Page:Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute - Volume 1 (2nd ed.).djvu/25



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Seventeen years—a period of great changes and of rapid progress in this country—have elapsed since my able and accomplished predecessor Sir George Grey, in 1851, opened, as its first President, the New Zealand Society. That Society may be regarded as the precursor of the New Zealand Institute, which has now been founded and endowed by the wisdom and liberality of the Colonial Legislature. The Board of Governors, over whom I have the honour, by virtue of my office, to preside, having conveyed to me a wish that I should deliver the Inaugural Address at the first public meeting of this Institute, I felt much satisfaction in complying with their request. In a colony possessing all the powers and privileges of parliamentary government, the representative of the Sovereign shares in that "dignified neutrality" which belongs to the Crown itself. I assure you that it will always be one of my highest pleasures, as well as one of my most important duties, to meet, as on the present occasion, members of all religious communions, of all social classes, and of all political parties, on the common ground of education, science, and literature.

I will begin by briefly explaining the character and objects of the Association which we now inaugurate. Those objects are concisely stated in the preamble of the Act of the Session of 1867, (31 Victoriæ, No. 36), which recites that "it is expedient to make provision for carrying out the geological survey of the colony, and to establish and incorporate a public institution in the City of Wellington, to be called 'The New Zealand Institute,' which Institute shall comprise a public museum and laboratory, and a public library;" and that "it is also expedient, by means of lectures, classes, and otherwise, to promote the general study and cultivation of the various branches and departments of art, science, literature, and philosophy."

Moreover, provision has been made by law for the appointment of a director to superintend and carry out the general purposes of this Institute 2