| Description | Explains the background to the International Astrographic Chart - the idea of mapping the whole heavens by photography, whereby zones of the heavens were assigned to each observatory participating. Notes that in this country the Royal Observatory in Greenwich and the University Observatory in Oxford are taking part. Given the present financial condition of Oxford University, asks if His Majesty's Stationary Office could undertake the printing of the results from Oxford Observatory.
Notes that although the Royal Society is not connected to this enterprise, they must point out how important it is, and that other Governments have granted large subsidies for the work. Explains that the French Government have assigned each of their four French Observatories £35,000 for this job, whereas Oxford has completed the first stage of its work with £1000 from the Government Grant Fund.
Notes that as well as Oxford there are British observatories at the Cape of Good Hope, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, and that the Royal Society is in contact with the Government of Western Australia about the funding for these. |