22 



As to the difficulties, in the first place our libraides are but ill- 

 supplied with the necessary works of reference on the Eeptilia. And, 

 again, the specimens are, for the most part, imbedded in a matrix so 

 hard and tough, that the development of them will require even more 

 care and patience than that of the saurian remains of the Tilgate, from 

 the most refractory of the Wealden beds. Unless, indeed, we can find 

 •among our members some volunteer, possessed of the requisite patience, 

 persevei'ance, and time for the work, I much doubt whether we shall, 

 in our time, arrive at clear ideas of the precise forms of many of the 

 bones even now in the Museum. Already, however, we have sufficient 

 proof that the thorough working out of the geology of "Waipara and 

 Amuri is among the most important tasks which could now be 

 nndertaken, and I trust that the preliminary notes upon that subject 

 already furnished by Mr. Hood, Mi'. Holmes, Dr. Haast, and Dr. 

 Hector, may, in the approaching summer, be supplemented and com- 

 pleted by a more regular survey by the head of the depai-tment. 



Next to the rapidly increasing importance and public utility of the 

 Colonial Museum, no undertaking that I am aware of is likely more 

 substantially to aid in furtherance of the objects of our Society than 

 the formation of a Botanical Garden, of the successful accomplishment 

 of which there now seems to be a reasonable probability, and we may, I 

 am assured, confidently trust, that the gentlemen to whom the direction 

 of this work is committed, will keep constantly in view the great public 

 objects to be attained by the proper use of a Botanical Garden in this, 

 the average climate of the colony, and will resist the temptation of 

 sacrificing to gaudy parterres of foreign fiowers the space reqiiu-ed for the 

 assembling together specimens of all our indigenous flora. When that 

 most instructive collection has been achieved, or at least when a 

 sufficient space for such a collection has been carefully selected and set 

 apart for that purpose, there will remain plenty of room for some of the 

 more valuable importations whether of trees, shrubs, or flowers. Should 

 any impediment arise from that too common cause, insufficiency of 

 funds, I feel confident that some substantial aid, in an Institution 

 offering such attractions, will gladly be afforded by our fellow citizens. 

 I would even suggest to the Council of our Society that, relieved as we 

 are from the expense of maintaining a separate Museum, a portion of 

 our funds might appropriately be devoted to this kindred work. In 

 connection with this subject we have reason to regard with great gratifi- 

 cation, the recent accession to the Ministry of a gentleman to whom 

 more than to any one else, excepting perhaps Mr. Stafford, the Govern- 



