obituary notice

130 ANl\UAL REPORT OF THE COUNClL.

in our field meetings, though his knowledge went far beyond localdetails. In 1929 Mr. Gibbons retired to Moreton, near Dorchester,and he became an active member of the Dorset Natural Historyand Archceological Society, and of the Bournemouth NaturalScience Society. He worked with enthusiasm particularly on theoutcrops south of the Ridgeway between Dorchester and Vvey­mouth, acquiring an intimate knowledge of that exceedinglyinteresting area, while he wrote on "The Eocene River in Post­Cretaceous Dorset." Field meetings in Dorset of the societiesto which he belonged found him ever ready to put his knowledgeat the disposal of all; while his wide acquaintance with fieldbotany and with archceology made him an entertaining com­panion on all similar occasions. Mr. Gibbons acted as secretaryfor the Charmouth Whitsun field meeting of the Association in1936, where his flair for organisation and thoroughness found fullexpression. Tall, well-built, and strong, he had a bluff genialityand good-humoured kindliness that endeared him to all hismany friends. Ideally happy in his marriage, Mr. Gibbons willbe remembered for his sincerity of purpose and staunch upright­ness. He passed away peacefully on April 4th, 1938.

lH. D. T.]

JAMES GUEST, who died at Leytonstone on August 15th, 1938,atthe age of 65, had been a member of the Geologists' Associationfor 36 years. He was also a member of the Essex Field Club,which he joined in 1912. Guest was a man of wide cultureand many interests, including not only geology, but botany,archseology, ancient history and music. Although he attendedmany of our ordinary meetings, and was almost invariablypresent at the Annual Conversaziones, his natural reserve andmodesty probably prevented him from becoming known tomany of his fellow-members.

[E. C. M.J

EDWARD S. HADLEY, of Walsall, who joined the Associationin 1930, died on February 18th, at the age of 73. He was ahardware manufacturer, and for several years he held the rankof Chief Inspector in the Special Constabulary of Walsall.

Professor W. H. MERRETT died on October zoth, 1938, at theage of 66. He was born at Clapham, Surrey, on" December 18th,1871, and received his early education at St. Olave's School,London. From there he obtained a Royal Exhibition of theBoard of Education and, in 1891, he entered the ImperialCollege of Science (Royal School of Mines). Here he had abrilliant student career and was awarded a first-class associateshipin Metallurgy. After a period of seven years' distinguishedresearch work at the Mint, under the late Sir Roberts-Austin,