D.—No. 25,

REPORT OE THE NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE.

2

Dr. Hector has communicated to the Governors his willingness to lecture on the first branch, and is of opinion that the services of his assistants might be with great advantage arranged so that they might work in the field during the summer months, and in winter assist in the course of instruction ; but the Governors, in view of the great additional labour which would be entailed on Dr. Hector by accepting his offer, would urge upon the Government the expediency of making such additions to his staff as will enable him to carry out that offer without interfering with the various duties more properly devolving upon him. By this means, without materially increasing the present establishment, the scheme might be initiated, and the valuable educational resources of the Museum and Laboratory devoted to supply tho deficiency of scientific and technical instruction which is much felt in this Colony. The fees would bo sufficient to pay the working expenses ; and by a judicious system of small endowmenls for scholarships in the various public schools, other parts of the Colony would share in the benefits of the course. Colonial Museum, G. F. Bowen, Wellington, 21st July, 1870. President.

Colonial Museum and Laboeatoet. In the year ending 31st July, 1870, 1,979 additional specimens have been added to the Museum, Which therefore now contains upwards of 21,000 specimens, exclusive of articles deposited by the owners and which can bo withdrawn. During the year the contents of the Museum have been entirely rearranged and catalogued, and a largo number of duplicate specimens withdrawn for distribution to Museums in other parts of the Colony when the Catalogue is completed. The Catalogue is being printed in duodecimo form,and will bo in the hands of the public at the same time as this Report. The Geological Map which was referred to in last year's Report is now almost completed, and will be issued at the same time. The chief additions made to the Museum by the Officers of the Geological Survey during the past year have been the rocks and fossils illustrative of the geology of Hawke's Bay, Taupo and the central Volcanoes, and the Thames District; from which latter locality a very complete series has been obtained, minutely illustrating the various mines. An interesting collection of fossils from the reptilian beds of the Amuri District, together with their associated rocks, has also been made by Dr. Haast, F.R.S., who was temporarily employed for the purpose of making a Geological survey of that locality, together with the Waipara District. The reptilian fossils mentioned in the last Report as having been obtained from the latter district have been described by Professor Owen in the Geological Magazine of February, 1870. It is intended to have plaster casts made of these interesting fossil remains, wliich include bones of the Plcsiosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, and other genera not yet determined, for distribution to the various Museums. Mention has also to be made of a collection of fossil shells, accompanied by the bones of a fossil Penguin, contributed by Mr. Duigan, from Brighton; and also a large series of tertiary and upper secondary fossils collected by Mr. Enys from tho upper basin of the Waimakariri. Tho Museum is again indebted to Mr. T. H. Potts, for a valuable contribution of foreign insects, and also several additions to tho collection of native birds, nests, and eggs. From Mr. T. R. Hackct, a collection of tho roek-s illustrating the geology of the Gympio Creek Gold Fields has been received, which possesses peculiar interest from the similarity which they present to some of the rocks from the Thames District; while at the samo time they contain fossils which indicate the age of the formation as probably Triassic. A series of lithographed illustrations of the animals of Victoria, presented by Mr. W. Seed, also deserves special acknowledgment, as forming a very instructive addition to tho Museum. The number of names entered in the Visitors' Book during last year is over 9,000; but this is as usual far short of the actual number of persons who avail themselves of the Institution. James Hectoe, 31st July, 1870. Manager.

..CCOUNTS o: ,e New Ze. .land Institute, 1869-' •o. Receipts. ESTENDITUEE. Balance in hand £ s. cl. 33 2 8 1. —Expenses of Meetings, &c. £ s. d. 34 15 1 Government Grant in Aid 500 0 0 2.—Expenses of Publication of Vol. II.... 497 6 7 Contribution from Wellington Philosophical Society 20 0 0 Balance in hands of Treasurer 32 3 0 Proceeds of Sale of Vol. I. 11 2 0 £504 4 8 £564 4 8 A. Ludl.a iir, 'reasurer.