PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 5 



On the Present Position of Chemistry and of Chemists 

 in New South Wales. 

 Following the example of many of my predecessors, I 

 shall address myself to the discussion of the particular 

 science in which I am interested, and shall review briefly 

 the position of scientific chemistry in the State at the 

 present time. The information collected for your perusal 

 may not be quite complete; there may be chemical and 

 analytical work done by private firms of which I am 

 ignorant, but on the whole, I think the following notes 

 indicate fairly the work that is being done in New South 

 Wales. I have added some suggestions as to the manner 

 in which, in my opinion, the value of that work can be 

 increased, and I submit these suggestions for your con- 

 sideration. 



Teaching Institutions. 



The University. — Of the teaching institutions, the 

 University makes the most ample provision for the teach- 

 ing of chemistry. About 300 students are in attendance 

 at lectures, and about 150 do practical work in the 

 laboratories. Courses are arranged for students in arts, 

 science, mediciue, pharmacy, dentistry, and in civil, 

 mechanical, electrical and mining engineering; the students 

 in mining and metallurgy as well as those in dentistry going 

 through a course in metallurgy and assaying. Courses of 

 lectures on inorganic and organic chemistry are given, and 

 the laboratory work includes qualitative and quantitative 

 analysis, organic analysis and preparations. Facilities for 

 research are provided, there being a separate laboratory 

 where advanced students can undertake research work 

 under the direction of Professor Liversidge. Some of the 

 investigations carried out have been brought before this 

 Society during the past year. We have had contributions 

 from Prof. Liversidge on "the Narraburra Meteorite"; 

 from Mr. Laby on " the estimation of Ni and Co "; from 



