PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



eminent engineering firm of which the late Sir Peter Nicol 

 Russell was the head, later on joined the Gas Company, 

 and was subsequently chief engineer to Mort's Dock and 

 Engineering Oompauy. He was a man of great breadth 

 of view. For example, his ideas in regard to the provision 

 of adequate wharfage accommodation for Sydney were in 

 advance of public opinion at the time, but they have since 

 proved to be fully justified. Similarly, his plans in regard 

 to city improvement were characterised by a statesmanlike 

 grasp of future requirements, and by much originality. He 

 was a pioneer of Technical Education in this State, and 

 was an authority on many subjects connected with the 

 early history of New South Wales. He was a genial, 

 unselfish, humble-minded man. He was remarkably well- 

 informed on a variety of subjects, and I trust that one of 

 the professional societies with which he was connected, 

 will publish an account of the public activities of this 

 excellent citizen. I know something of his worth, for I 

 enjoyed his friendship for over thirty years. 



Albert Bythesea Weigall, m.a. oxon., c.m.g., was born 

 in England about 72 years ago, and died in Sydney on the 

 22nd February last. He was one of the oldest member 

 of this Society. His fame rests on his head-mastership of 

 the Sydney Grammar School, which post he held for the 

 long period of 45 years. When he took charge, it was a 

 struggling institution with 53 boys on the roll ; when he 

 passed away, it had a roll of 602, and a noble record of 

 achievement. Many of his pupils hold prominent positions 

 in various walks of life, while of most of them it can be 

 said that they are honourable citizens who have exercised 

 good influence throughout Australia. He was a classical 

 scholar, and not directly interested in scientific pursuits, 

 but he always recognised the educational work carried on 

 by our Society and was proud of his membership. 



