SOCIETY OF ART AND SCIENCE.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1922, 3 July 1869, Page 2

SOCIETY OF ART AND SCIENCE.

A public meeting of gentlemen favorable to the formation of a Society for the promotion of Art, Science, Literature, and Philosophy in this Province, was held in the long room of the Athemeum to-day, at noon. There was a veiy large attendance, and amongst those present we noticed —His Honor Mr Justice Ward, the Rev. D. M. Stuart, Messrs S. Hawthorne (Rector of the High School), James Smith, E. B. Cargill, J. Kattray, J. S. Webb, J. Millar, M.P.C., C. Sm'th, J. H. Harris, Eccles, A. C. Strode, J. Mathews, G. Brodie, J. Bathgate, W. M. Hodgkins, J. Hislop, R. Gillies, and W. D. Murison.

Mr Justice Ward was voted to the chair. Mr J. S. Webb explained why he had called the meeting. He said that he had been looking forward for som* time for the opportunity of taking the step, but the favorable moment had never presented itseff. The publication by the Bo ird of Governors of the first volume of the transactions of the Mew Zealand Institute afforded a very good opportunity of directing the attention of those favorable to the question to the subject of the esta *iishment of a society in connexion with the Institute. He therefore moved—“ That it is desirable to form a Society in Otago, to be incorporated with the Hew Zealand Institute.” The constitution of the New Zealand Institute was known to all the gentlemen present, and therefore it would be a waste of time for him to explain it. He micht merely state that the conditions on which die advantages derivable from being connected with the Colonial Institution con d be obtained were simple. On asking to be incorporated with it, they had to submit their bye-laws for the approval of the Board of Governors of the Institute, which, of course, was likely to be a mere formal proceeding. The Society could not consist of less than twenty-five members, who would have to su 'seribe at least LSO towards the promotion of those objects which it was in ended to foster, and which were named in the Act incorporating the Institute. Those objects comprised the establishment of a public museum and laboratory and a public library, and the promo ion of the general study and cultivation of the various branches and departments of art, science, literature, and philosophy. He thought it very desirable that the Society they were about to establish should at least have a wide range, so as to include the largest number of gentlemen who had interested themselves in their own or fellow beings culture. Mr J. T. Thomso . said that he had drawn up a few notes which he would read to the meeting. He might mention that some of the objects for which the society would receive his support were these To bring accurate observation to bear on the rapid changes now taking place in the flora and fauna of this part of Mew Zraland ; as for instance the disappearance of the fern from certain valleys near Dunedin and other populated parts, and the _ growth of clover, grasses, and weeds in their stead ; the disappearance of the wild pigeon, kaka, and quail before the spread of European settlement, and the increase of imported birds, animals, and fishes ; of the destruction for firewood of the manuka, the only wood to be found here suitable for marine works. The last-mentianed subject was of considerable importance to the community here. These subjects, under the surveiilence of scientific eyes, would be reported upon with greater interest and weight to a Society, than anything to go on unrecorded and un-cared-for. 2. To stimulate observation in the physical chaftges that have taken plac« in the face of this part of New Zealand in past ages, both of this present geological age, as well as the several epochs or ages that can be traced by science to have had their causes in the mysterious and ever receding past. For instance, to trace the natural beaches that appear above the sea level, to note their fosnls. and ultimately to ascertain their age ; to trace the terrac s so numerous in the interior, and to discriminate between them and the beaches ; and so, by accurate observation, to comprehei.d the pr cesses by which they were formed ; and so to give to our fellows distinct and unempiric notions as to the mode by which the dry laud in which we live was formed ; that we might even gain an approximate estimati n of the time which nature took to elaborate the Colonial possessions for the use of ourselves

