Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. 415 
endowment made by the Provincial Council for the purposes of a school of 
technical science. It is, I know, from no fault of the Institute that all these 
subjects have been so neglected. The Institute itself does not, and cannot, 
prescribe the nature of the questions to be brought forward. It is, no doubt, 
difficult to say how this evil (for evil I hold it to be) is to be remedied, but I 
think it is one to which I may not improperly refer. It is, I think, a 
proposition which cannot be controverted, that if we confine our attention 
exclusively to one set of subjects, if we discard all which lis beyond a 
comparatively narrow horizon, we are in danger, not only of circumscribing 
our field of action and of usefulness, but of giving a one-sided character to our 
efforts in that narrow field itself ; and so, ultimately, instead of being entitled 
to the comprehensive name of a philosophical body, we may sink into the 
narrower sphere of a scientific society. 
My principal object in hazarding these remarks is to suggest to those 
members whose intellectual pursuits have been outside the field of physical 
science, that they also should bring some contributions in their respective 
subjects. It would, I think, be a mistake to allow the feeling to grow, which 
no doubt to some extent has taken root, that all subjects not directly connected 
with physical science are out of place here. It is well to remember that this 
Institute embraces a much wider circle than this, and that there are many of 
its members who would feel great enjoyment in listening to papers, and taking 
part in discussions, on subjects of a different nature. But minor defects of the 
kind alluded to, after all, sink into comparative insignificance when we 
remember the broad, patent fact that this Institute is becoming steadily more 
successful in its efforts, because more generally appreciated, year by year. This 
is the best test of our progress, and the result warrants me in expressing a 
confident hope that the Institute will, during the present session, maintain 
that high character which it has from the first enjoyed. 
Dr. Haast said he was sure he expressed the opinion of the members of the 
Institute when he said that the address just delivered was a very excellent one. 
It showed that the Institute had acted wisely in electing Mr. Tancred to the 
position of President. 
Seconp Mertine. 2nd April, 1873. 
H. J. Tancred, President, in the chair. 
New member.—C. J. Foster, LL.D. 
1. “On the Desirability of Dedicating to the People of New Zealand 
Small Areas of Ground, assimilating to the Village Greens of England,” * by 
F. E. Wright. 
* This paper appeared at length in the “ Lyttelton Times " of a subsequent date. 
