682 Transactions. — Chemistry and Physics. 



amusements and recreations — such as the theatre, concerts, 

 &c. — would suffer to a considerable extent, as outdoor pursuits 

 would be available to all. A reaction in favour of indoor 

 amusements would, however, inevitably take place during the 

 other seven months of the year, which would very possibly 

 make up for the falling-off during the summer. 



I am convinced that all those who believe an abund- 

 ance of outdoor recreation is the most effective means of 

 securing human health and happiness should support this 

 scheme, as by means of it the average worker in summer would 

 enjoy from four to five hours' fresh air and sunshine after his 

 day's work was done. By it all outdoor sports and pastimes 

 would receive a great impetus — the man of business, for in- 

 stance, who leaves his work at 5 o'clock would in midsummer 

 have five hours of continuous daylight available, during which 

 he would be at liberty to follow any of the numerous outdoor 

 pursuits, which are so essential to the health and happiness of 

 those whose bread- winning occupation obliges them to remain 

 indoors during the major part of the day. 



The school-children, again, would benefit in a similar man- 

 ner ; but it would be essential to fix the times for examinations 

 in the winter — that is, of course, assuming that examinations 

 and the accompanying " cram " must always exist in our edu- 

 cational institutions. Indeed, even under the existing time 

 system, it has always appeared incredible to me that the 

 schools should have fixed the time for the examinations in the 

 middle of summer, thus compelling the students to work at 

 high pressure and remain indoors during the very season when 

 the beauties of nature are at their best, and when it would be 

 most conducive to the physical well-being and happiness of 

 the children to be out in the fresh air. 



Another alteration, which would be very beneficial to a 

 numerous class, would be to change the balancing time in 

 many financial institutions in the Southern Hemisphere from 

 the 31st December to the 30th June. The clerical labour 

 necessary at the close of the year in these institutions is 

 generally very great, and those employed frequently have 

 to work long hours for a considerable time. This overtime, 

 taking place during the long evenings of summer, is a much 

 greater hardship than it would be in midwinter, and it 

 would appear that the custom of balancing, &c., in December 

 has been brought from the Northern Hemisphere, where it is 

 suitable, into the Southern Hemisphere, where it is unsuit- 

 able. 



These two latter suggestions might, of course, be carried 

 out quite independently of my system of time-adjustment, 

 but, in the event of the season time ever being adopted, they 

 would probably follow as necessary consequences. 