and our descendants. 3. To mark the water line of the glazial age —a matter to him yet of great difficulty, but of which there were faint traces in parts of this Province —a subject which if duly investigated, would do more than any other thing that he knew, to enable them to propound any accurate theory of the collection, transport, and deposit of gold. To account for the appearance of the precious metal in certain parts, such as Tuapeka, Blacks, &c. ; and from those appearances or indications—these present mere scratchings on the surface—to proceed further, and by accurate and expansive observation to search out the real keep safes of our golden treasures, viz., the deep leads. He might but note, that to the scientific men of Europe, the power of that moving mass of ice—the glacier—of erroding the plains of th« earth into mountains and valleys, had been long apparent, and the remnants f this action were most plainly visible in many parts of South New Zealand. But the movements of this action he took to be the moraines, of which, amongst others, he might mention those of South Wakatip, Ohau, and Puhaki. That there had been a glacial period might be safely taken for granted, and that they had been a most powerful engine in scouring out the deep valley ; and so, on a grand scale, in breaking up the earthy and rocky masses. So had they been the principal agent in depositing our auriferous tertiary and alluvial formations, by several processes, such as by the under-glacial currents, like what were now seen isuing out of the Tasman glacier, at the base of Mount Cook, by drifting stranded icebergs, or by the pushing p->wer of the moving masses of ice, the result of which was the moraine. In auriferous districts, on the lower bed of of these masses of earth and rock, se operated upon by the glaciers in former and present epochs, will be found the precious metal. And if they viewed wit li ex| lamledbut unprejudiced vis ion the herculean efforts of nature in this direction, where the vallies had been dug out thousands of feet, they would be foolish to conclude that Otago had yet come near to her real auriferous treasures. Although Otago had had the visits of many competent observers, such as Lauder Lindsay, Hector, Haast, &c., yet it might to science yet said to be touched, but not tasted, the technical data on which to found satisfactory scientific results being yet in a great measure to be observed, one branch of scientific enquiry—such as physical changes of the surface of the island; the accurate data afforded by the trigonometrical survey—had not yet been availed of, and no theory could be propounded with any satisfaction unless these unquestionable bases were used. He was happy to say that this process was fast extending in every part of the Province, and so would be open for the use of gentlemen that would apply themselves to observe and record them for the use of the Society. The field of scientific observation was boundless in the various branches of natural history, zoology, engineering (civil, mining, and mechanical). that laborers could not be too many. For the reasons that he had stated, he thought that it was desirable to form a Society in Otago, to be incorporated with the New Zealand Institute.

Mr Bathgate wished that some explanations might be given as to the advantages likely to be received from the Society being connected with the New Zealand Institute. For himself, he did not see how any advantage was to be gained. He thought, from th. facts that came to his knowledge, that that it would be better if they were independent. He pointed out that contingent u-on the alter •tion of the mail services and the establishment of steam communication between San Francisco and Australia, it was probable that the seat of Government would be removed to Auckland ; aud therefore it was nece-sary that some more substantial reasons should be advanced for connecting the Society with the New Zealand Institute. We had a prospect of a university being established here, and a museum already established which might be increased, instead of sending the richest specimens and maps to enrich the Wellington museum, where they would not be seen by the great body of the people. Mr Webb explained briefly the advantages the society was likely to reap from being affiliated with the Institute. Without the society resolved to do so, no specimens or maps would be forwarded to the Institute. The subscriptions -would be spent by the society itself, One of the special byelaws of the Institute was that at least one-third of the income should be spent an a local museum or library; or if the local society had no museum or library it was left to it to devote one-sixth of the income to the Colonial museum. By being connected with the Institute, the Society could obtain the assistance of the director of the Colonial Museum, Dr Hector, and would have printed for it, at a small or no expense at all, all papers which might be read before it. By having abstracts of its proceedings published in the volume issued by the Governors of the Institute, it would obtain a status which it would certainly not have as a local naturalists’ club or scientific society. Mr Thomson expressed the opinion that if the .Society was a provincial one entirely, it could not possibly live. The Chairman expressed his regret that Mr Bathgate should have expressed the opinion that he had, or imported the seat of Government question into the matter. Mr R. Gillies suggested that the Society might make enquiries as to what the climate of the Province really was. He believed that much useful aid could be rendered to the Society. He moved “ That the follow’ing gentlemen be a Provisional Committee, to take charge of the formation of the Society—viz., Judge Ward, Rev. D. M. Stuart, Messrs Smith, Webb, J. T. Thomson, Barton, Harris, Hawthorne, Murison, Cargill, Oliver, Strode, Bell, Hodgkins, Hislop, Bathgate, and the mover, with power to add to their number.”

