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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 52

First General Meeting of the Founders of the Geographical Society of Australasia

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First General Meeting of the Founders of the Geographical Society of Australasia.

The first general meeting of the founders of the recently formed Geographical Society of Australasia was held in the Chamber of Commerce, at the Exchange, on Tuesday the 31st May. There were about seventy gentlemen present, and Mr. E. Du Faur, F.R.G.S., was voted to the chair. The advertisement convening the meeting having been read,—

The Chairman said it has doubtless been regretted by many besides myself that, hitherto, geography has been almost the only science which has received no organized support from, nor been prominently brought under the notice of, our community. Whilst in all parts of Europe, and in many other parts of the world, Geographical Societies have existed for years, numbering at the present time about eighty, neither this or any other Australian Colony has placed itself in a position to correspond with those recognized centres; and while many minor cities in Europe, and places such as Lima, Buenos Ayres, Quebec, and Japan, can support independent Societies, although having little scope for local investigations in the cause of geographical science, we who occupy almost the centre of a hemisphere, abounding with unexplored fields, have failed to co-operate with them. The organizers of these Societies have been actuated doubtless not by mere local interests, but by a desire to keep pace with the world-wide efforts of others in the same cause. We, with our own continent but roughly explored—with the countless islands of the Pacific in the pathways of our mercantile trades—with New Guinea (probably the least known extensive tracts in the world) adjacent to our shores, and with the vast Antarctic Ocean awaiting the enterprise of hardy spirits such as have conferred renown on the English race and the inhabitants of Northern Europe and America, have done nothing. We have not had even a recognized body that could greet those who have visited our shores from time to time in the cause of geographical science. Some years since an attempt was made to establish a Geographical Section in connection with the Royal Society of New South Wales, and for two years I endeavoured as Chairman of such Section to get together at least the nucleus of a Geographical Society. Either the movement was premature—or possibly I was not the right man—but I failed even to obtain the attendance of page xix a few members at our monthly meetings. I rejoice to think that we now start under more promising auspices. A gentleman has come among us who is an enthusiast in the cause—who is willing to undertake the hard work and detail drudgery involved in the early stages of such a movement, and who, I feel convinced, will lead it to a successful issue. You will all have full opportunities of making the acquaintance of M. Marin La Meslée during this and our ensuing meetings. Some of you may recollect that recently a Geographical Congress was held at Venice, with which, in common with all other civilized countries, we were invited to co-operate. Much valuable information was collected in some of the Government Departments relating to the geography of New South Wales, but it appears to have been assumed that there was no one in our community who was sufficiently interested in the subject, or capable of representing us on the occasion; and a chance commercial visitor to our shores, not even a British subject, who had seen nothing of Australia beyond what could be gathered by a few weeks' residence in Melbourne and Sydney, and an overland journey between them by rail, was commissioned to represent us. The result was such as might well be expected. Our representative does not appear to have opened his lips, and our contributions were probably consigned to oblivion, unexamined and unexplained. I trust—I may say that I am certain—from the attendance here this evening, that no such absurdity will ever be permitted again, but that, at the next European Geographical Congress, we shall take our proper place, with intelligent representatives for each of the Australian Colonies. There are endless topics on which I might dilate, notably that of New Guinea, but to them better justice will be done at our inaugural meeting.

Mr. E. Marin La Meslee, M.C.G.S., Paris, Hon. Secretary pro tem., remarked that he felt very sensibly the flattering remarks the Chairman had kindly made with reference to the work he had done in connection with the formation of the Society, and he could only say that the necessity of such an institution struck him so forcibly when he was at home last year, that he made up his mind on his return to Australia to do all in his power to establish it out here. He found that, as regards geographical science and the progress of commercial geography, we in Australia were placed at a great disadvantage by not possessing a Geographical Society, and it appeared to him beyond all manner of doubt that Japan, Central Africa, the Congo, and various other out-of-the-way places, of far less importance than Australasia, were very much better known in the old world than we were. Whilst these regions were being opened up to commerce, and the merchants of the old world were turning their efforts in their direction, comparatively little attention was paid to our growing commercial importance. Geographical works used in English and Continental schools page xx contained the most absurd errors as regards Australasia, and a few lines were considered sufficient to deal with the geography of this part of the world. Last, but not least, we were placed in the very centre of the remaining unexplored portions of the globe, and it seemed to him that it would be an everlasting shame if we allowed others to continue and perfect the work of exploration in Australasia. With this object in view, this Society would be invited to give its support towards a thorough and scientific exploration of New Guinea and the completion of the work of exploration in Australasia. These were the reasons which presented themselves to his mind, and he made these views public at a meeting of the Royal Society at which he brought a message from the Geographical Society of Paris.

The draft constitution of the Society, which had been prepared by a Provisional Committee, was then read by the Hon. Secretary.

Dr. Belgrave moved as an amendment to the first clause in the constitution:—"That the name of the Society be 'The Federal Geographical Society of Australasia.'"

Sir John Robertson objected to the word "Federal" in regard to the Society, and he thought that if it were employed many of the gentlemen who were now the best friends of the Society would become greatly opposed to it.

Professor Sladen seconded the amendment, and he said that, if it were carried, it would be the means of distinguishing the Society from the Geographical Societies which abounded in other British Dominions.

The amendment was put and lost, and the draft constitution of the Society was accepted, on the motion of Mr. II. Wood, seconded by Mr. F. Garrard.

A ballot was then taken for the election of a Vice-President and officers in connection with the Society, with the following result:—

Vice-President

  • Professor Stephens.

General Council

  • Hon. P. G. King.
  • Mr. P. F. Adams.
  • Mr. Christopher Rolleston.

Hon. Secretary

  • Mons. E. Marin La Meslée, M.C.G.S.P.

Hon. Treasurer

  • Mr. Francis Garard.
page xxi

Administrative Council

  • Mr. E. Du Faur, F.R.G.S.
  • Dr. Belgrave.
  • Hon. W. A. Brodribb, F.R.G.S.
  • Mr. G. Ranken.
  • Mr. C. S. Wilkinson.
  • Rev. J. Jefferis, LL.B.

The Secretary announced that a meeting of the Administrative Council would take place at an early date, in order to prepare a programme for the inaugural meeting of the Society.

A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman, and the proceedings terminated.