earry 13|-mch guns, throwing a shell of 

 1,2501b., and weighing 85 tons. 



When we remember that the Dread- 

 nought was only commissioned some six 

 months ago, and that it is only a year 

 and a half since the commencement of 

 her buildijig, we may realise how soon a 

 warship becomes superseded, and how 

 easy it is for money to be wasted on 

 naval construction. 



At the German military manoeuvres 

 there was a great display before the Em- 

 peror of armoured motors carrying field 

 guns. They negotiated ascents of one in 

 seven and a half, and proved able to go 

 over any but the most difficult country. 



In conclusion, I venture to congratu- 

 late Tasmania on the interest which the 

 press of this State, both North and 

 South, has been showing in scientific 

 subjects. The numerous articles and 

 paragraphs which are constantly and pe- 

 riodically appearing are selected and re- 

 produced with great judgment, and in a 

 manner to command general interest with 

 students of nature and of mechanical 

 invention. 



The Eoyal Society may justly ascribe 

 to itself some credit for having made at- 

 tention to scientific subjects both popu- 

 lar and practical in this island. I trust 

 ttis career of usefulness may long con- 

 tinue, and that in this noble and elevat- 

 ing work the most valuable and devoted 

 services of our secretary, Mr. Morton, 

 may long be spared, and that his recovery 

 may be rapid and complete. (Warm 

 <i'pplause.) 



Mr. G. E. Moore, M.H.A., in the dis- 

 cussion which was invited, said that the 

 reason T\'hy Tasmania did not use her 

 water-power was that she had no water- 

 falls, though she had sufficiently large 

 todies of water • but, in places, 

 waterfalls might be constructed. The 

 discovery of making nitrogen from the 

 ■air might he developed here with cheap 

 water nower. Ten thousand horse-power 

 might he developed in one part of Tas- 

 mania that he knew of. 



Mr. Clemes said he was intensely in- 

 terested in the speech. The production 

 of nitrogen from the air referred to in 

 tie address was an extremely interesting 

 subject, and was calculated to effect 

 ■wonders in connection with the culti- 

 vation of the Land. There was sufficient 

 material in the address for hours of dis- 

 cussion. (Applause.) 



Senator Mulcahy refrred to what the 

 President had said respecting iron pro- 

 duction, and mentioned that in Tasma- 

 nia, on the Blythe River, there was 

 what experts pronounced to be one of 

 the finest iron ore propositions in the 

 world, and no doubt, sooner or later, 

 it would leau to extensive iron and steel 

 manufacture in Tasmania. As to water 

 power, there were in Tasmania large 

 bodies of water at high altitudes, which, 

 according to reports of hydraulic engi- 

 neers, might easily be tapped, namely, 

 in the Lake districts. He believed that 

 when the value of cheap water power 

 •was better understood in Tasmania, the 

 State would become one of the best 

 manufacturing States of the Common- 

 wealth. (Arvniause.) 



Mr. A. G. Webster moved a hearty 

 vote of thanks to His Excellency for pre- 

 siding, and delivering such an interest- 

 ing address on scientific progress and 

 speculation during the year. 



The motion was pasised with applause, 

 and His Excellency briefly acknowledged 

 the compliment. 



Mr. R. M. Johnston proposed a heiaxty 

 vote of thanks to lady members of the 

 Hamilton Literary Society for kindly 

 providing the refreshments, which 

 would be served at the close of the meet- 

 ing, and this was passed with acclama- 

 tion. 



The proceedings then terminated, and 

 those present adjourned to the main hall 

 of the Museum building, where the la- 

 dies of the society already named very 

 nicely served refreshments. 



