NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19700, 29 January 1926, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE

ANNUAL MEETING OF BOARD SCIENCE IN THE DOMINION. For tile first time in the history of the Now Zealand Institute the annual meeting of its board of governors was held this year in Dunedin, and it opened in the board room of Otago University at id a.m. yesterday. The president, Dr P. Marshall, presided and the meeting was attended by Professor O. Chilton and Mr B. C. Aston (Government), Professor H. B. Kirk (Wellington Philosophical Society), Professors* H. W. Segar and F. P. Worley {Auckland Institute), Professor C. C. Farr and Mr A. M. Wright (x'hilcsophical Institute of Canterbury), Hon. ti. M. Thomson, M.L.C. and Professor Park (Otago Institute), Mr H. Hill (Hawke’s Bay Philosophical Institute), and Professor T. xi. Kastcrfieicl (Nelson Institute). The president took occasion to welcome back the secretary [Mr Aston), alter his absence in the Old Country. A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT. Ur Marshall said that he would not deliver his annual presidential address till the evening, when it might 'be given in «, somewhat diluted form. There was one matter however, to which he thought reference should be made, and that was the loss they had suffered in the death of hr Donald Petrie. Already obituary notices had appeared in the papers, and every member of the board of governors knew him personally. They knew what an untiring worker he was, how much he had added to our knowledge of New Zealand flora, and what a loss he was to scientific research, especially on the botanical side in Now Zealand. , Members stood in silence as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Dr Petrie. AFFILIATED SOCIETIES. Reports and balance sheets of the following incorporated societies were received: Wellington Philosophical Society Auck, land Institute, Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, Otago Institute H »wke sßay Philosophical Institute, and the Institute. The reports were the treasurer for exarmnatmn jlhe Mana watu and Wanganui Phiosophica Stxiie tie* had not reported. The president said ihat as far a' he knew t£e Janfgaj philosophical Society was defunct- Bo he and the secretary had written to ™ e hers of the society soveral times but no reply had been received. He thought Manawatu Society was still alive. STANDING COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The report of the Standing Committee was next ?nsidered. The report contained th The Ktor award for 1925 wasrnadeto Mr B. O. Aston for Ins researches on the chemistry and hush sickness ana of the N Zealand flora. _ r a c ; rcu lar was issued h to R ovor 200 institutions all over the world stating that the New Zealand Institute would be glad to consider entering into an exchange of publications. 1 library Committee, after considering the replies' to this circular, recomnmnded taat about 700 of these institutions be added to the exchange list, some of them oW ex»hansro3 resumed. There has been a very large increase in the sale of art, over £l5O being obtained from this source. A number of partial sets of transactions and some bulletins sold have also imirease the year’s revenue. The New Zealand Gazette of May 23 contained a "price tc’ effect that Professor J. Macmillan Brown, M.A., LL.D.. and Te Rang, Hiroa (P. H Buck) D.&.0., M.D., Ch.B., had been appointed at the annual meeting on January 27, 1925, to the Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute. , , , Carter Library Legacy.—The accumulated interest on the library legacy of £SO left by the late C. R. Carter, and held by the Public Trustee, has now reached the sum of £IOO. In order that this fund might increase more rapidly the interest has been invested in 51 per cent, inscribed stock, maturing in 1957. . , Research Grants—At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on March 16, three applications for resaarch grants, two of which had been held over from last year for further consideration, were granted. These amounts exhausted the research vote of £IOOO for the year 1924-25. An amount of £I7BO a-ppeared on the Estimates as the vote had been increased. This, however, was not the case for although all last year’s vote had been allocated, research grantees had not expended their grants;to the amount of £7BO, and this amount had to be revoted by Parliament. An endeavour was made to have the grants naid into the institute directly thev were allocated, but the department would not agree to do this and the practice of making progress payments as required in each case is therefore continued by the department. Reference List of Periodicals. —Mr Archey. who has compiled the reference list of periodicals, wrote on November 25 that the list is now completed and ready for publication. It comprises about 30 typed foolscap sheets, and it remains to be decided how this list is te be made available to those who require a copy. Finances.