Fourth annual meeting of the South African Association for the Advancement of Science : official programme. Kimberley, July 9th to 14th, 1906
Partial contents: Meteorological observatory at Kenilworth -- Diamond mining in Kimberley.
Public-domain full text preserved in the Mountain Man Mining Library. Original source: archive.org.
Fourth Annual Meeting of - - The South African Association
for the Advancement of Science.
Official Programme.
Kimberley, July 9th to 14th, 1906.
Reception Rooms - - The High Schools.
GARDNER F. WiniiaMs, Exq
Ys5
President.
The South African Association For) The
Advancement Of Science.
777 HE Headquarters of the Association will be in the Cc High Schools, kindly lent for the occasion by the
Kimberley School Board.
Tickets for the meetings will be issued to visitors on application at the Information Bureau in the High School. These tickets (which are purely personal and do not admit any friends or guests) will admit members to all the Sectional Meetings, Excursions, Public Lectures, ete., except where special tickets are required. (See "Detailed
Arrangements," page 6.
This Bureau will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Monday, July 9th and following days.
Visiting Members are requested to register their
Kimberley addresses at the Information Bureau.
General Committee.
Chairman :
Aupngeus F. Witutams, Esqa., B.S.
(General Manager De Beers Consolidated Mines).
Hon. Secretary : Prof. W. M. WaLLacr
(The School of Mines, Kimberley).
Captain T. G. Tyson. William Sagar, J.P.
J. J. Christie.
Dr. Arnold H. Watkins. Major F. 8. Lynch.
D. J. Haarhoff, M.A.
A ADE, As asiavals Alles,
Capt. F. Quentrall, F.G.S.
G. A. L. Green, M.A. '. Reunert.
W. Newdigate.
E. W. Mowbray.
Dr. J. E. Mackenzie. C. E. Addams.
W. Gasson, F.C.S. Dr. A. W. Reid.
J. R. Sutton, M.A.
B. L. Dyer.
W. H. Helnore. L, A. Cary.
2, OC. Ross.
H. Simpson.
D. W. Greatbateh.
EB. CL. Lardner- Burke
Je ds Parry:
TR. Goimimer Col. D. Harris, C.M.G., M.L.A.
John A. Neville.
AE Ends Arthur H. Garcia. Francis Oat, M.L.A. Col. H. T. Tamplin. W. Pickering, ).S8.0.
"
Reception And Entertainment Committee.
Chairman: W. Sacar, Esq, J.P., Mayor of Kimberley.
G. A. L. Green, M.A. Major F. 8. Lynch
L. A. Cary. H. Simpson.
F. Reunert. W. Newdigate.
W. Gasson, F.CS. Dr. J. E. Mackenzie.
E. W. Mowbray. D. W. Greatbatch, M.S.A. B. L. Dyer. R. C. Ross.
Hon. Secretary: Prof. W. M. Watuacr, A.R.C.S., A.M.1.C.E. The School of Mines, Kimberley.
Hospitality And Excursion Committee.
Chairman : Atrpueus F. Witirtams, Esa.
D. J. Harrhoff, M.L.A. J.J. Christie, C10,
C. E. Addams. J. R. Sutton, M.A.
Capt. Tyson. Col. D. Harris, C©.M.G. Capt. Quentrall. M.L.A.
Francis Oats, M.L.A. Dr. A. W. Reid.
KE. C. L. Burke. Jno. A. Neville.
W. H. Helnore. J. Parry.
A. H. J. Bourne. I. R. Grimmer.
Dr. Arnold H. Watkins.
Hon. Secretary: Mr. H. Srpson
Detailed Programme.
Monday, July 9, 3 p.m.—The Council will meet in the Hieh Schools. 8.30 p.m.—The Presidential Address will be read by Mr. Win. Newdigate in the Town Hall. Light refreshment will be provided.
Tuesday, 10 am.— Meetings of Sections in the High Schools.
2.30 p.n.- Members are requested to assemble at the Rock Shaft, De Beers, where special trolleys will be provided for conveyance over the Mines.
8.30 p.m.-—Lecture by Prof. Lehteldt, D.Sc., B.A., on the Electrical Aspect of Chemistry."
Wednesday, 10 am. Meetings of Sections in the High Schools.
2.30 p.m. Meetings of Sections in the High Schools.
8.30 pan.—Reception by the Mayor and Town
Council in the Town Hall, followed by a
Dance.
Thursday, 10 a.m.—-Visitors are requested to assemble at the Rock Shaft, De Beers, from whence they will be conveyed to Wesselton Mine to view a blast, and Kenilworth Village.
