AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 131, 4 June 1901, Page 3

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

The 34th session of the Auckland 1 restitute was opened last evening in the Museum Buildings. There was a fair attendance, Mr James Stewart, C.E. (president-elect) presiding. The secretary read the names of new members and donations.

The chairman, in his presidential address, said tbe meeting was the eommeneeiiient of the 34th session of the Institute, which had existed for over a third of a century, and he congratulated the members on the solid and prosperous condition of the Institute. The roll of membership had taken an upward turn, with every prospect of a yearly balance on the right side. These good results had b?en in no small degree due to the lectures, scientific and popular, which had been promoted by the Institute. The chairman then proceeded to touch upon the advances in science during the last fifty years. Referring to the prediction of Tesla that electric messages would in time be sent from England to Australia without the aid of wires, he though- we had no scientific warrant for disbelieving it. though in our present experience there was not tbe slightest foundation for hoping such a thing possible. Mr. Stewart then touched on the advance in engineering, and noted the improvements in bridges, tunnels, railways, and the application of compound engines to marine work. He then spoke of electrical engineering, and said that electrical traction was one of the greatest revolutions in applied science. Wireless telegraphy was then alluded to, and Mr Stewart concluded an able address by referring to many subjects of economic importance to the colony, such as technical education, drainage, etc. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Stewart for his able address.