18-i Reports <.0 Proceedings — Geological Society of London, 



One of the things that struck me most at the beginning of m}^ pala?onto- 

 logical Avork was the generosity and good-nature of those with whom that 

 work brought me into contact, and that pleasant experience has continued 

 all through ; Avhether I have had to do with officials in charge of museums, 

 with professional or amateur geologists, or with that usef nl person some- 

 times spoken of disparagingly as the mere collector, all have most freely 

 given me the benefit of their experience and the use of their collections ; 

 much as I should like on such an occasion as this to mention their names I 

 must refrain from doing so — the list is far too long, and I regret that it 

 now includes the names of not a few who are no longer living. 



Whilst it gives me great pleasure to receive this mark of the Council's 

 approval of my work, it gives me a further pleasure to regard it as a dis- 

 tinction for the Cambridge School of Geology. To those with whom 

 I have beeii associated in that school I owe much — to some of them I am 

 deeply indebted. 



I thank the Council most sincerely for this Medal, and you, Sir, for 

 your kind M'ords. 



The President then handed the Balance of the Proceeds of the 

 Wollaston Donation Fund, awarded to Albert Ernest Kitson, to 

 Dr. H. Lapwortli, Sec.G.S., for transmission to the recipient, 

 addressing him as follows : — 



Dr. Lapworth, — The Balance of the Proceeds of the Wollaston Donation 

 Fund has been awarded to Wr. Albert Ernest Kitson, in recognition of his 

 valuable contributions to C4eology in Australia and West Africa. 



Beginning in a clerical capacity on the staff of the Department of Mines 

 of Victoria, he qualified himself for scientific investigation, and became 

 ultimately Senior Field Geologist on the Survey of that State. Besides 

 taking an active part in the geological mapping, he wrote numerous papers 

 on the geology of Victoria, and seized opportunities to extend his researches 

 to New South Wales, Tasmania, and New Zealand. In 1906, on the 

 recommendation of his former chief. Prof. J. W. Gregory, Mr. Kitson was 

 placed in charge of the Mineral Survey of Southern Nigeria. With 

 characteristic energy, in a tropical climate, he traversed the Protectorate 

 in evevy direction, and, in addition to other services, was chieflj' responsible 

 for the discovery and investigation of the Udi-Okana Coalfield, containing- 

 vast supplies of coal, the more valuable for its geographical situation. 

 This Survey was suspended in 1911, and in 1913 Mr. Kitson received the 

 appointment, which he now holds, of Director of the Geological Survey of 

 the Gold Coast. His reports on that country have not yet been published ; 

 but it is perhaps permissible to mention the discovery of fossiliferous 

 Palffiozoic rocks of considerable geological interest, and of deposits of 

 manganese-ore and of bauxite which have great economic importance. 



That so notable a record of good work should receive recognition from 

 this Societj'' must gratif}^ all who are interested either in the advancement 

 of geological knowledge or in the mineral resources of the British Empire. 



In presenting the Balance of the Proceeds of the Murchison 

 Geological Fund to Thomas Crook, Assoc. K. Coll. Sci., the President 

 addressed him as follows : — 



Mr. Crook, — In awarding to you the Balance of the Proceeds of the 

 Murchison Geological Fund the Council wishes to recognize the value of 

 your contributions to Petrology and ]\Iineralogy, more particular I3' with 

 reference to the mechanical analysis of rocks and also to the mineralogy of 

 the British Colonies. The former of these subjects engaged your attention 

 while 3'ou were at the Ro3'al College of Science in Dublin, and you have 

 since pursued it with success, especially in perfecting the use of the 

 electro-magnet for the separation of minerals. As a member of the staff of 

 the Imperial Institute you have during recent years made many additions 