1.30 p.m.—Luneheon will be served at the Kenilworth Club by the De Beers Company. 8.30 pan. —Leeture by Dr. W. C. C. Pakes, on the " Dumunization against disease of Microorganic Origin" (llustrated by upwards of
50 views).
Friday, 10 a.m.—Meetings of Sections in the High Schools. 2.30 pan.—Meeting of Council in the High
Schools. 3.15 p.m.—Joint Meeting of Sections in the High Schools.
8.30 pan.—General Meeting of Members in the
Town Hall.
Saturday, 10 a.m. —Meeting of Sections (if necessary).
SECTIONAL OFFICERS: A.—Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics, Meteorology, and Physics. President : J. R. Surron, M.A.
Vice-Presidents :
Col. Harris; CMG. MILA.: Arthur Garcia ; Elon, We URoss) MalGy= Pron Pass "Hahn PhDs: Oy ode CElOuoli MiSAS en sr te GOlk Gh nn na WwsOlls bv: F. Rindell, B.A., F.R.A.S.; James Moir, M.A., D.Se. ; Prot. J. Morrison Hon. Win. Ross, M.L.G.; CO: M. Stewart, BSe.; BY R. Walliams, MICE Prot. 1. Crawitord) Mea. IDeSes= Prot, J.C! Beattie DSc R. T. A. Innes ; James Lyle ; E. Nevill ; Dr. H. G. Breyer.
Secretaries: W: Gasson, F.C'S. ; and A. H. J. Bourn, M.A.
B.— Anthropology, Ethnology, Bacteriology, Botany, Geography, Geology, Mineralogy and Zoology. President: Capr, QUENTRALL, EGS,
Vice-Presidents : Francis Oates, M.L.A., F.G:S.; D. J. Haarhoff, M.A. 3. J. Chrshe (CCl; Ri Marloth, M.As: J. D. F. Gilchrist, D.Sc. ; R. Broom, M.D., B.Se.: J. Burtt- Davy, F.L.S.; Dr. G. 8S. Corstorphine, B.Se.; Frank Flowers, F.R.G.S. ; Dr. J. W. D. Gunning ; Dr. James Hyslop ; Dr. H. Lyster Jameson ; Sir Godfrey Lagden ; CG. P. Loundsbury ; Prof. H. H. W. Pearson; George Potts, B.Sc. ; A. W. Rogers, M.A.; 8. Schonland, M.A., Ph.D. ; J. Stuart Thomson ; A. Van Desauer; Prof, A. Young, M.A. Secretaries : C. BE. AppAms and H. Simpson.
Str Warrer Henry-Hurciinson,
Governor of Cape Colony.
Y
C.- Agriculture, Architecture, Engineering, Geology,
Surveying and Sanitary Science.
President: SypNEY H. JENNINGS.
Vice-Presidents :
Capt. Tyson: Alpheus F. Williams; Major F. S, Lynch; Col. Tamplin; Sir Charles Metcalfe: R. H. Hammersley-Heenan, M.I.C.E.; Prot. Henry Payne, \.M.I.C.E. ; A. Jasper Anderson, M.A.; H. A. Bailey ; W. Bradford ; G. A. Denny ; E. Farrar ; D, E. Hutchins ; James G. Lawn, A.R:S.M.; E. H. V. Melvill; CG. W. Methven ; Erie A. Nobbs; Prof. J. Orr; Arthur H. Reid; T. R. Sim; F. B. Smith; A. Struber; W. K. Tucker, CLM.G. ; John Waterson ; Franklin White ; KE. Williams.
Secretaries : D. W. Grearparcu, M.S.A.; and Wintram Newprcarn,
Goyermnent Surveyor,
Section D
President : Dr. ARNoLD H. WATKINS.
Vice-Presidents :
Dr. Thomas Muir, C.M.G., F.RS.; Sir Perey Fitzpatrick ; Howard Pim; Prof. H. E.S. Fremantle ; Prot. Thomas Walker, M.A., LL.D. ; William Sagar ; F. R. Whitton, M.A.; I. R. Grimmer; R. A. Ababrelton ; A. J. Beston ; Hon. Sir William Bisset Berry, Kt., M.A. ; © E Court; 8: Evans; Rev. W. Flint, DD: W. Pickering, D.S.0O.; J. M. P. Muirhead ; T. R. Price ; Theo, Reunert ; J. Robinson ; BE. B. Sargent, M.A. ; W. FE. Wybergh,
Secretaries : K. C. LarpNer-Burke and E. W. Mowsray.
