NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE. 



ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



OF 



THE PRESIDENT, 



HIS EXCELLENCY SIR GEORGE F. BO WEN, G.C.M.G. 



Delivered to the Members of the New Zealand Institute, at the 

 Anniversary Meeting, held on the 28th "September, 1872. 



Gentlemen, — 



It is with gr-eat satisfaction tliat in this, as in my previous anniversary 

 addresses, I have to call your attention to the last Report of the Governing 

 Board of the New Zealand Institute. For this Report contains ample proof 

 of the continued prosperity of our Association, and of its practical usefulness 

 in promoting the investigation of the resources of the Colony, and in dis- 

 seminating the results of the labours of the many independent observers, 

 whose activity has been stimulated by its influence. Moreover, the four 

 volumes of our Transactions and Proceedings afford abundant evidence of the 

 beneficial effects of the system of organization adopted under the authority of 

 the Colonial Parliament. The statutes of the Institute insure to each of the 

 affiliated Societies perfect freedom in the management of its own affairs ; 

 while, at the same time, they aid and direct the efforts of all by giving 

 support and encouragement in proportion to the amount of work performed. 



A glance at the contents of the volumes hitherto published cannot fail to 

 show how important are the additions already made to the knowledge of most 

 of the subjects of inquiry which were suggested in the preface to the first 

 year's Transactions ; particularly, if we take into consideration the reports 

 contributed by the Geological and Museum departments ; which, though not 

 directly controlled, are fostered by tjie Institute. \Ye find records of original 



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