REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 



MAY 2ND, 1903. 



Although the l-'irst Annual Meeting of the South African Associa- 

 tion for the Advancement of Science did not take place until April 

 27th, 1903. the qtiestion of the formation of an Association of this 

 nature had been receiving attention for more than twO' years previous 

 to that date. The first practical step was taken on the 4th March, 

 1901, when a meeting was arranged in Cape Town by Mr. T. Reunert 

 and other Johannesburg and Cape Town engineers. At this meet- 

 ing it was decided to ascertain the opinion of engineers throughout 

 South Africa as to the advisability of holding an annual congress of 

 members of that profe.ssion. 



The further account of the earlv develdijment of the Association 

 will be found in the President's Address. 



The members of the first Council of the South African Associa- 

 tion for the Advancement of Science were elected at a meeting of the 

 General Committee held in Cape Town on the 20th January, 1902. 

 The election was by ballot, consifleration being given to the nomina- 

 tions received from members in the various parts of South Africa in 

 which the Association was represented. 



The President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretaries, Treasurer, 

 and Assistant General Secretary were elected by the Council at a 

 meeting held on the 27th January, and the Managing Committee of 

 Council was also' appointed at this meeting. Since that date two 

 members of Council have resigned, namely, Mr. A. W. Ackermann 

 and Dr. G. S. Corstorphine. In order that vacancies similarly arising 

 in the intervals between the Annual Meetings, at which the Council 

 is elected, might be filled up without delay, the following bve-law 

 was passed by the Council, viz. : " That in the event of any vacancy 

 occurring from any cau.se in the membership of the Council, the 

 Council shall have power to fill .such vacancy or vacancies." Mr. 

 W. L. Sclater and Professor J. C. Beattie were thereupon elected to 

 fill the vacancies. 



On the 24th May, 1902, the inaugural meeting of members of 

 the A.ssociation resident in Johannesburg took place, and a strong 

 local committee was formed there. 



Owing to the increase in the membership of the Association, 

 and to the rapid exten.sion of its sphere of influence, it was found 

 necessary, in order to cope with the additional work involved, to 

 divide the .secretarial work ; that in connection with the Transvaal, 

 the Orange River Colony, anti Natal being directed from Johannes- 

 burg ; while the officers at Cape Town are responsible for the affairs 

 of the Association in Cape Colony, Rhodesia. an<l other parts of 

 South Africa. 



On account of the very unsettled state of the countr}-, conse- 

 quent upon the war. it was found impossible to hold a meeting during 



