10 New Zealand Institute. 



Maoris of my journeys through the recently hostile and disaffected districts ; 

 and also respecting the progress of the roads which — carried out, in great 

 measure, by native labour — are gradually, but surely, opening up to peace 

 and to civilization the mountains and forests of the interior. Our learned 

 associate, Mr. Travers, has truly remarked, in one of his contributions to the 

 last volume of our Transactions^ that the public works undertaken by the 

 Colonial Parliament will " afford invaluable opportunities of pushing on 

 inquiries in various branches of the Natural History of New Zealand, in 

 a manner, and with a rapidity, which we could otherwise scarcely have hoped 

 for. The construction of lines of road and railway through tracts of country 

 hitherto comparatively unknown, will give to the geologist and botanist, to 

 the miner and agriculturist, and indeed to all who are engaged, either 

 theoretically or practically, in inquiring into or in developing the resources 

 of the Colony, the greatest facilities for carrying out their objects ; and we 

 may look forward, in this aspect of the matter, to results of the highest 

 importance." 



In conclusion, gentlemen, I beg to thank you for the indulgence with 

 which on this, as on four previous occasions of a like character, you have 

 listened to a somewhat desultory address. I assure you, in all sincerity, 

 that among the many delightful recollections of New Zealand which I shall 

 cherish during the remainder of my life, not the least satisfactory will be the 

 remembrance of my connection, as the fii'st President, \\dth this Institute and 

 its members. 



