A circular letter was sent out to all members of the Commission in December 1937, to which the majority have replied. While work is going on steadily in the Observatories where meridian observations are carried out, comparatively few catalogues have been published since 1935. In view of the very full report made three years ago it is only necessary to draw attention to the progress which has been made in the interval.

Since the last meeting of the Union, Sir Frank Dyson, who for forty years had devoted himself to the advancement of meridian astronomy, has resigned the position of president of the Commission. The Executive Committee have done me the honour of inviting me to fill the vacancy.I have sent a circular letter to all members of the Commission asking for a report on the meridian astronomy being carried on in the institutions with which they are connected, and for suggestions of subjects which might be discussed in Paris. In some countries, particularly Germany and U.S.S.R., there are a number of observatories carrying on meridian astronomy but not represented on the Commission, and I have asked the representatives of these countries to send me details of the work of the various institutions in their countries. The following report is largely based on the replies I have received.