32 AMALGAMATION OF SOCIETIES IN NEW ZEALAND. 



The inaugural address of the New Zealand Institute was 

 given by the governor, Sir George F, Bowen, August 4th, 1868. 



The first volume of the Transactions of the New Zealand 

 Institute was published in May, 1869, and has been brought 

 down to date, forming a valuable record of the geology, physical 

 features, fauna and flora of New Zealand. Other papers on the 

 customs and language of the Maori native, besides papers of a 

 wider scope, increase the interest of these transactions, which 

 now number XXXIII vols. 



To make up a good volume for the first issue, a. number of 

 essays on the botany of Nelson, Marlborough, Otago and the 

 North Island, on the ornithology of New Zealand, on the 

 economic botany of North Island, and on the geology of the same, 

 were added. 



These essays were published and distributed after the 

 exhibition held at Dunedin in 1865. 



Two of them are by Cornishmen, W. Oolenso and SirW. L. 

 BuUer, K.C.M.G. 



The volumes run up to between 500 and 600 pages, and are 

 well illustrated. 



New Zealand can look back to 1851 for its first attempt to 

 found a scientific society, for in that year the New Zealand 

 Society was founded under Sir Greorge Grey. 



The following subjects have been suggested as some of those 

 which should be taken up by the members of the societies. 



1. History, Mythology, Ethnology, &c., of the Maori race. 



2. Fisheries — best localities, and seasons for fishing. 



3. Extraordinary Meteorological Phenomena. 



4. Hot springs, Landslips, Wearing away of Coast Lines 

 and River Banks, &c. 



5. Formation and progress of Sand Dunes. 



6. Formation of Sandbanks in Rivers, and Bars to Harbours 



7. Occurrence of Rare Plants, Animals and Minerals. 



8. Habits of Animals, especially of those destructive to 

 trees and cultivated plants. 



9. Mineral and Metalliferous Deposits. 



