THE AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9104, 12 July 1888, Page 6

THE AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.

The formation of this Association, which already gives promise of being a great success, was first suggested by Professor Liversidge, of the Sydney University, during the Exhibition in Sydney in 1879, but matters at that time not being considered quite ripe for it, the formation of the Association was again brought forward through the press in the year 1884. It was then suggested that, as it did not seem likely that the British Association would see their way to visit Australia during the centennial year, an Australasian Association should be formed, on the same lines as the British Association, in order to bring about a federation or union of the members of the various scientific societies throughout Australasia. It was also suggested that the first general meeting should be held in Sydney on the one hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the colony, as it was at that time thought there would be an International Exhibition in Sydney to celebrate that event. In furtherance of this object a preliminary meeting of delegates was held in Sydney in November, 1886, the project having met with the approbation and support of almost all the learned and scientific societies of Australasia. At this meeting the formation of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science was agreed to unanimously, the rules of the British Association being adopted until the first general meeting, which it was decided should be held in Sydney during the year 1888. In accordance with another resolution passed at the meeting of delegates, the election of officers for the year took place in March of the present year, Mr. H. C. Russell, 8.A., F.R.S., Government Astronomer, being elected president, Sir Edward Strickland, K.C.8., F.R.G.S., honorary treasurer, and Professor Liversidge, M.A., F.R.S., and Dr. George Bennett, F.L.S., hon. sees. The formation of the Council was afterwards proceeded with—each learned or scientific society electing one representative for every hundred of its members ; and the Chief Justice, Minister for Public Instruction, the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Sydney University, the Mayor of Sydney, and the presidents of the Royal Societies in other colonies, were elected vice-presidents for the year. The presidents of sections were then elected, the gentlemen chosen being all residents in other colonies than New South Wales ; whilst the secretaries of sections, as a matter of necessity, were elected from amongst residents in Sydney. The Association is, hence, thoroughly Australasian in its character, and the succeeding general meetings are to take place in turn in the capitals of the other colonies—the executive officers being elected year by year by the colony in which the meeting is held. The first general meeting is to be held at the Sydney University, the opening ceremony, at which His Excellency the Governor will be present, taking place on Tuesday evening, August 28th, when the presidential address will be delivered. On the following day the sectional meetings for the reading and discussion of papers will commence, and it is thought that the principal portion of the business will close with the end of the week. Up to the present time the titles of about 70 papers have been sent in by gentlemen of distinction in science, literature, and art, in the different colonies, and it seems probable that this number will be considerably increased before the meeting. It may, therefore, be anticipated that the character of the work done by the Association during the first year of its existence will be of a highly important and useful character. The more solid work of the meeting is to be lightened by excursions to various places of interest to geologists, botanists, and others; and efforts are being made to provide for the entertainment and comfort of visiting members, as far as possible, so that they may spend their time to the best advantage. The various steamship companies have arranged to carry members proceeding to Sydney to attend the meeting at a reduction of 20 per cent, on the ordinary rates, and it is hoped that liberal concessions will also bo granted in the railway fares. The rules, as already mentioned, are practically the same as those of the British Association, and all who join the Association before the first general meeting in August next become original members, without entrance fee, the subscription of £1 entitling members to receive the publications of the Association gratis.