Hi HE PORT — 1873. 



Venus, and that a phofcoheliograph and other instruments are now in course 

 of preparation for this object. 



" With reference to the continuation of future solar observations in India, 

 I am to add that there is a Government Astronomer in the Madras Presi- 

 dency, and a Superintendent of the Colaba Observatory in the Bombay 

 Presidency, besides Officers employed in the Survey Department in Bengal 

 and the North-western Provinces, all of whom are engaged from time to time 

 in recording observations of this nature. 



" I am, Sir, 



" Your obedient Sei-vant, 

 (Signed) " Heksian Mekivalk." 

 " William B. Carpenter, Esq., 

 British Association, 



22 Albemarle Street, W." 



" India Office, 

 February 28th, 1873. 



" Sib, — "With reference to my letter of the 13th of December last, relative 

 to an observation in India of the Transit of the planet Venus in December 

 1874, 1 am directed to state, for the information of the Council of the British 

 Association for the Advancement of Science, that the Secretary of State for 

 India in Council, having reconsidered this matter, and looking to the number 

 of existing burdens on the revenues of India, and to the fact that the selection 

 of any station in that country was not originally contemplated for 'eye- 

 observations ' of the transit, has determined to sanction only the expendi- 

 ture (=£356 7s. del.) necessary for the purchase and packing of a Photo- 

 heliograph, and any further outlay that may be requisite for the adaptation 

 of such instruments as may be now in India available for the pui'pose of the 

 proposed observation. 



" The Duke of Argyll in Council has been led to sanction thus much of 

 the scheme proposed by Lieut.-Colonel Tennant, in consequence of the recom- 

 mendation submitted by the Astronomer lloyal in favour of the use of pho- 

 tography for an observation of the transit at some place in Northern India. 



" I am. Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 

 (Signed) " Herman Merivaee." 

 " William B. Carpenter, Esq., 

 British Association" 



The General Committee will recollect that a Committee was appointed at 

 Exeter in 1869, on the Laws Regulating the Flow and Action of Water 

 holding Solid Matter in Suspension, consisting of Mr. J. Hawksley, Professor 

 Eankine, Mr. II. A. Grantham, Sir A. S. Waugh, and Mr. T. Login, with 

 authority to represent to the Government the desirability of undertaking- 

 experiments bearing on the subject. The Committee presented a Memorial 

 to the Indian Government, who have recently intimated their intention of 

 advancing a sum of £2000 to enable Mr. Login to carry on experiments. 



The Council regret to have to announce the death of their Clerk, Mr. 

 Askham, who was always most assiduous in his attention to his duties. 

 They have appointed Mr. H. C. Stewardson in his place. 



They recommend that a gratuity of .£50 be given to Mr. Askham's 

 Widow. 



