78 Proceedings. 



You are aware that the British Association is to meet in Australia towards the 

 close of 1914, and that the New Zealand Government has very liberally voted the 

 sum of £2,000 to cover the cost of bringing over a party of members from Australia 

 after the close of the meeting, together with another party of well-known scientists 

 from the United States and Canada. A supplementary meeting will then be held 

 in New Zealand. Although it is almost certain that an arrangement will be made 

 on the above lines, it is probable that the details will not be available until the 

 close of 1913 or beginning of 1914. In the meantime, a reception committee has 

 been formed, on which there is a full representation of the New Zealand Institute. 



A few more words and I have finished. It is now nearly forty-five years since 

 the New Zealand Institute Act became law and the Institute itself sprang into 

 being. Although only a raw youth at the time, I was one of the original members ; 

 and I may perhaps be pardoned if I make a very few remarks on the growth of the 

 Institute, its position at the present time, and what its aims should be in the future. 

 I have never inquired as to who drafted the original New Zealand Institute Act, or 

 who framed the first regulations issued under it ; but whoever did so showed great 

 foresight, and great knowledge of the springs of human action. He clearly recog- 

 nized that the geographical configuration of the colony would effectually prevent the 

 growth of one large centre like Sydney or Melbourne dominating and dwarfing all 

 others, and that in its place there would be several widely separated towns, not far 

 removed from one another, however, in size, in trade, and in relative importance. 

 He therefore provided that the Institute should consist of distinct affiliated bodies. 

 And as it was apparent that different portions of the colony would develop in 

 different directions and under different circumstances, it naturally followed that 

 the aims and objects of the various branches would be equally diverse. Hence the 

 adoption of the important rule that the affiliated societies shall be entitled to retain 

 or alter their own constitution, and shall conduct their own affairs. They are 

 practically independent societies, bound together for the performance of a few 

 common duties, but otherwise free to develop in any direction they may wish. 

 Mr. Asquith, the Prime Minister of England, in a speech delivered at the time of 

 the Imperial Conference, said that the problem to be solved in dealing with Imperial 

 Federation was how to reconcile perfect autonomy with co-operation. I submit that 

 forty-five years ago that question was settled so far as the scientific societies of 

 New Zealand were concerned. 



Two societies — the Wellington Philosophical Society and the Auckland Institute 

 — were founded in 1868, within a few months of the passing of the Act. In the 

 first year of their existence the members' roll numbered 178, the total revenue of 

 the two societies being about £180. Five years afterwards, or in 1873, the number 

 of societies had increased to five, with a membership of 563. At the present time 

 there are nine incorporated societies, and the members' roll can be safely estimated 

 at 1,000. The revenue derived from members' subscriptions exceeds £1,000, being 

 thus double the amount of the Government grant. So far as mere membership is 

 concerned, there is no reason to be dissatisfied with the progress of the Institute. 



The primary object of the Institute was originally defined as being " to promote 

 the cultivation of the various branches of art, science, literature, and philosophy." 

 If it be asked what the Institute has done in the direction thus indicated, I should 

 reply that a plain and sufficient answer is written on the pages of the forty-three 

 volumes of the Transactions. I need not tell you that the Transactions contain an 

 immense amount of information relating to the natural history, geology, physio- 

 graphy, and resources of the Dominion. No one can now study the flora or fauna 

 of the Dominion, or undertake any investigation of a scientific nature respecting it, 

 without frequent reference to the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute." 

 In short, as a repository and storehouse of information of a scientific and semi- 

 scientific character relating to New Zealand the Transactions are unequalled, and 

 in that respect alone have fully justified the formation of the Institute and the 

 yearly subsidy granted by the Government. 



If an inquiry be made as to the work done by the affiliated societies apart from 

 the Transactions, an equally satisfactory reply can be given. Perhaps I may be 

 allowed to say a few words in reference to the four leading branches of the Institute. 

 In Canterbury we have a society surrounded by numerous local institutions tolerably 

 well provided for. It has thus been able to confine its energies to the proper business 

 of a scientific society, and in so doing has performed work of very great value. In 

 proof of this I need only mention its enterprise in publishing Hutton's "Fauna 

 Novae Zealandiae " and the Subantarctic reports. The Otago Institute follows very 

 much the same lines, but in its recent formation of astronomical and technological 

 branches ' is opening up an entirely new avenue of usefulness. In Auckland the 

 Institute has undertaken the maintenance of the Auckland Museum, a work which 

 taxes its resources to the utmost, and will do so for many years to come. It has, 