Mr Thomson seconded Mr Gillies’s motion, and thought it would be of great use to watch the state of the climate in the Province. He might mention, in connection with the subject, the gradual disappearance of the forest trees and the eating up of grasses, which had a great effect on the quantity of rainfal and the flooding of rivers. He believed scientific observation, directed to the flood lines of various rivers, would show how far cultivation affected them. The Taieri Fiver rose five feet above any known previous level during the flood of February At the West Taieri the floodmarks were plainly shown on the banks, and the last flood was five feet above them. What was the cause ? He might mention also that Wairaka, a sipall creek, ppured out a volume of water nearly equal to that of the Molyneux. It was 600 feet broad apd 30 feet deep. He believed the .Society would be very useful indeed,

The Chairman suggested that power should be given to the Provisional Committee to add to their number. With this addition the motion was put and carried. Mr James Smith moved that the subscription to the Society be (blank) pounds per annum, and that all members who sent in their names should be original members of the Society. He would suggest that the blank be filled up with the sum of one guinea. Apparently there would be no lack of members, and the lower the subscription was made the greater nurabar of member* would enrol themselves. For the convenience of those residing in the country, who •wished to become members, he would suggest that they should be invited to send in their names prior to the Ist August. Mr John Millar, F.S.A., seconded the motion. From his experience of the working of such societies, ho thought it a mistake to suppnse that success depended upon the pounds, shillings, and pence. In Victoria it was found to depend on contributions scientific and literary. The origins! Society, owing to circumstances, merged into the Royal Society. It had been very successful, and the Victorian Government bad at various times subsidised it to the extent of LI,OOO during the last few years, and he hoped this Society, when formed, would be assisted by the Provincial and General Governments. Many people in the Province were able to contribute valuable information, aad would do so if they would take a leaf out of the book of l)r Eccles, the Honorary Secretary to the Commissioners of the Dunedin Exhibition.

Mr Gillies asked to whom the money was to be paid. He could not see how the amount of subscription could be fixed before the Society was formed. In fact, the amount of subscription should form part of the rules. In some societies the sum subscribed by country members was only half that paid by those in town This would have to be one of the things the Provisional Committee would have to consider.

Dr Eccles said, with regard to the New Zealand Institute, the subscription was the same both in town and country. Mr Charles Smith thought the Provisional Committee should draw up a Constitution, or it might be done at that time, otherwise it would not be known what the Society was to be. Mr Webb could not see any great weight in the objection. He had a copy of the rules of the Wellington Society, the character and objects of which he thought well known, if the Committee could meet the members of the Society with a draft of the rules, the business could be got through in balf-an-hour. There was no fear of the Provisional Committee not doing their duty. Mr Charles Smith said if it was to be affiliated with the New Zealand Institute, that was a different matter. The object would he defined.

Mr Jas. Smtjh said, were it a meeting of shareholders, instead of persons wi shins to f onu a scientific society, he could see the necessity for caution ; but the object of the Institution to which that Society would be affiliated was well known; and if every one present was prepared to put down his name as a member of the affiliated Society, they would agree the subscriptions were very reasonable. Mr Oliver suggested as a reason why some course should be adopted, that the rules would have to be submitted to some society, which could not be done if there was no society to submit them to. Dr Eccles asked if it was not true that the parent society could at any time order up the property of any affiliated society to Wellington ? Mr Webb said they only had power to do so in regard to property they paid for. Dr Eccles with all respect to Mr Webb’s legal opinion preferred his own. Mr Bathgate said that Dr Eccles was quite right. There was no power to resist in an affiliated society. Mr Gillies thought the power alluded to was vested in a parent society in case of an affiliated society being d* funct, so that the property might not be allowed to rot in some barn with none to care for it.

The Rev. D. M. Stuart proposed the name of Mr Murison, as treasurer, should be added to Mr Smith’s motion. Mr Smith consented.

A copy of the New Zealand Institute Act, 1867, was brought, and the clause was examined by the chairman, who expressed the opinion that it was doubtful that such a power was given by the Act, but he thought it better the question s non Id be mooted publicly rather than privately, otherwise it might have interfered with subscriptions. Mr Millar thought an additional motion should be brought forward respecting life members. In most societies a payment of LIO constituted a person a life member. Mr Harris proposed Mr Arthur Keverley’s name to be added to the Provisional Committee.

Dr Eccles thought none more worthy could have been mentioned.

Mr Beverley’s name was accordingly added.

Mr J. S. Webb was appointed interim Secretary; and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting dissolved.