OF THE 



OF 1 



|§ii®t| 



THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1896. 



The Vice-President (the Hod. Sir James Wilson Agnew, K.C.M.G. 

 M.D., M.F.C.), in the chair. 



The first monthly rasetiog of the Royal Society of Tasmania for the 

 1896 session was held in one of the art galleries of the Museum. 



The Vice-PRESiDENT (Sir James Agnew) expressed his pleasure at 

 seeing such a large attendance, and thought it augured well for the 

 support that would be given during the session. Like all other insti- 

 tutions, the Royal Society had suffered by the financial depression, 

 but which he hoped and believed was now passing away. He was, 

 at any rate, glad to say that some who had temporarily left the society 

 had resumed their allegiance, and it was hoped that, in addition, 

 a number of new recruits would be secured during the present session. 

 He felt that many more in the community might, and should, with 

 advantage, join the society. Much of the hesitation in doing so, 

 which unfortunately existed, was groundless. There seemed to be an 

 impresfcion abroad that only subjects in the more severe walks of science 

 were discussed ; but as all who belonged to the society could testify, 

 any subject appertaining to the good weal of the community was open 

 to consideration, and that fact should result in more support being 

 secured. For instance, that evening the first paper to be read would 

 have reference to the health of the community. It was a subject 

 that had been before them on more than one occasion, it being 

 regarded as one of the very first importance. If itj could be shown, 

 as he believed Mr. Johnston in his paper would do, that the health of 

 this metropolis and the salubrity of the colony generally was not to 

 be surpassed in the world, the establishing of the fact must prove one 

 of considerable importance financially and otherwise to the colony. 

 If that be so, if its great salubrity was so established, Hobart might be 

 chosen as the federal capital of the Australias. If the society, through 

 Mr. Johnston, as one of its members, spread the truth as to the 

 healthiness of Hobart, it would deserve well of the public of Tasmania. 

 They were brought into contact with institutions throughout the 

 scientific world by the exchange of publications. There were five 

 new members to be balloted for, namely, Mrs, Agnes Kenyon, of 

 Melbourne ; Dr. Arthur Clarke ; Mr. W. H. Twelvetrees, F.G.S., of 

 Launceston, who would prove a most valuable working member ; Dr. 

 G. Crosby VValch, and Dr. Gregory Sprott, the City Officer of Health. 



" THE HEALTH OF HOBAET." 

 Ey R. M. Johnston, F.L.S. 



Mr. R. M. Johnston first explained a number of diagrams placed 

 on the boards. The first showed the mean death-rate in seven Euro- 

 pean countries for several years, and of the Australian colonies, 

 including Tasmania. This showed that all these color its had a lower 

 death-rate than even the most favoured European ocuntry of SweJea. 



