SCIENCE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 122, 19 February 1879, Page 2

SCIENCE IN NEW ZEALAND.

At tlso annual meeting of members of the Otago Institute on the sth inst., the retiring President, Mr W. X. Blair, delivered a very interesting address, from the reports of which, published in IDSljiedin papers we extract the following : —The principal object In the establishment of the New Zealand Institute being to facilitate the practical work of colonization, it is to be regretted that practical science receives far less attention from menlb.ers than docs theoretical science. A somewhat more practical bias should be given to their studies. The study of abstruse theories and the investigation of comparatively 'unimportant subjects should be left to the master minds of the old world, and the labours of our scientific men be confined, in the region of pure science, to the recording of observed facts, leaving them at liberty to make fuller investigation of such subjects as have a direct bearing on the practical work of colonization. Geologists should assist in developing our mineral resources, speculating less on general terrestrial changes. Botanists should study our forest trees, their rate of growth, general habit, and facility of reproduction, and so on round hire circle of the sciences.’ There are but few amateurs in the field of practical science, jyhile there is much useful work that amateurs could do. Detailed geological surveys are wanted, and why should not amateurs do this work to a great extent, and for its own sake ? It would surely be as interesting ns fern-hunting, or other popular botanical pursuits. Much light has been thrown on economic botany so far as phormium, timber trees, and grasses are concerned, but the subject is by no means exhausted. Chemistry onlj r can tell ns if our ores are payable, if our soils are good, if our building stones are durable, if our mortars arc tenacious, if our food is wholesome. Yet the chemistry of our native products is perhaps less known than other of their attributes. Among the sciences that affect onr interests- as communities there are many subjects worthy of study. For instance the sanitary condition of our towns, water supply, alrainagbj,. and cleanliness in general, means of ■intercommunication, the construction of harbors, and the prevention of devastation by floods. These are all subjects of vital importance, yet thev are seldom discussed by the The establishment of manuf&tnves is a legitimate subject of discussion. Many of the failures that have taken place might have been' averted and thousands of pounds saved had. the matters been fully investigated beforehand. For instance, if it had been generally known throughout New Zealand that iron sands had never yet been profitably reduced to metal elsewhere, though repeatedly tried, the probabilities were that the Taranaki experiment, with its resulting losses a d heart-burnings, would never have been made. This is an instance of the negative benefit derivable from discussions of industrial subjects. On the other hand, such discussions would confer positive benefits by indicating new channels into which industry could be turned. There are many articles of manufacture which coull be profitably produced in New Zealand with native materials now lying dormant, and nothing- but a full knowledge of the case is wanted to establish the Summarising the position, a wide and intelligent investigation and discussion of the question t: Will it pay V’ asked of a proposed new manufacture, such an investigation and discussion as an institute of this kind should be capable of bestowing on it, would bo sufficient to make or mar the scheme. The establishment of industrial museums would aid most powerfully the development of onr resources and their utilisation in the arts. An industrial museum in New Zealand should constitute a complete compendium of our information on the economic resources and manufacturing progress of the colony, inscribed not only in written records, but in a systematic arrangement of specimens and samples of all kinds, and from every locality ; and in order to facilitate comparison, each class should be accompanied by types from other countries. In addition to the information usually given—such as analysis, weight, strength, and other inherent properties—the extent of supply and cost of production, as com pared with the imported type, should be shown on each article. And in addition to raw materials and ordinary manufactures, the museum would contain models and drawings of mines, machinery, and works. Mr Blair concluded his address with the following exhortation to the members : In conclusion, I would impress on all the members of the Otago Institute the desirability of observing and recording whatsoever may seem to them new facts, no matter how trivial they appear Considering the apportnnities wo enjoy ns residents in a now country, wo are wofnlly remiss in this duly, and no class is so culpable as my own professional brethren, engineers and surveyors. Much of this apathy is probably due to a want of confidence in our own knowledge or judgment. The amateur is afraid of appearing ignorant in the eyes of the expert. What he considers now and unique may turn out to bo old and the Old World, where every path of scientific knowledge is trodden bare by ages of research, such a danger exists, but it is not tin; case hoie. All the recorded observations on any particular subject can be mastered in a few days, so the’remainder of tiro field is equally free and open to all comers. By exercising their observant faculties to a moderate extent, embracing the opportunities they have of observing, and afterwards recordpi,,- the result in a systematic rhannef, the members of the Otago Institute would o-ain credit to themselves, and confer an inestimable benefit on all their fellowcolonist