ROYAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23511, 27 May 1938, Page 10

ROYAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING IMPORTANT TOPICS DISCUSSED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 26. The question whether the time had not now arrived for the Royal Society of New Zealand to alter the original statement of its objects was raised at the annual meeting of the society at Victoria University College yesterday by Professor W. P. Evans in his presidential address. The objects as set out in the preamble to the original Act of 1867 were as follows: By means of lecture classes and otherwise to promote the general study and cultivation of various branches and departments of art. science, literature, and philosophy. That statement was no doubt eminently suited to its day, said Professor Evans, but he thought the society should follow more closely in the steps of other bodies bearing the honourable title of the Royal Society, and especially the oldest and most illustrious, the Royal Society of London, by restricting itself to the sciences. "election OF OFFICE-BEARERS The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — President, Professor W. P. Evans, Wellington: vice-president, Dr P. Marshall. Wellington; treasurer, Mr- M. A. Elliott, Palmerston North; hon. auditor, Dr John Marwick, Wellington; hon. librarian, Professor I. H. B. Kirk; co-opted member, Dr P. Marshall; managers of trust accounts, Messrs M. A. Elliott and B. C. Aston; representative on the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, Dr W. R. B. Oliver; representative on the Observatories Committee. Professor D. C. H. Florance and Professor P. W. Burbidge; representative on the Great Barrier Reef Committee, Dr W. R. B. Oliver; Hector Award Committee (geology)—Dr P. Marshall. Professor R. Speight, Professor C. A. Cotton, Professor W. N. Benson, Dr J. Marwick: Finance Committee Messrs M. A. Eliott and B. C. Aston, and Dr E. Marsden: _ LibraryCommittee —Professor H. B. Kirk, Professor C. A. Cotton, Dr E. Kidson, Dr W. R. B. Oliver: Fellowship. Selection Committee —Professor H. B. Kirk, Mr B C. Aston, Dr J. Henderson, Professor W. P. Evans, and Mr G. Archey; Wild Life Control Committee—Mr B. C. Aston. Mr E. F. Stead, Mr G. Archey, Mr R. A. Falla. Professor W. P. Evans. SCIENCE CONGRESS The question of the venue and date of the next New Zealand Science Congress was briefly discussed. It was reported that Otago favoured holding the congress in 1938 or 1939, Christchurch was prepared to hold it there in 1939, and Auckland and Wellington suggested 1940. A motion that the congress should be held in Wellington in May, 1940, was carried by one vote against an amendment in favour of Christchurch in May. 1939. It was subsequently decided to authorise the Standing Committee to accept May, 1939. as the date if the Wellington Philosophical Society was willing that the conference should be held on the earlier date. BUSH CONSERVATION

The necessity for a national organisation for bush conservation and amenity planting in the light of the recent serious floods in Hawke’s Bay was urged by Dr E. Marsden, Director of the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research. “It is becoming a great problem, and if something is not done we are heading toward a calamity,” he »said. The president said that, unfortunately, it took such a disaster to focus attention on the problem. On the motion of Dr Marsden, it was decided to urge the Government to set up a Royal Commission, with a scientifically competent personnel, to inquire into and report on the preservation of the vegetation of New Zealand, with special reference to forests and the incidence, control, and prevention of land erosion.

Honours Conferred The posthumous award of the Hector Medal was made to Bishop Herbert W. Williams. The Hutton Medal was awarded to Dr David Miller, of the Cawthron Institute. Dr Carl Skoitcsberg, of Sweden was elected an honorary member. Dr Skottesberg will be visiting New Zealand later this year. Dr F. J. Turner, Otago, and Mr W. Donovan, Dominion analyst, were elected.