PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 687, 5 August 1870, Page 2

PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

A general meeting, of members of the Philosophical Institute was held at half-past seven o'clock last evening, in the Literary Institute, Dr Haast presiding. The meeting 1 was called for the purpose of considering the draft of a petition to the General Assembly;, praying for the establishment of a School of Mines. . ■ -' Mr Potts inquired up to what date the pro* ceedings of the Institute had been forwarded to Wellington. Dr Hector told him that the proceedings of other Institutes in the colony had been received, but the proceedings of the Canterbury Institute had not been forwarded, and the printing of the report was delayed in consequenoe. • : .r The Chairman said he would see the hon. sec. in reference to the matter next morning. Mr Jollie, as chairman of the committee appointed on the previous evening to draw up a petition for presentation to the General Assembly praying for the establishment of a ■School of Mines in this Island, said that ths committee had departed from the resolution in some measure, considering it advisable to include Agriculture. (Hear, bear.)' The committee was also of opinion that it would be a great thing for the country if an observatory 1 were established on these Plains. (Hear, hear.) He would now read the draft petition as follows : — ....:.. i " We, the undersigned, members of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, beg most respectfully to bring before yaur honourable House the-, expression of our opinion that the time has arrived when the mining and agricultural interests of this Island require for their further development the establishment of a school of mines and agriculture, in such a position as may best meet the convenience of the chief centres of industry. - "We believe that the importance of the interests which would be served by the foundation of such a school is second to none in -New Zealand, and that the further extension of those interests requires that instruction should be within reach of- those who may desire to avail themselves of the advantages which such a school of applied science will afford. " We beg therefore respectively to petition that your honourable House may see fit, during the present session, to take such steps as may be necessary to establish a school of mines and agriculture in this Island. " And your petitioners will ever pray." Mr C. C. Bowen thought it highly desirable that an . observatory should be established here, and he apprehended that very little difficulty would be experienced in finding a suitable site contiguous to Christchurch. He considered that the establishment of an observatory should be specially mentioned in the petition. Af cer some discussion, Mr Bowen withdrew his suggestion for the present. The petition was adopted anl signed by those present. Dr Coward reported that in accordance

with' the resolution passed on the previowevening, he had made arrangements for rent ing two rooms in the Literary Institute. : .