"Z T. H. HOUGHTON. 



unable to earn their living, shall be well cared for since the 

 debt we owe to them is one we never can fully repay. 



Few of our members are fit and free to go, but such as 

 could do so offered their services; two will not return, 

 Colonel Onslow Thompson and Colonel Flashman. Major 

 Professor David, although of an age that would in most 

 cases prevent a less determined man volunteering, did not 

 hesitate to offer his valuable services when he found that 

 they would be of use to his country; he has run great risks 

 and for a time was in a critical state, the result of an 

 accident which happened to him when carrying out his 

 duty, but I am pleased to say he has happily recovered and 

 is again at work. 



Captain Professor Pollock is doing important work at 

 the front, and by last accounts was enjoying good health. 



Notwithstanding the war, the Society has had a very 

 successful year; nine meetings have been held, at which 

 fourteen papers were read and discussed, the attendances 

 being fully up to the average. 



The activities of the Society were very considerably 

 increased by the Sections dealing with special branches of 

 science. The Geological Section held six meetings during 

 the year, and that of Public Health and Kindred Sciences 

 four meetings; two other sections were formed at the 

 beginning of the session, viz. Agriculture, which has held 

 five meetings, and that of Industry, of which there have 

 been six meetings. To the efforts of the Chairmen, Hon. 

 Secretaries and Committees of these sections is due the 

 success which has attended them. 



A popular lecture entitled "The Chemistry of Nitrogen 

 and its value for food stuffs and explosives" was delivered 

 by Dr. Murphy, and one on "The debt of Agriculture to 

 Science " by Professor Watt. The Society is indebted to 



