94 



A short discussion ensued, in which the ojjinions expressed in the 

 paper and its recommendations were endorsed by Drs. Coward and 

 Barker. 



Seventh (Special General) Meeting. Aicgust 4, 1870. 

 Dr. Haast, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 



Mr. Jollie, as Chairman of the Committee appointed on the previous 

 evening to draw up a petition for presentation to the General Assembly, 

 praying for the establishment of a School of Mines in this Island, said 

 that the committee had departed from the resolution in some measure, 

 having considered it advisable to include instruction in the science of 

 agriculture with that of mining. The committee was also of oj^inion 

 that it would be very desirable to have an observatory established on 

 the plains. He would now read the draft petition, which was as follows : — 



" We, the undersigned, members of the Philosophical Institute of 

 Canterbury, beg most respectfully to bring before you.r Honorable House 

 the expression of our opinion, that the time has arrived when the mining 

 and agricultural interests of this Island require for their furthur develop- 

 ment, the establishment of a School of Mines and Agricultiire, in such 

 a position as may best meet the convenience of the chief centres of 

 industry. 



" We believe that the importance of the interests which would be 

 served by the foundation of such a School is second to none in New 

 Zealand, and that the fixrther extension of those interests requires that 

 instruction should be within reach of those who may desire to avail 

 themselves of the advantages which such a school of applied science 

 will afford. 



" We beg therefore resjoectfully to petition that your Honorable 

 House may see fit, during the present session, to take such steps as may 

 be necessary to establish a School of Mines and Agriculture in tJiis 

 Island. 



"And your petitioners will ever pi'ay." 



Mr. C. C. Bowen thought it highly desirable that an observatory 

 should be established here, and he apprehended that very little difficulty 

 wovild be experienced in finding a suitable site contiguous to Christ- 

 church. He considered that the establishment of an observatory should 

 be specially mentioned in the petition. 



