446 Proceedings. 



Coal, economically considered, is nothing else than stored-up heat, which 

 science can make into power. Thirty-six years ago, Buddie, the eminent coal 

 owner at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, estimated the supply of coal of Great Britain, 

 at the then rate of consumption, ecp-ial to a period of 1,000 years. Recent 

 authoritative investigation places it only at 200 years, showing, at the same 

 time, that the United States of America have fifteen times the stores of Great 

 Britain, and China eight times (the two largest fields in the world). It is 

 evident then that the coal question is a more limited and temporary 

 one with England than with America and China. Is she then right in allowing 

 free trade in a limited product essential to her power? Or is it right to take 

 the cosmopolitan view, and reply, that where Englishmen go there is 

 England ? Be that as it may, the most ample and readily accessible coal 

 supply is in the hands of the red man, i.e., the Chinese. Can he retain it, or will 

 it pass out of his keeping in China, as it has jDassed out in America] Then 

 which branch of the white race — the British, Russians, or Americans — will 

 grasp the same, and by what routes 1 Oceanic — by the Red Sea, the Cape, or 

 Pacific 1 Land — by Siberia, Tai'tary, or Hindostan? Or shall other white 

 races possess this fund of power at pre.sent unused, when coal in this age of 

 science is so essential to the power and existence of nations^ These will 

 become momentous problems to future generations, and have wide-spread 

 influence on the movements of the human race. Certain it is that the people 

 who have mere brute force and no science will in the long run succumb. 



Then, in this remote corner of the globe, let us take a lesson from a great 

 theme, and pursue the objects for which this Institute was established, viz., 

 the cultivation of science ; for science in this era more than ever supplies your 

 necessities and protects your race. Nor be discouraged by the fewness of our 

 numbers or the smallness of results, as compared with older countries, for we 

 will enlarge with population, and, no doubt, do our fair proportion of service. 

 Though our territory is not great, our climate is temperate, our atmosphere is 

 bracing ; so our people will be vigorous, and great Polynesia is before us. 



The President read the report of the sub-committee appointed to communi- 

 cate with the English and American Governments with reference to the 

 approaching Transit of Yenus, 



1. A paper was read, containing Maoi'i Traditions in the Native Language, 

 by the Rev. F. H. Wohlers, 



2. " On some Naturalized Plants of Otago," by G. M. Thouison. 



Dr. Berggren, of the University of Lund, said that, although he had only 

 been a short time in New Zealand, he was astonished to see how many 

 introduced plants had spread and become naturalized, as it was so different 

 from what he had been accustomed to in Europe, lie had no doubt that 



