'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎4] (19/496)

i{ 6. We need scarcely observe that in Statistical investigations, the most iigid
accuracy as to matters of fact is indispensable. Erroneous infomiation will be
worse than none, because it can but tend to mislead.
<( 7. There may be some subjects, especially those relating to physical science,
with which our servants generally may not be minutely acquainted, and no state
ment on these or any other matters of enquiry will be of any value, unless they be
both precise and accurate. Where the requisite measure of scientific knowledge is
not possessed by others, it may, perhaps, in many cases, be supplied by our Medical
Officers, and theiraid will, we doubt not, be cheerfully rendered whenever required.
“ 8 . In conclusion, we direct attention to the following general instructions :—
e( 9 . In all cases where practicable, reports should be the result of the personal
knowledge of the Officer reporting, and where such is the fact, it should be men**
tioned.
“ 10 . Where from any cause the personal knowledge of the Officer cannot be
extended to any object of enquiry, the authority on which the reported facts rest
must invariably be stated, either in the margin or in the body of the report.
“ 11 . When estimates only can be furnished, the grounds of each estimate
must be stated, and the reasons for adopting it.
“ 12 . Where information is orally given, it should be committed to writing at
the time,—in like manner personal observations should be recorded at the moment
of making them.
“ 13. In addition to the names by which places are known among Europeans,
it would be desirable that the original names should be given, both in the Devana-
gari* and Urdu character, according to the best authorities, especially local and
native.
“ 14. In regard to coins, weights and measures, care must be taken to preserve
uniformity as to valuation, comparison, and conversion, and to insure this, Prinsep’s
Useful Tables may be taken as a guide.
“15. Where any material variations exist in different parts of any country, or
divisions of a country, reported on, the nature and limits of such variations should
be precisely pointed out.
“ 16. It will be observed that the greater part of the instructions above are
designed to ensure accuracy, the importance of which we have already adverted
to. It is the more necessary to dwell upon this point, inasmuch as some previous
attempts to afford statistical information are unsatisfactory, because obviously
incorrect.
“ 17* Thus in a calculation t made of the population of the North Western
Provinces in 1826 (excluding the Ceded Districts on the Nerbudda, and those ceded
by the Pnjah of Herar,) founded on an actual enumeration of the villages in those
• * Prodamatio “ 3anastat « Advertisements in the Calcutta Gazette are usually printed
m tne Devanagari, as well as in the Urdu or Arabic character.
t Vide statements of the extent and population of British India, as officially returned by the
EaSt ^ COmPa 7 111 &rSt to the third Report from the
House of Commons 1831 - TPesc statements have been adopted by the
Hon ble Mr Elphmstone, Vide his History of India, Vol. 1, Page 5,