PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 7 



standing in the community in those days, not particularly identi- 

 fied with science, but who joined the Society in recognition of its 

 claims for support on the broad and general grounds of the 

 encouragement of science as an aid to the advancement of know- 

 ledge. This fact is a tribute to the personal influence exercised 

 by Sir William Macleay, and to the recognition of his capacity 

 and foresight; but it is also a tribute to the public spirit which 

 animated no inconsiderable section of the educated members of 

 the community at that period. 



Since that time Australia has developed considerably, popula- 

 tion has increased, scientific institutions of various kinds have 

 become more numerous and more effective, and men of science 

 have increased in numbers. There has been no falling off in the 

 scientific vitality of the Society, but, on the contrary, a satisfac- 

 tory growth and development in this direction. Nevertheless 

 the fact remains, that the List of Members lias not proportionally 

 increased as it might have been expected to do. And a falling 

 off is most noticeable in that particular section of the Members 

 which was numerically so strong at the beginning, namely, those 

 who, though not actively engaged in scientific work, were ready 

 to afford sympathetic support to a local participator in the general 

 warfare against ignorance; and ignorance, it is to be remembered, 

 is the ultimate drag upon the progress of the human race. 



Still, the Society's experiences in the respect mentioned seem 

 not to be altogether peculiar. Comparisons of last year's Lists 

 with those of previous years will show that every one of the 

 senior Scientific Societies of Australia can point to one or more 

 earlier periods of its history when its membership was larger 

 than it is at the present time. 



The Society's property has been improved by connection with 

 the low-level sewerage scheme, as contemplated in the Address 

 of last year; and also by new or renewed fencing to the extent 

 of half our boundary line, in consequence of the sale and occupa- 

 tion of the adjoining allotment of land which has been vacant 

 since it ceased to be portion of Sir William Macleay's garden. 

 The total cost of these improvements, including fittings, has been 

 £44 15s. lOd. 



