2 PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 



In July, 1901, a meeting at Cape Town, called on the 

 initiative of Mr. T. Reunert, decided U{X)n an annual congress 

 of engineers. After further discussion, it was decided to enlarge 

 the scope and form an Association on the lines of the British 

 Association — i.e., that a congress should be held annually at 

 various centres, and that different sections should be formed to 

 cover the various branches of scientitic and technical knowledge. 



The movement met with immediate success. Office-bearers 

 were elected in January, 1902, and although it was found im- 

 possible, owing to the disturbed state of the country, to hold a 

 congress, there were 268 " foundation " members on the roll 

 at the end of the financial year in June. The rapid growth of 

 the membership and the extension of the Association's work led 

 to the office work being divided — ^that in connection with the 

 Transvaal, Orange Free State and Natal being directed from 

 Johannesburg, while to Capetown were allocated Cape Colony, 

 Rhodesia, and the rest of South Africa. To Mr. Reunert and 

 Dr. Gilchrist (our medallist of this year), who undertook the 

 pioneer work as honorary secretaries at these respective centres, 

 must be accorded the unstinted praise of our Association. 



The Association was fortunate in securing Sir David Gill. 

 H.M. Astronomer for the Cape, as its first President, and much 

 of the early success of the movement was undoubtedly due to his 

 sympathy and guidance. In his presidential address at the first 

 annual meeting at Cape Town in 1903, he made an earnest appeal 

 for the claims of science : " It is not onh' a source of intellectual 

 elevation and a high form of enjoyment to all who sufficiently 

 interest themselves in its pursuit, but it also lies at the foundation 

 of our civilisation and even of our existence." " And looking to 

 the future prospects of scientific progress in South Africa," he 

 continued, " I believe there is sound reason for the statement that 

 these prospects are very hopeful, and the present a particularly 

 suitable time for the inauguration of such an association as this." 



Sir David Gill has passed away ; but none of us who knew 

 him can ever forget the lovable personality, geniality and 

 thoroughly genuine character of this great man of science. His 

 contributions to human knowledge have been great indeed, and 

 some may think that this is the most fitting and only monument 

 which a great man need have. Yet I think that this Association 

 should perpetuate his memory by the erection of a permanent 

 and visible memorial. A proposal was made by the Witwaters- 

 rand Council members during this year that the Association 

 should undertake the collection of funds for this purpose. The 

 matter is temporarily in abeyance, but I hope that at -the annual 

 meeting of members the proposal will be adopted, and Sir David's 

 life's work suitably commemorated. 



At the first annual meeting 48 addresses and papers were 

 read, and the Cape Government of that day shewed its apprecia- 

 tion and sympathy with the movement by defraying the total 

 cost of printing the volume of proceedings. Would that the 



