Presidential Address. xxix 



between pure and applied science. It is " applied " science to add by 

 methods of plant-breeding one more variety to the hundreds of varieties 

 of turnips which are in horticulture or agriculture. It is " pure " science 

 to seek by experiment with the vilest weed, it may be, for information yet 

 unknown, which may advance man's knowledge of heredity — an advance 

 which well might pave the way towards highly benefiting cvilization as a 

 whole. Yet our research grant in, its present form would encourage the 

 turnip-breeder but not the worker in experimental genetics. Nay, this 

 last term, if added to the application for a grant, would at once damn the 

 application, for the final word rests not with the Institute but with the 

 Minister. No, if we are to have a research grant which would justify the 

 spending of public money, let it be given unconditionally. Surely a body 

 such as the New Zealand Institute is to be trusted ! 



Several outside matters have occurred during the past twelve months 

 which are of interest to the New Zealand Institute. Not the least of 

 these is the actual launching of the Cawthron Institute, in the first place 

 through the judgment of the Supreme Court approving, with a few trifling 

 exceptions, the scheme drawn up for the Trustees of the estate by the 

 Cawthron Commission ; and in the second place through the appointment 

 of Professor Easterfield as the Director. I feel assured, gentlemen, that 

 you will applaud the appointment of a colleague of such long standing, 

 and will feel, as I do, that the success of the Cawthron Institute is assured. 

 It is also satisfactory to learn that the Cawthron Institute has acquired 

 an excellent temporary home in the City of Nelson, where its scientific 

 operations can commence and where they can be carried on until a building 

 worthy of the high aims of the founder be erected on the Annesbrook 

 Estate. 



Several important scientific publications are either jiow ready for the 

 press or have appeared. There is the Hon. G. M. Thomson's work — the 

 labour of many years — deaUng with acclimatization in New Zealand : this 

 is completed, and has been sent to England. Mr. T. F. Cheeseman has 

 contributed an important paper on the vascular flora of Macquarie Island 

 as one of the reports of the Mawson Antarctic Expedition, which contains 

 a philosophical essay on the origin of the isolated band of plants of that 

 island — a worthy supplement to his scholarly essay in The Suhantarctic 

 Islands of New Zealand. The first volume of the Manuals of the Board of 

 Science and Art has just appeared, and other volumes are in contemplation 

 by the Hon. G. M. Thomson, Dr. C. A. Cotton, and Mr. Elsdon Best. Such 

 a series dealing with New Zealand natural history has long been wanted. 



Returning to our own afiairs, an index of our Transactions from 

 volume 40 onwards is urgently needed. If the hoped-for additional 

 income is assured, this should be taken in hand without delay. Then 

 there is the perennial question of the library ; but little can de done under 

 the present circumstances. The method of printing your President's 

 address each year may seem a small matter, but it is hardly upholding the 

 dignity of the Institute to tuck it away in small print in the Proceedings ; 

 still less should that position be accorded the more weighty addresses 

 delivered at the Science Congress. Surely these presidential addresses 

 should commence the annual volume. 



Turning now to the widest matter of all which confronts us as a scientific 

 body with scientific obligations, that matter beyond all others which con- 

 cerns our country in common with all ptirts of the Empire — the period of 

 reconstruction now commencing. Soon after war broke out, even in the 



