No. 44.— 1893,] 



PROCEEDINGS. 



3 



(3) The task before us of translating the remainder of the more 

 interesting portions of the Dutch Records is a formidable one, but 

 promises to be fruitful of most valuable results, in throwing much 

 light upon the history and administration during the Dutch occupation 

 from 1640 to 1795. 



(4) In view of the importance and urgency of the work of trans- 

 lating and publishing these records and thus making their contents 

 practically available, the Council trusts, that as the Estimates for 1893 

 are now under consideration, the present small vote of Rs. 200 for the 

 preservation and translation of Dutch Records may be increased. 



(5) Of the amount voted to the Museum under the sub-head in 

 1891, only Rs. 146 - 25 was spent, but this year nearly the whole vote 

 will be exhausted, and next year it is hoped that the work may be 

 energetically carried on, so that a larger sum than Rs. 200 can be 

 profitably employed upon it. 



I am, &c, 



H. C. P. Bell, 



To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Honorary Secretary. 



Colombo, December 13, 1892. 



Sir, — With reference to your letter No. 140 of the 10th ultimo, 

 relative to the vote of Rs. 200 for preservation and translation of 

 Dutch Records, I am directed to inform you that the money voted in 

 previous years is not available now. 



(2) I am to add that it was not intended to vote this amount 

 annually for the object in question, and as there appeared to be no 

 necessity for including this item in the estimates of expenditure for 

 next year, it was omitted. 



I am, &c, 

 H L. Crawford, 

 The Hon. Secretary, Ceylon Branch, for Colonial Secretary 

 Royal Asiatic Society. 



9. Laid on the table correspondence with the Archaeological Com- 

 missioner re the balance of the Excavation Fund. 



Resolved, — That the final decision of the question be deferred 

 pending reference to the Lord Bishop. 



* For correspondence see pp, 12 to 17. 



