SOUTHLAND INSTITUTE. 
Fmst Meetinc. 11th May, 1881. 
J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S., President, in the chair. 
. New Members.—Dr. Grigor, J. W. Martin, G. Blanchflower, P. T. Finn, 
John Mchaffey, George Hardie, John Brown, F. Drabble, Captain T. Thom- 
son. 
_ 1. The President delivered an address on ‘‘ Recent Advances in Science.” 
ABSTRACT. 
In commencing another session it appears to be appropriate that I should say a few 
words to you regarding subjects that affect us. In this remote part of the world, though 
we have not the privileges of such men as pursue science in old countries in their great 
opportunities for elaboration, differentiation, and Se yet we have an almost 
virgin field for exploration and research. Peculiarly to this district belong the unpene- 
trated great western snowy mountains, whose sae peaks are in sight of us on clear 
days; and the time will yet come, when this, as the nearest point of departure, will be 
made a base of operations for unravelling the mysteries of the great antarctic continent— 
as yet only once sighted by one of Britain’s most, celebrated navigators. It is not unlikely 
that the coast seen by Sir James Ross in 1848 will be made a station for the observation 
Eee, _of the coming transit of Venus which will take place next year. 
Our first session of last year we cannot put down as a barren one, several papers of 
interest having been read before the Institute, and the good attendance at our meetings was 
_ @ proof that the subjects discussed were not without appreciation. The conversazione 
which terminated the session was eminently successful both in regard to attendance and 
the number of objects exhibited. 
: The President then gave an interesting review of the more inborsakinigs additions to 
_ scientific literature which had been recently made, touching on the discovery of the photo- 
phone, the voyage of the “Challenger,” the latest work with the spectroscope, and the 
exploration of New Guinea by D’Albertis, as discussed by Wallace. He concluded by 
stating that many other subjects take up the attention of men of science at this present 
time—subjects affecting the health, physically as well as morally, of mankind. If probers 
and enquirers of these efforts be not at all times successful, or if their conclusions be not 
always agreeable to sections of society, yet the advantage of free scope is one much to be 
_ appreciated, and in our peculiar locality we need fear no influences when our object is 
humane. 
The President then mentioned many other objects which are now engaging sient. 
__ attention, many of which, he said, have peculiar interest here, and yhick as ES 
cultivate. 
eS _ members to study and 
a “On a Source of Water Belair = teenie : ghee R. o thbert 
eons 121). 
