206 Memo, on the subject of Bain Qaiiges. [no. 2, new series^ 
comparison of their respective indications made. This could most 
conveniently be done at the Honorable Company's Observatory, 
there being no such thing as a standard Rain Gauge in the Mint. 
[Apreeably to Colonel Smith's recommendation, 6 Ruin Gauges answering to 
Mr. Bayley's desciiption were ordered to be made up and tested at the Honora- 
ble Company's Observatory. '1 ho following is an extract of a letter from Major 
WoRSTER, the Honorable Company's Astronomer with reference thereto.] 
Several of these Gauges, &c. have already been tried with the 
standard Gauge of this Observatory, and as there can be no doubt 
whatever of the accuracy of the result if the rim is truly formed to 
the given diameter, it would appear to be an unnecessary loss of 
time in detaining the Gauges here when'-they could be more usefully 
employed in the interior. < 
Tin plate however can scarcely be formed on a mould to a truly 
cylindrical shape, and it would be far better to form the rims of 
brass and turned to the given dimensions, the tin funnels being 
subsequently soldered on to complete the Gauges. The expense 
of these rings would be but trifling. 
^^^0 ?'^'"4-6% "^^^ Gauges (with their measures) have 
So' 3 4-683 ^^^^ prepared, the diameters of which are noted in 
No! 4 4-690 .1 maro-in 
No. 5 4-692 ^"-^ margin. 
No. 6 4 691 
[In order to judge of the advisability of substituting the improved Gauge for 
the less convenient pattern in use, letters on the subject were addressed to the differ- 
ent Collectors inviting their opinions thereupon. Colonel Faber, the Chief Engi- 
neer, upon the receipt of their replies, submitted to Government a concise narra- 
tive of the whole project, of which the following is an extract.] 
The Collector of Malabar states that the jars used for receiving 
the rain water are glazed so that they are not open to the objection 
of being porous but that he wishes to have one of the new pattern 
for trial. 
The Collector of Canara states that the new pattern will not 
answer on the Western Coast as 9 inches of rain have fallen in 24 
hours at Mangalore. 
The Collector of Nellore has written two letters on the subject ; 
in the first dated 29th April 1856 he states that the Talook Officers 
are quite familiar with the pattern now in use, that the method of 
taking and registering the measurements causes no confusion of 
