above purposes ? " 



The authors of the lleport arrive at the following conclusions in respect 

 to the ocean statistics, weather telegraphy, foretelling weather, and obser- 

 vations affecting Avcather in the British Isles. 



" The collection of observations from the captains of ships is a function 

 " which can probably best be performed through the medium of such agencies 

 " as a Government OfRcc can command, and which was in fact well performed 

 " by the Meteorological Department before its attention was devoted to the 

 " practice of foretelling weather. We assume, therefore, that this function 

 " will remain with the Board of Trade. 



" The digesting and tabulating results of observations is, on the other hand, 

 " a function which requires a large knowledge of what the state of the science 

 " for the time being requires, as well as exact scientific method. 



" This function is one that has not been satisfactorily performed by the Me- 

 " teorological department. And we believe that it would be much better, as well 

 " as more economically performed, under the direction of a scientific body — 

 " such as a Committee of the Royal Society, or of the British Association, if 

 " furnished with the requisite fimds by the Government — than it will be if 

 " left to a Government Department. The establishment already existing at 

 " Kew might probably be easily developed, so as to carry into effect such a 

 " pirrpose. It would in that case become a meteorological centre, to which 

 " all observations of value (by British observers), whether made on land or 

 " at sea, and Avhether within the British Isles or not, would be sent for dis- 

 " cussion and reduction. We have, therefore in the following estimates, as- 

 " sumed that all meteorological observations made on land, Avliether at the 

 " stations recommended by the Royal Society, or at the lighthouses or coast 

 " guard stations, as well as aU observations at sea, shall be referred to and 

 " discussed imder the direction of such a scientific body as we have men- 

 " tioned ; and we have also assumed that the aid afforded by Government 

 " would be in the shape of an annual vote, so made as to leave the Royal 

 '•' Society, or other scientific body charged with the duty, perfectly free in 

 " their method and in their choice of labour, but upon the condition that an 

 " account shall be rendered to Parliament of the money spent, and of the re- 

 "sidts effected in each year." 



The Kew Committee have examined this Report, and, speaking in general 

 terms, they cordially acquiesce in the conclusions of its authors. They con- 

 sider the proposed arrangement to fall within the competence of the Kew 

 Observatory. 



In the last Kew Report it was stated that many experiments and observa- 

 tions of a nature to advance science are made by the Committee under the 

 sanction of the Association, the cost of each being defrayed by the pro- 

 moters. 



The Committee consider that the suggested observations contained in the 

 Government Report which has been referred to, would be merely an exten- 

 sion of the usual practice of the Obseiwatory ; but in consideration of the 

 magnitude of the work proposed, they suggest that the Council should bring 

 the subject before the General Committee, -with the view of the Kew Com- 



