XVlll PROCEEDINGS, SEPTEMBER. 



SEPTEMBER, 1892. 



The monthly evening meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania 

 was held on Tuesday, September 13th. The President, His Excellency 

 Sir R. G. C. Hamilton, K.C.B., LL.D., presided. 



PAPERS. 



Mr. R. M. Johnston, F.L.S., in commencing the reading of a paper 

 entitled, " What are the conditions which determine the just and 

 €quitable representation of the people ? " said that instead of his paper 

 being based on theory, having had muoh to do with the question of 

 the representation of the people, he felt that he could give some inform- 

 ation and advice. Also, he thought, the difficulties which presented 

 themselves to his mind from time to time might be of service to those 

 who had to deal with the question. To secure a just and equitable 

 representation of the people in Parliament was a matter which had 

 at all times engaged the attention of thoughtful, practical legislators, 

 and gieat thinkers. The paper was listened to very attentively, and at 

 the conclusion the Hons. J. W. Agnew, N. J. Brown, A. J. Ogilvy, and 

 A. J. Taylor replied. 



The Secretary (Mr. A. Morton), read some notes on the habits of 

 some Tasmanian insects. 



His Excellency in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Johnston and 

 Mr. Morton for their papers, said as regarded the former the subject was 

 one of extreme importance and very great interest. It was very 

 desirable that occasions should arise like the present when a question 

 of that sort could be discussed in the calm atmosphere of a room like 

 that, instead of creating as it might keen political feeling. (Hear, hear.) 

 He had never before seen the question analysed, and as Mr. Johnston 

 had treated it. 



The meeting then closed. 



NOVEMBER, 1892. 



More than ordinary interest centred in the closing meeting for the 

 present session of the Royal Society held on Monday. It was the last 

 occasion on which Sir Robert Hamilton would preside at the Society's 

 meetings, and also the time selected for the delivery of his valedictory 

 address as President. The Art Gallery at the Museum was prepared, 

 and provided splendid accommodation for the 200 or more ladies and 

 gentlemen, members, and their friends, present on the invitation of the 

 Council. His Excellency and Lady Hamilton were received by the 

 Council and Secretary. The audience included the Premier (Hon. 

 Henry Bobson) and other members of the Ministry. Apologies for 

 absence were received from two members of the Council. 



Mr. Montague Rhys- Jones, C.E., read an elaborate paper on the 

 *' Elgin Marbles, The Acropolis, Phideas and his Works, Historical 

 and Architectural Description of the Parthenon, including the Pedi- 

 ment, Metopes, and Friezes." The paper was strictly classical, but the 

 writer's lucidity, coupled with a number of lantern slides of the principal 

 subjects skilfully thrown on the screen by Mr. N- Oldham, rendered 

 the whole easily intelligible, and it was consequently much appre- 

 ciated. 



The following papers were taken as read :—" Note on the Voracity 

 of the Kelp Fish," and " Note on the Tasmanian Acanthiza," by Col. 

 W. V. Legge, R.A., F.Z.S. "Concerning various paeans of encour- 



