550 Proceedings. 



Otago Institute on the subject, and as to wlietlier or not, and to what extent, 

 it would be disposed to co-oj^erate in the matter. Judging from the extent of 

 contributions from the province to the late Exhibition at Christchurch, he 

 was disposed to fear that there was not sufficient enthusiasm at present to go 

 into the matter vigorously. His Honour would be glad to find in this matter, 

 however, that he was mistaken. The enclosures in his Honour's letter showed 

 that the Victorian Commissioners for the Philadelphia Exhibition proposed 

 that a preliminary Intercolonial Exhibition should be held at Melbourne, 

 from which a judicious selection might be made of objects most suitable for 

 ultimate exhibition at Philadelphia. 



Mr. Gillies : I am afraid there is something more than enthusiasm that 

 this institution would need, namely, funds. 



Captain Hutton : We, as a scientific society, have nothing to do with 

 exhibitions, even if we had funds. We should decline to take any steps in 

 the matter. It is out of our province. 



Mr. Webb : The co-operation of the Institute might be asked for in 

 regard to the mineral resources of this part of the colony. 



On the suggestion of Mr. Gillies, the letter was referred to the council of 

 the Institute for consideration. 



ANNUAL EEPORT. 



The council can again congratulate the members on the continued 

 progress of the Institute. During the year there have been nine general 

 meetings held, which have been well attended. At these meetings twenty-one 

 papers have been read by ten difierent authors, eight of whom are residents in 

 this i)rovince, the other two being Dr. Otto Finsch, of Bremen, and Mr. W. 

 Beddnal, of Adelaide. This is an increase of twelve papers and two 

 contributing members over last year. Of these papers nine relate to zoology, 

 five to geology and palaeontology, three to botany, two to astronomy, two to 

 Maori mythology, and one to medicine. Since the last annual meeting forty 

 new members have joined us and one has retired, thus bringing our number 

 up to 1G2 members. During the year the rules have been revised, printed, 

 and distributed to the members, the most important change being that, instead 

 of holding meetings all the year round, we have now a winter session from 

 May to October inclusive. 



The balance sheet showed that £108 Gs. 3d. had been received, and 

 £101 2s. 8d. expended, leaving a balance in hand of £G 13s. 7d. 



The report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. 



The I^rcsident then delivered the following 



ADDRESS. 



I may say that the great event peculiarly interesting to us during the past 

 session has been the transit of Venus, so it is necessary for me to relate to you 



