624 Proceedings. 



E. M. Laing, M.A., B.Sc. ; Council— B. W. Fereday, F.E.S., 

 H. E. Webb, F.E.M.S., Dr. Jennings, Dr. Symes, G. A. 

 Mannering, F. Barkas. 



The retiring President then gave the annual address. 



Abstract. 



The President expressed regret that the meethags of the Institute 

 were not better attended by the members, and suggested that they might 

 be made more attractive by a course of popular instruction. "The aim 

 of the incorporation was," in 'The New Zealand Institute Act, 1867,' 

 distinctly stated to be ' by means of lectm-es, classes, and otherwise to 

 promote the general study and cultivation of the various branches and 

 departments of art, science, literature, and philosophy' — a wide enough 

 charter, surely. A society so encycloppedian in its nature might reason- 

 ably adopt as its motto, ' Huinani nihil alicnmn,' and ought not to have 

 to complain of the want of public sympathy for its occupations and 

 aspirations. Then what is wrong? Since the 4th August, 1868, when 

 the inaugural address of the Institute was delivered, a large amount of 

 useful work has been done by the members in the corner of one of the 

 four fields of work above named. Whether owing to the attractive 

 natural features of the colony, the novelty of its fauna and flora, the 

 beautiful climate, inviting to the out-of-door observation of Nature's 

 varied forms, the foundation of our Institute, or the accident of its first 

 members being in many cases trained scientists and devoted students 

 of Nature's mysteries, it is certain that, so far as biology and geology arc 

 concerned, there has been in New Zealand a large amount of independent 

 observation and original research ; and perhaps more valuable contribu- 

 tions to the sum-total of our knowledge of natural science have proceeded 

 during the past fifty years from these remote islands than from any 

 other of the younger colonies of the British Empire during the same 

 period of time. And, although in zoology, botany, mineralogy, and 

 geology much yet remains to be done in this newly-settled land — for some 

 departments are yet untouched, and new varieties in well-known depart- 

 ments are daily being discovered — yet, as far as these sciences are con- 

 cerned, the New Zealand Institute has indeed done noble work. But 

 how about the numerous other branches of science? What has been 

 done in astronomy, mathematics, physics and mechanics, economic and 

 social science and hygiene, &c. ? Very, very little, I fear. Yet the 

 study of some of these things is of vital importance to every community, 

 wherever situated and whatever its circumstances. For example, take 

 social and economic science. Is it out of our province to consider the 

 industrial complications which have recently fallen like a pestilence on 

 every English-speaking community ? Are we to sit, ' like the gods above 

 us, careless of mankind,' while the din of social strife is on every side of 

 us? We hear the most pernicious and, in many cases, the most absurd 

 opinions expressed by men who from their position have great influence, 

 and are regarded by many as leaders of thought. Surely we might profit- 

 ably leave for a time our rocks and bones, and study and teach plutology ! 

 When social and economic fallacies are in the air of the whole world- 

 like the influenza was a few months ago — why should we not at our meet- 

 ings help to solve difticulties and discuss problems connected with the 

 production and distribution of wealth, capital, labour, co-operation, com- 

 petition, wages, and the functions of Government — problems which would 

 surely be better considered for being removed from the arena of party 

 strife, and handled by those whose usual occupations require that they 

 should be thoughtfur, impartial, and logical, as well as acquainted with 

 the results of past experience and the teachings of recognized authorities 

 and past history ? Of the discussion of such questions it may be said 



