566 Proceedings, 



Ulrich. I have no doubt the seed will now be planted, and bis skilful care and guidance 

 will train it into a goodly tree whose fruit is knowledge and wealth to the community at 

 large. 



I have taken up so much of your time in the consideration of the two first heads of 

 my subject that a passing reference only can be made to the last — the state of applied 

 science in the colony. It might have been interesting to trace our material progress in 

 mtercommunication within the last few years, the facilities that now exist for the 

 exchange not only of commodities, but of ideas, as compared with what they werB when 

 the Institute was founded. And to speculate as to what the future will bring forth. The 

 astounding discoveries made every day in practical electricity alone are sufficient to enlarge 

 our expectations to the verge of the impossible. Already the heavenly bodies are rivalled 

 in the brilliancy of artificial light, and I believe the day is not far distant when man can 

 convey his thoughts to his fellows through a thousand miles of ocean without the inter- 

 vention of his senses by the mere force of volition conveyed along the electric wire, or 

 perchance even without that medium. 



In conclusion, I would impress on all the members of the Otago Institute the desira- 

 bility of observing and recording whatsoever may seem to them new facts, no matter how 

 trivial they appear. Considering the opportunities we enjoy as residents in a new country 

 we are woefully remiss in this duty, and no class is so culpable as my own professional 

 brethren — engineers and surveyors. Much of this apathy is probably due to a want of 

 confidence in our own knowledge or judgment. The amateur is afraid of appearing 

 ignorant in the eyes of the expert. What he considers new and unique may turn out to 

 be old and commonplace. In the old world, where every path of scientific knowledge is 

 trodden bare by ages of research, such a danger exists, but it is not the case here. All 

 the recorded observations on any j^articular subject can be mastered in a few days, so the 

 remainder of the field is equally free and open to all comers. 



By exercising their observant faculties to a moderate extent, embracing the oppor- 

 tunities they have of observing and afterwards recording the result in a systematic 

 manner, the members of the Otago Institute would gain credit to themselves, and confer 

 an inestimable benefit on all their fellow-colonists. 



