SUPPLEMENTARY PAPERS. 71 



122, and 124).* My own colleagues from Great Britain were not in 

 accord with these views. 



When the question of Universal Time was discussed, the Confer- 

 ence showed great unanimity with regard to its adoption for all pur- 

 poses for which it may be found convenient. The principle was 

 confirmed by the fourth resolution, and the division shows that while 

 twenty-three nations voted in its favour, through their representatives, 

 not a single delegate voted against the resolution. 



The Universal Day is to be the mean Solar Day, commencing at 

 the moment of mean mid-night of the Prime Meridian. The hours 

 to be counted in one series up to twenty-four. Twelve o'clock of the 

 new time will take place at the moment of mean noon at Greenwich, 

 and the hours of the second half of the day will range from thirteen 

 to twenty-four. 



The resolution adopting the Prime Meridian having been carried* 

 the establishment of a system of Universal Time became possible. I 

 felt it my duty to submit the opinion I held on the question at some 

 length (pp. 117, 125, and 181). t I endeavoured to point out that the 

 condition of the age demanded a system of computing time which 

 should have in view : 



1. To secure chronological accuracy in dates common to the whole 

 world. 



1. To obtain a Standard of Time measurement, on a basis accepted 

 by all nations, by which everywhere synchronously the same instant 

 may be observed. 



3. To establish a sound rational system of reckoning Time, which 

 may eventually be adopted for civil purposes everywhere, and thus 

 secure viniformity throughout the globe, with the greatest possible 

 accuracy. 



I ventured to submit to the Conference a series of recommendations 

 designed to meet these ends. They embraced a scheme of Universal 

 Time which, in its essential features, had for some years been under 

 consideration by scientific bodies. 



The Conference did not consider it necessary to decide upon 

 details. 



The resolutions passed are to the following effect, viz. : — 



1. The advantages of Universal Time are recognized. 



2. The Universal Day is defined. 



3. While the Meridian of Greenwich is chosen as the Prime Meri- 

 dian and the zero of longitude, the anti-Prime Meridian becomes the 

 zero of Time. 



4. The hours of the Universal Day are to be counted in one series 

 from zero up to twenty-four. 



* Appended, page 77. t Appended, page 77 to 82. 



