635 



The time had evidently arrived for drastic retrenchment, 

 and no further reports of transactions were published for 

 five years. 



(d) Establishment of the University and the 

 Coming^ of the Grant. 



Although the prevailing depression in the colony in the 

 early seventies had robbed the Society of that vigour which 

 had characterized it in previous years, two all-important 

 events were about to arouse it into unprecedented activity and 

 usefulness. These were the establishment of the University 

 and the coming of the Government grant. 



The influence exerted by the University can hardly be 

 over-estimated. It did not intrude itself gradually, but was 

 almost cataclysmic in its suddenness. The Society began to 

 radiate vitality. The scientific leader for which it had waited 

 so long appeared in the person of Professor Kalph Tate, whose 

 energy was tremendous. Popular lectures were delivered, 

 public interest was aroused, resulting in a sudden accession 

 of strength to its ranks and a welcome increase in its funds. 

 Effort and knowledge now became organized, and the Society 

 was soon raised from a mere parochial body to an assured 

 place in the scientific world. 



The following year the publication of its Transactions 

 was resumed and appeared in a form more in accordance with 

 those issued elsewhere. 



Throughout this new phase of development there was, 

 however, always present the lurking fear of adversity. At all 

 costs some permanent source of income must be discovered, 

 to assure them against any further breaches in the continuity 

 of their publications. In 1879 the Council once more 

 approached the Board with a view of securing some financial 

 benefit under the Institutes Act. Acting on the advice of 

 the Board, and with the promise of its assistance, an applica- 

 tion was made to the Government, asking that the Society 

 should receive the same measure of support as had hitherto 

 been accorded to the country institutes. The application 

 was favourably oonsidered, and resulted in an annual subsidy 

 on their subscriptions. The subsidy for the year in question 

 amounted to <£118, which, though it did not enrich them, 

 at least defrayed the cost of their Transactions and left a few 

 pounds over for emergencies. 



Since then the Society has never looked back. Its publica- 

 tions have been continuous for forty-five years, and are now 

 to be found on the shelves of every important scientific library 

 throughout the world. 



