Otago Institute. 471 
and capable of being communicated by each and all of the members. It also 
furnishes the wholesome stimulus of emulation and friendly competition. It 
has another advantage, apart from science—its primary object. It has a 
social usefulness. It brings together, in friendly social intercourse, men who 
from their private engagements and pursvits, or remoteness from each other, 
might never otherwise have an opportunity of meeting. The New Zealand 
Institute performs for the several societies united with it, that which each 
society does for its own members. It makes common property of the contri- 
butions of all. Whatever is useful in the deliberations and proceedings of 
one is thrown into the common stock, with a salutary power of rejection and 
selection. The four volumes of Transactions bear witness to this. No one 
society, howsoever able its members, or howsoever liberally supported, could 
have produced such a valuable body of scientific information as we find in the 
volumes to which I have alluded. Nor could all the societies, working 
independently, have done so. The mere pecuniary economy of the present 
arrangement is a source of efficiency which no amount of isolated energy could 
attain. All share in the liberality of the Legislature. The power of selection, 
too, to which I have alluded, which involves rejection, has imparted to the 
Transactions a character which has called forth commendation from the 
scientific bodies of other countries. 
A few words upon the history of these institutions will, I trust, be deemed 
not out of place. The first attempt to establish a scientific body in New 
Zealand was the New Zealand Society in 1851. Its chief promoter was Sir 
George Grey. It had about seventy members, and I had the honour of being 
one of its vice-presidents. Among the members were several gentlemen of 
scientific attainments, and others not unversed in literature. J may mention 
the names of the late Mr. Swainson, the well-known naturalist ; Mr. Walter 
Mantell, a geologist by descent ; Dr. Sinclair, an accomplished botanist ; Dr. 
Ralph, a skilful microscopist ; and there were others. At that time, however, 
the whole colony contained only about 32,000 Europeans—scattered over the 
whole length and breadth of the two islands; and it cannot be matter for 
surprise that the society, though well intentioned, languished ; and, I believe, 
after a few years died what must be deemed a natural death. But let us be 
grateful to it, as the precursor and germ, and perhaps even the suggester of 
the existing well-established Institute. 
The New Zealand Institute owes its existence to the “New Zealand 
Institute Act, 1867.” The geological survey of the country is very wisely 
one of the principal objects connected with the Institute, and the Governor is 
empowered to appoint a manager of such survey, and also assistants. Branch 
societies may be incorporated with the Institute, and when so incorporated 
each Society elects a member to vote for the elected governors. Practically 
