This letter was about the retirement of C. M. Smith as a special temporary officer in this observatory on the afternoon of the 31st March 1911.

The letter was written by John Stanley Plaskett, Director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory to Thomas Royds, Director, Kodaikanal Observatory. It deals with John Evershed's retirement from the Indian Service, his resignation as director of the Kodaikanal Observatory, and the forwarding of the entire collection of publications from this observatory that are meant for the library of the Kodaikanal Observatory.