Objects Of Whe Association:
The objects of the Association are :—To give a stronger impulse anda more systematic direction to scientific enquiry ; to promote the intercourse of Societies and individuals interested in Science in different parts of South Africa ; to obtain a more general attention to the objects of pure and applied Science, and the removal of any disadvantages of a public kind which may impede its progress.
Membership. All persons interested in the objects of the Association are eligible for membership.
Privileges of Members and Associates.
Members are eligible for all offices of the Association and to serve on its Committee, and shall be entitled to a copy of all ordinary publications issued by the Association subsequent to the date of their election.
Associates are eligible to serve on the Local Reception Comittee, but are not entitled to receive gratuitously the publications of the Association,
Subscriptions.
The Annual Subscription for Members is One Pound, payable first at election, and thereafter on the First of July of each year, In addition, un Entrance Fee of One Pound must be paid.
A Member may at any time become a Life Member by one payment of Ten Pounds, in lieu of future Annual Subscriptions, or in lieu of Entrance Pee and future Annual Subscriptions.
The Annual Subscription for Associates is Fifteen Shillings.
The Council may authorise Local Committees to admit students as Associates at a reduced subscription on the special circumstances of each case being submitted.
Dr. L. Prime Minister,
. Jameson,
]2
The following are some of the Papers
that will be
read at the Meetina:
Section A.
Presidential Address : J.R. Sulton, M.A
Anticyelones and their Influence on South African Weather.—Con. H. BE, Rawson.
. The Baremeter in South Afriea.—R, T. A. INNus
Recent Cometary Observations — R. F. Renpenn
Some Meteorological Conditions in Bulawayo Rey BE. Gowrz
Temperature Variability in South Afriea—J. R Surron, M.A
On Predicting Times of High Water at Durban, Natal—R. F. ReNDELL.
The Manurial Needs and Resources of the Transvaal Herbert INGLE.
On the Observation of Earthquakes and other Earth Movements Prov. Joun Minn, FR.
New Monthly Cloudiness Chart of the United States KENNETH 5, J OINSON
A New Solvent for Gold—Dr. James Morr, D.Sc
A Paper by Prof. J. C. Beattie will be read by Dr CRAWFORD.
A Paper by H. G. Breyer will be read by Dr
Capr. THOS, QUENTRATL, F.G.S.,
18,
SEGINONSE: PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS : M.I.Mucu.E.
BH. A, L. ScHwarz Stone
Mud Rushes The Seven Rayed Hole: i, BH. GL. Scuwarz.
In South Africa and America The Distribution and Variation of the Tortoises of South Africa —J, KE. Du Death Feigning in Ostric
SRDON, J. BE. Durrpon
1e8
Geography as a Factor in Higher Education FRANK
Features in the Vegetation in Sout': Africa due ti Prevailing Winds Dr. R. Marnoru,
The Neero in America—LAne Carrer.
Bushman Art—W. A. Squire
Geographical Distribution of Native Trees of the
Transvaal—J. Burwtr-Davy. Witcheraft and its Customs "Modjadje"
Riv.
Rev. JUNOb.
:a Native Queen in Northern Transvaal REUTER.
Sunrise Moisture and Growth Some South African Cycads :
Cou. H. E. RAwson. their Habitats, Habits Pron. H. H. W.
and Associates PEARSON.
The Glacial Beds in the Griquatown Series A. W ROGERS. Lite Histories of Some of our Insect Pests -C. W.
Howarp HUTCHINSON.
Pro, MrErs.
The Black Spot" Disease on Apples and Pears —J. B. Pour
Concentrates —PRror.
Geology of Diamond Pipes
Vans.
19. The "Black Rust" of Wheat, etc—J. B. Por EVANS
2). Infectious Experiments with Uredo Graminis, Pers. J. B. Pour Evans.
21. TInununity in Certain Wheats to Rust —J. B. Pour
Evans.
Segiionicg:
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS : SIDNEY J. JENNINGS, C.B., M.Am...M.E., M.I.M.M.
i. Phe Roaln of Alfalfa—S. Hoppur.
2. Locust Birds of the Transvaal—F. THomson.
3. Important Insect Pests of the Year—C. W. Howavrp
t. Locust Destruction in the Transvaal—C. B. Srrpson
5. Mosquitoes and Malaria in the Transvaal C. B. SIMPSON.
G6. South African Horticulture— T. R. Sra.
