JAN 15 1916 

 PRESIDENTIAL ADDREsfesU 



By Charles Hedley. 



With Plates I -VII. 



(Delivered to the Royal Society of N. S. Wales, May 5, 1915.'] 



On this, our ninety-fourth anniversary, we assemble under 

 a world wide shadow. For this year the minds of men have 

 been turned from the quiet paths of industry and of science 

 to the tremendous^fferuggle of European conflict. So in 

 this serious timei$fe refrain from such pleasure as our 

 annual dinner or conversazione, but endeavour to carry on 

 our work as usual. 



Chief among the scientific events of the past year was 

 the visit of the British Association to Australia. For some 

 time we had looked forward to this, and had prepared for 

 its success. Now looking back we remember it as a festival 

 thoroughly enjoyed both by visitors and residents. 



The aggregate membership of the various centres totalled 

 4,700, a figure considerably higher than the previous maxi- 

 mum of the Manchester meeting. Unfortunately the first 

 crash of the European war coincided with the arrival of 

 the Association. This interfered with means of travel, 

 forced some to return to England immediately, caused a 

 hasty revision of plans for others and made difficulties for 

 several foreign members. The decease of the Chancellor 

 of the University cast a gloom over the proceedings, and 

 quenched a conversazione which had been prepared as a 

 finale to the meeting. 



Both State and Federal Governments accorded gracious 

 welcome and granted official assistance, and such privileges 

 as free railway passes over the whole continent. 



A— May 5, 1915. 



