\'()C.\ IK ).\.\1, TKAl.\l.\(,. 



Hv R. r. A. IxNKS, PM^.S.E.. F.R.A.S. 



[Abstract.) 



The author sui;\^esi> thai ])Ui)iLs from twelve year.- of age 

 upwards should he required to express their choice of an occu- 

 pation each year until school-leaving, and that once a year the 

 head teaciier should address the pupils on the suitahilitv of their 

 selections. In this way. he thinks, pu])ils would he hrouo-ht to 

 reflect carefullv on their future careers. 



Conference of Scientific Societies.— On the 



initiative oi the \\'itwater>rand local centre of the Smith .\frican 

 Association for the Advancement of Science a Conference was 

 held at the Chamher of Mines, Johannesburg, on loth April, 

 1917. to discuss and fornudate resolutions with reference to: 



(a) The introduction of tlie Metric Stf'tem of Weights and 

 Measures ; 



(b) The introduction of a Decimal Coinage; and 



( t" ) The official adoption of Daylight Saving Measures. 



The following scientihc societies and commercial bodies 

 were represented by delegates present at this Conference : 



South African Association for the Advancement of Science, 

 South African Institution of Engineers, South African Institute 

 of Electrical Engineers. Chemical Metallurgical and Mining 

 Society of South Africa, Geological Society of South Africa, 

 Institute of Land Surveyors. Association of Aline Managers, 

 South African Association of Analytical Chemists, Natal Society 

 for Advancement of Science, Biological Society, Pretoria, Rho- 

 desian Scientific Association, A^ssociation of Certificated 

 Mechanical Engineers, Pharmacetitical Society, ^^'itwatersrand 

 Agricultural Society, Vi'itvvatersrand Central School Board. 

 South African Society of Civil Engineers, Natal Alanufacturers' 

 Association, South African Manufacturers' Association, Cajic 

 Town, South African National Union. Johannesburg, Central 

 Committee of Industrial Research, Royal Society of South 

 Africa. Cape Institute of Architects, Transvaal Teachers' Asso- 

 ciation, Johannesburg Municii)al Officials, Witwatersrand Coun- 

 cil of Education, Transvaal Society of Accountants, Institute of 

 l^ankers. Society of Architects, Institute of Architects, Associa- 

 tion of Architects, Federation of Master Btiilders, Transvaal 

 Manufacturers' Association. Association of Chambers f)f Com- 

 merce of South Africa, Transvaal C^hamber of Alines. 



The Chairman of the Conference, Professor ]. Orr, Presi- 

 dent of the South African Association for the Advancement of 

 Science, in welcoming the delegates, stated that it was fitting 

 that the South African Association for the Advancement of 

 Science should ha\e taken the initiati\c in this matter, as two 



