Section E. 
GEOGRAPHY. 
1. — LETTEE FROM THE PRESIDENT, ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL 
SOCIETY, LONDON * 
1 Savile Row, 
Burlington Gardens, W., 
8th January, 1895. 
Sin, — I have the honour to bring to the notice of the Australian 
Association for the Advancement of Science the steps that have been 
taken within the last year with a view to the renewal of Antarctic 
research. 
On the 27th November, 1893, a very important and interesting 
paper was read to a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society by 
Dr. John Murray, of the “Challenger” Expedition, a copy of which 
is enclosed. The arguments, and the detailed information contained 
in Dr. Murray’s paper, appeared to the Council of the Royal 
Geographical Society to place the importance of renewing Antarctic 
research in such a convincing light that it resolved to take action in 
the matter. I therefore appointed a committee of experts to report 
on the points bearing on the renewal of Antarctic research and on 
the despatch of an expedition. 
On the receipt of the report of this Society’s Antarctic Com- 
mittee, a copy of which I enclose, the Secretary of the Royal Society 
was addressed with a view to the matter receiving the consideration of 
the Council of that influential body. It was referred to a committee, 
which made its report last May. This report of the committee 
appointed by the Council of the Royal Society dwells chiefly on the 
requirements of magnetism, and shows the necessity for despatching 
an Antarctic Expedition for the completion of magnetic observations 
which are both of purely scientific and also of practical importance. 
The committee also points out that many other branches of science 
besides magnetism will be largely advanced by such an expedition. 
It is very encouraging to find that the President and Council of the 
Royal Society fully endorse the views of their committee as regards 
the great scientific importance of the results of Antarctic research. 
The Council of the British Association lias also passed a resolution 
in approval of our efforts to obtain the despatch of an Antarctic 
Expedition. The other leading scientific bodies of the Empire have 
also been addressed on the subject with a view to combined action, 
and to the nomination of a deputation, representing the science of the 
Empire, being appointed to urge this great question on the attention 
of Her Majesty’s Government. 
An Antarctic Expedition will not yield scientific results alone. 
It will be advantageous to the navy and to the colonies, and will 
increase the prestige of the Empire. 
* This letter was received after the close of the Brisbane Session, and is printed 
here by direction of the Publication Committee. 
