PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 136, 6 November 1874, Page 4

PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

The annual general meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury was held last evening at the Public Library, Present p r Haast (president). Levs W J Habeas, J. W. Stack, Professor Bicker'on. Dm Powell, Buller, and Coward; M-s-rs Potts, L Harper, Inglis, Hanmcr, G W. Hall, Hereday, H. J. Tailored, O. M. Wakefield (lion Bee), C. C. Bowen, 1.. Walker. The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed, the following gentlemen were elected members of the institute Messrs G. P. Maxwell, H. H. Lougbuan, John Ollivier, G. B. Seymour, H. B. John■tone, W. M. Lewis, T. Douglas, Mr J. Dawe, 8.A., was proposed forelection as a member of the institute, to be ballotted for at next meeting. The following officers were elected, viz— President, Dr Haast ; vice-presidents, Rev J. W. Stack and R. W. Feredsy. The following were elected to fill the four vacancies in the Council, viz, His Honor Mr Justice Gresson, Dr Powell, Professor Bickerton, and Mr G. W. Hall. Mr John Inglis was re-elected as hon treasurer, and Mr 0. M. Wakefield as hon BPC - , , .. Mr Potts moved—“ That the resolution founded on the postscript to the president’s paper relative to the Moa bone cave explorations at Sumner be expunged from the minutes.” He thought that the resolution should not have passed by the institute before Dr Hector had had an opportunity of defending himself, and giving an explanation of the matter. Mr Hanmer seconded the motion, and said that he felt that before this was done the institute should have communicated with kindred societies on the matter, and with Dr Hector so as to allow of the latter giving his explanation. There was in his mind but little evidence upon which the institute could come to such a resolution as had been passed. It was for this reason that he seconded the resolution.

The Rev J. W. Stack said that he, as one who voted for the resolution did so without in the slightest way thinking the resolution a reflection upon Dr Hector, which he did not believe it was. Both the Rev Mr Fraser and the Judge, he recollected, on the occasion were perfectly at one with him in believing that the resolution did not apply to Dr Hector, but simply as referring to KoKay’s conduct in regard to their pn Bident. Mr C. C. Bowen was sorry that this resolution had been passed by the Institute, He felt from the knowledge he had of Dr Hector, who had read the paper, and the high character of that gentleman, that f opportunity had been given him he would have furnished such an explanation as would have been Ihorough'y and completely satisfa dory. [Hear.] Or hector’s friends, he might say, were of opinion that Dr Hector had been blamed by the Institute in the matter, which he could not but think was hasty, and a course which should not have been taken until further steps byway of affording opportunity to Dr Hector to speak in his own defence. [Hear, hear.] Mr Fereday, as one voting for the resolution, felt that it was the only course they could take in defence of their President’s labors, by preventing the publication of McKay’s paper in the Transactions. Hr Coward said that he felt quite as strongly now upon the matter as he did when the resolution was passed that it was a right one, but he disclaimed any imputation whatever being intended to be cast on Dr Hector. [Hear, hear J Dr Haast, in explanation, might say that he did not speak on the matter at all. He was merely acting as chairman, and when the resolution was put he had nothing further to do with it. He might say that be had withdrawn his postscript from publication in the Transactions because he did not wish to' inqure Dr Hector in the eyes of scientific men in Europe, but be still held to the opinions he had there stated. Professor Bickerton, as the member who had seconded the resolution proposed to be expunged, felt very strongly on Ihe matter, because if (hey allowed the assistants in any work to forestall their chief there would be an end to all original scientific r« search. While saying this he must say that the resolution did not in his mind, or he believed in those of the members who voted for it. convey the slightest imputation on Ur Hector, which was not intended. All that was wanted whs to exclude McKay’s papers from the Transactions of the Hew Zealand Institute.

After some further discussion, Mr Bowen moved as an amendment—- “ That the Philosophical Institute desires that a copy of the resolution passed on the Ist October, 1874, be forwarded to Dr Hector, with a request that he would be good enough to give his opinion to the Board of Governors on the matter, Mr L. Walker seconded the amendment. Mr Potts said he would withdraw his resolution in favour of Mr Bowen’s amendment.

Dr Powell objected to the withdrawal of the resolution, but ultimately withdrew his opposition. Mr Bowen’s amendment, which became the substantive motion, then put, and carried by 8 to 7. The Hon Sec then read the annual report of the council of the institute, and the financial statement of the treasurer, the latter showing a balance of £66 5s 9d to the credit of the institute.

