SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
very rapid. As a teacher his lectures were characterised by clearness, 
and he displayed a boldness and originality in his manner of illus- 
trating the abstract principles of chemical science which were much 
appreciated by those who sat under him. The course of instruction 
covered a wide field, and included both pure and applied chemistry. 
For his work at the Working Men’s College he was peculiarly fitted, 
* owing to his sound general and scientific training, supplemented by 
research experience and matured by industrial experience in the con- 
trol of large-scale chemical and metallurgical operations. Added to 
this were great organizing ability and a personality which assured the 
maintenance of most cordial and friendly relations between the lecturer 
and his students. Most cordial also were his relations avith his col- 
leagues, many of whom look back upon that period with the greatest 
pleasure. His influence upon the young men sho sat under him as 
day students doing engineering and chemistry courses—most of whom 
now hold responsible positions in Australia and elsewhere—was very 
marked, but perhaps the lectures he delivered in the evenings were 
most appreciated. To these men of all types were attracted by his 
reputation as an exponent of chemical science. They included both 
young men and old, professional men and ambitious holders of clerical 
positions; also proprietors, managers, foremen, and workmen from 
manufacturing establishments, as well as schoolmasters and teachers, 
and such diverse types as University graduates and almost illiterate 
“practical” men, : 
Mr. Avery is an indefatigable worker. While building up the 
chemistry department of the college, equipping its laboratories, and 
lecturing both in the day and evening, he found time to carry on 
research work, especially in connexion with practical problems relat- 
ing to the industries. In addition he was frequently consulted by 
manufacturers and others, who wished to obtain his advice on their 
problems. 
Mr. Avery is a leading educationalist, and has done much to 
advance the cause of technical education in Victoria. 
In 1908 he obtained leave of absence from college duties, and made 
an extended tour of the Continent and England, where he studied at 
first hand various chemical problems and yisited the principal univer- 
sities and technical schools. Returning to Australia in 1909 he again 
took up his teaching duties, but in 1911, after twelve years, during 
which the department of chemistry had grown from small beginnings 
to a very large establishment, he resigned his lectureship in order to 
devote himself to private practice as a consulting chemical and metal- 
lurgical engineer. . is 
As a consultant he has done much to assist in the establishment 
and improvement of Australian chemical industries, and he is closely 
associated with some of the largest and most progressive Australian 
companies, 
He has for many years been connected with the development of 
processes for the metallurgical treatment of ores by flotation, and in 
the war period he spent much of hi§ time at Broken Hill, New South 
Wales; Port Pirie, South Australia; and Risdon, Tasmania, investi- 
gating important problems relating to the production of lead and zinc, 
which were so urgently required for munition making. During this 
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