president's address — SECTION H. 217 



We should take all opportunities of working for the improve- 

 ment of existing conditions. 



Town Flavnuig. — There are many more matters worth review 

 at this time, but I am close to my limit. May I, in closing, 

 jnention one of them ? The Town Planning movement is now 

 attracting much attention. At the 1890 meeting Mr. John 

 Sulman read a paper on the laying out of towns (a special com- 

 mitteo of this association being appointed to report thereon), and 

 h© ha.s since done much valuable work in the same direction. 

 The movement has suffered through many side issues being brought 

 into it, but the more one looks into it from the points of view 

 of the architect and engineer, the more its importance as aflecting 

 the health, the comfort, the morals, and the prosperity of our 

 people, becomes evident. Progress is being made ; the work 

 already done is bearing fruit; but what has been achieved 

 emphasizes the crjnng need for more. Science is ahead of prac- 

 tice in this respect, but there is much more scientific work wanted, 

 and if science leads the community will follow. 



It IS in our power to exercise a good influence in the develop- 

 ment of this movement and in leading it en to good results.^ 

 Science, well applied, is what is wanted. Already beneficial results 

 are being achieved, but so much more is badly wanted. 



Our Parliaments are so busy with other questions and party 

 strife that they are slow to help, but the need for legislation is 

 crying loudly. Will you all help as you can for the honour of 

 our professions and as a duty to the fine land of which we are 

 proud to be citizens ? 



Science has been defined as "knowledge systematized," as 

 "truth ascertained," and that is what we are working for here; 

 but when we have ascertained truth it is our duty to make it 

 known and to use it ourselves, and a broader definition of science., 

 which I prefer, includes its practical application to our daily life 

 We should seek to know and to do. 



Goethe said that " in all times it is only individuals that have 

 advanced science, not the age." Remembering this, we should 

 work individually for the advancement of science as it affects the 

 work of our professions. An architect or an engineer who is not 

 studving the problems of his woi'k is going back in efficiency, and 

 not forward. 



' But while advance in science is due to individual workers it 

 is quite i-ecessary that those workers should place the results of 

 their work before their compeers, st» that they may benefit others 

 and help the progress of science. That is what we meet for here. 



