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Abstract of Report.
In presenting the first annual report of the Otago Institute, the Council believes that it can fairly congratulate the members on having creditably laid the foundations of a Scientific and Literary Society in Otago.
During the past year there have been held ten general, and ten Council meetings of the Institute, at the former of which papers were read.
All those read during the year 1869 have been published in the second volume of the “Transactions of the New Zealand Institute.” In accordance with the resolutions of the Institute, the Council has commenced a series of observations on the growth and culture of the New Zealand flax (the result is, however, at present too immature to do more than refer to the fact here); and much information has been procured on the subject of the disappearance of the whale from these seas, and on the subsequent falling off of the fisheries.
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In accordance with Rule 7, by which at least one-third of the income of the Institute is to be devoted to the support of a local museum or library, the sum of £40 has been appropriated in the purchase of books on Natural Science, those on the Natural History of New Zealand to have a preference.
An attempt was made, during the early part of the year, to form a library of deposited books for the use of the members of the Institute, and several gentlemen promptly offered the loan of books in their possession for this purpose; indeed, Mr. Beverley has already placed his in the custody of the Secretaries.
A large number of donations have been made to the Institute during the year.
The receipts for the year ending 30th June, 1870, amount to £86 2s., and the expenditure to £87 16s., leaving a balance due to the Honorary Treasurer of £1 14s., of this expenditure £35 18s. has been for the library fund.
Mr. Justice Chapman and the Rev. Robert Scrimgeour were elected members of the Institute.