14 prp:.sident s address. 



obtained in larger quantities than radium, and are much cheaper. 

 It may be of interest to learn that quite a number of radio-active 

 minerals occur in South Africa, viz.: — Monazite from Embabaan 

 in Swaziland, fergusonite and aeschynite from the same locality, 

 monazite from Houtenbek in the Transvaal, and orthite from 

 Little Namaqualand. The radio-activity of all these minerals 

 is, however, not due to the presence of radium, but to the pre- 

 sence of thorium, mesothorium and radiothorium, which could 

 be prepared from these minerals. 



Here in Rhodesia many minerals occur, and are even 

 worked, which, according to the paragenisis of minerals, are 

 associated with the thorium and uranium containing minerals. 

 There is at present a considerable amount of chrome iron ore. 

 of wolframite and scheelite, exported from Rhodesia, minerals 

 which are met with in Europe and in the Ural Mountains in the 

 same formation as the uranium and thorium minerals. 



I shall not Ije surprised if Rhodesia will also be before long 

 a producer of radio-active minerals. 



Whatever the constitution and scope of work of the New 

 Teaching University of South Africa will be. I trust that ample 

 provision will be made, for research in mineral chemistry, which 

 has hitherto received only little attention in South Africa. I 

 feel confident that research in mineral chemistry in South Africa 

 will reveal anrl bring to light facts of great scientific interest and 

 of practical and economic value. 



There is something fascinating in research of this kind, by 

 which new facts and new truths are brought to light. And 

 those who have ever discovered a new truth by striving after 

 truth will have undoubtedly had the reward which is expressed 

 in the words of Frederick the Great : — 



•' Das lebhafteste Vergniigen, das ein verniinftiger Mensch in der Welt haben 

 kann, ist, neue Wahrheiten zu entdecken ; das nachste nach diesem ist, alte 

 Vorutheile los zu werden-"' 



(The greatest and noblest pleasure which men can have in 

 this world is to discover new truths ; and the next following this 

 is to shake ofif old prejudices.) 



