544 Proceedings. 



inhabit that archipelago and Polynesia may be referred to an admixture of Mongo- 

 lian and Papuan elements. It was, as he mentions in an appendix to his work, at 

 one time thought the study of crania oiiEered the only sure basis for the classification 

 of man, but he refers on this point to the fact, that an opinion is now beginning to 

 gain ground, that, for this special purpose, the study of crania is of very little value — 

 an opinion boldly avowed by Professor Huxley, one of our greatest living ethnologists. 

 He further urges, that we are most likely to arrive at correct views as to the origin 

 of any particular section of the peoples in question by a careful study of their habits 

 and customs ; and he has arrived at the following conclusions : — Firstly, that the 

 numerous intermediate forms of man which occur among the countless islands of 

 the Pacific were originally the produce of a mixture of some lighter-coloured Mongol 

 race with the dark Papuans ; secondly, that these intermediate races are not merely 

 the result of this mixture, but are, to some extent, truly intermediate or transitional ; 

 and lastly, that, although it is undoubtedly true that there are proofs of extensive 

 migrations amongst the Pacific islands, Avhioh have led to a community of language 

 from the Sandwich groujj to New Zealand, there is no evidence whatever of recent 

 migration from any surrounding country to Polynesia, since there is no people to be 

 found elsewhere sufficiently resembling the Polynesian race in their chief physical and 

 mental characteristics. 



I might indicate many other and, indeed, far more important subjects which require 

 the attention of our scientific bodies, but I should weary you. It is sufficient to point 

 out that the development of the material resources of a country is intimately connected 

 with the progress of scientific enquiry amongst its people, and, therefore, how essential it 

 is that a taste for such enquiry should be cultivated amongst us. In conclusion I may 

 venture to express a hope that no relaxation will take place in the efforts of those who 

 are engaged in scientific research in this colony, and that their labours will be such, in 

 the future, as to deserve the hearty commendations which those in the past have received 

 from the highest authorities in Europe. 



At the conclusion of the President's address, on the motion of Dr. Newman, a vote 

 of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr. Travers for his address and for the able 

 manner in which he had presided over the Society during the past year. 



On the motion of Dr. BuUer a vote of thanks was also given to Mr. A. Baker, who 

 had kindly undertaken the office of auditor to the Society for several years past. 



A conversazione was then held in the Colonial Museum by permission of the Board 

 of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, at which about 400 members and their 

 friends, including His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., were present. 



