ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 22, 18 October 1851, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Otago Witness. Mr. Editor, — As it is very desirable to have the Mechanics' Institution in operation as soon as possible, I am sure the authorities here, instead of retarding, as assumed in your No. 19, and which must have been a mistake, would be happy to forward so praiseworthy an object if a means of being useful were pointed out to them. Suppose, for instance, the Bench were to deliver a series of Lectures on whatever subject each individual was most versed in ; the public to be admitted by ticket, price sixpence; the amount so collected, after defraying incidental expenses, to go in aid of the Building Fund, I would suggest the following subjects : — Model Farms : or the best and cheapest mode of Forming a Picturesque Potato Garden, by Captain Cargill ; with Diagrams by Peter Proudfoot. On the principles, Origin, and History of the Free Church of Scotland, by Robert Williams, Esq. On the British Constitution (shewing the adap tability of Hindoo Government to a British Colony), by " Your Magistrate," W. H. Valpy, Esq. On the Advantages and Profits to be derived from Tolls, by J. Macandrew, Esq. On the best Method of Maintaining Public Institutions, by taking a determined stand in the background, by Dr. Purdie. The Law of Storms : with a Dissertation on Weathercocks, and the best mode of ascertaining the way the wind blows— C. H. Kettle, Esq., Principal Surveyor to (?) On the Native Character : Illustrated by Reminiscences of the Maori War, and Achievements of the Aimed Police, by A. C. Strode, Esq., R.M. I feel confident, Sir, that such a course would draw a full attendance, and bring considerable funds to the Institution. MacPunchie.