xxvi Proceedings, fyc. 



[Translation.] 



"Batavia, 28th March, 1859. 



"Sir, 



"Through the many connections of our Society of Arts and 

 Sciences with like Institutions in foreign lands, our library has be- 

 come much enriched, but we find we have as yet no connection with 

 the British colonies of the Cape of Good Hope and Australia, and we 

 are consequently ignorant of what is taking place in the scientific 

 world there. It will require no demonstration to prove that a 

 friendly intercourse with the existing scientific institutions in those 

 lands would be highly desirable, and which could best be carried 

 out by each party forwarding to the other by the most convenient 

 opportunities the scientific papers published from time to time. On 

 these grounds we take the liberty of soliciting your influence and 

 mediation in establishing a relationship by means of which our ideas 

 as expressed above might be carried out in the way that you should 

 think most desirable. The importance of the subject submitted to 

 your consideration will, we trust, require no further proof. 



"Not doubting but that you will render us every assistance in this 

 matter, 



"We have the honor to remain, Sir, 

 " With great respect, 



(Signed) "I. Mitnnich, Director and Librarian." 

 [A true translation, 



Alex. Fraser, Esq., H.B.M. Consul.] 



The communications were referred to the Council. 



The Bev. Mr. Higginson inquired, " Whether anything had yet 

 been done by the Sewerage Committee 1" 



Dr. Becker, the mover and proposer of the Committee, stated that 

 owing to the absence of several members, he had not been able as 

 yet to summon the Committee together, but would do so at an early 

 date. 



The Secretary read a communication from the editor of " Peter- 

 mann's Geographical Journal," at Hamburg, desiring an interchange 

 of publications, and remarked that this Journal had been already 

 placed on the published list, and consequently entitled to receive 

 Transactions. 



W. Bryson, Esq., C.E., read a paper, entitled " Our Besources, and 

 their Development either in Peace or War," illustrated by speci- 

 mens of Victorian manufactures, &c. — [Vide "Transactions."] 



At the close of the paper, a lengthened discussion ensued, in 

 which the author, the Bev. Mr. Higginson, the Bev. Mr. Turner, Drs. 

 Mueller, Iffla, and Macadam, Lieut. Amsinck, A. K. Smith, Esq., and 

 others took part. 



