280 Proceedings, &c., for 1886. 



Eecommendations fkom the Antarctic Committee 

 appointed by the royal society of victoria and 

 THE Royal Geographical Society of Australia 

 (Victorian Branch), to the Honourable the 

 Premier : — 



1. The Antarctic Committee begs respectfully to recom- 

 mend to the Honourable the Premier the propriety of 

 stimulating Antarctic research by the offer of bonuses. 



2. That a sum of £10,000 be placed upon the Estimates, 

 to provide for the amount of the bonuses, and for the 

 expenses of the equipment and of the staff. 



8. The amount of the bonuses to be paid to the ship- 

 owners for the hereinafter mentioned services is to be 

 decided by tender, and the same, together with the cost of 

 equipment and the staff, not to exceed the sum of £10,000. 



4. That the Government invite tenders from shipowners 

 willing to perform the services required. 



5. That the tenders be sent to the Treasury direct, or 

 through the Agent- General, not later than the 1st June. 



6. That tenderers must provide two fortified steam 

 ships, each of not less than 175 tons register, 60 horse-power 

 nominal, and Al at Lloyd's, or of an equivalent class. 



7. That tenderers must supply full descriptions of the 

 ships and their equipments. 



8. That the master and chief mate of both ships shall 

 have held similar positions in Arctic steamships. 



9. That the tenderer shall provide, free of charge, cabin 

 accommodation in each ship for two gentlemen, who will 

 sail as the scientific staff; also a separate cabin, of a size to 

 be specified, as instrument room and office. 



10. The scientific staff will have the status of cabin pas- 

 sengers, and be subordinate to the master, but the master 

 must afford them every facility, that does not interfere 

 with the work or safety of the ship, for noting natural 

 phenomena. 



11. The chartered ships will earn a special bonus (to come 

 out of the £10,000 appropriated) upon their enteriug at the 

 Custom House a cargo of 100 tons of oil, being the produce 

 of fish caught south of 60 degs. S. The special bonus to be 

 paid as follows, viz.: — To ships owned and registered in 

 Australia, £1000 ; to ships owned and registered elsewhere, 

 £800. 



