Description | The President and Council have received a letter from Stanely Gardiner of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, of which a copy is enclosed [not enclosed]. Gardiner desires to carry out an investigation, largely biological, of the region lying between South India and Madagascar, and appears to the Society for assistance. The President and Council have satisfied themselves of Gardiner's qualifications, and think his services might be used for an oceanographic survey of the region. Briefly discusses the work of the 'Challenger' expedition and previous work undertaken by the Indian Government in surveying and exploration. The remembrance of this encourages the President and Council to hope that the Indian Government might favourably consider Gardiner's proposal.
Discusses the area which especially calls for investigation; that between the equator and 20 degrees south latitude and the coast of Africa and the meridian of 75 degrees east longitude. If the Indian Government be disposed to entertain the proposal at all, either a limited area should be thoroughly investigated within the time suggested by Gardiner, or a more extended enquiry carried out. Notes the cost of the 'Challenger' expedition was largely increased by the decision of His Majesty's Government to undertake all the expenses of the publication of the report of the expedition. The application in the present case is for assistance in carrying out the expedition and for that alone. |