142 Dr Lauder Lindsay on the Place and Power of 
in their scientific aspects. Another Professor could hardly be 
dispensed with; indeed his usefulness is, perhaps, more evident 
than in the case of the other two. I refer to a Professor of 
Chemistry, who might also be Government Analyst and Assayer. 
At present, I believe you send your gold for assay to Sydney ; 
and you are dependent entirely on Australia or Britain for 
chemical reports on the percentage of iron in your iron sands or 
ochres, sulphur in your sulphur muds, lime in your limestones, gas 
or oil in your lignites. Would it not save time and trouble, delay 
and suspense, as well as expense, to have your analyst always at 
hand—always at your service, He would be ready to act as 
agricultural chemist, making analyses of soils for settlers. He 
would be a valuable referee in medico-legal cases, in judicial ex- 
aminations in cases of poisoning for instance, and in similar cases 
where the chemical, would necessarily be the chief, evidence. He 
would act as a detector of adulterations in your foods and drinks— 
adulterations which are generally rife in such a state of society as 
exists in Dunedin at present. Even as a reporter on the quality 
of the water-supply proposed for your towns, he might be of signal 
service, especially in regard to indicating the proper materials for 
conveyance and storage. Such Professors might give systematic 
instruction in their respective sciences to all who desired to take 
advantage thereof, as well as more general and popular courses of 
lectures to the public at large. The contents of the Museum 
would afford abundance of suitable illustrations, All three Pro- 
fessors might, if necessary, occupy the same lecture room at 
different hours, or at different seasons, though there is no doubt 
separate and ample accommodation would be desirable. The 
Professor of Chemistry would, in addition, require a small Labora- 
tory, the cost whereof would reside chiefly in its fittings, which, 
however, may be had at a very moderate outlay. Let us hope 
that ere many years elapse, ‘“ New Edinburgh” may possess in 
the Southern Hemisphere a University rivalling that of “ Old 
Edinburgh” in the Northern; and if it does so, I will venture to 
predict it will become the University, not only of New Zealand, 
but of this (Southern) Hemisphere ! 
Teaching of Natural Science in Schools. 
But, pending the establishment of a University, which must be 
gradual in its growth, there seems no reason why the existing 
educational machinery of the province should not be rendered 
available for bestowing upon the rising generation scientific tastes, 
if not acquirements. I would commend to the favourable con- 
sideration of your Education Board the propriety of introducing 
the teaching of at least the rudiments of Natural Science,—of such 
