446 Proceedings. 
Coal, economieally considered, is nothing else than stored-up heat, which 
science can make into power. Thirty-six years ago, Buddle, the eminent coal 
owner at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, estimated the supply of coal of Great Britain, 
at the then rate of consumption, equal to a period of 1,000 years. Recent 
authoritative investigation places it only at 200 years, showing, at the same 
time, that the United States of America have fifteen times the stores of Great 
Britain, and China eight times (the two largest fields in the world) It is 
evident then that the coal question is a more limited and temporary 
one with England than with America and China. Is she then right in allowing 
free trade in a limited product essential to her power? Or is it right to take 
the cosmopolitan. view, and reply, that where Englishmen go there is 
England? Be that as it may, the most ample and readily accessible coal 
supply is in the hands of the red man, i.e, the Chinese. Can he retain it, or will 
it pass out of his keeping in China, as it has passed out in America? Then 
which branch of the white race— the British, Russians, or Americans— will 
grasp the same, and by what routes? Oceanic—by the Red Sea, the Cape, or 
Pacific? Land—by Siberia, Tartary, or Hindostan? Or shall other white 
races possess this fund of power at present unused, when coal in this age of 
science is so essential to the power and existence of nations? These will 
become momentous problems to future generations, and have wide-spread 
influence on the movements of the human race. Certain it is that the people 
who have mere brute force and no science will in the long run succumb, 
Then, in this remote corner of the globe, let us take a lesson from a great 
theme, and pursue the objects for which this Institute was established, viz., 
the cultivation of science ; for science in this era more than ever supplies your 
necessities and protects your race. Nor be discouraged by the fewness of our 
numbers or the smallness of results, as compared with older countries, for we: 
will enlarge with populatien, and, no doubt, do our fair proportion of service. 
Though our territory is not great, our climate is temperate, our atmosphere is 
bracing ; so our people will be vigorous, and great Polynesia is before us. 
The President read the report of the sub-committee appointed to communi- 
cate with the English and American Governments with reference to the 
approaching Transit of Venus. г 
1. A paper was read, containing Maori Traditions in the Native Language, 
by the Rev. F. H. Wohlers, 
2. * On some Naturalized Plants of Otago," by G. M. Thomson. 
Dr. Berggren, of the University of Lund, said that, although he bad only 
been a short time in New, Zealand, he was astonished to see how many 
introduced plants had spread and become naturalized, as it was so different. 
from what he had been accustomed to in Europe. He had no doubt that 
