34 
Han geology, of some of which but a passing glimpse has just been 
afforded you. 
“Wherever and by whatever means sound learning and useful 
knowledge are advanced, there to us are friends. Whoever is pri- 
vileged to step beyond his fellows on the road to scientific discovery 
will receive oitr applause and if need be our help. Welcoming and 
joining in the labour of all. we shall keep our place amongst those 
who clear the roads and remove the obstacles from the path of 
science, and whatever be our own success in the rich fields which' 
lie before us. however little vve may now know, we shall prove that 
in this our day we knew' at least the value of knowledge, and joined 
heart and hands in the endeavour to promote it.” 
So spoke the President of the British Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science in the year ISfia, and to his W’ords I merely 
add by way of an echo, “So say all of us.” 
My self-imposed task is over; my term of office as your Presi- 
dent, has now^ come to an end. and in vacating the Chair, in favour 
of my successor, may 1 ask you to ponder over the deeper meaning 
conveyed in the words of one, alas ! of our very few, Australian 
poets : — 
"God said let there be light. They but fulfil 
With banded aim. His first recorded w'ill. 
Who pass obedient to the prime command, 
The torch of Science on from hand to hand.” 
