THE WOMBAT. IO, 



concerned, it seems to me that the other point of view — the 

 gain to the schools — might be profitably considered. 



The most obvious advantage to any institution of having 

 active societies working under its wing seems to be that, by 

 the meetings and exhibitions a considerable number of people, 

 who would otherwise have taken no interest in the institution, 

 are attracted, and that from their interest in the success of the 

 societies they naturally take a further interest in the success 

 ■of the institution itself. For instance, if one of these societies 

 holds an exhibition, even if it be but moderately successful, a 

 great number of visitors appear not only from the town itself, 

 but, in great proportion, from outside. I am glad to be able 

 to say, from personal observation, that these exhibitions are 

 usually far more than moderately successful in the case of the 

 societies connected with the Geelong School. We may con- 

 sider as an example the Exhibition and Congress held last 

 year by the amateur photographic association at this college. 

 This brought exhibits from the whole of Australasia, and 

 visitors attended in large numbers, the majority being from 

 outside the town. Not only so, but it attracted considerable 

 attention from the English photographic world, there being 

 much encouraging praise in the photo, papers, and some very 

 valuable trophies being presented by the leading manufac- 

 turers. The value of all this to the college, if only from an 

 advertising standpoint, is obvious. When the college 

 holds an exhibition, on the other hand, the members 

 of the various clubs do all in their power to assist 

 both by personal services and in many other ways. Taking 

 the exhibition held here three years ago as an instance, 

 we find that the Field Naturalists' Club filled the whole of 

 the first floor of the building with exhibits in natural history, 

 and attended to them while the doors remained open, while 

 the Photographic Club, besides providing exhibits for the 

 second floor, gave an entertainment with their lantern every 

 evening. 



In addition to services rendered on such special occasions, 

 the members of these societies are ever ready to help when 

 the necessity arises. The Field Naturalists' Club, for instance, 

 naturally takes a special interest in the progress of the college 

 museum. Members of this society have made many donations 

 of specimens from time to time, and the curators of the museum 

 inform me that they are indebted to the club for valuable 

 suggestions and assistance in the arrangement of the collection 

 entrusted to their charge. 



Again, while the clubs remain as they are at present, 



practically distinct from the institution with which they are 



nominally associated, there must always be a possibility of. 



' friction and misunderstanding arising, in spite of the fact which 



I am glad to note, that there has been nothing but the most 



