Xll. ABSTRACT OP PROCEEDINGS. 



for it would be of great usefulness in training the power of 

 observation of the children, and teaching them to think about 

 what they saw and heard. Some of the teaching now done at 

 the University should be given in the schools, and the student 

 would then gain valuable time at the University for things he 

 could not do at school. He did not advocate the teaching of 

 technical or applied Sciences in ordinary schools. It was to be 

 regretted that the Sydney University was probably the only 

 modern University that excluded Science from its entrance 

 examinations. Professor Liversidge made also some observa- 

 tion in connection with the advantages of a metric system of 

 weights and measures, and a decimal system of coinage. He 

 strongly recommended that its teaching should be compulsory in 

 all the schools of the State. The chief defect of our present 

 system of weights and measures was that there was no simple 

 connection between measures of length, weight, and capacity. 

 Investigation showed that in countries where the change to the 

 metric system had been made, no great difficulty was experienced, 

 and an increase of trade had resulted. 



He strongly urged that increased attention should be paid 

 to commercial education and suggested that not only should 

 it include a certain amount of instruction in Science, but that the 

 standard for the higher branches should be as high as for any of 

 the learned professions, also that part of the course should be 

 given at the University. 



A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring President, and 

 Mr. H. C. Russell, b.a., c.m.g., f.r.s., was installed as President 

 for the ensuing year. 



Mr. Russell thanked the members for the honour conferred 

 upon him. 



