23 



In relinquishing the presidential chair of the Royal Society of 

 Queensland, I may be permitted to explain that my reason for re- 

 fusing all requests to be again nominated for office is due to the 

 pressure of duties in other well known directions, and which 

 require such scant leisure time as is now at my command. 



Discussion. 



Mr. R. Gailey, in moving a vote of thanks to the retiring 

 President, said that Mr. Shirley deserved the best thanks of the 

 members of the Society for his untiring efforts on beliaK of the 

 institution, and the zeal he had displayed in connection with 

 the special branch of investigation which he had taken up. He 

 trusted that in makmg future appointuitiiLs I.0 the presidential 

 chair, choice would be made of men who would be ready, as Mr. 

 Shirley had been, to devote much time and undoubted ability to 

 the advancement of the Society. 



Mr. A. Meston, in seconding the motion, stated that Mr. 

 Shirley possessed special qualifications for the position he had 

 so ably filled, and it was to be regretted that other duties com- 

 pelled him to decline to be nominated again for the office. 



Mr. L. A. Bernays referred to the disinterested action taken 

 by Mr. Bailey in the matter of the publication he had contem- 

 plated, which was very much what his oldest friends would have 

 expected from him ; and he had no doubt whatever that if the 

 conditions were really fulfilled, Mr, Bailey would render will- 

 ing and earnest services as the collaborator of Baron von Mueller. 

 (Applause.) 



The Retiring Secretary. 



The Retiring President said that it would be observed that 

 a change would this year take place in the position of Honorary 

 Secretary. The retiring Hon. Secretary, Mr. Ryott Maughan, 

 had rendered able service to the Society during the past four 

 years. He had devoted much time and not a little business 

 ability to carrying on a most important branch of the Society's 

 work — work which had been performed honorarily, while his 

 courteous demeanour at all times had been appreciated by all 

 the members of the Society. It was with regret that the 

 Council learned that Mr. Maughan intended to retire from the 

 position, and he therefore had pleasure in moving a hearty vote 

 of thanks to the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Ryott Maughan, for 



