BY HON. W. F. TAYLOR, M.D. xliii 



proper method of filtration. Take the greatest city in the world 

 as an example of what can be done in this respect. London 

 has an excellent supply of water, nearly all of which is filtered, 

 and it is proved over and over again in the case of every 

 company supplying filtered water, that the ordinary filter beds^ 

 in use, consisting of sand and gravel, yield a pure water free 

 from hurtful micro-organisms. It is absurd to say that what is 

 daily done for six millions of people residing in one city, cannot 

 be as effectually done in Queensland for each of our communities- 

 The present condition of our Vv^ater supply then tends to 

 engender a race of nervous dyspeptics on the one hand, and 

 drunkards on the other, for most of those who do not care tO' 

 drink tea when thirsty, fall back on ale, or soda water with a 

 dash of something stronger, or if perchance they do drink water, 

 they endeavour to dilute it with brandy or whisky to kill the 

 microbes. It appears to me that our temperance societies here 

 begin at the wrong end in their efforts to limit the evils of the 

 drink traffic. If they put forth their energies in securing a 

 plentiful supply of pure water first, they could then with every 

 reason ask people to abstain from drinking intoxicants, but 

 while the choice lies between dirty water and stimulants, many 

 will prefer the latter. 



The climate then, of Queensland, may with reason be 

 considered as one well adapted to Europeans and their descend- 

 ants, and as time goes on and the people adapt themselves and 

 their surroundings more and more to its nature, the enervating 

 tendency of the hot months will be much mitigated, and the 

 race will not suffer either in physique or mental ability in the 

 future. 



In conclusion I have much pleasure in thanking the 

 members of the Council for their unvarying kindness to me, and 

 their able assistance in managing the affairs of the Society 

 during the past year, and I beg also to thank the members for 

 their uniform' courtesy to me while in the chair. 



On the motion of Mr. C. 0. Pound, seconded by Mr. John 

 Shirley a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Taylor for 

 his address. Votes of thanks were tendered to the retiring 

 President and Officers for services rendered during the past year,, 

 after which the proceedings terminated. 



