10 AimiYEESAET ADDEESS. 



"Whilst thus dealing with those affairs of our Society which 

 ought now to have the strongest claims upon its members, I am 

 by no means inclined to overlook the progress of other Associa- 

 tions ; such, for instance, as the Linnean Society of Sydney, or 

 that Society in whose room we are now assembled, and which has 

 already been assisted by public money. Any right-thinking person 

 must rejoice in the advancement of mental research, when con- 

 ducted under the wholesome influence of sound moral principles, 

 not forgetting the Author of all we see and speak of, because the 

 study of jN'ature as it is termed, will in the end, if properly pur- 

 sued, lead only to higher aims and an access to truth, or ivliat is. 

 But it would seem to me, looking at things in a matter-of-fact 

 way, that a multiplication of Associations in a limited population 

 only tends to the weakness of all ; and if the scheme pointed out 

 of sectional Committees were put in force, it would be in the 

 power of any Society, with such a range as ours, to meet all the 

 exigencies of the case. In this respect New Zealand has already 

 led the way, and all her former Provincial Societies are now con- 

 solidated in the comprehensive New Zealand Institute. As con- 

 cerns ourselves the scheme would for the present be confined to 

 this Colony alone. I must add, however, that I look with no jea- 

 lousy on the success of other Societies, and that the first Address 

 of the President of the new Linnean Society, on the Progress of 

 Natural History in Australia, furnishes a valuable contribution to 

 the literature of science. I do not know if there be any other 

 suggestion of great importance at this time to require attention ; 

 but, if such should arise, it may be noticed hereafter. 



Obitfaey. 



Let me now refer to the losses which the Society has sustained 

 by death since the last Anniversary. 



Although but one of these deceased members was an actual 

 contributor to our Transactions, four deserve commemoration as 

 publicly connected with the advancement of Australia by explor- 

 ation, or by identification with its literary or scientific progress, 



