16
BRITISH ASSOCIATION: CONFERENCE OF
DELEGATES OF CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES,
HELD IN LONDON, 4th JULY 1918.
By W. Whitaker, F.R.S., Delegate of the Essex Field Club.
[Read 26th October 1918.]
THE meeting took place at the rooms of the Geological Society,
under the presidency of Dr. F. A. Bather, F.R.S., who gave
an address on "The Contribution of Local Societies to Adult Education."
Dr. Bather used the term "local" in the widest sense, so as to include
the work of almost all scientific societies. He gave the number of such
societies as were eligible to take part in the British Association work as
392, according to available lists, which, however, are incomplete: so we
may put the number as something over 500, or, by including many smaller
societies, which are little known, 1,000.
He noticed the geographic distribution of the societies, partly by
means of a map. This map showed the existence of large areas without
any sign, and naturally the congregation of societies was in or near great
towns.
The number of members of these societies was given as well over 29,000 ;
but there are probably many duplications. Including all the supposed
1,000 societies, a rough estimate of 200,000 members was given, which
is, however, only 0.4 per cent. of the total population.
The chief educational work of the societies is done through lectures,
excursions, and museums. It seems, therefore, that our Club, with its
two museums, must be doing its full share.
A distinction was drawn between lectures to and lectures by a society
(for the public). The latter should be in the nature of propaganda.
Excursions are to some extent lectures in another form—demonstra-
tions; but, in some cases, fresh work is done, and "there is no better
training for a naturalist than observation in the field."
Some societies exist only in connection with museums: in others,
these are a primary function. In his list are 52 societies "actively re-
sponsible for museums." Whilst lectures and excursions are temporary,
museums are continuous. The president (a prominent museum
official) held clearly that "there is nothing like leather." He told us
that all we have to do is to see that our museums are conducted properly,
adding that, if we wanted to define "properly," we should apply to the
Museums Association. Let us hope that our own efforts in this line
will pass muster.
In the discussion, your delegate said that the primary object of local
societies was to deal with local science: the educational work of spreading
that knowledge came afterward. Our societies could help the schools,
by teaching the scholars something of their surroundings. He also
suggested that societies could help in the formation of libraries.
The question of Kent's Cavern, Torquay, was again raised, and it
was agreed to ask the Council of the British Association to appoint a
Committee to deal with the subject. This has since been done, and the
matter will come before the Council of the Association next month.