Mr. Jollie, as Chairman of the Committee appointed on the previous evening to draw up a petition for presentation to the General Assembly, praying for the establishment of a School of Mines in this Island, said that the committee had departed from the resolution in some measure, having considered it advisable to include instruction in the science of agriculture with that of mining. The committee was also of opinion that it would be very desirable to have an observatory established on the plains. He would now read the draft petition, which was as follows:—

“We, the undersigned, members of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, beg most respectfully to bring before your Honorable House the expression of our opinion, that the time has arrived when the mining and agricultural interests of this Island require for their furthur development, the establishment of a School of Mines and Agriculture, in such a position as may best meet the convenience of the chief centres of industry.

“We believe that the importance of the interests which would be served by the foundation of such a School is second to none in New Zealand, and that the further extension of those interests requires that instruction should be within reach of those who may desire to avail themselves of the advantages which such a school of applied science will afford.

“We beg therefore respectfully to petition that your Honorable House may see fit, during the present session, to take such steps as may be necessary to establish a School of Mines and Agriculture in this Island.

“And your petitioners will ever pray.”

Mr. C. C. Bowen thought it highly desirable that an observatory should be established here, and he apprehended that very little difficulty would be experienced in finding a suitable site contiguous to Christchurch. He considered that the establishment of an observatory should be specially mentioned in the petition.