NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 20, 24 January 1929, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

AWARDS TO SCIENTISTS

At the annual meeting of the board of governors of the New Zealand Institute, held this morning at the University Buildings, Princes Street, Mr. B. C. Aston, of Wellington, presided. There were also present Dr. L. Cockayne and Mr. W. R. B. Oliver (Government representatives), Professor H. B. Kirk (Wellington Philosophical Society), Professor P. P. Worley (Auckland Institute), Professor C. Coleridge Farr and Mr. A. M. Wright (Philosophical Society of Canterbury), Hon. G. M. Thomson (Otago University), Professor T. H. Easterfleld (Nelson Institute) and Mr. M. A. Eliott (Manawatu Philosophical Bociety). Honour*. It was decided to confirm the report of * committee awarding the Hector Medal in Zoology for 1929 to the Hon. G. M. Thomson. The award was made for Mr. Thomson's long continued researchee on the animals of New Zealand, particularly his most valuable work on the naturalisation of animals and plants in New Zealand, and the results of his experiments and researches on the introduction of food fishes and the life history of New Zealand fishes carried out at the Portobello fish hatchery, the establishment and maintenance of which had been almost entirely due to his initiative and perseverance.

Dr. Cockayne said the award was the most popular since the medal was instituted, a sentiment that was echoed by other members.

Dr. C. H. Cunningham, of the plant research station, Palmerston North, and Dr. J. Henderson, director of geological survey, Wellington, were •'elected fellows of the institute. The honorary members elected were Sir J. H. Jeans and Colonel Sir Ronald Ross. The Library. "The library," it was stated in the annual report, "continues to be of great assistance to research workers who are kept supplied with current literature, dealing with their subjects, and it is used considerably by the staff and honours students of Victoria University College. During the year, owing to the generosity of some of our exchanges, many series which were incomplete have been completed for binding. A determined effort was also made to revive in some members a 'book conscience,' with | the result that certain books, some of which had been borrowed from the library as far back as 1900, have now been returned. From a certain department also, some 20 volumes bearing the New Zealand Institute stamp, but whieh did not appear in the loan register, were also reclaimed. During the year £52 was realised by the sale of 'Transactions' and £4 by bulletins and indexes. Only one set of 'Maori Art' was sold."