'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎23] (38/496)

XX111
From H. B. Riddell, Esq., inclosing a Hoondee for Rs. 15, his subscription to
the Society for the year 1847-48, and requesting that his name might be erased
from the list of subscribers.
From W. Henderson, Esq., dated 30th December 1847, requesting that his
name might be erased from the list of subscribers to the Society.
From Lieutenant Col. P. M. Melvill, Secretary to Government, Marine De
partment, No. 121 , dated 27th January 1848, intimating that, as the tenor of the
3rd para, of the Society’s letter No, 39, dated 22 nd December last, does not ac
cord with the report of the Government officers on Tidal and Meteorological Ob
servations &c., an explanation on the subject has been called for from the proper
quarter, and states that the resolution of Government to confide to the Geogra
phical Society the superintendence and printing of the Tidal Observations applies
to the future, not the past, and that as a suitable and convenient period for the
Society to commence operations, the 1st January 1848 should be fixed upon.
Further, that it is not the intention of Government to interfere with the publica
tion of the observations that have already been taken, and for the printing of
which instructions have been issued. The opinion of Government is also expressed
that it would be most convenient for all parties for the Geographical Society to
place itself in direct communication with the officer in charge of the Observatory,
and with Captain Haines at Aden, who would be instructed to attend to the wishes
of the Society in all matters relating to the observations.
From Lieut. Burke, Engineers, to Dr Buist, on the prevalence of Fibrous
Gypsum all along the Indus around Hydrabad, and of Gypseous Alabaster in
Nimaur. In Scinde, plaister-casting was perfectly understood, and resorted to
for the construction of ornamental ventilators, fan-lights, and window-frames. The
favourite forms were open trifoils and quatrefoils, such as are common in the
screens of Gothic Churches. They were often beautifully executed, and to be had
for extraordinarily low prices indeed. Gypsum was so plentiful that it was often
made use of for mortar or a whitewash.
The Meeting then adjourned till the 28th February, 1848.
A Special General Meeting of the Members of this Society took place in their
Rooms, Town Hall, on Saturday the 11 th March, at half-past three o’clock
p. m., in terms of the minute of the last Ordinary Quarterly Meeting held on the
3rd February, for the purpose of having laid before them the Report of the Sub-
Committee on the subject of Tidal and Meteorological Observations, &c. &c.—-
The Honorable J. P. Willoughby, Esq., Vice President, in the chair. Present i
The Hon’ble L. R. Reid, Esq. ; Captain H. B. Lynch, I. N. ; Commander C. W.
Montriou, I. N.; Revd. Geo. Pigott; Major J. Holland; Lieut. Col. N. Camp
bell ; Major G.LeGrand Jacob; Ali Mahomed Khan, Esq. ; and Geo. Buist, Esq,,
LL.D., Secretary.
The following Report was then laid before the Meeting, and directed to be
recorded as approved of•