iVew Zealand Institute Science Congress. 485 



Lady Liverpool, and siiit*^, tlie President of the Congress (Dr. 1.. Cockayne, 

 F.R.S.), His Honour Sir John Denniston, the Mayor of (Jhristchurch 

 (H. Holland, Esq.), Mrs. Luk(> (Mayoress of Wellington) and other visiting 

 Red Cross Council d<'legates, many officers and members of the lustitnte, 

 and a large number of citizens of Christchurch. The beautiful lawns and 

 garden, with its fine representation of native plants and its winding jjaths 

 exhibiting glorious hydrangeas growing on the river-banks, wer(^ nuich 

 enjoyed by the visitors, and combined with the brilliant sunshine music, 

 and the social intercourse to make the occasion memorable. 



EXCURSIONS. 



During the Congress excursions were made to the hydro-electric p(]\vi'r- 

 station at Lake Coleridge, to the Agricultural College, Lincoln, to Riccarton 

 Bush, and to Dyer's Pass on the Port Hills. 



Geological excursions were made to Quail Island, Lytteltou Harliour, 

 and to Grey River. 



Other excursions were made by different meiiibers to various places of 

 scientific and industrial interest in the vicinitv of Christchurch. 



PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 

 By L. Cockayne, Ph.D.. F.R.S. 



Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. — At those great Science 

 Congresses held by the British Association for the Advancement of Science 

 — the mother of such associations throughout the world — the President has 

 dealt not infrequently with the more recent history of scientific advance 

 in that special branch of knowledge which is his life-work. At future public 

 meetings of the New Zealand Institute addresses of like character would be 

 most desirable. The history of New Zealand science itself in its various 

 branches would be of especial moment and form a basis for further ach-ance. 

 But on this occasion — the first time, indeed, that the New Zealand Institute 

 since its initiation has come before the public — it seems fitting rather to 

 deal, but of necessity briefly, with the history of the Institute itself, 

 touching on its modest beginnings, its past achievements — if I dare so 

 call them — and its activities at the present time. Then I shall say 

 something about what I take to be the aspirations of the Institute, and 

 its aims. 



To the great majority of the people of this Dominion the New Zealand 

 Institute is at best but a name. The world over, the incalculable benefits 

 of science are accepted without a thought as to how or from whom such 

 benefits are derived. 



This present time is assuredly a critical period in the history of mankind ; 

 it is even a critical period in the history of this wonderful New Zealand, 

 endow(;d though she be witli an infinity of riches and potentialities for 

 greatness. At no time in the history of the British Empire has tlie uutiiiiig 

 prosecution of science been more urgently demanded. 



As for New Zealand, it is not sufficient to rely upon investigations 

 carried on beyond her borders. She has her special problems, whicli can 

 be solved only upon her own soil, and which ought surely to be investigated 

 by her own sons and daughters. It is essential, then, that the sole scientific 

 body of the Dominion — the New Zealand Institute — should get into much 



