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In geodesy a long and valuable discussion took place on the figure of the earth, a subject closely concerned with the survey and representation of large areas. Another on the measurement of gravity at sea also aroused much interest. The section also expressed the hope that the measurement of an arc of meridian from the Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean should be undertaken, and appointed a committee to consider the matter ; it also urged the importance of geodetic measurements being undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere, and suggested that the Australian Continent was especially suitable for these. In seismology among the reports received was one of special interest from Japan, which dealt with the recent great earthquake. The section devoted much time to the consideration of the record and study of earthquakes, and decided the seismological summary now being produced at Oxford should be continued, as well as the memoires which are being issued by the bureau at Strasbourg, so as to provide regular and prompt publication and discussion of earthquake data. In meteorology arrangements were made for an extended and intensive study of the upper air and the regions of it which are beyond the reach of ballons sondes. Among other subjects of importance, research in solar radiation is also to be undertaken. The section of terrestrial magnetism devoted much time to the discussion of magnetic records and their interpretation, and to the intercomparison of instruments. Proposals for the extension of magnetic surveys in several areas were strongly urged by the representatives present. In the section oceanography, where Professor Odon de Buen was elected President in the place of the late Prince of Monaco, much work was done on subjects related to the great oceans, and, in conjunction with the sections of geodesy and meteorology, on tidal phenomena and the meteorology of ocean areas. Acoustical sounding methods were also discussed. Arrangements were planned to co-ordinate the work of the section with that of the International Association for the Investigation of the Sea which has its headquarters at Copenhagen and to avoid overlapping. In volcanologv the establishment of its bureau at Naples was approved, and the publication of a quarterly bulletin for the subject was agreed upon. The new section of hydrology, which is specially concerned with the investigation of water-flow, the measurement of river-discharge, and allied problems, had before it a valuable report on the gauging of the Nile, while others on the methods and apparatus in use in various countries were discussed. It was decided to form a subsection to deal with the allied phenomena of glaciers. The invitation of the Czecho-Slovakian Republic to hold the Third Conference of the Union at Prague in September, 1927, was accepted.

No. 32. New Zealand, Dominions No. 525. My Lord, — Downing Street, 6th November, 1924. With reference to my despatch, Dominions No. 486, of the 7th October, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency, for the information of your Ministers, copies of an extract from the London Gazette of the 31st October containing a notice regarding the constitution of the Irish Boundary Commission. I have, &c., J. H. THOMAS. Governor-General His Excellency the Right Hon. Viscount Jellicoe, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Irish Boundary Commission. 10 Downing Street, 31st October, 1924. Consequent upon the passing into law of the Treaty (Confirmation of Supplemental Agreement) Act, to which the King's assent was signified by the Governor-General of the Irish Free State on the 25th October, His Majesty's Government have, in virtue of the Irish Free State (Confirmation of Agreement) Act, 1924, appointed Joseph R. Fisher, Esq., to be the Commissioner deemed to be a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Northern Ireland for the purposes of Article XII of the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Great Britain and Ireland signed on the 6th December, 1921. The Commission contemplated by that article is accordingly constituted as follows : The Honourable Mr. Justice Feetham, C.M.G. (Chairman), Professor Eoin McNeill, Joseph R. Fisher, Esq.

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