38 Report S.A.A. A--.vancement of Science. 



such a report, because it is now the first time in the his- 

 tory of the intellectual development of South Africa that a 

 scientific congress is held in obedience to the want gener- 

 ally felt to work with comlnned forces for the promotion 

 of interest in scientific work and for the advancement of 

 Science in South Africa. The impetus to the movement to establish 

 the South African Association for the Advanrement of Science, with, 

 its annual congress, was given by my friend, Mr. Theodore Reunert, 

 who has also taken a most active part in the organisation of our 

 Association. Not only the members of our. Association, but all 

 interested in the progress of South Africa, owe Mr. Reunert a debt 

 of gratitude for his work in connection with this Association. Al- 

 though mankind is not distinguished for its gratitude for favours re- 

 ceived, I trust that the members of this Association will make an 

 exception by always gratefully remembering Mr. Reunert as the 

 father and founder of the South African Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science. 



Let us now turn to our subject and examine the position which 

 Chemistry holds in South Africa : its study in schools and colleges, 

 its application to the industries, and to the development of cognate 

 branches of science. 



In order to thoroughly understand and appreciate the condition 

 under which Chemistry is studied in South Africa we must remember 

 that the University of the Cape of Good Hope has only been in 

 existence for nearly 28 years, and that the syllabus of the Matricula- 

 tion Examination during this time {provided, and still provides, that 

 the rising generation may also study a little Chemistry, if the rising 

 generation chooses to do so, for Chemistry as well as all other 

 branches of Science are " optional " subjects in the Matriculation 

 Examination of our University. During all these years the Univer- 

 sity authorities must have held the opinion that the study of Science 

 is not an integral part of the education of a young man, and during 

 these 28 years many a young South African has become an under- 

 graduate and subsequently a graduate in the Uuiversity without even 

 having acquired the remotest knowledge of any branch of Science. 



It is hardly credible, but nevertheless it is a fact, that the 

 University regulations allow this neglect of the study of Science in 

 this country, of which the future dejiends in the first place upon the 

 development of its natural resources, which requires above all a 

 thorough and comprehensive knowledge of Science, which should be 

 part and parcel of the education of every South African. For many 

 years past we have met in almost every issue of English scientific peri- 

 odicals complaints about the neglect of scientific and technical educa- 

 tion in the schools and colleges of England as compared with those of 

 Germany and America. It is stated that during the past century 

 the education of the youth in England has not kept pace with the 

 enormous and rapid development of the Sciences and their applica 

 tion to all branches of practical life. It has also been said that 

 althongh many beautiful and stately buildings for educational pur- 

 poses have been erected, the value of the scientific work done Avithin 