7. Smoke Abatement in Mining Centres—Arrour H Rep.
8. Sanitary Science—ArtituR H. Rerp.
9. Trrigitation and Inter-Colonial Co-Operation— W. L. STRANGE.
10. Coal Testing— Pror. W. M. WALLAce.
11. The Arnold-Bragstad-La Cour Polycyclic System of Current Distribution— Prof. H. Bonnin.
12. Further experience in the Bacterial Treatment of Sewage—J. C. S. Beynon.
13. Theoretical Investigations regarding Ferro-Concrete H. Kestnpr.
14. An Undereround Traverse—A. E. Payne.
15. Water Rating —G. W. HerpMan.
16,
Nw),
Irrigation in Keypt and in South Africa FP. A HuRuey.
Sanitary Science—J. 8S. Dunn.
On the Construetion of School Buildings G BerRNFIELD
Farm Irrigation in the Transvaal--C. D. H. Brainy
Second:
Presidential Address : Arnold Hh. Watkins, Md, M.R.C5
Native Edueation in its Higher Branches — Kk. A Hopartr HouGitron.
Some Population Figures— J. M. P. Murriunan. Archeology in South Africa— Prof. R. J. CHoumMuEny,. Botany as a School Subject — Dr. 8. SCHONLAND,
. Climatie Influence upon Character— J. ABERCROMBY
ALEXANDER. Place of Manual Training in South African Educa tion—TnHomMAS LowpEN.
Libraries for Seattered Districts Brrrram lL. Dyrr. A Paper on "Sociology "— Mrs. Wyneren,
A Paper on " Mental Science *—W. Wyperrcn. Mnseums in South Africa and a General Museum to the whole of the Sub-Continent—Dr. J. W. B GUNNING,
Aorieultural Land Banks and Agricultural Co operation in Relation to the Requirements of the Transvaal and of South Africa Generally-— Barker. Paper by S. E. Court.
iV 5)
The Official Journal of Sectional Proceedings, &c.
The Official Journal can be obtained daily at 2 o'clock at the tables in the Reception Rooms, and will contain announcements for the day following.
The Journal of Proceedings for Tuesday the 10th of July, however, will be handed to Members on the previous
evening at the conclusion of the General Meeting.
Reception Rooms.
The Reception Rooms at the High Schools will be open on Monday, the 9th July, and on the following days, from 9am. to 5 p.m.
The following offices, ete, will be in the Reception Rooms :
1. General Secretary's Office. 2. Tickets for Entertainments, Excursions, &e. 3. Hotels and Lodeings, and other information for strangers on arrival. 1, Writing Room. 5. Smoke Roo. 6. Ladies' Room.
7. Press Room.
Sectional Meeting Rooms.
The meetings of the various sections will be held in the class-rooms of the High Schools ; a plan showing the rooms of the different sections will be on view in the large Reception Hall.
The Sectional Committee Rooms will be in the vicinity of the Meeting Rooms, and will also be shown on the above-mentioned plan.
The Meteorological Observatory At Kenilworth.
Meteorological observations were commenced at Kenil worth about 1890 with a marine barometer, maxiniuun and minimum thermometers, and wet and dry bulb lygro ineters, and a rain gauge -all unverifiel at Kew—and, with the exception of the rain gauge, not of the best construction. These instruments were, however, soon replaced by better ones, and additions were imacde from time to time, so that at present the equipment is some thing more than that of a good station of the first order.
The principal instruments are :
A fine Standard Barometer, with a fixed cistern and adjustable zero point.
A small Fortin Barometer, with an adjustable cistern and fixed zero point.
A. large Photo-Barograph, by means of which the height of the mereurial coluinn of a good barometer is photographed continuously upon a sheet of bromide paper wrapped round a drum driven by clockwork.
A double set, of twelve each, of Negretti and Zambra's patent Reversing Thermometers for registering the hourly temperatures of the wet and dry bulbs. These thermometers, originally invented for the purpose of detei inining the temperature of the sea at any given depth, have been adapted with considerable success to meteoro-
logical purposes: but Kenilworth is probably the onl
a
station at which they have been used for obtaining hours
re simultaneous registrations of the temperature of the air and of evaporation. They are mounted in a large louvred screen (8 % 8 X 8 ft.), and are reversed hourly in pairs through the agency of clockwork and electricity. They register the required temperatures at the instant of reversing.
An Osler Anemometer tor recording continuously the direction of the wind and its streneth in gusts.
A Robinson Anemometer for recording continuously the velocity of the wind.
