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with very few exceptions, the more purely scientific periodicals are not consulted; for example, the four leading scientific journals dealing The Com- with entomology in Great Britain are never reviewed. mittee would confine itself to entomology, and could therefore treat the subject much more fully. Further, the injurious insects sent for identification furnish much information which would not ordinarily find its way into print; all such useful records would be included in the Committee's journal.

(c) The Institute does not attempt to deal with any matters other than those connected with agriculture; the Committee would include in their pub- lication a résumé of literature bearing not merely on agricultural entomology but also on medical and veterinary entomology. But even where the two publications deal with the same matter, the one would no doubt supplement the other as in the case of the Zoological Record and the corresponding German publication.

(d) The publication of the Institute is not in the hands of the majority of entomologists; the Committee, on the other hand, is already in touch with a large number of entomological experts, and its publications, being concerned purely with entomology, would quickly find its way to all those who are interested in the subject.

(e) Finally, the Committee contemplate the compilation of a comprehensive card-index to the literature, which would eventually enable them to supply, with a minimum of labour, a full statement of, or references to, all the information that has been published concerning any particular insect pest.

Reverting to the main question, Mr. Read said that he thought a start ought to be made as soon as possible to prevent any lukewarmness in those Colonies which had already signified their agreement. He suggested that the matter should be taken up by Lord Cromer personally with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and with the Secretary of State for India-and that not only should the Canadian and Indian Governments be asked to contribute through these channels, but that the Chancellor of the Exchequer might be approached by the Secretary of State and Lord Cromer, as was done on a previous occasion by Lord Crewe and Lord Cromer, with a request that the Imperial Government should contribute at least £500 a year towards the scheme. With a guarantee of £500 the Committee would then be in a position to make an immediate start with the publication, the Australian and South African Governments having already guaranteed another £500. At the same time, he thought that Lord Cromer might use his influence to obtain favourable considera- tion for any proposals which the British Museum might after due consideration put forward as to an increase in the number of the attendants required in their Entomo- logical Department.

The Sub-Committee cordially agreed in the proposed line of action, but after some discussion it was decided that it would be reasonable to ask the Treasury to provide £1,000 instead of £500 from Imperial funds so as to allow for the inevitable growth of the work which the Committee was about to take in hand.

It was decided that letters for Lord Cromer's consideration should be drafted accordingly and submitted to the Sub-Committee at an early date for approval. In the meantime, no further steps should be taken, except that Mr. Marshall might inform Mr. North, who appeared to the Sub-Committee to be well suited for the post of Assistant to the Scientific Secretary, if the scheme comes into working, that his name had been submitted to the Committee and that his application would receive consideration.

3. A claim from Mr. J. J. Simpson for £12 4s. 10d., covering freight on baggage sent to West Africa, and other expenditure which he had incurred on behalf of the Committee, was passed.

4. A further application from Mr. Simpson that the allowance for outfit for his second tour might be increased from £30 to £60 was approved.

16630

ŞIR,

39

No. 35.

NEWFOUNDLAND.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(No. 37.)

(Received May 30, 1912.)

[Answered by No. 70.]

Government House, St. John's, 16th May, 1912. REFERRING to your despatch, No. 56, of the 26th March last,* in relation to the scheme for the more extended investigation of noxious insects which occur in different parts of the Empire, I have the honour to inform you that as this Govern- ment will not be represented at the Congress of Entomology to be held at Oxford in August next, it will not be convenient to send a representative to the Conference suggested by the Entomological Research Committee.

I have, &c.,

13184

No. 36.

WEST INDIES.

W. H. HORWOOD.

COLONIAL OFFICE to IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE WEST INDIES.

[Answered by No. 51.]

SIR,

Downing Street, 4 June, 1912. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to acknowledge the receipt of your letter S.S. 1056, of the 1th of April,† and to inform you that he has had under his consideration the question of adding an Assistant Entomologist to the staff of the Imperial Department of Agriculture.

2. He is quite satisfied that the appointment of an assistant should be made, if the necessary funds can be found. It is estimated that £400 per annum should cover the salary, travelling expenses &c. of an assistant, and it has been suggested by the Entomological Research Committee that the Treasury should be pressed to increase the grant for the Imperial Department of Agriculture by £200 on the under- standing that the remaining £200 will be found by you from savings on the vote for incidental expenses or any other vote that you prefer.

3. Mr. Harcourt is prepared to approach the Treasury on these lines, but before doing so he would be glad to learn definitely whether you can see your way to providing £200 per annum from your present grant as suggested above.

4. I am to add that if approval is obtained for the appointment of an Assistant Entomologist, it is proposed that he should be engaged in the first instance for three years and that the question of continuing the appointment should then be recon- sidered.

I am, &c.,

17451

No. 37.

H. J. READ,

for the Under-Secretary of State.

NEW ZEALAND.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 4.18 p.m., 6th June, 1912.).

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 42.]

My despatch of 25th April, No. 57. With regard to investigation of noxious insects, my Government, after reconsideration of the matter, have decided to parti-

• No. 17.

† No. 25.

‡ No. 31.