a discussion of such subjects, from a sci- 

 entific standpoint, would, in my view, be 

 the greatest mistake this society could 

 make." 



In my humble opinion, this is as 

 it should be. I believe -the general views 

 of the Council of the society on this point 

 are in accord with mine; and the prac- 

 tice of the society, from its earliest days, 

 has given proof of its acceptance of those 

 views. Our proceedings during 'the session 

 of 1902 give a conspicuous example of this 

 comprehensive scope of the operations of 

 our S'ociety. 



PAPERS. 



We find that while in the 22 

 papers presented to us, matters of more 

 strictly scientific interest, such as Geo- 

 logy, Mineralogy, Astronomy, Botany, 

 Ichfhyaogy, Conchology, and Eintomolcgy, 

 were brought before us and discussed, sub- 

 jects of a miore practical business charac- 

 ter, such as the capacity of Tasmania a3 

 a manufacturing centre, the comparative 

 value of its timbers, the preservation oi 

 forests, and drainage and sewerage, receiv- 

 ed a large measure of attention The paper 

 which was read before us on the advan- 

 tages posseisised by Tasmiania far manu- 

 facturing industries brought into promi- 

 nence and suggestive notice our 

 vast available water power. The 

 papers presented to us on Tasmanian 

 timbers illustrated and emphasise'd the 

 value 'and vastneiS's of our yet 

 imperfectly -worked reserves of timber. 

 The papers on forestry which have been 

 put before us, and the discussions upon 

 them, have contributed much expert 

 knowledge on the subject, and also propo- 

 S'als of considerable practical importance 

 for the organisation and working of a sys- 

 tem of preservation and renewal of our 

 forests. Our treatment of the pressing 

 matter of drainage and sewerage has, I 

 feel sure, helped to spread much informa- 

 tion, and to remove many misconceptions 

 on the subject. Under the heads I have 

 mentioned the society has planted and 

 nurtured a tree of knowledge, which has, 

 Ave may flatter ourselves, already borne 

 ifruic, and which I am fain to believe will 

 yet yield still richer crops. On 'the more 

 speciallj' scientific side of its work, the so- 

 ciety has added considerably to its al- 

 ready rich stores of intelligent research. 

 I think we may regard with satisfaction 

 the results af the session oif 1902. 



KINDRED SOCIETIES. 



The early part of the last year was made 

 memorable by the holding in Tasmania of 

 the ninth meeting of the Australasian As- 

 sociation for the Advancement of Science, 

 and by a session of the Australasian Medi- 

 cal Congress. These great scientific bodies 



are allied in respect of aim and oif method 

 with our Royal Society. Their proceed- 

 ings and achievements, followed by the 

 busy and prolific programme of the Royal 

 Society itself, made of the year 1902 a 

 veritable jubilee of scientific festivity — I 

 might almost say an orgy of science. The 

 year 1903 may fall short of its predecessor 

 in brilliant and striking events, but I feel 

 sure it will no-t fail to leave a record of 

 much work of interest, of value, and otf 

 usefulness. Varied and copious as have 

 been the contributions to research of the 

 society, during its life of sixty years, so 

 inexhaustible is the' scope of physical and 

 natural science, in its multiform branches 

 that there is no visible end to the task of 

 its investigation and study. 



OBITUARY. 



During the past year, death has, to our 

 deep regret, removed Mr. Mault, a mem- 

 ber of our council — an accomplished man 

 and an earnest worker of the society. Mr. 

 Mault's place on the council has been fill- 

 ed by 'the appointmenT of the Bishop of 

 Tasmania. 



TASMANIAN MUSEUM AND ART 

 GALLERY. 



At the opening meeting of the sessional 

 year, the recent additions to the Museum 

 and Art Gallery were declared open. And 

 thus the commodious room in which we 

 are now met has become available for the 

 purposes of the Royal Society, and for the 

 reception of its valuable library. These 

 advantages are, I believe, much esteemed 

 by tlie members of the society. One of our 

 vice-presid&nts, Hon. Nichoia.s J. Brown, 

 the speech w"hich he niaide in welcoming 

 me as President of the society, ca.ried at- 

 teu'tion to the desirability, in the anticipa- 

 tion tha't Tasmania is destined to become 

 an important manufacturing and distri- 

 buting centre for Australia, of the organi- 

 sation and equipment of a Technological 

 Museum. I am happy 'to be able to ob- 

 serve that a beginning has been made to- 

 wards the establishment of such a 

 museum. 



Creneral Remarks. 

 The operations of our Fisheries Commis- 

 sion cannot fail to be of great interest to 

 the Royal Society. Mr. A. G. Webster, 

 one of our vice-presiden-ts, who is also 

 President of the Fisheries Board, returned 

 last December from a visit to Europe and 

 America, bringing with him nearly 

 500,000 ova of the American Quinnat sal- 

 mon, the gift of the United States 

 Fisheries Commisgion. It is gratifying to 

 know 'that this shipment of ova has been 

 successful — nearly -100,000 young fry hav- 

 ing been liberated. 



