PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 100, 25 October 1934, Page 14

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

NO CHANGE IN NAME

Prior to lasst night's annual meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society a special general meeting was held to consider Dr. AY. B. B. Oliver's motion that tho naimo should bo changed to that of tho Royal Society of New Zealand, Wellington branch. The idea behind tho proposal, said Dr. Oliver, was that all the Boyal Society's constituent bodies should bo known by similar names.

Several speakers expressed regret that the Ne:w Zealand Institute had changed its name to the Boyal Society of New Zealand, and said that the aims of the mover would not be achieved, as some of the other constituent bodies were not going to change their names. The proposal was defeated by a substantial majority. Tlio sixty-seventh annual report, adopted at the annual meeting which followed, stated that thcro were 11 life members, 130 ordinary members, and 19 associates. Six had been elected and three resigned. During the year the council, with a view to arousing greater interest in scientific society organisation in New Zealand, submitted a number of proposals to bodies in other centres that aco members of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The proposals met with a mixed reception, and on few points was there general agreement. The council folt that there was very real need for a greater consolidation of scicntiiic mi crests, and for the adoption of a more active policy, whereby the status of tho Boyal Society of New Zealand and its member bodies might bo enhanced. It was felt appropriate that the question should be raised and discussed when the- new legislation required in connection with tho Boyal Society of Kcw Zealand was being enacted.

The following officers were elected for the 1933! season:—President, Dr. P. Marshall; vice-presidents, Dr. J. Henderson and Mr. A. E. Hefford; council, Dr. Evans, Mr. F. W. Furkcrt, Mr. R. E. IX. Grimmett, Dr. E. Kidson, Professor 11. B. Kirk. Mr. H. W. Maiden, Dr. W. E, B. Oliver, and Mr. C. M.' Smith. Tb o chairmen of the four sections nre e:t-of)icio members of the council also, those being Mr, J. H. Williamsou (geological ■). Mr. J. Thomson (.■istronomk-.nl). Mr. T. Tyntlall (technological), ami Mr. F. 11. Callaghan (economic biology). Mr. F. li. Callaßhan was rc-cloctuil secretary, tribute being paid by the retiring chairman, Dr. .T. Henderson, to his indefatigable worl(» Mr. K. K. JJyiuock was re-elected honorary auditor1.