Evolution

At the present moment there is a very Interesting series of lectures being held on the above subject. Air. Peddle opened the series; he gave a mathematical and physical conception of the subject and produced a universe posed between one of weight but no motion and one with nothing in it but moving very fast. In other words, Mr. Peddie showed that the universe at present is midway between the Einstein and De bitter conceptions and tended towards Eddington's theory of an expanding universe. He showed us a universe imerging from the stationary compact state of Einstein's conception and tending by increasing expansion towards one "which consists of nothing but is moving very rapidly."

An important point he brought up and which others might have noted was that given unlimited time anything might happen. By giving the biologists unlimited time he has afforded scope for anything to happen. Despite this "unlimited time," Mr. Peddie was too rushed to more than mention the origin of the world as we know it.

Mr. L. C. King, in the next lecture, took us back through the records of the rocks and showed us the forms of life that have peopled the world at a time subsequent to that of Mr. Peddie's explorations. Slides depicting Dinosaurs and the Heidelburg man, etc.. left one with fears of impending nightmares. The lecturer pointed out that fossils, by bridging the gaps between species, showed overwhelmingly the origin of more complex forms from simple organisms.

Professor Kirk, dealing with the botanical aspect. spoke with that ease that only comes from a thorough knowledge of the subject, and with a few well-chosen examples among the ferns and lower sea plants showed that botany no less than zoology can be adduced in favour of evolution, although in a less spectacular manner.

This series of lectures has provided record attendances for the Science Society, and it exhibits the interest which students of every branch of learning take in such an outstanding scientific theory. The series will be concluded with lectures by Dr. Wildman and Dr. Sutherland.

That Dr. Sutherland was led by his experience of primitive conditions at Weir House to warmly advocate before the Native Commission the "maoriization" of the Maori?