Page:Transactions NZ Institute Volume 9 Supplement.djvu/30



New Members.—H. F. Anderson, J. Anderson, W. T. Ball, E. Bartley, A. Brock, T. Buddle, Capt. H. Burton, R. C. Carr, A. Clark, J. Cosgrave, T. Crook, R. Dickson, J. Edson, A. T. George, G. S. Graham, J. Grey, W. Grey, F. A. Hartmann, M.D., Rev. R. S. Hassard, M.A., J. S. Henton, W. J. Hurst, B. Ireland, G. H. Lavers, J. M. Lennox, S. Luke, T. S. Masefield, W. P. Moat, J. M. Mowbray, H. Palmer, G. P. Pierce, James Russell, Capt. Thomas, Neil Thomson, H. W. Tinne, Rev. A. R. Tomlinson, M.A., S. Vickers, G. W. Waller, E. B. Wilcox, Charles Williamson, J. W. Williams, J. Winks, H. Worthington.

The President then addressed the meeting. He had to congratulate them on the successful completion and inauguration of their new Institute and Museum buildings; but at the same time he hoped that the members would not conclude that their labours were ended,—he might, in fact, say that they were only now commenced. They must remember that the building was encumbered with a debt amounting to half its cost, the interest on which would have to be provided. Increased accommodation would also imply increased expenditure; and looking at these facts, he was of opinion that their present revenue would have to be doubled in order to carry on the Society in a successful manner. They had also to fill their Museum—for what they had at present was quite insufficient. On this subject he would remark that everything sent to the Museum was not necessarily given to it. There was a provision in the Act under which they were incorporated, that allowed any person to deposit an article and obtain a receipt for it, which would enable him to reclaim it at any time he chose. He wished this to be generally known, for he believed that many would lend what they would not be inclined to give. He then alluded to the constitution of the Society, which, by referring to their printed rules, they would find was established for the "promotion of Art, Science, and Literature." It appeared to him that hitherto they had done little for Art; and that they ought now to pay some attention to a part of their original programme which, principally from want of proper accommodation, had been almost entirely neglected. He had also to thank them for having for the third time elected him as their President. At the same time, he thought it would be for the good of the Society if the President was changed as often as possible;—that every working member should have an opportunity of looking forward to occupying the chair which he (Judge Gillies) considered it an honour for anyone to hold. He had always attributed the reluctance which many evinced to taking the office of President to the practice hitherto followed of the President delivering an opening address. He saw no reason why this custom should continue. He thought that, probably, as