60 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, 
THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE. 
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BY G. M. THOMSON, F.LS5. 
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In its constitution and working the New Zealand Institute 
is probably unique among scientific societies. So little is known 
about it, however, by those even who, as members of the affiliated 
societies, are virtually members of the central body, that I pro- 
pose shortly to call attention to its constitution. I doso because 
the principle on which it is founded is incorrect, and there is a 
strong and growing feeling among working members of the in- 
corporated societies that the time has come for a reconstitution 
of the whole body on a more representative system. 
The Institute was founded by an Act of the General Assembly, | 
dated roth October, 1867, entitled “An Act to establish 
an Institute for the Advancement of Science and Art in New 
Zealand.” The preamble states that it is expedient to make pro- 
vision for carrying out the geological survey of the Colony, and 
to establish and incorporate a public institution in the City of — 
Wellington, to be called “the New Zealand Institute,” which 
shall comprise a public museum and laboratory, and a public 
library. 
Clauses 2 and 3 give the Governor in Council power to 
appoint a person to superintend the carrying out of the duties 
pertaining to these offices, and also to appoint the necessary as- 
sistants. Clause 5 deals with the appointment of a Board of 
Governors, to consist in the first place of the Governor of the 
Colony, the Colonial Secretary, and the Superintendent of Wel- 
lington Province (all three ex officio), and six other persons to be 
appointed by the Governor. Clause 8 gives power to the incor- 
porated societies (as long as there are not more than three in 
existence) to elect three members to the Board ; but when there 
are more than three such societies, each is only to nominate a 
member, and from the names thus nominated the Board will 
elect three. | 
The powers entrusted to the Board of Governors are specified 
under Clause 11. Three, out of a total of twelve, are to forma 
quorum, and they are empowered to receive and dispose of annual 
grants of money ; to obtain suitable premises for the formation 
and reception of a museum, laboratory and public library; to 
make bye-laws for the regulation and disposal of the property of 
the Institute; and to appoint and remove any public officers of © 
the said Institute. 
Clause 14 provides that in addition to the salary paid to the 
Superintendent of the Geological Survey, there shall be placed: 
yearly upon the estimates the sum of not less than five hundred 
pounds for the purposes of the Institute. | 
