SCIENCE CONGRESS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 18, 22 January 1913, Page 8

SCIENCE CONGRESS

PROFESSOR KIRK'S IMPRESSIONS. Professors H. B. Kirk and T. H. Laby, of Victoria College, returned today by the Ulim&roa from a visit to Australia, where they have been attending the sessions of the Australasian Science Congress at Melbourne. In th© course Of conversation with a Post reporter, Professor , Kirk said that the Congress just over was recognised as the best and most representative ever held in Australia. All' the States of the Commonwealth and New Zealand w©r© represented. The total record attendance of members at the meetings of the association was over six hundred. The professor gave tin interesting summary of the valuable work done, the gist of which has already been published in the cabled reports. One remarkable paper from a scientific point of view was that of Mr. Howchin, Government Geologist ,of South Australia, who dealt with th© early geological history of Australia. An exceedingly interesting address vtaa that of Professor Lyall on "The Theory of Wireless" Telegraphy, '" which enunciated a new theory of the workihg of the mechanism of wireless telegraphy. As president of the biological' section ifc devolved on Professor Kirk himself to give the opening address. This was devoted to a consideration of "Problems of Heredity." The theory sought to be maintained was that acquired characteristics, if suddenly acquired, are not certainly proved to be inheritable, but characteristics appearing suddenly arise in the germ plasm itself and not in the body. Small individual variations become inheritable after a number of generations, Evidence in support of the theory was given from experimental work done in America and France. In the physics section notable ■ work was done by BurbHge, a New Zealand student, on "The Nature of Gamma Rays."

' Court Sir William Jervois, A.0.F., held its fortnightly meeting in St. Thomases School, Newtown, last night, C.R. Bro'. H. Parker presiding. Two members were added to the roll. The secretary reminded the members of the card and bobs tourney to take place on Monday next, at St.' Peter 'a School, Ghuznee-street, when as many members as can attend are requested to do so. P.C..R. Bro.- J. J. Marshall was presented with a certificate and neck-ribbon for* past service*. After the business was concluded the court played a bobs tourney" against the Coronation Lodtte of Druids/ tie .court winning.