620 Proceedings. 



read during the session is 22, a number considerably in excess of the average 

 of previous years. The subjects treated of, also — including Botany, Zoo- 

 logy, Geology, Astronomy, Earthquakes and Volcanoes, and miscellaneous — 

 are sufficiently varied to show that the number of our scientific observers 

 has not diminished, nor has their zeal decreased. 



At the opening meeting of the session, I announced to you that the 

 Council had acquiesced in a proposal to ask the aid and the concurrence of 

 the various branches of the New Zealand Institute, in bringing before the 

 Government and in representing the advantages which would accrue to the 

 colony by the establishment of a Marine Biological Laboratory. To this 

 effect a circular was drawn up and a copy forwarded to the Presidents of the 

 Philosophical Societies in the colony, in May last. Answers have now been 

 received from all ; and with the exception of one, which declines to join in 

 making any representation to the Government, and one which, whilst fuUy 

 approving of the principle indicated in the circular, is not prepared to fur- 

 ther it at present, all are favourable. Copies of the circular were forwarded 

 also to a number of gentlemen of scientific standing, with a request that 

 they would favour your Council with their opinion and advice ; and also, if 

 favourable to the scheme, with their interest. Out of nine letters sent, 

 answers have been received from five gentlemen, all of whom expressed 

 their willingness to support the proposition. Several, however, suggested 

 modifications in the scheme as laid down. This, of course, was nothing 

 more than was to be expected. The details of so large a plan necessarily 

 require much consideration from various points of view before they can be 

 amalgamated into definite and feasible order. The first great point has, 

 however, been, we think, established — that is, the advisability and the prac- 

 ticability of such an institution, and the fact that the project has secured 

 the approval of a large proportion of the scientific men in the colony. As 

 to the economical advantages that would accrue to the country from such 

 an establishment, it is not difficult to show that they would be great. Of 

 the edible fishes which are to be found on our coasts, and in our rivers, com- 

 paratively little is known. Their habitats, their spawning (both as to season 

 of year and as to locality), their numbers and comparative value, the best 

 methods of cultivating and capturing them, and, with perhaps few excep- 

 tions, their natural history, have never been systematically studied. The 

 cultivation, also, of oysters and edible crustaceans would be fostered, and 

 thus not only would the colony derive the benefit of a largely-increased 

 supply of new, cheap, and wholesome foods, but employment would be 

 found for a considerable population of fishermen, and a class of hardy sea- 

 going people would be founded and encouraged — a class from which, in Great 

 Britain, America, and other countries, the navies are so largely recruited. 



I hope before any long time transpires we may see that tlio Government 

 of this colony is prepared to encourage, if not entirely to maintain, a Marine 

 Biological Laboratory. 



I mentioned at the beginning of the session that the Council proposed 

 to commence the formation of a botanical collection, as a special feature in 

 the Museum. A commencement has been made, sufficient to form the 

 nucleus of what it is hoped will eventually become a representative her- 

 barium of the flora of this part of New Zealand. 



A short time ago a circular was received from Professor Liversidge, of 

 the University of New South Wales, containing a proposal to establish an 

 Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, somewhat on the 

 lines of the British Association, and asking this Institute to unite in the 

 scheme. Copies of the circular are laid on the table for the information of 

 any members who may take an interest in the proposal. 



As a result of some communications which passed between your Vice- 

 president and the Government, your Council has been encouraged to apply 

 for a site on which to erect a building for the purposes of the Institute. 

 Nothing definite has as yet been settled, but we have reason to hope that a 

 suitable piece of land may be obtained. 



