Current Topiccs and Events

Abstract

The presence of the Prince of Wales at the dinner arranged by the Institution of Mining Engineers and the Institution of Mining and Metallurg at the Guildhall, London, on November 16, gave Royal distinction to a memorable occasion in the history of applied science in this country. The Prince himself, in his tribute to the mining engineer, referred with particular approval to the amalgamation of the two institutions and remarked: “I cannot help feeling that there are in this country many institutions, scientific and otherwise, which might do well to follow your example, and, as you have done, group themselves round a joint secretariat and library, housed in a single building.” The combined membership of the two institutions is more than 6300, and the two councils have decided to invite the sister-institutions in the British Isles and the Dominions to co-operate with them as equal partners in the constitution of an Empire Council of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Institutions. Sir John Cadman, president of the Institution of Mining Engineers, who presided at the dinner and was associated with Mr. S. J. Speak, president of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, in referring to this new body linking up members of the mining profession throughout the British Empire in a concerted effort of practical achievement, expressed to the American Ambassador, who was present, the hope that such a scheme would find favour in the United States and ultimately embrace all English-speaking mining and metallurgical engineers. The importance which the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy attaches to technological education was shown by the presentation of the gold medal of the institution to Sir Alfred Keogh, who has just retired from the Rectorship of the Imperial College of Science and Technology. Sir George Beilby was similarly presented with the medal of the Institution of Mining Engineers in recognition of his contributions to science, with particular reference to his researches on fuel; both recipients had the honour of receiving the medals from the hands of the Prince of Wales. The speeches at the dinner were of a remarkably high order, and we offer our congratulations to all who were concerned in making arrangements for an event which not only maintained the dignity of applied science but also will contribute in no small measure to its continued development.