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ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 
By T. W. EveewortH Davin, B.A., F.G.S., 
Professor of Geology in the University of Sydney. 
[With Plates I.-IV.] 
[Read before the Royal Society of N. 8S. Wales, May 20, 1896.] 
Tue privilege having been accorded me by you of addressing you 
on this the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the existence of our 
Society, I propose in conformity with a custom followed by many 
of my predecessors, to arrange my address under three heads : 
(1) Matters which have directly affected the peed during 
the past twelve months. 
~ (2) Brief review of scientific, medical and engineering work 
in New South Wales, chiefly during the above period, etc., etc. 
(3) Summary of the present state of our knowledge as to the 
structure and origin of the Blue Mountains. 
I. Tue Royat Society or New Soura WaALtzEgs. 
In the first place it is my pleasing duty to announce that His 
Excellency Viscount Hampden has graciously consented to accept 
the office of Patron of this Society, and has thereby signified his 
intention of taking that kindly interest in our welfare which has 
from time to time been shown by his Viceregal predecessors. 
{it will doubtless be remembered that Prof. Threlfall in his 
Presidential Address last year, stated that the Society’s present 
premises were becoming too small for the accommodation of the 
Library, and that, notwithstanding that temporary relief had 
been found in various ways, the time was not far distant when 
the Building Fund would have to be expended in providing the 
actual space required. The Coungil have been so deeply con- 
_ vinced of the necessity of securing more space accommodation, that 
_ they have purchased additional land, and after much consideration. 
A—May. 20, 1896. 
