14-4 OBITTJARY. 



realm of nature ! Insects — especially Coleoptera. — found a 

 large share of his collected treasures, but shells and plaats 

 filled many of his trays and cabinets. Deeply impressed 

 with the utility of the Rev. Vv". W. Spicer s key to the 

 Tasmanian Flora, Mr. Simson early made himself master 

 of this dichotomO'US system, and all his botanical taxonomy 

 followed the lines laid down by that writer. As a scienci- 

 fic man, Mr. Simson was best known to the general public 

 through his connection with the 'Northern Tasmanian 

 Natural Science Association,' of which he was one of the 

 founders and most enthusiastic supporters. As Secretary 

 of the Society, he was particularly well placed, his wide 

 knowledge of the Tasmanian Fauna and Flora supplying 

 all the e"lements for a successful officer. Some few of the 

 vounger workers still recall collecting trips at which he 

 attended, but of recent years the studj% rather than the 

 field, claimed the lion's share of his attention. Mr. Sim- 

 son's collections haive been sold to well-known scientific 

 Institutions, including the Rothschild Museum at Tring. 

 He was a member of the Linnean Society of New South 

 Wales; Royal Society of South Australia; Societe Ento- 

 mologique of Brussels; and the Royal Society of Tas- 

 mania. He died at a ripe old age on 21st May, 1918." 



H. H. SCOTT. 



Hon. Henry Dob son. 



The Hon. Henry Dobson was elected a member of the 

 Society in 1861. Owing to the keen interest which he 

 displayed in his professional and political life, he was un- 

 able to devote much time to the details of the Society •? 

 activities. Among his many public works, perhaps, his 

 ardent enthusiasm in advancing the claims of Tasmania 

 as a tourist resort stands out paramount. He never tired 

 in his endeavour to advertise the beauty spots of ,:he 

 Island, and to assist in making them accessible to the 

 public. His work in the early days of the Tourist Asso- 

 ciation will ever be remembered. Mainly on account of 

 his work in this direction he was elected as the Society s 

 representative on the National Park Board, upon the 

 foundation of that body. His worth was immediately 

 recognised, for he was selected as the first chairman of 

 the Board, and held the position until his death. His 

 interest continued until the last, and although far from 

 well he continued to take a deep interest in the develop- 

 ment of the Park, and in his capacity as chairman of the 

 Board he gave very detailed consideration to all pro- 

 posals for the development and manageiment of the area. 



