PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 23 



sort ot institute near the University, and I indicated the 

 unoccupied land opposite Ross-street, as a convenient site 

 on the main line of tramways. Were something of this 

 sort carried into effect I do not say there would necessarily 

 be any saving of money, although there might easily be, 

 but I do say that there would be increased efficiency, for the 

 University must always remain the great and growing seat 

 of learning to which in almost every branch of science 

 the workers naturally turn for help. In consequence of 

 my proposal something has been done, although in such a 

 form that, with plenty of other work to occupy my whole 

 time, I could not see my way to accept repeated invitations 

 to take part in the work, involving as it does endless 

 expenditure of time in committee meetings and otherwise. 

 Had the inclusion of the University been a part of the 

 scheme it might have had more attraction for me. Now 

 it is only to be a limited and domestic arrangement between 

 certain Government departments and institutions, never- 

 theless I think that much good may result from the 

 deliberations of the committee. 



The Obituary for 1906-7.— The Hon. James Norton, ll.d., 

 m.l.c., was one of our oldest members, and deeply inter- 

 ested in Natural History subjects. He was President of 

 the Trustees of the Public Library, and held many honour- 

 able positions in the community. He passed away in July, 

 at the age of 81. 



The late Henry Ohamberlaine Russell, jb.a., c.m.g., 

 f.r.s. Mr. Russell was a native of the State, born at 

 Maitland, 1836, so that he was in his 71st year when 

 he died. He took his B.A. at our University as far 

 back as 1859, after a distinguished career there. He 

 joined the Society in 1861. In 1870 he became Govern- 

 ment Astronomer and his first task was to reorganise the 

 Observatory, to secure great additions to the building, 



