Auckland Institute. 519 



that the rising generation of colonists may see that such questions are not 

 wholly neglected by their seniors, and that some, at all events, protest against 

 the servile belief that useful knowledge is confined to that which is of 

 assistance in the pursuit of wealth. 



The spread amongst all classes of a conception of, and a taste for, science is 

 one of the leading objects of the British Association, to the meeting of which, 

 last September, I have so much referred. With this view it holds its meetings 

 at different places, now in Yorkshire, lately in South Wales, and its success 

 cannot be gainsaid. These various affiliated branches of the New Zealand 

 Institute have something of a similar mission. Let us all do our best, each in 

 his own speciality, to collect, to observe, to enrich our museum, and to give 

 value to our published proceedings. But let those who have no speciality 

 combine those general scientific facts and views which can be collected from 

 scientific literature in a form to enliven our meetings and make them 

 attractive and instructive, and at least to show that we take an interest in 

 everything that pertains to science — that if we cannot be leaders we are 

 at least attentive learners, and, as far as in us lies, are willing to be active 

 propagators of scientific thought. 



1. " On Trees suitable for Streets and Avenues," by D. Hay. 



(absteact.) 



The following species were stated by the author to be best adapted for this 

 purpose : — Lombardy poplar (Populus fastigiataj, elm f Ulmus campesfrisj, 

 lime ( Tilia europcea), sjcsimove (Acer pseudo-platanusj, Ailanthus glandulosus, 

 Virgilia capensis, Acacia melanoxylon. Mr. Hay also drew attention to the 

 necessity of the Government taking action to prevent the wholesale destruction 

 of forests by bushmen, and, also, that the timber should be cut in the proper 

 season. Between April and August was, in his opinion, the best time. 



Mr. C. O'Neill asked if it would be possible to acclimatize the jarrah 

 tree in New Zealand. Such an introduction would be most valuable, in 

 consequence of the great usefulness of the timber. 



Mr. Gillies dissented from the views expressed by Mr. Hay in regard to 

 the kind of trees which ought to be planted in avenues. He considered that 

 evergreens ought to form by far the largest proportion. In reference to the 

 conservation of forests, when they considered that every tree cut down now 

 was the product of perhaps 100 to 200 years, they could form some idea of the 

 scale on which planting ought to be carried on. 



Dr. Purchas considered that for street planting deciduous trees were 

 preferable to evergreens, although he would not object to see evergreens mixed 

 with them. Some of the New Zealand trees might be preserved, but many of 

 them could not resist the advances of civilization, and, like the native birds, 

 would in time almost entirely vanish. It was a natural result, and they must 



