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Auckland Institute. 425 
bered that to observe accurately and to record correctly the operations of 
nature, is to contribute to the general stores of knowledge, and to bea 
benefactor to mankind at large. | 
In conclusion, we have come to a new land, where we have much to 
create, to introduce, and to develope, to a land full of hidden resources and 
full indeed of difficulties, yet we have at least this advantage that we have 
few of the burdensome excrescences and social anomalies incidental to older 
countries. 
Whilst there is abundant room for the pursuit of abstract truth, for the 
elucidation of those occult questions which occupy the philosophers of our 
time, there is yet room and verge enough for the cultivation of patriotic 
sentiment, of everything that is beautiful in art, useful in science, and noble 
in literature, and for the widest development of those economic and social 
problems of a more practical kind, which necessarily come home to the 
early settlers of a colony like New Zealand. 
We have taken hold of the heroic work of colonization, and it is for us 
to show that we are worthy of the great race to which we belong, and of 
the grand future in store for us. 
PAPERS. 
1. “On the best Line for the Submarine Cable between Australia and 
New Zealand,” by the Rev. A. G. Purchas, M.R.C.S.E. (See Transactions, 
page 166.) 
Mr. C. O'Neill, M.H.R., gave some interesting particulars respecting the 
construction of submarine cables, and stated the terms of the contract pro- 
posed to be entered into with the Government of New South Wales. He 
believed that the position of the termini had not been settled. 
Messrs. Pond, Morton, and Power also spoke on the subject. 
The President suggested that a copy of the paper should be forwarded 
to the Commissioner of Telegraphs, as it contained information that might 
prove of considerable service to the Government. 
2. On the Coleoptera of Auckland,” by Captain T. Brown. (See 
Transactions, page 262.) The author reviewed the principal divisions of 
the class Coleoptera, represented in the Province of Auckland, giving the 
names and other particulars of the more prominent species. 
The President was glad to find that the entomology of New Zealand, so 
long neglected, was now receiving elucidation at the hands of several com- 
petent observers. Although not possessing any scientific acquaintance with 
the subject, he had obseryed a considerable number of species that were 
highly injurious to the agriculturist, and thought that a series of observa- 
tions should be made with the view of ascertaining their habits, and of 
determining how their rapid multiplication could be prevented. He alluded 
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