_30 Report S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



in 1905, but I have great confidence that the unanimous decision of 

 its Council taken seven weeks ago will prevail, viz., to recommend 

 the meeting at Southport in September next to accept the South 

 African invitation. 



We unquestionably owe to Sir Gordon vSprigg and to the 

 representatives of the other Governments of South Africa our warmest 

 thanks for the hearty and substantial manner in which they have 

 backed this invitation. 



It is the practice for the local authorities to make arrangements 

 to defray a large part of the expenses of the meeting, to entertain 

 •by private hospitality its office-bearers and specially invited 

 distinguished men, and to provide the whole of the expenses of the 

 various general entertainments, so that the income of the British 

 Association is free to be spent upon its scientific objects. 



Here in Cape Town we gratefully acknowledge the h(jsi)itality 

 of the Mayor at this first meeting of our South African Association. 

 Your programmes will inform you how generous that hospitality is. 



No attempts have been made to solicit local subscriptions, so 

 that the funds available for the use of our Association arise entirely 

 from the entrance fees of Members and Associates. 



Within the past few days. Sir Gordon Sprigg has informed me 

 that the Government of the Cape Colony has undertaken the cost 

 ■of printing the Reports and Papers of this Meeting. This sympa- 

 thetic and generous action on the part of Government will allow the 

 whole of the assets of the Association to be available for the cost of 

 secretarial work and grants in aid of scientific research. 



This being so, every citizen who has joined our Association will 

 have the satisfaction of knowing that, even if he or she has made no 

 researches in Science, they have at least contributed something in 

 sympathy and aid for its advancement. 



Looking to the future prospects of scientific progress in South 

 Africa, I believe there is sound reason for the statement that these 

 prospects are very hopeful, and the present a peculiarly suitable 

 time for the inauguration of such an Association as this. 



The nucleus of active original work in Science must in any 

 community centre round the comparatively small number of men 

 whose lives are professionally devoted to its pursuit. Far be it from 

 me to deprecate the efforts of the so-called amateur. In the true 

 .sense of the word every professional scientist should be an amateur, for 

 if he does not love his work he is certain to be a miserablv inefficient 

 creature. In young countries, where most men find their daily 

 bread by their daily work, the number of those who have the capacity, 

 and at the same time can afford to add the active cultivation of 

 Science to their daily pursuits, is necessarily more limited than in 

 countries where means and leisure are more abundant. 



All the more honour to those who, like Roberts of Loverlale in 

 Astronomy, or Bolus of Cape Town in Botany, have done, and are 

 doing, work for Science which any professional astronomer or 

 botanist might well envy. It is a hopeful sign for us that the Cape 



