462 Proceedings. 



mouth to mouth, and rehiting tales of his fishing adventures, which in length and variety 

 resembled those of Sinbad the Sailor. The President then ]3roceeded to review at some 

 length the question of the " Whence " of the Maori race. 



ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL EEPORT. 



A preliminary meeting to the formation of the Society was held in April last, and on 

 the 25th May another meeting was held, when it was unanimously affirmed : — (1) That 

 there be formed in this district a Society devoted to the promotion of Science, Philosophy, 

 Literature, and Art ; (2) That those present, viz., Messrs J. T. Thomson, J. C. Thomson, 

 Spence, Greig, Lee-Smith, Goyen, Eev. J. Paterson, Dr. Galbraith, are ipso facto members 

 of such Society ; (3) That the Society be named the Southland Institute . 



Election of Officers for 1880 :• — President — J. T. Thomson, F.R.G-.S. 

 Vice-vresident — W. Stuart ; Hon. Treasurer — J. C. Thomsoii ; Hon. Secre- 

 tary — P. Goyer ; Council — Eev. J. Paterson, Dr. Galbraith, Messrs. Spence, 

 Cuthbertson, Scandrett. 



The Society began with 18 members, and it now numbers 66. The first ordinary 

 meeting of the Society was held on the 5th July. Since then tliree meetings have been 

 held, and four pg,pers read. 



In accordance with No. 7 of the regulations, several works of reference and a few 

 scientific journals have been ordered from England. 



Second Meeting, drd Auyust, 1880. 

 J. T. Thomson, President, in the chair. 

 Neiv Members. — Dr. Hanan, Eev. James Henry. 



PAPERS. 



1. " On Orepuld Black Sand," by W. S. Hamilton. 



2. " On Mind Stuff," by J. T. Thomson. 



Third Meeting. \st September, 1880. 



J. T. Thomson, President, in the Chair. 



New Members. — T. Wakehn, W. Hay, W. Darley, J. Gurr, E. Tapper, 



paper. 

 1. "On the Cause of Gravitation," by T. Wakelin, read by the Secretary. 

 (Transactions, p. 122.) * 



Fourth Meeting. I'dtli October, 1880. 

 J. E. Cuthbertson, in the chair. 



paper. 



1. " On Improvements in the New Eiver," by J. T. Thomson. 



Election of Officers foe 1881 : — President — J. T. Thomson ; Vice- 

 president — Dr. Galbraith ; CouyicU — J. E. Cuthbertson, .J. H. Kerr, W. S. 

 Scandrett, J. Spence, W. Stuart ; Hon. Treasurer — J. C. Thomson ; Hon. 

 Secretary — P. Goyer. 



