742 Proceedings. 



anything that will tend to foster observation and record of observation 

 at first hand is to be commended. Now, a proposal such as wo make 

 is a move towards the encouragement of first hand observation. It is one 

 which wants the co-operation of teachers in order to direct the minds of 

 pupils, and to .^how them how to keep proper rt cords. At the same time 

 the records, to be of any real value, must be the result of individual atten- 

 tion. If any one, for instance, whu works in a garden takes the trouble 

 even for one year to keep a simple caUndar of dates both of work done 

 and of results gained, it is wonderful how interesting the record becomes 

 as the recurring seasons bring round the same chain of events. There is 

 probably no subject that can supply such a perennial source of interest 

 as the study of nature. The desire for more knowledge grows with what 

 it feeds on, but there is no po!-;sibility of satiating the desire with over 

 indulgence, or of exhausting the supply of material. The cultivation 

 of an observational habit ma,y prove in after days a source of joy and a 

 means of stimulation when many other springs of action fail. A hobby 

 is, as a rule, and when indulged in in moderation, an excellent thing for 

 a man. Kothing is more sad than to see a man, retired or superannuated 

 from some occupation to which he has devoted all his thought and energy 

 for the best years of his life, wasting for lack of occupation. Many 

 such men die off after a few years, simply because their faculty of bemg 

 interested has become atrophied— at lea^t, of being interested in things 

 which are within their means and power of attainment. Now, it may 

 seem a far cry between the observation of a youngster at school and the 

 occupation of a man who has worked out the greater part of his career. 

 But the habits of life must be moulded in the most plastic time of both 

 mind and body ; hence anything that tends to develope the free use of the 

 mind in a healthy direction should be taken advantage of. There is 

 nothmg easier than to fall into purely mechanical methods of teaching; 

 there is nothing more difBcult to avoid when results are measured by 

 the ability to pass a set examina,tion ; and teachers and parents alike 

 should welcome anything that will bring to the juvenile mind freshness 

 and originality. It is iu this spirit that the Council of this Institute 

 wishes to make a simple experiment, and asks the co operation of all 

 true educationists in its efforts. 



Having read the above communication, Mr. Hamilton said the lines 

 upon which observations were asked were indicated in the following 

 draft of a circular which it was proposed to send to the Education Board 

 for printing and distribution in the schools ; — 



'■• With the object of promoting an interest in natural phenomena, 

 and of fostering the habit of placing on record such facts of observation as 

 daily come under notice, the Otago Institute offers for competition next 

 year ten prizes to the scholars of any public school in Otago under the 

 following conditions : — 



" The prizes will be awarded for the host-kept note-books in which 

 are recorded any facts of observation, such as the occurrence of birds, 

 insects, plants, &c., met with in the neighbourhood or during walks; the 

 date at which birds' eggs were found, with observations on their nests, 

 habits, &c. ; the date ot leafirg, flowering, and fruiting of wild and culti- 

 vated plants ; the weather of each day, &c. Most value will necessarily 

 be attached to accuracy and closeness of observation, but neatness of the 

 work and consecutiveness of the notes will also be considered. There 

 should be no attempt at fine writing, but a plain record of facts. 



"For the purposes of this competition the notes should close on the 

 30th November, 1899, though it is hoped that once the habit of keeping 

 such a record is started it will be continued. The competition is open to 

 all pupils who, on the 30th November, 1899, are in the sixth or any lower 

 standard. While it is hoped that teachers will interest themselves in 

 thus fostering observation, and will, during the remainder of this year. 



