Presidential Address. — Section C. 353 



educalional instilulion can do is to fit the student so as to lake up 

 the practical work as efficiently as possible. Emploxers in enj^ineer- 

 ing industries are ahvavs willing to accept from trained students a 

 shorter ajjprenticeship than is asked in the case of untrained men. 

 Men who have had a sound preliminary training take less time than 

 the uneducated man lo acquire the practical knowledge, since they 

 have learned how to think and applv such knowledge as thev have. 

 The whole subject is full of difficulty, there is so much to learn and 

 so short a time to learn it in. Many parents cannot afford to let 

 their children have so many vears schooling as others can; but the 

 importance of education is fully recognized in South Africa, let us 

 see that such education shall.be the l)est obtainable, and the best 

 adapted to the needs of this country. 



For Mining students at any rate it is hoped thai the establish- 

 ment of technical schools at Johanne.sl)urg will sup|)l\ the advantage 

 of acquiring knowledge on the soundest basis with the opportunity 

 of becoming acquainted with the latest methods anrl practice at the 

 mines. 



This is a great countrv in the course of making, ii teems with 

 problems which will neetl all the wisdom of the wisest, all the honestv 

 oi' the most upright : let us who are the heirs of the .\ges do our ut- 

 most bv the mutual co-operation of scientitic workers, to extend the 

 boundaries of knowledge, to take our part in moulding public oi)inion, 

 and to influence frir good for all time the progress and development 

 of .South .-Vfrica. 