—On February 5 it was resolved that the various departments whose officers published papers in the last volume of the Transactions should be appealed to for a contribution towards the cost of printing. According to the Department of Agriculture, the Geological Survey, the Cawthron Institute, and the four University Colleges were anproaohecl, with the result that the Geological Survey contributed £69, the Otago University £SO. and the Cawthron Institute stated that it would contribute £ls conditionally on the. statutory grant not being increased. The other departments were not willing to contribute. In accordance with a resolution of last annual meeting, a deputation Waited upon the Minister of Internal Affairs to ask for an increased grant. On May 19 the president reported that the deputation had boon well received. On October 6 the Under-secretary of Internal Affairs wrote intimating that the statutory grant had been increased from £IOOO to £ISOO (annually. Dominion Museum,—The resolution of last annual meeting asking that the Government bring in a Bill placing the control of the Dominion Museum and Art Gallery in the hands of a board of trustees was promised earnest consideration by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Advisory Board of Astronomy and Seismology.—The resolution of last annual meeting that there be set up a board consisting partly of nominees of the Government and partly of scientific men appointed by the institute as a board of advice for the geo-physical services of the Dominion was forwarded to the Minister of Internal Affairs. On June 15 the Undersecretary wrote stating that the Minister approved of the institute’s nominating two permanent members of the existing board. At a subsequent meeting of the Standing Committee Professor Sommerville and Professor O. O. Farr were appointed to represent the institute on the Board of Advice. Pan Pacific Science Congress, 1926.—0 n April 15 the president of the National Research Council of Japan wrote extending to the New Zealand Institute a most cordial invitation to the third Pan Pacific Science Congress to be hold in Tokio from October 26 to November 9, 1926. At a meeting of the Standing Committee, hold on Juno 23, it was decided that the president, Dr Marshall, should be the institute’s representative on the Organisation Committee of the Pan Pacific Science Congress. It was also resolved that in the opinion of the New Zealand Institute it is desirable that membership of the Pan Pacific Congress should bo restricted to countries, and that the National Research Council of each country should solicit the interest and assistance of all institutions in that country, and make such arrangemons as may seem most suitable te organise all opinions on matters of moment to the congress in order that the delegation of the country should be able to represent all interested scientific opinion of (he country at the congress or on the Orga nUation Committee of the Pan Pacific organisations. Pan Pacific Science Congress, 1029. —At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on October 18 Dr Marshall reported that matters were in train with regard to a possible invitation to the Pan-Pacific Congress to meet in Auckland in 1029. New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.— On January 21 the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture wrote asking the Now Zealand Institute to appoint a representative to act on the Dominion Council of l\Jie Institute of Horticulture. Mr 15. C. Aston was appointed, and during his absence in England his place was taken by Mr W. R. B. Oliver. Scenery Preservation Board.—On January 23 the New Zealand Tourist League placed before the Minister the following resolution which it had forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Lands, and the Minister in charge of Tourist Resorts: —“That while this league is aware of the good worts that has been done in the matter of the preservation of scenery, it is considered that there is still much to be done in this direction, and that in order to further reserve and protect native bush areas and historical sites a National Conservation

Board should be set up, with a more liberal appropriation than at present exists. That this board include representatives of the Department of Lunds, the Forestry Department, the New Zealand Institute, and the New Zealand Tourist League.” The Standing Committee strongly approved of the resolution, and stated that it would be pleased to hear that the preservation of national parks was included in the league’s programme. Auckland Islands.—The Standing Committee on June 23 resolved to ascertain from the Lands Department if it were true that the Auckland Islands were to be leased as a sheep run. The Lands Department replied that 116,000 acres of the Auckland Islands were under lease to Moffatt Bros, at an annual rental of £4O, the date of the expiry being February 29, 1932. On August 5 the Standing Committee resolved to express regret that such a state of things should be possible, and that the Government be urged to decide that the lease should not be renewed nor fresh ones granted. Native Bird Protection.