xxiv President's Address 



likely to come into more general use in these directions ; 

 but, in its present form, it seems to me unlikely to fulfil the 

 expectations that appear to have been entertained by many 

 writers and some electricians. Nevertheless, if it is capable 

 of holding as much energy as has been reported, it appears 

 probable it may fill a very important office, especially in 

 overcoming some of the difficulties in the way of the 

 economic and regular distribution of electricity. 



Early last year steps were taken by the Exhibition 

 Commissioners to constitute a Social Science Congress in 

 Melbourne. Such a congress, you are aware, was formed, 

 and divided into various sections. The meetings were held 

 in October and November, and addresses were given, papers 

 read, and discussions taken on numerous subjects — some of 

 the highest importance. Many of the papers contributed 

 are now being printed, and will, I believe, soon be issued as 

 the " Proceedings of the Melbourne Social Science Congress." 

 The congress itself is virtually defunct, but the work it 

 started upon so vigorously and so well should not be dis- 

 continued. The inquiry into and ventilation of the science 

 of society is a matter of the highest importance, especially 

 in large centres of population, and connects science itself 

 with the application of its teachings towards the safety and 

 welfare of the community. In the constitution of this 

 Society the formation of a social science section was 

 provided for, and should the congress not revive again, 

 there are numerous and pressing questions our Society 

 should grapple with, and especially matters relating to 

 sanitary and economic science. 



On a late occasion a talented member of this Society 

 brought under our notice a certain published specification 

 for making gas from metals, on which a patent has been 

 granted, and on the faith of which it appeared the public 

 were investing large sums of money. The specification 

 had a certain glamour about it, calculated to entice unscien- 

 tific people, but which to an expert appeared too absurd 



