428 



Third Meeting. Seplember'24:, 1869. 

 A. Eccles, F.R.C.S.E., Vice-President, in the chair. 



The Honorary Secretary laid on the table several donations to the Library. 



Moved by Mr. J. S. Webb, seconded by Mr. R. Oliver, — "That the Council request 

 the Governors of the New Zealand Institute to take the necessary steps for the 

 incorporation of this Society with the Institute." 



Moved, as an amendment, by Mr. Robt. Stout, seconded by Mr. J. Logan, — "That 

 the debate be adjourned, with the view of affording the Secretary an opportunity of 

 obtaining from each member an expression of opinion, in writing, regarding the proposal 

 for incorporation." 



The amendment was put and lost, and the motion was carried nem. con. 



Fourth (Special) Meeting. October 30, 1869. 

 A. Eccles, F.R.C.S.E., Vice-President, in the chair. 



The Honorary Secretary stated that the meeting was called for the purpose of 

 appointing a member of the Institute to vote at the election of Governors of the New 

 Zealand Institute, in accordance with clause 7 of the "New Zealand Institute Act, 1867." 



Mr. J. S. "Webb (Honorary Secretary) moved, Mr. W. M. Hodgkins seconded, — 

 ' ' That Mr. Justice Ward be appointed to represent this Institute at the election of 

 three Governors of the New Zealand Institute for the ensuing year." 



Mr. Charles Smith moved, as an amendment, Mr. G. Bell seconded, — "That this 

 Institute declines to appoint one of its members to vote at the ensuing election of three 

 Governors of the New Zealand Institute, until the Act of Incorporation had been so far 

 amended, as to afford to incorporated societies real and adequate representation in the 

 governing body." 



The amendment was put and lost, and the original motion was then carried 

 unanimously. 



On the motion of Mr. J. S. Webb, seconded by Mr. C. J. Smith, it was resolved, — 

 "That Mr. Ward, if elected to be a Governor, be requested to represent the inadequacy 

 of the representation of local societies in the Board of Governors." 



Fifth Meeting. November 2, 1S69. 

 A. Eccles, F.R.C.S.E., Vice-President, in the chair, who delivered the following 



ADDRESS. 



Notwithstanding all the efforts that have hitherto been made in New Zealand, in 

 which Otago, with her topographical and geological surveys, her associations and exhibi- 

 tions of all kinds, and her Museum, has not been the least conspicuous worker amongst 

 the provinces, the colony has remained little known to others, and the best informed, 

 even amongst ourselves, are but slightly acquainted with the industrial future before her. 

 Yet it was said by Count Cavonr, the regenerator of United Italy, that the most urgent 

 necessity of a nation determined to take her proper place in the scale of civilization, is to 

 study and know herself, and to point out to others her present position, and the various 

 natural resources at her disposal. 



Perhaps the most useful and practical end, then, which the Otago, as a Provincial, 

 and the New Zealand as a Colonial Institute, can pursue, is to strive to obtain and 

 promulgate a knowledge of the raw materials that may be found, or economically produced 

 here, and the best means to utilise them. 



A century has just elapsed since Captain Cook, accompanied by Sir Joseph Banks 

 and Dr. Solander, first landed in these islands, and much that has been subsequently 

 recorded by scientific observers (especially in the field of botany), has been but 

 confirmatory of their observations. Yet should we, who are benefitting so largely by 

 their labours, give great honour to those practical men of our own day, who first founded 

 settlements on these shores, of which they may well now be so proud ; to those scientific 

 men whose labours have done so much towards obtaining and classifying such information 

 concerning the resources of the colony as we possess ; and to those fortunate discoverers 

 and producers who have, through gold mining, agriculture, and other industries, added 

 so much to our wealth. When we look around us and remember, that even this 

 settlement was literally a wilderness only twenty-one years since, we may well say that 

 very much has been done, and we may rest assured that, whether assisted or not by this or 

 kindred societies, those who have accomplished so much, and still remain amongst us, 



