seventy-five years it seems well to review the progress made, so far as it is reflected in the published papers, and to consider the outlook for the future. In his inaugural address to the Institute, His Excellency Sir George Bowen, on August 4, 1868, outlined the character and objects of the Institute as stated in the preamble to “The New Zealand Institute Act, 1867.” “It is expedient to make provision for carrying out the geological survey of the Colony and to establish and incorporate a public institution in the City of Wellington to be called “The New Zealand Institute” which Institute shall comprise a public museum and laboratory and a public library. And it is also expedient by means of lectures, classes and otherwise to promote the general study and cultivation of the various branches and departments of art, science, literature and philosophy.” Sir George went on: “Co-operation is the secret of success in all scientific pursuits, and the New Zealand Institute, while leaving its affiliated societies unfettered in the performance of their separate functions, will publish their chief transactions on a uniform plan, thereby concentrating the information collected by local observers throughout the country, and providing for the preservation, in a permanent and accessible form, of the results of their labours.” “Let me remind you,” he said, “that the main object of the Legislature in founding this Institute was not merely to make provision for healthy intellectual recreation, but rather to provide guidance and aid for the people of New Zealand in subduing and replenishing the earth—in the heroic work of colonisation.” Sir George referred particularly to the geological, botanical, zoological and physical sciences. He also stressed the value of work on the ethnology and anthropology of the Maori race, and on the encouragement of technical and scientific education. “I fully believe,” he added, “that the New Zealand Institute contains within itself a sure principle of vitality because it contains a sure principle of usefulness.” The first volume gave us a magnificent start, and those great essays of Hector, Monro, Travers, Buchanan, Buller, Colenso, Ludlam, Crawford, and Shortland we may still read with enjoyment and profit. In the first volume, too, Hector gave that famous list of thirty-one subjects “in the hope that it may be found useful, as suggesting future communications to the various societies.” This list largely aimed at exploiting the natural resources of the country, the development of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and the advancement of civil engineering and public health; but fundamental work in botany, geology, zoology, and anthropology received some mention. Every one of these thirty-one subjects still requires and is receiving serious attention to-day: “formation of sandbanks in rivers, and bars to harbours,” “habits of animals, especially of those destructive to trees and cultivated plants,” “resources of the Colony in cements, concretes, plasters, building stones,” “causes of failure of introduced grasses on some of our soils,” “medicinal plants,” “harbour improvements,” and so on. Sir William Jervois, in his anniversary address for 1883, said: “I am happy to say that there is not one of these subjects that has not