CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. ie 
which had its birth 120 years ago. Owing to their dependence on coal, the dis- 
tricts where it was available became our great industrial centres, particularly 
if sea or other transport facilities were also there available. 
With the growth of industry these centres became increasingly congested 
until to-day this congestion is largely responsible for the unrest and expense 
which is so marked a feature of our industrial life. 
Decentralisation or an industrial development in rural or country districts is 
the most probable solution, and regions like the Highlands of Scotland possessed 
of possibilities for cheap power and convenient transport facilities to and from 
a world-wide market have first claim on any such development. These High- 
land water powers are estimated at one million horse-power in amount, but if 
the figure be put at 500,000 horse-power, it is equivalent to the power which could 
be generated from three and a half million tons of coal, which at 10s. per ton 
represents a yearly value of 1,750,000. These powers should be looked upon as a 
national asset, and should be developed by Government assistance and control, 
on the same lines as light-railway projects and other works for the public 
benefit are assisted. 
In this way the lean years which would have to be faced until the power 
demand grew to an extent sufficient to pay interest on capital would be tided 
over and success then assured, for it is an axiom in all hydro-electric schemes 
that the power demand is never stationary but goes on increasing year by year. 
In addition to the previous business there was also before the meeting a 
proposal by Dr. A. Loir, of Havre (Delegate to the British Association from 
the French Association meeting at Havre in 1914), regarding a meeting of the 
Conference of Delegates at Havre in 1914 on the occasion of the meeting of the 
British Association in Australia. The proposal. was favourably received, and 
it was decided that it should be officially discussed at the meeting of the Con- 
ference at Birmingham during the ensuing year. 
The Conference closed with votes of thanks to the readers of the papers and 
to the Chairman for presiding. 
The following Delegates attended the Conference and signed the attendance 
book, their attendance being indicated by the figures 1 2, which refer respectively 
to the first and second meeting. 
AFFILIATED SOCIETIES. 
M. A. B. Gilmour, F.Z.S. 
2 Andersonian Naturalists’ Society . -. + . 
2 Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire G. Claridge Druce, M.A. 
1 Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club. . A : . F. Balfour Browne, M.A. 
1 Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club toot se Gs Poughes, J.P. 
1 Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific 
Slaoroly tay Wao th gba ie) A et Rien cs al on WO 
1 2°Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical 
Gaeichyn. 4s. bs) ie ltewn e . ) Me nee ees, Weal obe, 
1 Brighton and Hove Natural History and Philo- 
sophical Society ee ee ee) a ourreda Wr, Oke k.G.S: 
1 British Mycological Society - «  «  «  ~ Miss A. Lorrain Smith. 
1 Buchan Club ; 3 : ; ‘ , a . J. F. Tocher, B.Sc. 
1 Cardiff Naturalists’ Society > ae | une a erotcAc: Trow,uD:Se; 
1 Cornwall, Royal Institution of . . . . . H.D Acland, F.G.8. 
1 Cornwall Royal Polytechnic Society 5 Wee) WV ra ox. 
1 2 Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society . Bryan Corcoran. 
1 2 East Anglia, Prehistoric Society of . . . Rev. F. Smith. 
1 2 Edinburgh Geological Society . . . +. R.C. Millar. 
1 2 Edinburgh Field Naturalists’ and Microscopical 
Biseisiyt a0) ct <p) | >a) ee. cee eter epee Caer, 
To Masex Wield Glub:. -. =. “= « + ‘ee ea J. Walson. 
1 2 Glasgow Natural History Society . . ~- ~~ Peter Ewing, F.L.S. 
172 Glasgow Royal Philosophical Society Prof. Bower, F.R.S. 
1 Hampshire Field Club and Archeological Society " W. Dale, F.S.A. 
3D 3 
