THE OTAGO INSTITUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 921, 24 July 1869, Page 15

THE OTAGO INSTITUTE.

The first general meeting of the Members of the Otago Institute was held in the old Library of the Provincial Council Buildings, on Tuesday afternoon. Hia Honour Mr Justice Ward presided.

Mir J. S. Webb, the Hon. Seoretary, explained that the meeting had been convened to roceive the proposed constitution from the Provisional Committee, and after that was accepted, to elect office bearers for the ensuing year. Before reading the rules, however, he would like to make a few remarks {in regard to some objections which had been raised respectinn the Institute. First, it had been urged that there was no Bcope here for such an Institute .to do more in connection with the objects stated than might be done by such an Institution as the Athenieum by means of popular lectures. And secondly, that the Society would be too exclusively scientific for many people to join, and not sufficiently popular. It appeared tohira thatthe manner in which the Institute would promote ait, science, literature, and philosophy, would be twofold ; first, by offering to men who cultivated any branch of knowledge the opportunity of special meetings, of interchanging their ideas, and reporting the results of their observations, thus affording at some time a channel by which these might be made known to their fellowworkers in othor parta of the colony, and of the world ; and second, by popular addrosses, conversaziones, and other means, drawing the attention of all, and especially of the young, to the studies ib designed to promote. It would thus have two distinct fields of work, neither of which oould be estimated as of higher value than the other. Its general aim would bo the culture, not only of its members but of tho community at Urge, and it would be hard if it did not aid in | the accomplishment of something which, without its assistance, would either not havo been attempted, or would have been neglooted for years to come. Mr Brodie asked if social science was inoluded in tho objects of the Society. If •ooial science was mentioned as, park of the labours which the Society would w> dert»ko, some of the objections mentioned mtyht be removed, inasmuch m

there, w.qtild>then be included the field of the practical ao well as the theoretical. ; Mr ; WJSBB Buggeated, thatjthe Institute, as shown b°y. the., firsi, rule, was as com prehensive" as it was possible, it, ,could be. The,R«v;Mr, Stuart explained that the Provisional Committee ,j, j consid ered 'fcluit the introduction of tn^ words mentioned' were unnecessary, inasmuch as sucha subject, and kindred subjects, would very fairly come within the labours of the society. He had found that the "parent institute, and sister institutes, in their public transactions, had embraced a very wide scope indeed. The following are some of the more im- ■ pqrtant rules of . the Society, and which, after considerable , discussion, were adopted :—" Every person,, who shall, on or before the ' Ist S e/p iember, 1869, .pay , tlie annual subßcription for the ensuing [year, shall , be l' 1 entitled* to become, an, original member of the Society.?' • ' From | and after the Ist, September, l669,'.'|finy person desiring to join the Society, may be elected by ballot, on. being proposed in 'writing,' at, any meeting of the Society^ by two 'members, on. payment of the annual au Ascription for the year then current." " Members may at' any time become I^Pe members, by onepaymeiit of LlO 10s, in. lieu of future annual .subscriptions." " All suits received for life subscriptions shall, be invested in the names of Trustees to be nominated by the Council, and the interest only arising from such investments shall be applied to the uses of the Otago Institute, and, failing such uses, to the benefit of the Duriedin Museum.' ' "One third of the annual revenue of the Society shall be applied towards the formation or support of a local public museum or library." " Nbn-residenta in the province may be elected honorary members by the unanimous vote of any meeting of the Society, in acknowledgment of their contributions to art, Bcience, or literature in general, or to this Society in particular : such members to have ail the privileges of 'members, without payment of any fees." "Members of societies incorporated with the New Zealand Institute, when in the Province of Otago, shall be entitled, to all the privileges of members of tmß Society."

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICE BEARERS.

Mr James Smith moved that the appointment of office bearers be deferred until another meeting. It was desirable, he thought, that time should he given to enable the Society to increase the number of its members, in order that a more ample choice of officers might be afforded.

As an amendment, the Rev. Mr Stuart proposed that the meeting shoul 1 at once proceed to the election of a President, Vice-President, and Council.

The amendment was agreed to,

The Rev. Mr Stuart then moved, and Mr Ecot.ES seconded, that His Honour. Judge Ward be elected President. The motion was unanimously carried. On the motion of Mr Hodgkins, provision was made for the appointment of two Vice-prwsidents instead of one.

Mr Jambs Smith moved that Mr Eccles and Mr J. S. Webb be elected VicePresidents. Mr Eccles was a gentleman of acknowledged scientific attainments, and he had devoten a great deal of time in the cause of science ; and, with regard to Mr Webb, he considered that that gentleman ought to be placed in a position of honour because the Society had been inaugurated mainly through his exertions.

The Rev. Mr Stcurt suggested that Mr Webb, if elected Secretary, would be of muoh more service to science and to the Association.

Mr Eccles intimated that he had previously expressed » wish not to act in the capacity to which the meeting desired to elect him.

Mr Wkbb stated that up to the prexfln*- time he had been unable to induce any gentleman to undertake the duties of Secretary, and therefore it appeared evident that even if he were elected to a position of honour, he would still have to act in the oapacity of Secretary. Several gentlomon were mentioned for tho offioo of Vice President, and ultimately Messrs Eocles and A. Bevorley were elected.

Mr J, S. Wobb was elected Hon. Sec, and Mr W. D, Murison Hon. Treasurer.

The gontlemon elected as a Council were Messrs R. Gillies, J. T. Thomson, James Smith, Stuart Hawthorne, and tho Rev. Mr Stuart The proceedings thon terminated.

The revolvor presented y Mr Harroway of London — abrotborof LienfcmantHArrowAy of this city— to tho North Dunedin Rifle Company, wh finally oompotcd for on Saturday fait, and w*« won by Corporal P<dl<-ok, who mado toe higbeftt *oore at. three moor •• sivo competitions. Th«i range* were, 20, 6110, and 600 yards- fiv- shots at e*oh range the winning »ooiy» botnir, 47. 43 and 42. The ohampioo lelfi la r "ly onion d by the Company ii cxpttced shortly, and will be ooatwitod for immediately after its arrival.