PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13904, 1 December 1910, Page 4

PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE OF CANTERBURY.

• ■$ Tho annual meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury will be held on December 7th. at 8 p.m., in the old Chemical Laboratory, at Canterbury College. Tbe following papers will bo read :—"The Re-discovery of Ranunculus Crithmifolius" (by Mr R. M. Laing); "New Plant Habitats" (by l>r. L. Cockayne); "Note on the Dispersal of Marine Crustacea by means of Ships" (by Dr. Chilton); '•Revision of New Zealand Stomatopoda" (by Dr. Chilton); "Report on a Collection of Crustacea from the Kcrmadec Islands" (by Dr. Chilton); "Glaciated Surfaces and Boulder Clay at the Beaky" (by Mr R. Speight); "Preliminary Account of the Geological Features of the Christchurch Artesian Area" (by MrR. Speight); ''On Centroidal Triangles" (by Mr E. G. Hogg). The annual report for ISIO states that tho condition of the Institute continues to be most satisfactory. Special lines of research were undertaken in regard to observations on Arthur's Pass Tunnel, a survey of the Canterbury Kikes, and an examination of the Christchurch artesian system. This is quite apart from a considerable amount of original work carried on by individual members. A sub-committee has also been considering the question of the more adequate protection of our native fauna. In regard to Arthur's Pass Tunnel, the temperature observations have been regularly taken throughout the year at every ten chains, and specimens collected at frequent intervals, in order to have a permanent record of the rocks encountered. Tho general results are somewhat inconclusive, in that _ there has been no appreciable rise in temnerature, is a * result which is no doubt due to the rapid percolation of water through the beds, lind since tho tunnel follows the gdneral strike little variation is to be mot with in the character of the rocks encountered. The thanks of the Institute are expressed to Mr R. Hoaton Rhodes, M.P., and Mr 11. G. Ell, M.P.. for their assistance in connection with the attempt to secure a modification of the Animal*' Protection Act so as to give more adequate protection to our native fauna. The Council notes with pleasure the creation of a sanctuary at the Auckland Islands, for sub-Antarctic fauna and flora, and expresses the hope that arrangements will also be made for declaring as scenic reserves, Norman Inlet and Cascade Inlet, on Adams Island, and also Ewinr* Island. Gratification is expressed at the reception accorded to the report on the work of th" expedition to tho Southern Island of New Zealand. There is still a liability of £SGO on this publication, and a substantial reduction at an early date is looked for. Apropos of the proposal to establish a high-power wireless telegraph station at the Bluff, tho report states that the establishment of a permanent or semi-permanent meteorological station in the neighbourhood of Cape A dare would prove of the very greatest value in making accurate weather forec.ists for Australia and New Zealand. Some important, acouisitions were made to the library durinnr the year, and the formation of a section devoted to .Antarctica has been more than justified. The mem-be'-ship of the Institute now stands at 173. .