DISCUSSION ON INTEREST IN SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS. 17 



The Hon. JSTicholas Brown said there could be no doubt 

 that if it were possible to carry out a system of popular 

 lectures they would gather in a much larger interest in the 

 proceedings of the Society than at present existed. He 

 thought the Council of the Society should take the matter up 

 and endeavour to ascertain whether or not it would be 

 possible to give effect to the suggestions made by Mr, 

 Benson. 



Mr. Mault agreed witb the suggestions contained in the 

 paper, and especially tbe one relating to th.e formation of a 

 Naturalist's Field Club, whicb could work during tbe recess 

 of the Society. He would particularly urge this upon the 

 Council, because during tbe summer months they would 

 probably gain a good deal of knowledge through coming in 

 contact with members of similar clubs from the other 

 colonies. 



The Eev. E. Gr. Porter (United States), on being intro- 

 duced and requested by His Excellency to give some idea of 

 the working of American societies, said he was cordially in 

 sympathy with the objects of the Society and the paper 

 which had been read by Mr. Benson. In America people 

 were glad to study and glad to learn. They had many 

 societies, and although none of them were "Eoyal," he 

 thought they were doing " Eoyal work." (Laughter.) He 

 gave an interesting account of the scientific work undertaken 

 by the American societies, and stated that the results were 

 that science became popular, and that large audiences could 

 he secured at lectures, not only in the cities but in smaller 

 towns. 



Mr. Morton stated that the Technical School Board had 

 already arranged for a course of lectures to be delivered in 

 connection with the work of the schools. Dr. Giblin, at the 

 special request of the Board, had undertaken to give a series 

 of lectures on " Human Physiology." His lectures would be 

 illustrated by means of an excellent collection of slides. As 

 secretary to the Society he would take care that the sug- 

 gestions contained in the paper should be brought before the 

 Council. 



Mr. W. E. Shoobridge thought the Society should also 

 take up the question of advising in regard to text books 

 suitable for schools. 



The President (Sir E. Hamilton), in moving a vote of 

 thanks to the readers of the papers, said he thought the 

 suggestions made by Mr. Benson might be left to the 

 Council. 



A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation, 



B 



