Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/3/12

States that the Court and Board have decided to give an additional Captain and Lieutenant to each Regiment in all three Presidencies. The Board would not consent to an expenditure of 6 lacs for additional machinery for the Calcutta Mint, they have only sanctioned the purchase of 350 tons of blanks. He agrees to the necessity of the Geological Survey being carried on systematically, and in the value of Professor Oldham's services, but it is useless to reopen the question of his salary increase. He is not hopeful of getting the proposed expense for the Museum of Geology carried through the Court and Board. The Queen of Oudh is creating a sensation at Southampton. The President wishes to keep the Oudh question out of Parliament, by inducing the Queen to return to India by making her a money concession, but the majority of the Board think this impolitic. His own view is that the Ministry have made the annexation of Oudh a Cabinet question; they should welcome public discussion. Explains why he supported the annexation. The Queen of Oudh is said to intend educating her grandson in England, so that he may be thought competent to rule his father's kingdom. This will look plausible in Parliament. Other native rulers have been pestering him with their grievances. A Despatch on the uniformity of weights and measures will shortly be sent. Suggests photographic records of thieves, and Government pensioners, who never seem to die. Recommends Lieutenant W F B Laurie, Madras Artillery, and encloses a letter from Laurie.