8(J2 REPORT — 1902. 



for economic reasons, and it may be termed abysmal. The upper strata 

 of the ' solid rocks ' are often related to the lower, in the same way as 

 the superficial geology is related to the solid ; and thus vast mineral riches, 

 coal iron, minerals, and water in the earth's crust are hidden by the 

 upper rocks, and there is no means of judging their position and trend 

 except by boring through the upper crust. 



Until the Government, in the interest of the national weal and. 

 wealth is wise enough to undertake the systematic exploration of abysmal 

 ffeolof'y, everything must be done by individual effort. If borings are 

 successful the details are kept dark, if unsuccessful they are forgotten. 

 Now whether successful or not from an economic point of view, every 

 boring is most precious for a knowledge of the abysmal geology, and 

 every record lost is paid for five or six times over by some individual, 

 and of course eventually by the nation. The Local Societies may often 

 save this loss by being on the spot, by knowing and influencing the indi- 

 viduals concerned, and by the fact that their interest is scientific and not 

 commercial. To them I would say, get and keep all possible records of 

 borings — honestly if possible, but get them. 



Ao'ain the Local Societies are good j udges of local needs, and to them 

 the accuracy or inaccuracy of their geological map is vital. It is for 

 them to aid in bringing influence to bear on the authorities when cor- 

 rections and new surveys are desirable. 



The relations of geology and landscape can only be satisfactorily 

 worked out by the local observer, who knows the country in every 

 aspect, and who has time to visit and revisit. This line of inquiry may be 

 expected to yield many new and important results to local inquirers in 

 the next few years. 



But the main geological function of the Local Societies is to keep a 

 watchful eye always open. Every new section brings some new infor- 

 mation some alteration or confirmation of previous opinion, some chance 

 for fresh investigation. It is always better that the cream of such work 

 should be skimmed by the local observer if possible, but if he is non- 

 existent it is the plain duty of the Society to call in help from the outside. 



Dr. Garson placed before the Conference the Report of the Corre- 

 sponding Societies Committee presented to the General Committee. 



In doinf^ so, he drew attention to the letter sent to the Cori'esponding 

 Societies and to the Delegates, and especially to the recommendation therein 

 made that each Society should appoint a Special Committee of its own to 

 consider what work it could do to assist in the investigations of the various 

 Association Committees which desired the co-operation of the Corre- 

 sponding Societies. 



He said that although the programme embraced the work of most of 

 the Sections, complaint had been made by one Geographical Society that 

 ' the subiects tabulated do not come within the scope of this Society.' The 

 Delegates he thought, would be of opinion that ' Variations in the Course 

 of lUvers and Shape of Lakes,' one of the subjects set, was purely geo- 

 graphical, and that the excuse given for not taking part in the work was an 

 idle one especially as the Society in question had at least two important 

 river-basins within easy reach of its members. 



He commented strongly upon the supineness shown by the Secretaries 

 of many of the Societies in making the returns required by the Association 



