AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 2906, 22 May 1873, Page 3

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

The fifth annual meeting of the members of this Institute was held lust evening, in the large room adjoining the Museum; Theopkilus Heale, Esq. (President), in the chair. The Secretary (Mr. T. Kirk) read the minutes of the lust annual meeting, which were confirmed. The Secretary also read the annual report, of which the following is an abstract :—" There bad been a considerable accession of new members during the past Tear. Seven meetings had been held, at which papers had been read upon Bjtany, Choucholc>2r, and other scientific subjects. Great inconvenience continued to be telt from the want of suitable buildings for the large collection of specimens. Xhe type collection purchased in Europe had become the subject of general interest, and afforded the means of comparing the different classes of minerals. The number of visitors to the museum had also very considerably increased during the past year. The council solicits an addition to the colh-ci tions of native birds. Much of the interesttaken by the public in the Institute, nn< undoubtedly due to the publication of transactions of the New Zealend Institute. The fifth volume would be published before the close of the present year. The council beheld with much interest the endeavours made to form classes for the study of scientific subjects in connection with the Auckland College and Grammar School. The Auckland Institute was the only affiliated society in the colony which did not receive any direct systematic assistance from the Provincial Council. The want of a suitable weather-proof building to bold their collections and their meetings was a source of great, discouragement to those who have the responsibility of the management and the preservation of the specimens. The number of volumes on the reference table had been increased, and the facilities it afforded were becoming widely known to the public. The balance-sheet was also read : —The year commenced with a balance in hand of £32. The receipts for the year, from all sources, had been £280 4« Bd, and there was now a balance in hand of £51 19s lid. The following new members were elected since last montlily meeting:—Messrs. J. Slatter, \V. Scott, W. Hannaford,E. Thomas, IT. 51. Williams, W. J. Cawkwell, A. Cox, C. H. Knorrp, C.E. Ilia Worship the Mayor moved, and Mr. Mitford seconded the motion, " That the report be adopted, printed, and circulated for the information of the members." The resolution was carried unanimously. — Colonel Haultain moved, " That Mr. T. B. Gillies be elected President of the Institute for the -ensuing year." That gentleman had already done good service in the same capacity. His multifarious duties in the past year prevented his being as often amongst them as be or the members could wish. He would lie more at liberiy during Ibe ensuing year.—Dr. Campbell seconded the motion, ■which was carried unanimously. — Mr. X. Macffarlane moved, " That the following gentlemen be members of the council :— Messrs. J. L. Campbell, T. Heale, Colonel Haultain, — Kinder, K. 13. Lusk, 11. Luek, T. Bussellj J. Stewart, and — Tinne." Mr. Macffarlane said Mr. J. M. Clark was proposed, but it was extremely doubiful whether Mr. dark would have returned from England ■within the year. Two others of the council were in England, but he understood they ■would return very shortly.— On the motion of Gillies, the name of Mr. David Hay was substituted for that of Mr. James McCosh Clark. —The resolution was carried unanimously.—Mr. Charles Totbill was elected auditor. —Mr. T. Heale, in reliuguishing the chair, regretted that the Institute bad not made, durißg the two years he occupied the position of president, the rapid strides that had been anticipated. The council had not received all the support they had hoped for in the interest of science, and the literature of science. But it was not the fault of the members of the council. He felt that they had done their duty. He trusted that the interest in the monthly meetings would bo sustained. He believed that accurate observation, and ■the preparation of papers on scientific subjects, were capable of doing a great deal of gcod in disseminating accurate scientific information. —On the motion of the Mayor, a •vote of thanks was passed to tho retiring President of the Institute.—On the motion of ■Colonel Haultain, seconded by the Eev. Dr. Purchase, and supported by Mr. Gillies, a cordial vote of thanks was ptssed to Mr. T. Kirk, the Secretary of tho Institute.— Mr. K.irk t in returning thanks, said that the want of a weather-proof building was a great inconvenience. It retarded the progress of the Institute in many ways. It exposed the valuable collections of specimens to tho risk of injury from "various causes. He was glad to say that the number of papers prepared and read, and the actual work done, enabled them to compare with any of the other affiliated societies.—This concluded the business Of the annual meeting.