SIR w. i-. iii:i.\-nuTciiii\sox. 41 



■of closer union, these things could he better arranged." People differ 

 about what form closer union should take. Sonic differ, even, as to 

 whether it is possible at all ; but the conclusion is always the same. We 

 may saj- the same thing about scientific investigation. 1 do not say what 

 form closer union, as regards scientific investigation, should take. I will 

 not even commit myself to the statement that it is possible. But I think 

 you will all agree with me that, under some form of closer union amongst 

 scientific organisations, scientific enquiry in South Africa could undoubtedly 

 be carried on more economically and with less waste of effort, than is 

 possible under existing conditions. By promoting closer union and co- 

 ■operation in scientific matters, the Association will, to quote the words of 

 its own Constitution, " give a more systematic direction to scientific 

 enquiry," and will thus do much towards affording to scientific enquiry 

 in South Africa that " stronger impulse " which, by its Constitution, it 

 has imdertaken. and bound itself, to provide. 



Shortly after hi.s retirement, .Sir Walter was admitted to the 

 honour of Privy Councillor.sliip, in recognition of his eminent 

 services to the Empire, particularly while Governor of the Cape 

 Colony ; and, although it may be foreign to the scope of this 

 publication to refer to those services in detail, the eulogium 

 passed upon the departing Governor by the late Mr. Sauer, on 

 the occasion of his public farewell, may nevertheless be recalled. 

 " It was not possible," the late Minister of Justice remarked. " to 

 value too highly the strictly constitutional part which the 

 'Governor had played in this country." 



It may not be generally known that, during his occupation of 

 'Government House at Cape Town, Sir Walter went to consider- 

 able trouble in getting together as complete a series of portraits 

 in oils as could be secured, of all former Governors of the Cape 

 Colony, from the time of its first settlement. In order to fill up 

 the gaps in that series the services of artists here and in Europe 

 were requisitioned, and these were supplied with the most 

 authentic contemporary prints or other pictures that it was 

 possible to furnish for the execution of the commissions en- 

 trusted to them. The result was that a most interesting and 

 invaluable historical collection has been gained for the country. 