—The Under-Sec-retary for Internal Affairs advised the Institute on November 18 that warrants had been Issued for the capture of six pukako for transfer to Pupitl Island. It was resolved to inform the Under-Secretary that the Standing Committee is surprised to learn that certain protected birds (saddlebacks) have recently been taken from the Hen and Chickens Islands, and it would be glad to have further information on the matter. A reply was received stating that Mr Hamilton, the caretaker of Kapitl Island, and Captain Sanderson, hon. secretary of the Native Bird Protection Society, visited the Hen and Chickens Islands for the purpose of capturing saddlebacks for liberation on some of the island sanctuareis. A number of birds was accordingly captured, and liberated on Little Barrier and on Kaplti Islands. It is proposed to watch the matter very carefully to ascertain whether the removal of the birds has caused any harm, and also whether the transferred birds are doing well in their new habitation and have become well established there. report was discussed clause by clause. The president said that there had been some difficulty in getting a quorum at the meeting. The housing of the institute library at Victoria College was discussed, and the opinion expressed that the books were now safer and under more careful supervision. Qihe president pointed out that the sales of ‘‘Maori Art” during the year had seriously depleted the stocks in hand, and that the question of raising the price above four guineas as at present would have to be considered. The Hon. G. M. Thomson said that the institute was paying much more than was necessary for its binding work. _ Dr C. Farr said some of them questioned whether the New Zealand Institute performed the function of a national research council. The president said that the who.e question of the relation of the_ institute to national research would certainly be discussed with Mr Frank Heath during his visit to New Zealand. His own impression was that the institute came as near being a national research council as was practicable in this country ai*. the present lime. Professor Easterfield said that the institute had been largely consulted during the war though the Government cuu not act on tne reports submitted by the institute. The president and others commented on the fact that the institute was getting less and less representation on the Tonganro National Park Board and that scientific interests were being swamped. Ur Marshall explained with reference to the Pan-Pacific Science Congress, 1929 that it was now apparently impossible for Auckland to extend an invitation for th§ congress to meet there. Several members expressed the view that further efforts should be made to obtain Government assistance in having the congress held m New Zealand It was agreed that the Standing Committee be empowered to act in the matter when a favourable opportunity yp Thomson said that the Portobello Hatcheries Board was taking steps to have its hatcheries mode nito a marine fisheries investigation station. During the present year regular hydrographic observations would be taken on salinity and temperature and so forth. „ . Professor Kirk moved ; That the Department of Internal Affairs be asked, ifjt is not too Late to do so, to send a representative with the Whitney Expedition to supervise the collecting of native birds under the permit that has neon issued. The motion was seconded by Professoi Segar and carried. . . With a view to ascertaining the names of those who wish to attend the Pan-Pacmo Science Congress, it was decided to notify to the affiliated institutes the fact of Japan’s issuing of two passages or four half passages. Permission was given to Mr w. u - Martin (Dunedin) to copy from the Transactions platea for his forthcoming book on plants and animals, subject to the source of origin being stated. . On the motion of Dr Farr it was agreed: “That the question a« to how far the New Zealand Institute fulfils the functions of the National Research Council bo discussed with Sir Frank Heath and the Standing Committee with the addition of Dr Marshall. It was decided that the question of the Pan-Pacific Science Congress, 1929, be left in the hands of the Standing Committee to take such action as they think fit. A motion by the Hon. G. M. Thomson: “That the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute at its annual meeting expresses its regret that the Government should have leased a large area, of Auckland Islands for the purposes of a sheep run the monetary gain is infinitesmal while the probable damage to animal and vegetable life is very great” was carried unanimously. THE TREASURER'S REPORT. The report of the honorary treasurer (Mr M. A. Eliott) for the year ending December 31, 1925, contained the following clauses; —The balance sheet for 1925 shows a credit balance of £263 13s Bd, as compared with a debit balance of £1122 12s lOd in 1924, but The liability for Volume 56 to the Government printer, which will probably not be less than £ISOO, will obviously leave the finances much the same as they ware the previous year. However, it is satisfactory to find that the statutory grant has been increased from £IOOO to £ISOO per annum. This will, of course, assist the institute in meeting the enormously increased cost for printing the annual volume, which in 1924 was £lslß, as compared with, £334 in 1914. At the same time, as pointed out in my last report, even with this increased grant the total receipts are not sufficient to cover the expenditure, and, in order to put the finances in a sound position, the cost of printing the Transactions should not