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SECOND REPORT
OF THE
METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA:
BY G. KINGSTON, M. A., SUPERINTENDENT.

Presented—January, 1873.

The Honorable P. MITCHELL,
Minister of Marine and Fisheries.

SIR,—Before proceeding to give an account of the progress of the meteorological
system of the Dominion, during the past year, I shall offer a few remarks descriptive of the objects proposed by such a system, and of the organization needed to carry them into effect.

OBJECTS OF A METEOROLOGICAL SYSTEM.

1.—The collection of meteorological statistics, and their arrangement in form suitable for the discussion of various physical questions.

2.—The combination of the materials collected from numerous places in a series of years, and the deduction therefore of the climatic character of each district and locality, and the laws of geographical distribution.

3.—The prognostication of weather.

AGENCIES NEEDED FOR CARRYING THESE OBJECTS INTO EFFECT.

I.—A central meteorological office, with a normal Observatory attached to it.

II.—A large number of ordinary meteorological stations, from which reports are
sent by mail to the central office for compilation.

III.—A few well-equipped stations, to which the name of chief stations has been
given, where the observations may be sufficiently frequent, continuous, and prolonged, to furnish data for the compilation of the constants which are needed for reducing the observations made at ordinary stations within their respective districts.

II. and III. are required for the collection and discussion of meteorological statistics. For the purpose of making and published weather prognostications, the two following agencies are needed.

IV.—Several observing and reporting telegraph stations, from which reports are
made by telegraph to the central office.

V.—A much larger number of receiving and publishing telegraph stations, to which the facts or opinions founded on the facts, collected by telegraph at the central office, are sent by telegraph, and there communicated to the neighborhood by written notices or by signals.

ON THE DUTIES AND MODE OF MAINTAINING THE AGENCIES NAMED ABOVE.

CENTAL METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE.

The functions of this office are as follows:—

1.—To select all stations and observers that receive pecuniary aid from the Dominion Government.

2.—To exercise, by visitation and correspondence, a general supervisor over all
subsidized stations, as well as over all private observers who may voluntarily place themselves in correspondence with the centre.

3.—To regulate the methods and times of observation; to keep the stations supplied with forms for registration; and to aid all observers in the selection of their instruments.