550 Proceedings. 
who came to this colony en masse from North America, and now reside in 
the vicinity of Waipu and Whangarei, numbering with children about 1,000 
souls. Out of this small population two have died at the age of 96, and in 
addition to a considerable number who reached various ages between 80 
and 90, three have died within the present year at the ages of 90, 88, and 
86. There are other five men and women with whom the author is well 
acquainted, now alive and in good health, at the ages of 92, 89, 87, 85, 
and 83. The number of those living and dead, who have reached fourscore, 
is also considerable; in fact, it is with them a common age, and calls 
forth but little comment. 
Annuat GENERAL Meeting. 17th February, 1879. 
R. C. Barstow in the chair. 
New Members.—J. L. Bagnall, W. C. Breakell, C.E., W. Burton, A. D. 
L. Hammond, T. Lindesay, J. MeColl, S. Vaile. 
The Secretary read the minutes of the last annual meeting, held 18th February, 1878. 
ANNUAL REPORT, 
The Couneil of the Auckland Institute, in presenting their report for the past year, 
have again to congratulate the members on the steady progress made by the society, and 
on the increasing interest manifested by the publie in its operations. Twenty-five new 
members have been elected during the year. The Council regret to have to record the 
death of five members. There have also been a few withdrawals, principally caused by 
removals to other parts of the colony. The total number on the register is now 281. Six 
meetings have been held during the winter session. The attendance on the whole was 
satisfactory, although there is room for improvement in this direction. 
It is satisfactory to be able to state that the additions and donations to the Museum 
have been far greater than in any previous year. The Council have especial pleasure in 
irme attention to the truly magnificent donation made by Mr. T. Russell, C.M.G., of 
a series of full-size KUOA from the most celebrated statues of antiguity. The 
importance of this can hardly be over-estimated; not only is it valuable from the 
beauty of the figures themselves, but more especially from affording to art-students an 
opportunity—hitherto entirely wanting—of studying and working from accurate copies of 
the unegualled productions of ancient Greece and Rome. The number of full-sized 
figures is twenty-two, of busts eleven. In addition to these, Mr. Russell has forwarded 
terra-cotta busts of the Prince and Princess of Wales, modelled by the well-known 
sculptor Count Gleichen. Mr. Russell’s communications were, in the first instance, made 
through Dr. Campbell. This gentleman, well aware that the funds at the disposal of the 
Institute are little more than sufficient to meet current expenditure, most kindly offered 
to defray all expenses connected with the preparation of the pedestals and the unpacking 
of the casts and their erection in the Museum. Thanks to this timely and welcome 
liberality, bin whole consignment has been visócd d in the Museum without any expense to 
the Institu 
It also Don to Dr. Campbell that the advent of Mr. Russell's presentation might 
Buen orbe ien quin amos: ot dig, He , addressed 
