WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5262, 4 February 1878, Page 3

WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of this society, held in the Museum on Saturday evening, was a brilliant success. Many ladies favored it with their patronage. His Excellency the Governor arrived about 9 o’clock,and bis Honor the Chief Justice and the Hon. Colonel Whitmore were also present. At 8 o’clock the meeting commenced in the lecture-room, the President (Mr, W. T. L. Travers) presiding. The following report was read ANNUAL BEPOBT. During the past year nine general meetings of the Society have been held in the lecture hall of the Colonial Museum, kindly lent for the purpose by the governors of the New Zealand Institute. Forty seven papers have been read during the session. A list of the papers read was given. The papers mentioned have all been forwarded to the Manager of the New Zealand Institute, with a view to their being published in Vol. X. of the “Transactions.” The list of members of the society has been increased by the addition of twentynine names since the publication of last report, thereby making the total number of names now on the roll 229. The council regret t 5 have to record the death of the following members : Mr. A. Ludlam, Mr. George Moore, and Mr. R. P. Orme, C.E. The council desire to acknowledge with thanks the following donations to the library of the society, viz.—The catalogue of. the Philadelphia Exhibition, British section, from the N.Z. Commissioners, through Dr. Hector; three volumes (in twelve parts each) of the “Floral World,” 1871 -5-G, from Dr. Hector; five parts of the publications of the Novara Expedition, viz., two on zoology, one on anthropology; and two sheet numbers, miscellaneous, from H. Siegel, General Secretary at Vienna; “ Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society," N.S W., Vol. X. 1876; Report on Mining Department, N.S.W., 1876, and on Climate of New South Wales, from the hon. seo., Professor Xjversedge. The periodicals now subscribed for are mentioned in the following list; —“The Quarterly Journal of Science,” “ Hardwicke’s Science Gossip,” and “The Floral World” having been added. Several additions have been made to the library, which will appear in the printed catalogue nowin course of proparatl The balance-sheet attached showed a slight increase n the assets and a balance in hand of £99 2s. 2d. The report and balance-sheet were both adopted. OFFICE BEABEKS. In accordance with the rules, the council recommended the following as office-bearers

for 187 S, and they were elected accordingly ; President—Thomas Kirk, F.L.S. Vice-Presi-dents—J. Carruthers, C.E., and Dr. Newman. Council —Dr. Duller,'C.M.G.; Dr Hector, C.M.G., F.R.B.J Dr. Skae; \V. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. ; J. C. Crawford ; Martin Chapman; and C. Rous Marten, F. MS. Secretary and treasurer, R. B. Gore. Auditor Arthur Baker. SCIENTIFIC PAPERS. Six papers contributed by Messrs. A. P. ILgginson, C.E., C. J. Young, and Mr. Kirk were tak u as read. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. The retiring President, Mr. W. T. IL. Travers, read an interesting and able paper. He referred to the labors of the society since its last annual meeting, and instanced amongst the more important contributions those of Mr. Newman, Mr. Rous Marten, Mr. Phillips, Or. Hector, Dr. Bailer, Professor Kirk, Dr. Curl, Mr. Thomson (Surveyor-General), Mr. Buchanan, Mr.- Skey, and Mr. A. McKay. Although some of the papers opened questions of a controversial character, there was little doubt of their respective values as additions to the common stock of scientific knowledge. As in the . previous year so in the past one, their society took foremost rank in contributions to the “Transactions,” for he found that it had contributed eight miscellaneous essays, thirteen papers on zoology, twelve on botany, three on chemistry, and eight on geology. The list had been considerably increased since he wrote the paper. The address then alluded to some interesting topics, such as the supposed former connection of New Zealaud with Australia, comparing its flora, fauna, and other natural traits, with those of Australia, He differed with the the theory expressed by Dr. Von Haast, that the raoa was exterminated long before the occupation of New Zealand by the present native race. He also referred to the introduction of the present Maori race, which he took to be about 600 years ago In conclusion he thought it sufficient to point oat that the development of the material resources of a country is intimately connected with the progress of scientific inquiry amongst its people, and therefore it was essential that a taste for such inquiry should be cultivated. He expressed a hope that no relaxation would take place in the efforts of those who are engaged in scientific research in this colony, and that their efforts will be such in the future as to deserve the hearty commendations which those in the past received from the highest authorities in Europe. (Applause). • COMPLIMENTARY. , : Dr. Newman, in a few appropriate remarks, moved a vote of thanks to the retiring President, which was carried by acclamation. On the motion of Dr. Duller a like compliment was paid to Mr, Arthur Baker, the auditor, > ■ , ; TUB CONVERSAZIONE.; . > Whilst Dr. Lemon anti his assistants were fixing up the electrical apparatus,the company adjourned, to the Musemn/and picture-galleries, where they employed, themselves in examining the interesting collections .which have been so well arranged by Dr. Hector. Dr. Lemon then exhibited a duplex telegraph machine,'a very pretty and ingenious piece of mechanism. Its modus operandi was explained in so lucid a manner that all could understand the system, and as no hitch occurred its working was most successfully illustrated. ; The next item was one which hajl been looked forward : to. with feelings of pleasure—the instrumental rendering of .high-class music. Following the example of other scientific societies.in .England .and(Australia, this innovation I was; made advisedly, and a great treat it proved. The performers: were'members of the Classical Music Club, .consisting of Messrs. Herman, Wooledge, Whittaker, Reichardt. Parsons,; and, Schwartz. Compositions of Mozart and other famous masters were given with fine effect, a selec'ion from “ Dor) , Juan” being greatly appreciated. Refreshments were supplied during the evening in the Maori House. ' ■