exceed £IOOO to £I2OO per annum. Every effort should be made to get the grant .increased to £2OOO. The various trust accounts are in a very satisfactory condition. Tlie report was adopted. PUBLICATION COMMITTEE. The Publication Committee’s report con. tamed the following clauses;—Volume 56 is not yet out of the printer’s hands, though it was promised for June or July of 1925. It is now promised by the end of January. It must bo observed that while these promises are made in good faith by the printer the Transactions always have to make way for other work; it should not be so, but it is so. There wore 66 papers submitted for publication, and of those the volume will contain 60 papers by 42 authors. Owing to the systematic rejection of a certain class of papers during the last two or three years, fewer papers of the kind are now submitted, and rejection becomes a matter of more difficulty, for there are many good workers, and the results of their work should be received. It 'becomes increasingly evident, however, that unless the amount available for printing is augmented, there will have to be even more rigid scrutiny of papers. There is another question that might be considered, and that is the publication of the volume in two parts, the first containing lists of new species and like urgent papers, the second the papers whose early publication is not so vital, together with the annual report ana appendixes. The cost would be very little more, and there would not be the great delay that the big volume causes. The president read considerable correspondence bearing on the publication of the institute’s transactions and the great delay in their issue. Professor Farr said that the limit ol their patience in Canterbury had been reached, and he thought they had all lost patience. He submitted an estimate from a private printing firm and said the institute was paying far too much to the Government printer and losing too much time. Mr J. C. Anderson should lie asked to continue as editor with an editorial committee to assist him. nicy must got out of the hands of the Government printer by hook or by crook. Professor Worley advocated the production of smaller quarterly volumes. On resumption after the luncheon adjournment the discussion on the Publications Committee’s report was resumed, and the following motion was carried: “That the Standing Committee lie instructed to call for tenders under specifications for the printing and binding of volume 58 of the Transactions, and that alternative tenders be called for the issue of the volume in one or two or four parts.” I ho Standing Committee was given authority to make such arrangements as it deemed necessary for the expeditious publication of tiio volume.

It was further agreed to recommend that the index to the Transactions be continued, but that tire indcxui"- be simplified with the object of reducing the cost of publication. ELECTION OF FELLOWS. There were four candidates for two vacant fellowships of the institute, and the vote resulted in Professor W. N. Benson and Dr J. S. Maclaurie being elected by a clear majority. It was decided to elect two more in 1927. AN HONORARY MEMBER. Dr Lotsy was elected an honorary member of the institute. HECTOR AWARD. In accordance with the recommendation received from Air Eldon Best, it was decided to grant the Hector award, of the value of £45, to Mr H. D. Skinner. HAMILTON PRIZE. The committee regarding the. award of the Hamilton prize reported that it was unable to differentiate between two of the candidates, Mr H. J. Findlay and Dr_ J. Marwick, and it recommended that the prize bo divided between the two. —This was agreed to. SIR FRANK HEATH’S VISIT. Mr B. C. Aston reported regarding the coming visit of Sir Frank Heath, who, he said, was the secretary of the Imperial Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. He had been lent by the Imperial authorities to the Australian and New Zealand Governments to see if he could further industry and science here land get them to work together. Sir Frank was a literary rather than a scientific man, but he was an excellent organiser and did great work during the war. He was ia very genial and approachable man, and intended to spend quite a month in the country. Mr Aston had no doubt it would be a month well spent for the Dominion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing two years resulted as follows.: — President: Mr B. C. Aston. Hon. secretary: Dr P. Marshall. Hon. treasurer: Mr M. A. Bliott. Hon. editor; Mr Johannes O. Andersen. Hon. returning officer: Professor H. W. Segar. Trustees of trust accounts: The president and treasurer. Hon. librarian: Professor Sommerville. The Research Grant Committee and the Library Committee were reappointed. It was decided to hold the next annual mooting on the hst Thursday in January, 1927, in Wellington. COMPLIMENTARY. Hearty thanks were accorded to the retiring president, to the Otago University Council, to the Otago Institute, to the Hon. Mr Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs), the hon. editor, the hon. secretary, the treasurer, and the press. A special vote of thanks was accorded to the assistant secretary, Miss M. Wood, to whom the press representatives were much indebted for courteous assistance.