OTAGO INSTITUTE.

Evening Star, Issue 10931, 13 May 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

OTAGO INSTITUTE.

The 1899 session of the Otago Institute was opened by a conversazione in the Museum last mght, when there was a satisfactory attendance, the rooms being comfortably filled. A noticeable feature of the attendance was the large number of ladies present. A very pleasant evening was spent, one and all appearing to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the several excellent collections of interesting objects, historical and otherwise. Mr Hamilton’s collection of Maori mats and curios occupied a place in the laboratory. A good deal of interest was manifested in the recent additions to the Museum valuables, the notornis and the moa’s egg; whilst the specimens collected during the recent deep-sea trawling expeditions were also shown. The stone implements from New Zealand and other countries exhibited by Mr F. R. Chapman (president of the Institute), attracted a good deal of attention, and the remarkable similarity between the stone adzes from Italy, New Guinea, and New Zealand was a matter of general surprise. The collection of old and very valuable books,' also shown by the president of the Institute’ formed an important feature in the exhibits, as may be inferred from the fact that one of the books a history of the Trojan wav—was printed exactly 400 years ago. In striking contrast to this old Latin work, there was shown in the same room a copy of an up-to-date illustrated daily newspaper—a London journal on paper so common as to hardly bear the ink, but having a really beautiful picture of Westminster Abbey, filling nearly half of one of its broad pages. The scrap books containing the comic illustrations of the early part of this century, which were shown by another member, were also exhibits of interest. Some of the most valuable of Dr Hocken’s collection of steel plate engravings were displayed on the. walls of the library. These included portraits of Captain Cook, Sir. Joseph Banks (Captain Cook’s companion), Sir Pieroy Brett (Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty in 1780), and after whom Cape Brett and Riercy'EpgX (Bay of Islands) were

tiateel. GsAual GaortaCsni dant .of tjia New Zealand foreee In 10471* Cap* tain James King (lieutenant of the Resolution), John Douglas, Lord Bishop of Salisbury (a friend of Captain Cook’s), the Earl of Durham (the first Governor of the New Zealand Company), and a portrait of Sir George Grey, K.C.8., in 1867. An exhibition of Rontgen rays, with the most powerful apparatus ever shown here, was given by Dr De Lautour in tho class room, and was a complete success. Dr De Lautour gave a few explanatory remarks, and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded him by acclamation, on the motion of the president of the Institute. There was also some good vocal and instrumental music. Miss B. Little contributed a pianoforte solo, and the vocal items were capitally rendered by Miss Lilly Shand, Miss Maitland, and Mr Hunter. As usual, light refreshments were provided during the evening, and in all respects the gathering,, was, a success,, The officials of the Institute present were: Mr F. E.- Chapman (president), Mr A. Hamilton (hon. secretary), Professor Shand, Dr Benham, Dr Hocken, Kr J. S. Tennant, Mr G. M. Thomson, Mr J. G. Smith, and Mr A. Bathgate (members of the Council). .