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and suggests that the Lighthouse Department is the only one that could efficiently keep such returns. But in regard to this Mr. Brunton said that he knew that the Mining Department kept Meteorological returns, and he believed the Engineering School in Yedo under the Kogakuriyo also kept them. On this point perhaps Mr. Ayrton, who is present and is engaged in this department, might be able to furnish us with some information.
In reply to questions from Sir H. S. Parkes, Mr. Brunton further stated that it would be desirable that the stations should be as widely spread over the country as possible, and suggested Yedo, Kobe and Nagasaki, as suitable places. The observations, which consisted merely of reading the instruments, were not difficult and could be taken by the Lightkeepers at present in the Lighthouse Department.
The Rev. E. W. Syle remarked on the desirability of harmonizing the efforts of scientific observers, especially at the present time when arrangements were not yet finally made in this country. He read a letter from Professor Abbe of Washington, which laid stress on the great advantage of making observations according to the synchronous plan of the Vienna Conference; and which also pointed out the value of the results of these observations to commerce, agriculture, and fishing.
Professor W. E. Ayrton, in reference to Mr. Brunton’s allusion to the Kogakuriyo, said he did not know how far the Japanese Government had decided as to which of the Departments should undertake meteorological observations. As far as he had been able to learn the present feeling seemed to be that purely astronomical observations were to be left to the Naval Department, while the Engineering College was to undertake those of a meteorological character. He agreed with the Rev. Mr. Syle in thinking that the present time would be most opportune for reference to be made to the Government, since the style in which the Kogakuriyo buildings will be finished would necessarily depend on the object for which that part was intended to be employed; so that this fact, combined with the generous offer that had lately been made by General Meyer, might induce the Minister of Public Works, on a representation being made to him by the President and Vice President of the Society, to consider now which branch of that Department should co-operate in that International system of Meteorological observations which had already been of such importance to the people of the United States, and which would probably be of equal importance to the people of Japan. Mr. Ayrton would, however, take the liberty of suggesting that too much weight should not be laid on the observations required by the Washington Signal Board being purely mechanical, since, although in such cases a great deal could be done by a well regulated mechanical mind, a great deal more could be achieved by men whose minds shewed an aptitude for original scientific research. Such men, his experience has shewn him, were to be found among the Japanese.
