Polynesian., 1851-12-27

1
ledge we now possess of Atlantic storms has be-
come OF great practical use in navigation and the
unlimited extension of similar efforts to other seas
would trust be of benefit to mankind generally
have, &c.
(Signed.) VIM. REID.
Notification
Calcutta, Wednesday, September 11th, 1889.
The importance of investigating the course and
phenomena of storms has been brought to the no.
tlce Of Government by the Honorable Court of
Directors, and the Honorable the President in
Council Is In consequence desirous of obtaining
local registers of these phenomena, taken simulta-
neously at as many stations of India may be
found possible. The public officers of the differ
ent settlements and stations of India are accord
| Ingly invited and requested, upon the occurrence
OF any hurricane gale, or other storm of more vio-
lence than usual to note accurately the time of its
commencement, the direction from which the wind
first blows, whether in gusts or regular, and
whether accompanied with rain, thunder and light
ming, or other phenomena. Also to note, with as
much accuracy as possible, the changes of direc-
ton in the wind and the time of the occurrence of
each and, lastly, the duration of the gale and in
what quarter the wind is when it ceases. The
variations of the thermometer and barometer at
each period noticed will also be of importance, if
the means are forthcoming of making such obser-
vations
The President of the Council refrains from max
ing it the business of any particular officer to note
the above circumstances, but relies on the known
desire of all enlightened persons to promote objects
of scientific and useful inquiry that the public Off
GERS will arrange in such manner to ensure that
the observations will be taken by some one in the
vicinity of each station.
Reports upon matters of the description COM
pretended in this order may be forwarded to the
Secretary to Government in the General Depart
ment, free of postage (superscribed Storm Re-
port.")
A scientific gentleman in Calcutta has oblig-
ngy undertaken to combine all reports that may
be so received into synopsis for exhibition of the
results, in the manner adopted and recommended
by Colonel Reid, r. E.
BY order of the Honorable the President of the
Council of India in Council.
(Signed) HIT PRINSEP,
Secretary to the Government of India.
Enclosure 3.
Mr.. Abbott Laurence to Lieutenant Colonel
Reid.
Copy
Legation of the United States, London,
Sir, April IL, 1851.
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter yesterday, inclosing for Mr.. Redfeld
report from her Majesty Consul at St Michaes of
a storm in the Atlantic. shall have great plea
r.
through the Government at Washington, and
shall, in compliance with your suggestion, invite
its continued attention to this subject as am fully
sensible of the important results that may flow from
observations vigorously prosecuted with the extend
ed means the mercantile and naval marines and
the Consular force of Great Britain and the United
States afford. have, &c.
(signed.) ABBOTT LAWRENCE.
Enclosure A.
Circular to Governors of British Colonies
Sir, Downing-street, November %, 1898.
/ transmit to you a copy of work lately
published by Lieut. Col. Reid, of the Royal Engi-
neers, entitled "The Law of Storms" The object
of the work is to develop with view to practical
uses in navigation, the laws by which storms and
variable winds are governed. In order to make an
inquiry of this nature truly useful, it is essential
that the facts connected with such phenomena
should be collected and arranged over extended
surface, and that accurate records of them should
be kept by persons whose education and scientific
or professional ayocations enable them to estimate
the value of such records.
1t has been suggested to me, that such records
could be most easily obtained and the inquiries on
which Colonel Reid has entered be most advanta- |
geously followed up, by inviting the cooperation
of captains of ports, masters of lighthouses harbor
masters, and others, whose professional pursuits
naturally lead to the observation of atmospheric
phenomena. 6
perusal of the inclosed work will convince you |
of the interest and importance of this inquiry, and
feel assured that you will be anxious to do all
your power for its promotion.
/ would, therefore, request you to communicate |
with such officers private individuals IN the colo
ny under your government, as may appear to you /
best qualified to furnish information ON the subject
pointing out to them the service which they would
render to science, BY keeping journals ofsuch phe-