I feel most sincerely the weight of the great honour that has been done me in electing me as Chairman of so distinguished a Society, which most certainly does occupy a unique position as the oldest Aeronautical body in the world. The diffidence with which your very distinguished Chairman of the Session now closed assumed office, makes me wonder as to how I can most suitably step into his shoes, and, in particular, solve the difficult)- of delivering an inaugural tiddress which will not be too unworthy to rank with the papers of the high standard of the past.