An Auxanometer for recording continuously the evaporation from, and the rainfall into, a large circular steel tank. As the water in the steel tank falls or rises a copper float in an adjoining vessel falls or rises, and by
means of a lever writes a magnified record of its moye-
ments upon a rotating drum A Rain Gauge recording the hourly rainfall by means of clockwork and electricity. A Jordan Photographic Sunshine Recorder, by means of which the passage of every cloud over the sun is permanently recorded. A 45 inch Equatorial Telescope, fitted with Wedge Photometer and Speetroseope
A large Horizontal Pendulum Seismograph, recording variations of level upon smoked paper ; a Milne Bracket Seismograph ; a Duplex Pendulum Seismograph ; some Tromometers and Vertical Pendulum Level Testers.
There are, in addition to the above, the usual thermometers for obtaining the maximum and minimum temperatures of the air, of the ground, and of solar and terrestial radiation, besides various Evaporation Gauges, Klectrometers, and other instruments for experimental
work.
to the meridian of 223° E. the Observatory is
28° 42
The site is not a good one, Coy the
electricity, cannot be carried out.
researches, sueh, as
Kimberley
'
fell through.
Max. Temp. in the Sun in the Shade
Min. in the Shade a over Grass
Barometric Pressure Wind Velocity Rainfall
Dew Point
Hunidity
Duration of Sunshine Percentage of Cloud ...
S. Altitude, about 3,950 feet.
study
The various clocks are kept to time chiefly by means of an Oliver Mean Time Sundial, whose indications are reduced The approximate position of
and aimany of atmospheric
A better site
important
(and one
worthy of the exceptional geographical advantages of would have been provided in 1894, when the De Beers Company offered to contribute one-half the cost and upkeep of a Government Observatory to be built in the vicinity of Kimberley, and the Government of that day favored the idea, but the Meteorological Commission
'could not see the good of it," and the scheme therefore
The following are annual averages of some of the most important climatic elements at Kenilworth :
137°8 degrees. 192 %) 19°G ih
26°182 inches.
5°8 miles per hour.
18°24 inches.
43°2 degrees.
per cent.
" "
Diamond Mining In Kimberley.
The blue ground from which the diamonds are extracted occurs in vertical pipes, which are roughly elliptical in horizontal section.
Formerly, as will be observed from the number of deep holes in and around Kimberley, this was extracted by open mining until the method become too dangerous on account of subsidences, and various methods of underground mining were tried.
The method now in use was originated by Mr. Gardner Williams soon after the various mines were consolidated, and inay be deseribed briefly thus :—
A yertical shaft is sunk near the open mine in the rock from which a tunnels cut across the major axis of the jipe in a horizontal direction, and from this again tunnels are driven at right angles until the face of the rock is reached.
At the rock face the sides and roof are blasted until the various tunnels are connected by a gallery running along the rack. The roof of this gallery is then stoped back, the miners standing on the blue ground, which has fallen, in order to effect this.
In this manner the blue ground is mined out and the superincumbent reef, which presented such difficulties in the earlier methods of mining, is allowed to fall naturally and fill up the space.
21)
Numerous systems of tunnels and galleries, as described above, are formed spaces at distances of forty feet vertically and operated at the same time, care, of course, being taken that the miners at one level do not eut the ground from under the feet of those working in the levels above.
The blue ground as mined in this way is fairly hard specific gravity, 2°6—2'8), and required to be Jaid out on the floors exposed to the weather for a period depending on its degree of hardness until, under the influence of wind and rain, it is sutticiently softened to permit of its being washed in the washing machines.
The operations in the mill are simply those of crushing the harder blue ground, titrating and grinding with wate and washing away the light earthy impurities.
The heavy concentrates are then taken to the pulsator where they are separated into different grades according to size, and afterwards passed oyer the greasers, which are slightly inclined tables given a rocking motion by cams underneath and covered with a layer of grease to which the diamonds adhere, the other materials passing over the tables with the water.
The precious stones are recovered from the* grease by
boiling with water.
Hotel Tarifes:
Sanatorium Aer £1 per diem. Savoy Hotel 12.6 to 15/- per diem. Grand Hotel ae 10,- per diem. Queen's Hotel ... 12/6 per diem. Central Hotel ... 126 per diem.
Grosvenor House Private Hotel
Dutoitspan Road) ... 7/6 per diem.
Special Arrangement for Inspecting Underground Mining in De Beers Mine. Visitors wishing to go down into the De Beers Mine can obtain a special permit from Prof. Wallace, as a limited number can be permitted each afternoon at 3 p.m.