158 TiMEHRI. 



as recently, only young men. They must be encouraged 

 to settle down. In regard to want of knowledge, he did 

 not believe altogether in the old adage that " a little 

 learning is a dangerous thing." On the contrary it was 

 often very valuable, but outside tbe cultivation of sugar 

 he was afraid their peasantry knew nothing of agricul- 

 ture. Their Society was charged with the disseminating 

 of knowledge in regard to both agriculture and com- 

 merce. Therefore it was their duty to spread such 

 knowledge as he believed was wanting. In what way 

 could this be done ? Last year an Aoricultural College 

 was proposed but after consideration the proje6l was not 

 thought feasible, but he could see no other way unless 

 the Society undertook to carry on an experimental farm 

 where plants suitable to the soil and climate could be 

 grown and knowledge given to all enquirers. These, he 

 considered were the reasons why agriculture was at a 

 discount in the colony, and of the three, the most impor- 

 tant was undoubtedly the labour question. 



He would now briefly refer to the programme for the 

 year. The first item was the Quelch reception dinner. 

 Every person who took an interest in the colony must have 

 been pleased with the way Mr. Quelch had represented 

 it in Chicago and he hoped the dinner would be one 

 worthy of the occasion and that there would be a large 

 gathering of the members to give " honour to whom 

 honour is due." The next matter would be the Society's 

 Jubilee Celebration which he thought might take the 

 form of a Conversazione. The Popular Le6tures would 

 be continued and he hoped gentlemen would willingly 

 come forv/ard and give their time and talent to this 

 interesting feature of their work. Then, an exhibition 



