HAWKE'S BAST PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5298, 4 February 1879, Page 3

HAWKE'S BAST PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting of the above institute was held at the Council Chamber yesterday; the Right Rev. the Bishop of Waiapu in the chair. The minutes of t last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Cplenßo intimated to the meeting that Mr Ormond, the present President of "the Society, had asked to be relieved of. the office, on account of the numerous duties he had to perform. Mr Ormond would, however, continue to be a member of the Society, and would do all in his power to forward itß interests. Mr Colenso theix proposed, and Mr Newton seconded, " That the Right Rev. the Bishop of Waiapu be elected President of the Society." Carried. Mr M. R. Miller proposed, and Mr J. A. Smith seconded, " That Dr. Spencer be elected Vice-President." Carried. Dr. Spencer proposed, and Mr Newton seconded, " That Mr Colenso be asked to continue to act as secretary and treasurer of the Society." Carried. .' The following gentlemen were then \ elected members of Council : — Messrs / Bold, Colenso, Kinross, Locke, M. R. Miller, J. A. Smith, and Sturm. The report and balance-sheet (shewing a sum to credit of the society of £210, besides subscriptions due for the current year of about £65,) were then read and adopted, and ordered to be printed. Considerable discussion took place on the secretary's stating that he had recently received a letter from the Manager of the New Zealand Institute, Dr. Hector, informing him that the Board of Directors had ordered Mr Colenso's two papers on his " crossing the Ruahine range (in 1845), with notes on the flora, &c, of that ] district," to be reduced in size for the forthcoming volume of the " Transactions," (partly owing to want of funds), by leaving out all the personal narrative portion. The Secretary Mr Colenso informed the meeting (in answer to numerous inquiries) that he had written to Dr Hector, both by telegram and that morning's mail, saying, that he could not agree to those 2 papers being so handled ;— that if funds were wanting he would subscribe and get others to do so, up to £30 or more (if required), so that the 2 papers might be printed as read ; or, that, if the papers were returned to him to redzice them in size (with theportions marked) he himself would endeavor to do so. A resolution was at length drawn up by the Chairman to the effect " that in the opinion of the meeting the personal narrative in Mr Colenso's papers is a record of great interest as a narrative of exploration in the early days of the colony ; that this meeting fully endorse Mr Colenso's protest, and trust that the proposal in his reply to Dr. Hector sent this day will be accepted." This resolution was carried unanimously. . Dr. Hitchings and Mr J. W. Oarlile were elected members of the institute. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.