136 Dr Lauder Lindsay on the Place and Power of 
of your Government or Dr Hector; but I hope neither of them 
will be offended by the simple expression of individual opinion, 
It appears to me that Dr Hector’s presence might legitimately be 
taken advantage of in establishing the nucleus of the mineralogical 
and geological sections of the Provincial Museum, as well as in 
the dissemination of a knowledge of local geology and mineralogy 
by the medium of lectures or classes. For such purposes advan- 
tage might be taken of the completion of the survey, of the winter 
season, or of periods of inclement weather, when the survey may 
be temporarily suspended. A properly named and classified col- 
lection, first, of the rocks and minerals of Dunedin, and by and 
by of those of other parts of the province, might be made. 
Whenever the funds would admit, I would strongly recommend 
the purchase of coloured geological diagrams, models of crystals, 
and other scientific educational apparatus, now easily to be had, as 
well as a series of selected named specimens—as standards—-of 
rocks and minerals similar to those of Otago, and which throw light 
on the relations and uses of the latter; specimens, for instance, from 
the Trap districts of Scotland, the volcanic regions of Iceland or 
Italy, the Chalk districts of England, or the Tertiary formations of 
Germany and France. These are procurable, at a moderate ex- 
pense, at such establishments as Professor Tennant’s, in London ; 
or Krantz and Co., of Bonn and Berlin. With the aid of such 
specimens, diagrams, and apparatus, as illustrations, and by means 
of field excursions round Dunedin, your Provincial geologist might 
teach practically, in a most attractive way, details of the sciences 
of geology and mineralogy, or the rudiments thereof, according to 
circumstances. Government would surely grant every facility in 
the way of accommodation and assistance for so desirable an end, 
I am told Dr Hector is daily expected. I am not at all aware 
whether any or what preparations have been made here for the 
prosecution of his survey: but it appears to me that the way may 
be so far paved for him; his labours so far facilitated and aided ; 
his objects co-operated in. There is not one of you, probably, 
who may not in some way, however humble, promote Provincial 
geology by co-operating in the efforts of the Provincial geologist. 
You are at considerable expense in providing the staff and requi- 
sites for a geological survey; yonr being so shows the value you 
place upon the possession of the information such a survey is ex- 
pected to collect or educe. It is surely your interest to get the 
best, the largest return for your outlay—to make the most of 
your engagement. You will best consult your own interests then 
by doing all that in you lies to further the aims and objects of 
Dr Hector. You may do so in various ways, but on one only of 
these will I touch. I would suggest that so soon as Dr Hector 
arrives, Government should insert in all the local newspapers an 
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