(Copy, Enclosure.) Rules for filling up Paper relative to Lighthouses for Meteorological Stations. In column "Artisan within reach," if there be any : Suitable artisan, write.... If there be none, write... If the keeper be a mechanic, write.. .X. ..0. Keeper. In column "Telegraph," write X or 0, according as there is or is not a telegraph station near at hand. THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE AND FISHERIES TO MR. KINGSTON. OTTAWA, 5th December, 1870. SIR, I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 22nd ult., enclosing two sheets containing a list of lighthouses, and requesting certain information, in view of establishing meteorological stations at the lighthouses referred to. In reply, I am to inform you that I have written to the agents of the Department to supply the information, which is not already in possession of the Department, and as soon as this is received I will have the lists filled up and returned. SIR, In a letter which I had the honor of addressing to you on Oct. 13th, 1870, I gave a brief sketch of the organization which, in my opinion, should eventually be brought into operation for prosecuting climatological enquiries in Canada, and of the preliminary measures to be taken in view of the gradual development of the work. I also requested your sanction to the employment of some of the lighthouse keepers in taking simple meteorological observations in connection with a system, which, with some measure of success, I have been endeavoring to organize throughout the Dominion. I have now the honor to acquaint you that, in compliance with the suggestion which you were pleased to make, I have prepared a list of more than forty lighthouses, from which, with your permission, I propose to select from twenty to thirty as stations to which meteorological instruments may be furnished. In making the selections, I shall be guided by the suitability of the persons in charge and the facilities of communication, matters about which Mr. Smith is now kindly seeking for information. Although there will only be from twenty to thirty stations at which instruments will at first be needed, I think that all or nearly all the lighthouses might be had in requisition for keeping a record of the direction of the wind and its estimated force at certain hours, with miscellaneous notices of weather. In consequence of the infrequency of communication, these stations would of course be unavailable for storm warnings, but their contributions in conjunction with analogous data from other stations would be most valuable in studying storms a year or so after their occurrence, and of testing predictions founded on data from accessible stations, and I believe that if tabulated in a suitable manner, they would be much prized on both sides of the Atlantic. In the first year the only expense for the majority of stations would be the cost of about a quire of registered forms for each station, but I would endeavor to increase their efficiency by gradually introducing some inexpensive wind-gauges to supersede the method of judging the force by estimation. For the lighthouses turnished with instruments of any kind, I consider that the sum of $200 for the purchase of instruments would be sufficient for the first year, and it is probable that a smaller sum in each of the few subsequent years would suffice for their maintenance, and for the gradual extension which the future may show to be desirable. Thanking you for the encouragement which you have given to me in this matter, I (No. 6.-Copy.) I remain, &c.," (Signed,) G. T. KINGSTON," THE DEPUTY OF MINISTER OF MARINE AND FISHERIES TO PROFESSOR KINGSTON, TORONTO. OTTAWA, 24th March, 1871. SIR,-I beg to inform you that the sum of $5000 has been placed in the estimates for meteorological observations with a view of ultimately establishing storm-signals, and I have to request you to favor me with a report, for the information of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, giving an outline of the scheme you propose to put in operation; describing the objects you have in view, and stating the amount you propose to expend, and the manner in which you propose to expend it. I am, &c., (Signed,) (No. 7.-Copy.) PROFESSOR KINGSTON TO THE DEPUTY OF THE MINISTER OF MARINE AND FISHERIES. MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY, TORONTO, 31st March, 1871. SIR,-In reply to your letter of March 24th (received on the 29th), acquainting me that $5,000 had been placed in the estimates for meteorological observations, and requesting a statement, for the information of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, as to the scheme proposed, and the mode of expending the appropriation, I have the honor to enclose the accompanying memorandum. I have, &c., Signed,) G. T. KINGSTON. (Copy, Enclosure.) MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY, TORONTO, March 31st, 1871. Memorandum relative to a proposed Meteorological organization in British North America. General description of the objects proposed, and of the organization that will be eventually needed. I. To collect climatological statistics. Objects. 11. To give practical application to the principles founded on data so collected, and more particularly by giving notice by telegraph of actual and of expected weather. Agencies needed to effect the objects above named :— I. A meteorological office. II. A few chief stations in each Province. III. Several telegraph stations. IV. A large number of ordinary stations. The several agencies considered separately. I. Meteorological Office.-Its functions and financial support. Functions. To select and superintend formation of new stations. To select and distribute instruments and issue forms of registration. To exercise supervision over all stations by visitation and correspondence. To receive, scrutinize and compile returns, and issue such publications as may be advisable. Eventually to receive telegraphic messages, and to issue daily bulletins and special warnings of expected storms. Financial Support.-The whole cost of the central office to be borne by the Dominion. II. Chief Stations.-Their functions, number, and financial support. Functions. What I have named chief stations are those at which observations of all the elements are made day and night, for several years, at equal intervals not exceeding three hours, for the purpose of determining certain constant numbers which are needed for the reduction of observations made at other stations. The instruments should be of a first-class character, and eventually apparatus for photographic registration should be introduced. An essential feature also in chief stations is the length of their duration. This favors the selection of those places at which good observations have been carried on already continuously for several years, and also furnishes an argument for their permanence not being left wholly dependent on individual liberality. Their Number. There should be at least one in Nova Scotia, one in New Brunswick, two in Quebec, two in Ontario, one in Manitoba, and two in intervening regions. Financial Support.-When it is desired to plant a chief station in a remote region, where no suitable private observer resides, or where there is no institution that can be utilized for the purpose, it should be supported wholly by Dominion funds, but if in the locality fixed on there be a good private observer actually at work, or an institution sup ported by academic or provincial funds, and suitable for the purpose, and of which the officers manifest a sufficient interest in the object, the observations, or rather the additional observations, might be secured by a moderate subsidy. The subsidy would vary in amount according to circumstances, and need not be regarded in the light of a grant to the Institution as such, and as establishing a precedent for similar grants to similar institutions which do not perform or desire to perform the special duty, but simply as a payment or a partial payment for services rendered. III. Telegraph Stations.-For these stations, the nature of whose functions are expressed by their name, very expensive instruments are not required. The observations need not be so frequent as in the case of chief stations, and permanence is not so essential. Several railway operators are employed gratuitously in making observations in connection with Toronto, and it is probable that among these, and others in the same capacity, observers might be found who would be willing, when required, to keep up telegraphic correspondence with Toronto, on receiving a moderate gratuity, which would be derived of course from Dominion funds. |