SCIENCE CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 403, 12 January 1909, Page 5

SCIENCE CONGRESS.

ANNUAL MEETING.

HONOUR FOR PROFESSOR DAVID,

, RADIO-ACTIVITY. (BV TEI,F.ai(APrt— FltEflS ASSOCIATION—COPVBIOnI.) (Rec. January 12, 1.15 a.m.) Brisbane, January .11, The Australasian Association for the Advancement of. Science has commenced its annual congress, Professor Bragg presiding. Mr. G. M. Thomson, F.L,S.,"'of Dtinedin (botanist and geologist, and author of Perns and Fern Allies of New Zealand "), resigned the position of local secretary in New Zealand, and Dr. Colridge was, appointed his successor. Professor David Orme Masson (Professor of Chemistry in the University of Melbourne since 1886) was elected tho new president. The nest meeting is to bo held in. Sydney. ■ A resolution .that subjects for .discussion be selected two years in advance was adopted. ; The Mueller medal was awarded to Professor David in recognition of his work in connection .with Australasian geology. 1 The president, Professor Bragg, delivered an address on radio-activity. TWO NOTABLE SCIENTISTS. Professor T. W. i David (Professor of GeolGeography in Sydney. University 1891) is described by Johns's "Notable Australians as being "one, of tb.o most -eminent of Australian scientists. Professor David has succeeded in making geology a living for Ms students. Ho was formerly a member of the Geological Survey, of New South Wales,. practically discovered and surveyed the magnificent Mainland coal measures, and by -'his prompt action saved immense coal deposits from being alienated from the Crown. He is. author of a work .upon the Maitland coalfields, and a prolific writer and lecturer upon his special subjeots,. was president of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science during. 1905-7, represented Australia at the Geological Congress at Mexico in 1906, and conducted a special, investigation into the effects of the San Francisco earthquake. Tho Professor accompanied : the National Exploration Expedition under Captain Shackleton to tho Antarctic." Professor Wm, H: Bragg (Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the University of Adelaide since January, 1886), is a recognised authority. on radio-activity. .According to "Notable Australians," his work has thrown an entirely fresh light on the properties of the Alpha; particles,, and furnished the basis of now. and important investigations by various workers in tho science., It was this work .which won. for him the Fellowship of the Royal. Society in. 190?. His publications are .many..