ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 59 
make use of their opportunities, and no doubt Professor Haswell 
would help his old students who might seek his advice. Many 
fine illustrations of the microscopic structure of exotic woods have 
been published, and the student could give his first attention to 
these, many of the timbers to which they refer being readily 
available. As regards colonial timbers, the fine collection of the 
Technological Museum would be available. Material inducements 
to enter on the study might perhaps be made by recognising it in 
some way by the University (say as part of a post-graduate 
course), or perhaps the medal of our Society might be awarded 
for good work in this direction. 
b. Wood-paving.—A good deal of attention has been recently 
devoted in the press to the evergreen subject of wood-paving. 
And it is pleasant to observe that every epidemic of letter-writing 
to the newspapers on this matter, shows that the writers have 
become better informed on the subject. At present it does not 
appear to be necessary that those who lay down paving of this 
character should possess much acquaintance with the timbers 
themselves, which is a matter for regret, although the diagnosis of 
Eucalyptus timbers is admittedly difficult. At present, even in 
Australia we see roadways made of timbers which have been felled 
Practically all the year round, and timbers of different kinds mixed 
in the same stretch of roadway. The matter is already receiving 
the attention of the Engineering Section of this Society, and it is 
well worthy the attention of scientific men. Our health and our 
pockets are alike concerned, for the sanitary character of a road- 
way depends not only upon the nature of the material, but upon 
the way it is laid, and our pockets suffer in the improper depletion 
of certain kinds of timber, and through anything which ee 
the maximum life of the roadway being obtained. 
¢. Special Uses of Australian Timbers.—This is a field in regard 
to which practical men may benefit themselves and the community 
at the same time. Many of our native cheer _ been recom-— 
mended for specific uses. Can those be endorsed? 
The great majority of our native timbers have been Lame to no 
