SOUTHLAND INSTITUTE. 



First Meeting. 11th Mmj, 1881. 



J. T. Thomson, F.E.G.S., President, in the chair. 



New Members. — Dr. Grigor, J. W. Martin, G. Blanchflower, P. T. Finn, 

 John Mchaffey, George Hardie, John Brown, F. Drabble, Captain T. Thom- 

 son. 



1. The President dehvered an address on " Piecent Advances in Science." 



ABSTEACT. 



In commencing another session it appears to be appropriate that I should say a few 

 words to you regarding subjects that affect us. In this remote part of the world, though 

 we have not the privileges of such men as pursue science in old countries in their great 

 opportunities for elaboration, differentiation, and generalization, yet we have an almost 

 virgin field for exploration and research. Peculiarly to this district belong the unpene- 

 trated great western snowy mountains, whose southern peaks are in sight of us on clear 

 days ; and the time will yet come, when this, as the nearest point of departure, will be 

 made a base of operations for unravelling the mysteries of the great antarctic continent — 

 as yet only once sighted by one of Britain's most celebrated navigators. It is not unlikely 

 that the coast seen by Sir James Eoss in 1848 will be made a station for the observation 

 of the coming transit of Venus which will take place next year. 



Our first session of last year we cannot put down as a barren one, several papers of 

 interest having been read before the Institute, and the good attendance at our meetings was 

 a proof that the subjects discussed were not without appreciation. The conversazione 

 which terminated the session was eminently successful both in regard to attendance and 

 the number of objects exhibited. 



The President then gave an interesting review of the more interesting additions to 

 scientific literature which had been recently made, touching on the discovery of the photo- 

 phone, the voyage of the " Challenger," the latest work with the sj)ectroscope, and the 

 exploration of New Guinea by D'Albertis, as discussed by Wallace. He concluded by 

 stating that many other subjects take up the attention of men of science at this present 

 time — subjects affecting the health, physically as well as morally, of mankind. If probers 

 and enquirers of these efforts be not at all times successful, or if their conclusions be not 

 always agreeable to sections of society, yet the advantage of free scope is one much to be 

 appreciated, and in our peculiar locality we need fear no influences when our object is 

 honourable and humane. 



The President then mentioned many other objects which are now engaging scientific 

 attention, many of which, he said, have peculiar interest here, and which are open to the 

 members to study and cultivate. 



2. " On a Som-ce of Water Supply for Invercargill," by J. E. Cuthbert- 

 son. [Transactions, p. 121). 



