N.Z. INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17984, 30 January 1924, Page 11

N.Z. INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING. ir22SS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAIf.) WELLINGTON, January 2P. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute opened this morning. Professor Kirlr, president, referred to the Institute's financial disabilities as a very severe handicap. A strain had been imposed on the loyalty of contributing societies by, inter -ilia, the curtailment of the journal "Transactions," but he believed that the feeling of dissatisfaction was only transient. The esteem in which the Institute was held might bo increased if the annual meeting was of a scientific instead of simply a business nature every second or third year. Ho remarked upon the paucity of considerable benefactions, which" had resulted in the Institute being unable to undertake maly important duties properly pertaining to such a body. For a short time tho Government made a research grant by an annual vote, but it was among the first things cut out when retrenchment became necessary. Scientific interest received an impetus following the war, but this had been considerably reduced again. He suggested that the Instituto might send lecturers to deal popularly with scientific subjects to any place willing to pay travelling expenses. • A resolution was adopted urging the Government to restore tho research grant. Dominion Museum. The Dominion Museum came up for discussion at the meeting, of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute. Tho Standing Committee reported that as a result of negotiations with the ActingPrime Minister, the most valuable exhibits in the old building were being removed for safety to fireproof rooms in the Dominion Farmers' Institute buildings. Dr. Charles Chilton stressed the necessity for the erection of a new museum building, and remarked that the only means of moving the Government to action was to keep "pegging away" until something was done. The president (Professor Kirk):. We are accustomed to passing very urgent and pressing resolutions, and the Government has become accustomed to take no notice of them. Another delegate suggested that a further deputation should wait on the Government in the matter. Mr P. G. Morgan said he did not think it was worth while to approach the Government by deputation. The Minister of Internal Affairs had expressed himself favourably in the matter, and seemed to support the proposal for a new building. Dr. C. C. Farr moved: "That the Instituto urge the - Government to proceed at the earliest ''possible moment with the erection of a suitable building for a Dominion' Museum in Wellington." Mr H. Hill said he thought the motion should be framed in stronger terms. ,

The motion was seconded by Professor H. W. Segar, who said the citizens of "Wellington might raise a portion of the cost of the new building. All other cities in the Dominion had to build their own museums, and he did not see why Wellington should not do, the same. ...

... The president remarked that it was exceedingly difficult to induce citizens of a town, even Wellington, to/support a purely Government institute.

The-motion was carried. : The Hon. G. M. Thomson moved:. "That the Institute urge upon the Government the advisability of placing the Dominion' Museum under the control of a board of trustees.''

The motion was seconded by Mr P. G. Morgan -and carried unanimously.