470 Proceedings. 



The Field Naturalists' Club, initiated at one of the meetings of the Society, 

 has been actively at work during the past season, and a report of its pro- 

 ceedings has been prepared by Mr. P. Thomson, the Honorary Secretary of 

 the Club. 



Election of Officers for Year Ending 30th June, 1873 : President — 

 His Honour Mr. Justice Chapma.n ; Vice-Presidents — E^ev. Dr. Stuart, 

 J. T. Thomson, F.RG.S. ; Council— Fvoie^^ov Black, M.A., D.Sc, Professor 

 Shand, M.A., Dr. Deck, T. M. Hocken, M.E.C.S.E., R. Gillies, H. Skey, 

 P. Thomson; Hon. Treasurer — J. S. Webb; Hon. Secretary — D. Brent, M.A. 



1. " On Barata Numerals," by J. T. Thomson, F.B.Gr.S. (See Transactions, 

 p. 131.) 



2. " On Local Variations of Atmospheric Pressure dependent on the 

 Strength of Winds," by J. S. Webb. (See Transactions, p. 106.) 



A collection of plants from Auckland, presented by Mr. T. Kirk, F.L.S., 

 was laid on the table, also a collection of ferns made by Mr. P. Thomson 

 during the past season. 



Third Meeting. 18^A August, 1872. 

 His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman, President, in the chair. 

 The President gave the following 



ADDRESS. 



We meet this evening to inaugurate the fourth year of the Otago Institute. 

 And first, I have to thank you for again electing me President. At the same 

 time, you must permit me to suggest that this office should not be permitted 

 to devolve, as of course, continuously on the same individual. The infusion 

 of new blood is salutary to an institution like this. Many of our members 

 are more masters of their time than I am, and on several occasions, when I 

 have especially desired to attend the meetings of the Society, I have been 

 prevented either by absence at the Court of Appeal or on circuit, or by my 

 engagements here. There are also many members of scientific attainments, 

 whose election to the office of President would tend to promote the success of 

 the Society. I therefore hope that at the election of officers for the year 

 1873-74 your choice will fall upon some worthy successor. 



The constitution of this Society, and of others of a similar character in close 

 union with the New Zealand Institute, seems to me to be highly favourable 

 to the promotion of science. Taking our own Society alone, it provides for 

 the free interchange of the scientific knowledge and scientific thought possessed 



