ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 43 



rather a failure. Whether this was due to the prevalence of hot 

 summer weather, or whether there was any defect in the manner 

 of bringing the proposed trips before the members, it remains a 

 fact that many important excursions fell through. It is worthy 

 of note that the greatest energy was displayed by the members of 

 Section H. 



A very enjoyable excursion almost of an impromptu character, 

 considering the short notice at which it was got up, was to Went- 

 worth Falls in a special train of the new corridor and Pullman 

 cars generously provided by the Railway Commissioners. 



In reviewing the proceedings of a meeting so successful as the 

 last it will not be thought mere cavilling when it is pointed out 

 that some improvements could probably be made in future. 

 According to the views of some much more fitted to judge of the 

 question than myself, there are too many papers submitted to the 

 sections. At the start the secretaries are naturally anxious to 

 get papers, and perhaps they take to themselves no little credit 

 when they find they are making up a long list, The result is 

 that the sectional work is heavy and the opportunities for members 

 of different sections to meet one another are diminished. What 

 seems to be more wanted are especially papers of a larger scope, 

 which would interest members from different colonies at the same 

 time, and such as, embraciug a larger field, would require the 

 presence of members of more than one section at the discussion. 

 Subjects, it has been suggested, might be given out and papers on 

 them invited, so that a united conference or discussion on them 

 might be arranged. I am given to understand that steps are 

 likely to be taken to put this proposal into effect at the next 

 meeting in Melbourne, and it is expected that Professor Baldwin 

 Spencer will show some good results from his efforts in this 

 direction. A great deal of good will be done by useful discussion 

 of such larger questions, there would be better opportunities for 

 members to meet one another and local societies would not be 

 robbed of papers which should be preferably read before them, 

 because chiefly of local interest, 



