THE WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5273, 16 February 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sin,—With reference to the letter in your issue of this morning, signed “ Philosophia,” I find that there are at present considerably over 200 members of the Philosophical Society, the greater proportion of whom reside in town; and considering that each member can introduce his friends to the meetings, I cannot see how more liberality can be shown in this respect ; moreover, whenever lectures are given, they have been announced, as open to the public. At the conversazione lately held probably over 400 persons attended, by far the greater number being friends of members, which in itself shows that there is no great restriction enforced as regards admittance. For the small annual payment of one guinea members have the privilege of_ attending the meetings, reading papers, taking part in the discussions, visiting the library and using the books and periodicals, attending lectures, conversaziones, &c., and at the end of each ye ir receiving a volume of the “ Transtions of the New Zealand Institute,” averaging 600 pages, with 00 illustrations, containing the proceedings, not only of their own, but of all incorporated societies of New Zealand, which publication alone is worth the amount of their yearly payment. Under these circumstances it appears strange that many of those who seek admittance as friends do not become members, and induce others also to join. As your correspondent says, no visitors are ever prevented from attending; at the same time, there must necessarily lie some rule regarding admittance to meetings, &c., and I do not think it could be made more general than at present. With regard to your other correspondent, “Hope,” he will find on enquiry that the only reason why scientific papers predominate in the proceedings of the society is that tho scientific members are more active than the literary and philosophic ; but reference to any of the published volumes of the “ Transactions” will show that a considerable space is devoted to miscellaneous articles on .matters of general interest. —I am, &c.. Old Member.