XXV 



Rev. H. H. Anderson, in reply to Mr. 

 T]iorj)e, said he would never think of 

 teaching a boy to do a sum in '^onLumm.'^ 

 interest in any other way than oy tne 

 decimal system. He believed that dur- 

 ing the next few years mathematical 

 teaching in the schools would be very 

 different from what it was to-day. They 

 desired ttat the mass of unnecessary 

 work should be removed from the chil- 

 dren, and he thought the University of 

 Tasmania might do something in the 

 matter. 



Mr. C. J. Atkins pointed out a number 

 of difficulties that he considered stood 

 in the w£iy of the metric system being 

 adopted. 



Mr. A. Morton referred to the fact of 

 ihe metric system being in use at the 

 Sydney University, and quoted remarKS 

 made by Professor Liversidge on the sub- 

 ject. He hoped that the Royal Societv 

 of Tasmania would help the matter for- 

 ward. 



Mr. T. Stephens explained that some 

 years ago he had tried to induce school 

 reachers to bring under the notice of 

 their scholars t?ie advantages of decimal 

 and metric systems. It would be no use 

 teaching children the metric system if it 

 could not be applied in commerce and 

 daily life. They should nob cease their 

 efforts to keep the subject prominently 



before the people, and try and bring 

 about its adoption. He moved — ''That 

 copies of the Bishop's address be sent 

 to the Hobart and Launceston Chambers 

 of Commerce, and to members of fhe 

 Federal Parliament, with a request that 

 they should use their influence to see 

 that effect be given to the valuable ad- 

 vice and suggestions contained therein." 



Mr. R. M. Johnston seconded the mo- 

 tion. 



Sir Jno. Dodds referred to the ob- 

 jections raised to the adoption of the 

 metric system, and quoted Professor 

 Liversidge's remarks on the matter. 

 When the interests of a large manufac- 

 turing country like England were likely 

 to be effected by the proposed change it 

 was easy to understands the objections 

 raised . 



The Bishop briefly replied. 



The wording of Mr. Stephens's motion 

 was amended by asking the University of 

 Tasmania to co-operate with the Royal 

 Society on the subject, and unanimously 

 agreed to. 



His Excellency said the paper was one 

 of great interest, and he felt sure that 

 all would be grateful for the information 

 given. He moved a tiearty vote of 

 thanks to the Bishop. 



The vote was carried by acclamation. 



