AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 3 (Supplement)

AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.

A meeting-of tho local council of tho Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science was hold in the Town Hall on February 27. Bishop Ncvill presided, and tin? following gentleman wcro present: The Mayor (Mr J. A. Park), Drs Fulton, Closs, Evans, Marshall, Dean Fitclictt, Colonel Morris, Lieutenant-colonel Smith, Professor Park, Messrs J. C. Thomson. T. W. Whitson, G. C. Israel, John MacGregor, A. C. Kegg, C. D. R. Richardson, 1). R. White, W. A. Mooro, K. Molland, J. S. S. Coopor, Rev. James Gibb, and Mr G. M. Thomson (secretary). Apologies for abscnce wcro read from Messrs H. D. Bedford and J. F. Arnold, Xl.li.R.'s, Bishop Vcrdon, Professor Bonhain, Revs. W. llowitEiin, IJ.1 J . W. Fairclough, and Archdcacon Robinson, Dr Ogston, Messrs James Mills, A. Wilson, 11. Cliislwlm, I'. Goycn, Walter Carcw, A. S. I'atorson, and Keith ltainsay. Mr G. M. Thomson then proceeded to give a brief statement of. the position of tho association. Tho association was founded on tho lines of the British Association, and was practically brought into existence in 1888 by its present permanent secretary, l'rofcssor Liverscdge, of Sydney. Tho first meeting was held in Sydney in 1889, and t-lio following meeting in Melbourne in 1890. Tho third meeting was held in Chrilschurch in IE9I, and the next in Hobart in 1892, These meetings were all held early in January, but it was considered unsuitable, and the next was hold in August, 1894, in Adelaide. It was then found that an annual meeting was too great a strain on meinbirs, and it was a'solved to hold meetings ovc-ry two years. Tho next meeting was accordingly hold in Brisbauo in 1896, when the local institute was represented by Dr Belcher and Mr J. S. Turnbull. In 1898 the mooting was held in Sydney, and iu 1900 in Melbourne. Last January it was held in Hobart. The question ot holding tho next meeting in this colony came up at the Melbourne meeting iu 1000, .when tho discussion turned on whether it should be held in New Zealand or South Australia. He proposed Duncdin, but it was not agreed to, chiefly, ho thought, on the gro-ind t-lmt Sir James Hector had said it would bo inadvisable to hold it in tho colony. lie (Mr Thomson) therefore moved that the 1904 meeting should be held at Dunedin, and although Professor Tait- proposed Adelaide, New Zealand was carried by a large majority. Tho object of tho association was to bring together men who were interested in overy form of scientific work. The association would meet hc-re in the first week in January, and after hearing tho presidential address tho different sections would meet for work. Thero would also be a number of interesting littlo social functions. .List before tho Hobart meeting he had written to the Premier and obtained from him a promise, of some concessions for members travelling through tho colony. At tho beginning of last year he also obtained the right to frank letters, telegrams, etc. He li.ir been occupied all the year in obtaining officers for tho different sections and for mem'v-rs ti act on tho local council. He ,W. wm written to the' Premier and tolr! him -Mn history of tho work as far as it hid r/.nc. He pointed out that the Tasmania.:, i ment had given £300 to die and was printing the atmm/ vo.bii&Mir tlyj

transactions. lio also drew the Premier's attention to tho fnct Mint the Capo Government was going a v»ry much longer way by voting the smn of £7000 to bring the British Amociation to South Africa in 1905. He thought tho Premier would see his way to doing something handsome to tho association in the finance, and also asked to b:> put in communication with the Tourist Department. He- had received no reply to his letter. On January 29 be wrote again, and asked for £500, the sum which was given to the association when it met in Christelnircli in 1891. On February 20 lie sent a telegram asking for some definite information, hut he supposed the Premier was still travelling round recoiving purses.—(Laughter.) Tho Chairman: Perhaps lie will pass them on. The following committees were then appointed:—Printing and Publications Committee—Profossor Bantam, Dr Mare hall, Messrs A. Bathgate, A. Hamilton, John MacGrcgor, and Dean Fitchett. Social Committee—Dr Fulton, Messrs James" Alien, M.H.R., G. Roberts. J. -VI. Ritchie, T. K. Sidey, and tho Mayor. Entertainment aiul Excursions Committee— Messrs James Mills, C. P. M. Butterworth', T. \V. Whilfon, W. A. Moore, P. Sargood. A, Burt, Rev., James Gibb, and Dr Closs. It was decided that tho ojrasing meeting should take place cm January 6, ISOI. Mr G. M. Thomson reported that after consideration it had been decided that the most; suitable place to meet would bo in (ho Boys' High School, and it was agreed to make application to the Board of Governors for tho necessary permission. It was also suggested that tho Government should lw asked to place the Tutanekai and an oil launch at the disposal of tho members for the purpose of having <=,ii excursion to Stewart Island and tho Woat Coast Sounds. j It was also resolved—'" That this council respectfully requests the Premier to grant £500, and to aid the association in the printing of the annual volume." A deputation from tho council will wait on the Premier on his arrival in Dmicdin next week to uri*e cm him favourablo-consideration of t'lie request. The meeting then terminated.