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appears to Iiave fallen altogetlier into tlie background. A proposal to establish 

 some measure of sectional working, which was discussed by your Council, was 

 set aside as premature, and events have shown that the course then taken was 

 prudent. To be successful, such arrangements should be preceded by a feeling 

 that they are wanted. I am heartily glad that at length such a feeling has 

 arisen amongst those members of the Institute whose delight is in Natural 

 History. The projected Field Club will, I hope, be formed at once, and there 

 can be no -doubt that good fruit will follow. This is not the proper oppor- 

 tunity to urge the claims of Natural History. It is recognised that one of 

 the functions of this Society is to foster the study of Nature in all its forms, 

 and I make no doubt but that it will assist the proposed Field Club in a liberal 

 manner. In return the naturalists amongst us will, I am sure, enable the 

 Institute to deal liberally with the Museum. I look forward to large additions 

 to the botanical and geological departments of the Museum as an immediate 

 result of the association of working naturalists, and make no doubt that a res- 

 pectable contribution to IJlie transactions of the Society will also be forthcoming. 

 One branch of Natural History oiight to be excepted from the remark I made 

 as to the little attention paid to it by the Institute. Almost every one of our 

 members takes a deep interest in geological studies, and all are hoping that our 

 meetings will provide the means whereby a better acquaintance with the 

 geology of the land we live in will become available to us. Dr. Hector has 

 told us that the proj)er embodiment of the results of a geological survey is a 

 map. The beautiful maps which enrich the Museum embody for us the 

 results of long and arduous research. But it is only those who have more 

 leisure and more special knowledge than, I suppose, most of us possess, who 

 can gather from such a record all that it is fitted to teach. I desire to appeal 

 to those members of the Institute who have had opportunities of acquainting 

 themselves with the physical geography and geology of this province to unlock 

 these maps for us. No task could be undertaken which would meet with 

 more grateful recognition, both on the part of their fellow members and the 

 general public. No papers could be presented to us which would interest a 

 wider circle — none which could be more worthy of preservation in the annual 

 volume of our Transactions. Even slight sketches like that of the geology of 

 the North Island by Mr. Crawford, which is to be found in the first volume of 

 the Transactions, would be both interesting and useful. But sometliing of 

 greater detail would be even more acceptable, and no one need fear to find 

 himself tedious, however minute his exposition of particular features of the 

 country may be. I know that some of our members who live in the interior 

 could assist in this work by explaining for us the special features of the 

 localities with which they are acquainted. I hope they will not forget us, 

 although they cannot join in our meetings. The work of this Society will not 



