James Tannock Mackelvie was typical of the Institute members, who were excited by new technology and the advances of science. Big news at the time was the completion of the trans-Atlantic telegraphic cable from Ireland to Newfoundland.
It took several attempts and 14 years to successfully lay the cable which had a huge impact on the speed of communication.
Mackelvie presented this photographic album of the cable machinery to the Museum. The album is still in the Museum’s collection.
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German naturalist Ferdinand von Hochstetter used the Museum rooms as a base for his survey of the Auckland Province in 1859–60. He was also a key figure in establishing the Museum’s natural sciences collection.
When the English language edition of his book on the geography, geology, and natural history of New Zealand was published in 1867, the committee was keen to obtain a presentation copy for the library.
Dr James Hector sent a letter to the Institute containing the good news that it would soon become a branch of the New Zealand Institute.
James Hector was the governor of the New Zealand Institute, and a key figure in promoting scientific knowledge in New Zealand. He was also in charge of the colonial geological survey.
The New Zealand Institute is now called the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Three other societies from Wellington, Canterbury, and Dunedin also became branches at the same time as Auckland.
The council unanimously elected Ferdinand von Hochstetter as the Institute’s first honorary member. Hochstetter was instrumental in establishing Auckland Museum’s natural history collection, asking for specimens for this purpose.
Today there are over 2000 Institute members, including 424 life members. The most recent life member is Cindy Pocock-Smith who worked for the Museum for 35 years.
Members of the Institute made a request that this eclectic list of topics be printed and distributed to the public. Members could hear papers on the formation of sand dunes, substances for dyeing, and the effects of climate on diseases.
These subjects were relevant to the practical needs of a new colony as well as wider global issues. Two hundred copies were published.
Members of the Institute made a request that this eclectic list of topics be printed and distributed to the public. Members could hear papers on the formation of sand dunes, substances for dyeing, and the effects of climate on diseases.
These subjects were relevant to the practical needs of a new colony as well as wider global issues. Two hundred copies were published.