4 PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



considerations had as little as possible to do with the exclusion of 

 otherwise desirable candidates for membership. The amount 

 annually exacted from effective members of the Society compares 

 more than favoui'alily with that due by members of other 

 Australasian Societies of the same standing. The volumes of the 

 Proceedings too are larger, and the printing and illustrations 

 [ii^oportionally more costly than was the case in earlier years. 



A year ago I was able to announce the appointment of Mr. R. 

 Greig Smith, M.Sc, Lectui'er in Agricultural Chemistry at the 

 Durham College of Science, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to be the first 

 Macleay Bacteriologist. Mr. Smith arrived from England in 

 September last and at once entered upon his duties. The first 

 matter for consideration was the transformation of a large empt}'^ 

 room into a laboratory as well fitted up and equipped for research 

 as the resources at the disposal of the Council would permit. By 

 November sufficient progress had been made to enable the Council 

 to consider the plans and a scheme of expenditure submitted by 

 the advisory sub-committee in conjunction with Mi\ Smith, involv- 

 ing an outlay of about £660. A tender for tiling the floor was 

 accepted, and a little later a second for the supply and fixing of 

 the necessary fittings. I regret to say that through a disastrous 

 accident to the kiln in which the tiles were being burnt, the first 

 of these has not yet l^een carried out, but we have a promise that 

 any further delay will not exceed three weeks. The second con- 

 tract was finished within the time specified in Februai-y last, at 

 a cost of £164 lis. This provides for the whole of the fittings 

 and the fixing thereof, including cupboards, l^enches, tables, 

 shelves, photographic room, the laying on of gas and water, hoods 

 for carrying off heated air, and Venetian shutters or blinds to the 

 windows. You will have the opportunity this evening of seeing 

 for yourselves what has so far been accomplished in this direction. 



As regai'ds equipment, progress may be reported as follows : — 

 Mr. Smith was authorised before his departure from London to 

 select and bring with him apparatus and chemicals either of a 

 special character or as necessaj^y for an interim equipment, to the 

 extent of £70. Since his arrival two orders have been sent to 



