Description | Foster is directed by the President and Council of the Royal Society to respond to the Under Secretary's letter of 20 November by asking, in reference to the proposed Rinderpest enquiry, that he assure Mr Chamberlain that while they appreciate his regrets concerning the Cape Government not adopting the Society's proposals, they are pleased that a man of Professor Koch's distinguished nature has agreed to undertake the enquiry suggested by the Society.
With regard to the Tsetse Fly investigation, the President and Council urge Chamberlain not to abandon what has been begun. Foster states that the research in London, under the Society's direction, on material from Zululand is of 'the most interesting and promising character', funded by the Government Grant as administered by the Society, and they will not relinquish these enquiries for as long as they remain promising.
Foster remarks, in reference to the most important part of the enquiry to be carried out by Surgeon Major Bruce, that in forming the estimate given in his letters of 6 and 26 August, the President and Council were not aware that a considerable amount of the £1300 already expended must be considered as Bruce's pay. The Society suggests to Chamberlain that he urge the War Office to allow Bruce leave from military duties on full pay. If this is done, the sums mentioned in the Under Secretary's letter would be sufficient to cover costs for some time to come. The matter can be reconsidered if encouraging results are obtained and further expenditure is required. He also reflects that they will defer sending an entomologist to assist Bruce until the work is further advanced, so the expense associated with this need not be considered, and would be in some way met by the Society in any case. |