OTAGO INSTITUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14701, 8 December 1909, Page 6

OTAGO INSTITUTE

ANNUAL MEETING. An ordinary general niul coinbinod annual meeting o[ the Orago Institute whs hold last, evening in the Museum Room before a. sparse attendance of members. Professor Park was in the chair. There were laid on the lable a number of specimens of rocks from the Antarctic Continent, which, Dr Benham explained, were samples which Sir lid. Shackleton had brought back with him and presented to each of the New Zealand Universities. Dr Benham remarked that it was extremely interesting to bo a bio to handle portions of that great Antarctic Continent which had been so much referred to in connection with the recent glaciation controversy, and proceeded to refer to certain of the stones, giving such particulars upon them as wero available. They were, he said, at present being investigated by Professor David, of Sydney, who. it was hoped, would shortly

have the fullest information possible. The stones shown consisted of samples of iceborne erratics, pumice from Mount Erebus, felspar cr;..-.la!s from the same place, and keenite, as well as fungus peat. This latter was vegetable, and was an important find. Though so far railed " fungus peat," it

wa6 perhaps a little green for fungus, and might prove, to be some lichen. Pro'-. -.1* Park handed in a couple of papers—.•!•« upon glaciation evidence on tho shores ;if Golden Bay, Nelson, and the other upon flic coalfields of New Zealand. He also passed round some photographs taken on his recent visit to the North Island to bear upon his late/paper on the subject of glaciation in that district.

Dr Benham then further contributed a few remarks in explanation of some moa Imiik recently found at llalfmoon Bay, Stewart Island, by Mr Murdoch. Theso bones formed tho lirst drrect evidence they had of tho inhabitation of that island by moas, and so they were of importance. A member announced that he had recently heard of moa bones being found on tho surface of the ground, and he asked how

far this could 1m taken as evidence of the comparatively recent extinction of the birds. Dr Benham explained that bones so found would have probably been but recently cxposer] by geological action, although, further to this point, another member said bones had lately boon found at Waikouaiti—on' tho hillside, away from any recent geological action. The annual meeting was then-proceeded with. Tho annual report, read by Dr Bcnhnm, made mention of the steps that had been taken to perpetuate the memory of the late Sir James Hector, and regretted

that a more general and hearty response had not been made to the appeal. In order to make the libraries of the affiliated societies of (he New Zealand Insti-

tuts of more use to .scientific workers, it had been resolved that the Otago- body should specialise in works of zoology and geology. The council had decided to support the recommendations drawn up by the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society for the protection of native fauna. Mention was made of the general work of tho session and tho visit of Sir Edward Shackleton by invitation, while, in conclusion, a list was given of tho new works added to the library. In reference to the membership, it was regretted that although there had beau 15 now members secured nine had been lost from various causes, so that the material gain was slight. Each member was urged to secure an additional member, and so arouse a greater interest in the institute.

The balance sheet (read by Mr J. C. Thomson) showed that, tho receipts hucf amounted to £278 Is 6d, which, with tho incoming balance of £54 9s lid, made up a total of £332 lis sd. The expenditure amounted to £266 5s sd, leaving a credit balance of £66 6s. There were 19 outstanding subscriptions—Both report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted.

The election of officers resulted as fol-lows-.—President, Professor D. B. Waters; vieo-presidents, Professor Park and Dr Hocken; scerotarv, Dr Fulton; treasurer, Mr J. G. Thomson (ro-electe;'); librarian, Dr Benham; auditor, Mr Daniel Brent; committee—Dr Benham, Mr G. M. Thomson. Dr Marshall, Mr A. Bathgate, Dr Malcolm. Mr W. Pels, and Dr Pickerill. Dr Benham and Mr G. M. Thomson were appointed governors of the New Zealand Institute.