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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 42

Professor Kirk's Report

Professor Kirk's Report.

Wellington College, Natural Science Section, December, 1878. The Principal, Wellington College.

Sir,—At the commencement of the year it was resolved to form a third or elementary class in connection with this section. I have pleasure in stating that the work in this, as well as in the old divisions, has been of a satisfactory character.

The work of the new division has been restricted to Elementary Botany and Zoology: as far as possible the instruction given has been based upon the examination of recent or dried specimens.

An extended course of Lectures on Systematic Botany and Morphology was delivered to the second division during the first term and a portion of the second. The third term was devoted to a course of Lectures on Vertebrated Animals, their anatomy, physiology, distribution, and classification.

A Course of Lectures extending over seven months was page 18 delivered to the Senior division on Systematic and Structural Botany, the latter portion of the course being devoted to the Morphology and development of Cryptogams. The remainder of the year was taken up by a Course of Lectures on the Invertebrata, specially adapted for students going up for the B.A. pass examination of the New Zealand University.

In addition to the above, special instruction has been given on two or three evenings in the week to a former College student, who intends to present himself for the B.A. examination.

Owing to the unforeseen absence of Dr. Hector, who was appointed Examiner by the Board of Governors, and in compliance with your request, I have drawn up examination papers in each subject and submit the results herewith, but as they will doubtless be revised by Dr. Hector on his return, I offer no remarks on their character.

The Botanical and Zoological Collections exhibited in competition for the Levin prize are highly creditable to the students, and their correct arrangement shows a detailed knowledge of classification on the part of the exhibitors.

The Botanical and Zoological Collections of Harry Borrer Kirk and James C. Webb, the Levin prizemen of last year, were exhibited at the Ballarat Industrial Exhibition, where a silver medal was awarded to Kirk for his Botanical Collection, another to Webb for the Collection of Plants exhibited by him, and a bronze medal to Kirk for his Zoological Collection. Only one silver medal besides the above were awarded in this section.

In virtue of the conditions under which the Levin prizes are competed for, the above collections became the property of the College. As they were not required for College work, Kirk's Botanical Collection, the larger of the two, was presented to the Taranaki Athenaeum, with the view of diffusing a knowledge of the work performed in the College. Webb's collection has been presented to the Museum of the Hokitika Literary and Scientific Society.

Additions have been made to the Museum of the College, perhaps the most noteworthy is a small but valuable collection of New Zealand Fishes presented by the Director of the Colonial Museum. I greatly regret the want of suitable cases in which to preserve these and other specimens of value, which are becoming deteriorated by exposure.

In my last report I mentioned the promise of certain donations towards the purchase of microscopes for the College. It now affords me pleasure to state that four excellent instruments, with a liberal amount of additional apparatus to each, have page 19 been purchased from Messrs. R. and J. Beck. London, and are now available for work. The following is a list of donations received for this object. The total amount is sufficient to defray the cost of the instruments and all incidental expenses, freight, &c., so that this valuable addition to the appliances of the College has been procured without indenting in any way upon the limited funds at the disposal of the Board of Governors.

W. Turnbull £11 0 0
G. Hunter, M.H.R 11 0 0
The Hon. J. Johnston, M.L.C. 11 0 0
W. H. Levin 5 0 0
The Hon. Dr. Grace, M.L.C. 2 2 0
G. Beetham, M.H.R 2 2 0
T. C. Williams, J. P. 3 3 0
E. Pearce 5 0 0
The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, M.L.C 3 0 0
The Hon. M. Holmes, M.L.C. 1 0 0
F. M. Ollivier 1 0 0
H. Jackson 1 1 0
J. G. Allan 1 0 0
J. C. Crawford 1 1 0
J. Hislop 1 0 0
The Hon. J. Ballance 2 2 0
T. Wakelin, Masterton 2 2 0

I am greatly indebted to the good offices of Messrs. Owen and Graham, who purchased these instruments at a considerable reduction from the usual cost.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

T. Kirk

, Lecturer on Natural Science.