242 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 
‘The purpose of the deputation was to invite the Government to give 
favourable consideration to the institution of a complete and systematic 
survey of the water resources of the country, a subject on which a Committee 
of the British Association has recently published a report. 
‘ The deputation suggested that the existing records both of surface water, 
including river run-off, and of underground supplies were very incomplete. 
They urged that systematic records comparable with those of rainfall were 
much to be desired, and that a national survey was necessary in order to 
obtain statistics of this nature. 
‘Sir Hilton Young, in reply, thanked the British Association and the 
Institution of Civil Engineers for the consideration which had been given 
to the matter and for the suggestions which had been made, and said that 
these suggestions would receive the most careful consideration of the Govern- 
ment. Sources of information were available through the Ministry of 
Health, the Geological Survey, and the Catchment Boards. It was for 
consideration whether the progress which was to be desired in the collection 
of statistics could not best be achieved by improving the existing means of 
gauging the flow of rivers and by improvements in the method of collecting 
and presenting returns.’ 
The joint sub-Committee await with interest the result of the Govern- 
ment’s careful consideration of the matter. 
Tue Rr. Hon. J. Ramsay Macponatp, P.C., M.P., F.R.S. 
Prime Minister, 
10 Downing Street, S.W. 1. June 23, 1934. 
‘Str,—We beg leave to submit herewith a memorandum on the subject 
of an Inland Water Survey, which is the outcome of the work of Committees 
of the British Association and the Institution of Civil Engineers during the 
past two years. In the belief that this is a matter of national urgency, we 
venture to ask whether you would be so good as to receive us and some of 
our colleagues as a deputation to discuss the matter further. 
We are, Sir, 
Your Obedient Servants, 
J. H. JEANs, 
President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. 
HENRY MAyBury, 
President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. 
To THE Ricnt Hon. J. Ramsay Macpona.p, P.C., M.P., F.R.S., 
Prime Minister. 
Memorandum on Inland Water Survey. 
Si1r,—The situation created by the present unprecedented shortage of 
water in the country and the emergency measures which have had to be 
taken in consequence impels us to lay before you a cognate matter of no less 
vital importance which has been a source of concern for many years past to 
responsible officials and those engaged in connection with water undertak- 
