562 Proceedings. 



the market, in order to determine when each kind is in season, deserve great praise. 

 What are now wanted are similar observations in Wellington and Auckland. A comparison 

 of the results at the three places would give data from which could be deduced a tolerably 

 correct idea of the habits and peculiarities of the common native fishes. 



The last of the miscellaneous papers is by Mr. Jenkins, on the scientific form of 

 harbours. Although some of the conclusions may not be considered orthodox from 

 an engineering point of view, it contains much valuable information on a subject of 

 popular interest, consequently the paper is well deserving of a place among our records. 



The five pubhc lectures given on the alternate fortnights during the session were well 

 attended. They are useful adjuncts to our means of disseminating information, and tend 

 to popularize the Institute. The lectures were all of a high class, interesting and instruc- 

 tive, and elevating in tone and character. The gentlemen who delivered them have 

 earned our best thanks for the trouble they took in the matter. 



In looking back on the career of the Otago Institute, I am interested in comparing its 

 actual work with what I expected from it. Although I had no immediate share in estab- 

 lishing the Institute, I claim to have at an early date suggested its formation. In 

 September, 1866, a year before the New Zealand Institute Act was passed, and three years 

 before the Otago branch was established, the "Daily Times" published a letter of mine 

 on the subject. This letter defined what I considered should be the objects of such an 

 association in a new country, and the means by which they were likely to be attained. 

 Briefly the objects were to be : — The investigation of the natural resources of the country 

 from an industrial point of view, and their fitness to our everyday wants ; the develop- 

 ment of manufactures ; the encouragement of the construction of labour-saving 

 machinery ; and the consideration of engineering works generally, in their application to 

 the requirements of the country. 



The means suggested for attaining these objects were what are now followed in the 

 papers, discussions and Transactions of the Institute, together with the estabhshment of 

 an Industrial Museum. 



Thirteen years have passed away since the above ideas were crudely expressed, but 

 they have brought no material change in my opinions. As shown by Sir George Bowen, 

 in his opening address to the parent society in Wellington in 1868, I hold that the 

 principal object in the establishment of the New Zealand Institute is to facilitate the 

 practical work of colonization. 



I do not for one moment deprecate the efforts of those who devote all their energies 

 to the investigation of purely scientific subjects ; New Zealand, from its geographical 

 position at the extreme end of the habitable globe, its peculiarities in Natural History, 

 and its newness in almost every sense, will long remain an object of the greatest interest 

 to scientific men. What I regret is that practical science should occupy far less of our 

 deliberations than its theoretical confrere, whereas their positions should, in my opinion, 

 be reversed. 1 would not, however, like to see the number of scientific men reduced. 

 What is wanted is, that a somewhat more practical bias should be given to their studies — 

 a great increase in the number of workers in applied science, and increased enthusiasm 

 amongst the few that do exist. If half the energy that is sometimes displayed in con- 

 sidering the microscopic distinction between two species of animalcules was only applied 

 to the investigation of our mineral resources, the result would be an incalculable benefit 

 to the whole community. 



The present state of things is probably caused by the fact that the prizes in the arena 

 of pure science are greater than in the more practical field. A comparatively unimportant 



