SCIENCE CONGRESS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 10, 8 January 1913, Page 8

SCIENCE CONGRESS.

I NEW ZEALANDERS HONOURED. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Melbourne, January 7. The congress of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science has opened at the I niversify. Five- hundred and sixty delegates are attending. The sectional con.ittees have been appointed. Prof a. sor Kirk, Wellington, was eiior.cn. as presi .ent ot the biology section, Mr. T. Mackenzie, of Wellington, president cf the geography and history section, and Dr. Valintine, of Wellington, president of the sanitary science and hygiene section. In the afternoon Professor David, the president-elect, gave a reception and tea. In the evening Professor Dar id delivered his presidential address before a large and brilliant gathering at Wilson Hall. THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Melbourne, January 8. Professor David, in his presidential address, spoke of the Australian climate, past and present, with special reference to the Arctic and sub-Antarc-tic factors in its control. Professor David denied That Amund-

sen stole a march on Scott. The latter was well aware that Amundsen intended to make a dash for the Pole. Although the scientific results of such a dash, as Amundsen’s did not bulk as large as Scott’s, yet the geographical, meteorological, and oceangraphica! results were cf extreme and unique interest.

Professor David is of the opinion that there is scarcely a shadow of doubt that Scott, after desperate struggles, from which Amundsen, through superior knowledge and experience was exempt, reached the Polo. Professor David recalled the fact that Evans was attacked by scurby a fortnight after the parting from Scott and his companions, who, n aking a final dash to the Pole, Professor Da vid said Evans considered the attack was duo to eating pemmican, whereas Scott and his companions had been using fresh meat. It was improbable, therefore, that any member of the I ok party had been attacked by sea wy, though there was cause for some little anxiety thereon. Referring to the Mawson Expedition, Professor David said MawsonU great ambition was to make good on the work which had already been begun on the South Magnetic Pole by Sir Edward Shackleton. The Macquarries supplied valuable data for forecasting the weather in Australia and New Zealand, especially the latter. A joint arrangement siiould be made by Australia and New Zealand 'to keep up the Macquarrie’s wireless station for this purpose.