ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 



patiou of our apartments, and the other incidental charges that 

 will necessarily be involved ; and, if the Government would con- 

 siderately assist us in the matter of rent, or in any other accept- 

 able way, we might still further advance a step or two towards 

 our desired end. 



Present State and Progress of the Society. 



The relative number of members increased from 116 in the year 

 1873-4 to 155 in the year just closed. Of these, three are life 

 members. We have lost four by death since I last addressed 

 you — one of whom was Alexander Berry, Esq., the oldest member 

 of our body, who dated his connection with the original Philoso- 

 phical Society from the year 1821, just fifty-four years ago. and 

 was gathered to his fathers at the patriarchal age of ninety-two. 

 The three others were Staff Commander Gowlland, R.N., Thomas 

 Barker, and A. H. Eichardson, Esqs. 



The death of the former was an event of painful interest to 

 the community. Having but recently returned from England, 

 where he had gained for his services in the Navy his promotion 

 to the rank of Staff Commander, he was employed in the survey 

 of our harbour, and by an unexpected roller from the heads was, 

 with one of his assistants, swamped and drowned within a short 

 distance from the shore, w r ith as much suddenness as if he had 

 been slain in battle. His previous services in connection with 

 the great Eclipse of the Sun, in 1872, and in searching for the 

 survivors of the unfortunate New Guinea expedition, had given 

 him a double claim to our respect. Both these events were 

 alluded to in my address of 18-72. But from his official repu- 

 tation, and the notes and drawings left behind him of scenes 

 visited by him in various parts of the globe, we may conclude 

 that by Captain Gowlland's death we have lost a friend whose 

 acquirements and accomplishments made him an ornament to our 

 Society, as well as to the Naval and Colonial Services to which 

 he belonged. 



