* 
Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. 409 
has special problems to work out, special enquiries to prosecute, which can be 
nowhere prosecuted so effectually as on the spot itself. It must be clear to all 
that we here have a new order of problems to deal with, whether in science or 
literature, politics, or social economy. The questions arising out of them, and 
the difficulties surrounding them, confront us under new forms, and must be 
grappled with by new methods. The knowledge which has been accumulated 
in other countries is, after all, for the most part empirical in its nature. Itis 
the result of trial and experiment under certain conditions. Alter the 
conditions or the surrounding circumstances, and the same cause would 
produce a different effect. So it is with us. 1 
Here in New Zealand it is not only probable, but certain, that many of 
those conditions under which we live are different from those which obtain 
elsewhere, and thus tbose dicta, which are accepted as absolute and unquestioned 
truths in one country and under one set of conditions, may not be so in 
another country and under another set of conditions ; consequently, even those 
discoveries which have been made, and that knowledge which has been acquired 
. elsewhere, require to be tested and verified here before we can accept them 
absolutely as a basis and starting point of our investigations. In some cases 
the differences are broad and palpable ; in others they are more subtle ; in 
others, again, they may not as yet have been perceived at all But this, at 
least, is indisputable, that where the cause is different the effect will in most 
cases, be different also, and that therefore the laws which have been accepted 
elsewhere as immutable may be modified or altogether neutralized here. Take, 
as an illustration, the question as to how the earth of New Zealand acts on 
the electric current. This question was raised in a paper read before the 
Institute by Mr. Wright. Our coneeption of the laws which govern the 
relation of the earth to electricity has been rudely disturbed by the ideas 
therein suggested. The observations recorded by Mr. Wright would seem to 
lead to the conclusion that the earth here, instead of dispersing, is à bad 
conductor of electricity. He says that on the line to the north of Christchurch, 
many of the telegraph poles having fallen down, the wires were in contact 
with the ground, but that, notwithstanding this and contrary to his expectation, 
insulation was still preserved, and messages could be forwarded along the line 
from Christchurch to Wellington. So far as is known, the author says—and 
che supports this assertion by the testimony of persons versed in practical 
telegraphy—this would have been impossible in any other part of the world. 
It is true his conclusions are disputed by Mr. Duigan, in a paper read before 
the Philosophical Society at Wellington. І до not myself venture to express 
an opinion on the question. I will only say that to my mind Mr. Duigan’s 
paper does not satisfactorily account for all the phenomena recorded by 
Mr. Wright. I am content to leave the question undecided. Tt is sufficient 
K 2 
