312 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Sept. 
the Survey states in his letter of transmittal, “ A perusal of the fol¬ 
lowing pages will show that Dr. Arber, who, solely as a labour of love, 
undertook the work of examining the plant-remains here described, has 
spared no trouble and no pains in order to make the results of his 
investigations so complete that the Mesozoic botany of New Zealand will 
henceforward be established on a firm footing. The memoir itself will 
undoubtedly become a classic, indispensable to all students of mesophytic 
floras. ” 
Dr. Arber was in 1914 elected an honorary member of the New Zealand 
Institute. Professor W. N. Benson, of Otago University, writes that as a 
former student under Dr. Arber he gratefully recalls his great merit as a 
lecturer, the wonderful order and lucidity of his presentation of his subject, 
his keeness in helping his students forward, and his kindly hospitality to 
them, in which he was warmly seconded b}^ Mrs. Arber, herself a botanist 
of much distinction. Dr. Arber contributed much of importance to 
science, both in the direction of pure science — as, e.g., his work on 
The Glossopteris Flora — or in the economic application of palaeo- 
botany, of which perhaps the most striking example is his study of 
the Kentish coalfield, which is entirely concealed beneath the Chalk 
and other Mesozoic rocks, and in which the mapping of the probable 
position of the coal-seams depended solely on a minute examination of the 
lithology and fossil plants in drill-cores of bores put down in carefully chosen 
localities. 
By the death of Mr. Alexander H. Turnbull, of Wellington, New 
Zealand science loses one of its best friends. Mr. Turnbull served for some 
years on the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, and was 
always ready to help students by permitting them the use of his large and 
varied library, and by placing his great store of bibliographic knowledge 
at their disposal. His library, which he has bequeathed to the nation, is 
best known for its historical treasures, but it is equally strong in beautifully 
bound and rare editions of standard literary authors, and it contains not a 
few scientific works of reference which are unrepresented in any other library 
of the Dominion. Some years ago Mr. Turnbull presented a very valuable 
Maori collection to the Dominion Museum, but with characteristic modesty 
refused any public acknowledgment. 
BRITISH SCIENCE GUILD. 
Established in 1905, the British Science Guild has consistently endeavoured 
to bring science to bear on all issues of national life. The original objects 
were thus stated :— 
(1.) To bring together as members of the guild all those throughout the 
Empire who are interested in science and scientific methods, in 
order to convince the people, by joint action and by means of 
publications and meetings, of the necessity of applying the 
methods of science to all branches of human endeavour, and 
thus to favour the progress and increase the welfare of the 
Empire; 