The report was as follows : “In presenting their annual report for the year 1874, the Council beg to congratulate the membfers of the institute on the fact that there has been a slight increase in the average attendance at the various meetings held during the year, and that the number of members has also increased,

“The Council trust, however, that with the increasing numbers of the institute, a better attendance may be secured for the future. “ His Honor W. Rolleston has been chosen to vote at the election of the Board of Governors,

B. McLachlan, Esq, F.L.S.. has been recommended to the Board of Governors as an honorary member of the New Zealand Institute, in consideration of his valuable papers on the Neuroptera of New Zealand. “The three senior members of Council who retire this year are his Honor Mr Justice Gresson, Mr W. Montgomery, and Mr R. W. Fereday. “ The institute numbers members. “The following gentlemen have been elected new members: —Hon J. B. Aclaud, Hon B. W. Stafford, Rev VV.J. Habens, C. C. Corfe, B.A, J. Anderson, jun. Kev C, Turrell, J. S. Gulhiie, A. U. Inwood, A. W Bickerton, B. Parker, J. P Maxwell, C.E., H. B. Johnstone, J. Ollivier, Thos Douglas, and W, M. Lewis.

“Eleven general meetings have been held, inehuling an ext ra meeting on December sth. IB7H The average attendance at these meetings was slightly over eleven. “ The following pagers have been read: “‘Nobs on the birds of New Zealand, part IV.,’ by T. H. Po'ts “ ‘ On Oheimaiicthys Foster!, a new germs and species of the. New Zealand fresh watei tishes,’ by Julius Haast, Ph.D., F R.S. “The opening aildrcss by the president (These three papers have already been printed in vol VI. of the Transactions.) “‘On the occurrence of Hcematococcus sanguineus ou the wool of a dead sheep, by Swen Berggren, Ph.D., read by the president. “ • On Wolffia, the smallest flowering plant known, discovered by Baron F. von Mueller in Mt Emu creek in Australia,’ by LI. Powell, M.D. “ ‘ On the occurrence of Lamna cornubica, the porbeagle shark, in New Zealand,’ by Julius Haast, Ph.D., F.R.S. “‘Notes on the disappearance of the larger kinds ©f lizard from North Canterbury,' by the Rev J, W, Stack. “‘On the coloring matter of Hoematococcus sanguineus,’ by LI. Powell, M.D. “‘Description of a new crustacean. Phronima Novae Zelandiae,’ by LI. Powell, M D. “‘On the occurrence of Leptocephalus longirostris (Kaup) on the coast of New Zealand,’ by Julius Haast, Ph.D., F.R.S. ‘■‘Results of Excavations and Researches in and near the Moa Bone Point Cave, Sumner road, illustrated with maps, sections, ethnological specimens,’ by Julius Haast, Ph.D., F.R.S. “‘On a new thermometer for lecture purposes,’ by Professor A. W. Bickerton. “‘On a modification of the electric lamp for projecting the spectra of different metals on the screen,’ by Professor A. W, Bickerton. “ ‘ Notes on an alleged new species of tern (Sterna alba) Potts,’ by W. L. Buller, D.S., F.L.S. “ Explanation of some personal remarks made in Mr Potls’ paper ‘ On the birds of New Zealand, part iv. ‘ Trans. N.Z.1., vol vi.,’ by Julius Haast, Ph. D., F.R.S. “‘On the existence of two species of Hieracidea in New Zealand,’ by W. L. Buller, D.Sc., F.L.S. “ ‘ Descriptions of a new species of Procellaria,’ by W. L. Buller, D S., F.L.S, “ ‘ On the ornithology of New Zealand,’ by W. L. Buller, D.Sc., F.L.S. “ A scheme of university and general education,’ by Professor A. W. Bickerton, “ During the present year a paper ‘ On t' e Geodephagous Coleoptera of New Zealand,’ in which many new species are described, has been published by H. W. Bates, F.L.S.. in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History (ser 4 vol xiii., 1874), with the express intention of assisting the entorao’ogists of New Zealand. The council take thL opportunity of thanking Mr Bates for his valuable contribution to the natural history of this colony, and also of requesting the Board of Governors to reprint the paper in the next volume of the Transactions.

“ The Council regret that they have not been able to carry out the resolution passed at a meeting of the institute with regard to the writing of a ‘ History of Canterbury.’ Mr W. M. Maskell, the proposed author having relinquished the undertaking, and no other member being willing to supply his place. “An arrangement has been entered into with the Public Library Committee, whereby the institute are to retain the use of ti e rooms they at present occupy, rent-free, upon condition of placing their books and periodicals in the Public Library, such arrangement to be terminable by three month's’ notice on either side. “ The treasurer submits a statement of account.” The meeting then adjourned.