XVIII 



Definition of a Scientific Society. 



Tlie President pointed out that Scientific Societies could appoint 

 delegates to the Association, and that these delegates had a seat on the 

 Council. It seemed desirable that some restriction should be placed 

 on the right to nominate. 



The discussion was unanimously in favour of restriction, and it was 

 felt that a recommendation to the Council and not a rule of the 

 Association would meet the case. 



The Recommendation Committee's suggestion that the definition 

 of the British Association—" That any society is eligible to be placed 

 on the list of Corresponding Societies of this Association which under- 

 takes local scientific investigations and publishes notices of the results," 

 with the addition, as moved by Professor Masson, of the words " but 

 the Council shall have the power to vary this rule in exceptional circum- 

 stances " be adopted was agreed to. 



The Future of Australian Aborigines. 



The Revd. Dr. George Brown moved : That a deputation con- 

 sisting of the President, Professor Baldwin Spencer, Dr. Purdie, 

 Professor Ramsay Smith, Mr. Maiden, and the miover wait, on a day 

 to be fixed, on the Federal Government to bring the recommendation 

 of the Committee, which has now become a resolution of this Council, 

 before the Federal Government while this Association is in session. 



Professor Spencer seconded the motion. 



It was pointed out that the time was too short to allow of such a 

 deputation and of its reporting to Council, and it was decided that 

 Dr. Brown should consult Professor Spencer, and name a deputation 

 consisting of those interested and resident in Victoria. 



Veterinary Science. 

 The Committee of Sub-section K, Veterinary Science, asked that 

 the General Council raise Veterinary Science to the status of a Section. 

 This had been indorsed by the Recommendation Committee. Agreed. 



Section E — Absence of President. 

 Mr. Maiden reported that the Committee of Section E had 

 recommended that, owing to the absence of the Honorable Thomas 

 Mackenzie, President of the Section, and to the fact that no Presidential 

 Address had been received from him, it should be decided that Mr. 

 E. A. Petherick be appointed President of the Section, and that his 

 paper on the Discovery of Terra Australis in 1499 be taken as the 

 Presidential Address. The Recommendation Committee did not 

 agree, on the ground that it was ultra vires. The ruling of the Recom- 

 mendation Committee was confirmed. 



