132 president's address — section e. 



present at least. But the labor of the Antarctic Committee has 

 been far from futile. Immediately upon its creation it placed itself 

 in communication with the heads of the Arctic whaling firms in 

 Great Britain, and also with the Antarctic Committee of the British 

 Association for the Advancement of Science, and pointed out the 

 inducements for steam whaling ships to visit the Antarctic on Aus- 

 tralian longitudes. This action of the committee it was, no doubt, 

 that led to the commercial enterprise of the Balaena and other 

 vessels which last year sailed from Europe for the Antarctic upon. 

 American meridians, all of which vessels returned this year richly 

 laden with seal oil and seal skins, although not having discovered 

 the coveted " right whale" It is more than probable that the 

 Antarctic Committee will by next season be able to induce some of 

 the whaling firms to send their ships out on our longitudes. One 

 of the Norwegian firms has, I rmderstand, already intimated to the 

 Government of Victoria its willingness to send out some of its best 

 steam whaling ships to operate in the vicinity of Victoria Land if 

 a small subsidy can be obtained. Would it not be Avell, then, if this 

 Association were to co-operate with the Antarctic Committee, and 

 address the several Australasian Governments upon the subject ? 

 [n addition to the commercial advantages to be gained, there are 

 various important scientific problems that need solution, and which 

 it would redound to the honor of this Association to assist in 

 solving. With the revival of commercial prosperity, the Antarctic 

 Committee may hope to succeed in raising the necessary funds for 

 an expedition, more especially if Sir Thomas Elder can be induced 

 to make good his promise to the Committee. 



In the cause of science, which is cosmopolitan, and in the 

 carrying out of a project so pregnant with scientific and com- 

 mercial good to Australasia, all local feeling and prejudice should 

 be cast away. Let us see to it that the glory of making discovery 

 and explorations in these Southern Seas be not borne from us by 

 others, to our everlasting discredit. 



In conclusion, I desire on behalf of this Association to recognise 

 the patriotic and munificent assistance rendered by the Honorable 

 Sir Thomas Elder, K.C.M.G., F.R.G.S., to the cause of Australian 

 exploration, by the equipment and dispatch of several expeditions 

 into the interior of our Continent, especially those under the leader- 

 ship of Ernest Giles, F.R.G.S., in 1875, and David Lindsay, 

 F.R.G.S., in 1891, and last, but not by any means least in point of 

 scientific interest, the dispatch of teams to bring down fossil 

 remains of extinct animals lately discovered at Lake Mulligan. 

 The noble generosity displayed by Sir Thomas Elder in thus aiding 

 geographical and zoological research reflects the highest credit 

 upon him personally, and also upon the ' 'olony of South Australia, 

 with which he has been so long and so honorably identified. 



