understanding of the true functions of scientific research and that 
in many cases practical issues are often concealed when in- 
cluded in what appears to be a purely scientific report. One 
Hon. Member : — 
“ denied that scientific men had contributed in any vvay to the important 
'‘mineral discoveries which had made the fortunes of the other Colonies.” 
and further stated : — 
“ give him the practical man any day before all their scientific gentlemen ” 
A third speaker intimated that the State 
‘ ' had already had some experience of these geological gentlemen, and for his 
" own part he had very much faith in wliat the Hon. Member for — said, 
" that we could not point to much good that they had ever done for the 
" Colony, and fcr his own part he would prefer to see the money spent in in- 
" troducing practical miners, men w ith picks and shovels ” 
This gentleman was followed by another speaker whose view was 
that 
“ at present he had no faith in these scientific gentry at all — as a rule they 
“ were like the ne 'spapers, very wise after the event ” 
It is satisfactory to know that evolutionary processes have 
been steadily at work since that time, and that such views regard- 
ing the status of scientific research and its votaries no longer 
obtain save in the minds of those very few who invariably peer 
on the world through the narrow end of the telescope, and are 
unable to embrace more than microscopical ideas. Ulti- 
mately the motion to establish a geological department was 
defeated by a large majority, but, judging from the tenour 
of the debates, 1 am inclined to think that the question of ways 
and means weighed very heavily with the Hon. Members in 
arriving at that decision. 
The late Rev. C. G. Nicolay in many ways contributed largely 
to our knowledge of the geology of the State and was in charge 
of the Geological Museum at Fremantle, founded by Mr. Hardman, 
which became ultimately merged into the National Museum. 
It was not, however, until 1887, that the Government found 
itself able to provide the necessary funds for the post of Govern- 
ment Geologist. The appointment was conferred upon Mr. H. P. 
Woodward, who had previously served for more than three years 
under Mr. H. Y. Lyell Brown as the Assistant Government Geo- 
logist of South Australia. Mr. Woodward held the appointment 
of Government Geologist from 1888 to 1895. During Mr. Wood- 
ward’s tenure of office he had for his associates Mr. B. H. Wood- 
ward, who acted as Curator of the Geological Museum and Assayer 
to the Department, whilst at a later date, 1894, Mr. S. Goczel was 
added to the stall as Field Geologist and Mining Engineer ; hence 
it became possible to divide the work and make a beginning 
on more or less systematic lines. It was during this period that 
the paramount necessity for : — 
“the publication of reliable geological knowledge relating to the nature and 
“extent of useful mineral deposits supplemented by geological maps and 
“plans ” * 
* Pari. Debates Leg. Council, Vol. 10, pp. 135 142. Perth : By Authority 
1886. 
