N.Z. INSTITUTE

Southland Times, Issue 19461, 28 January 1925, Page 7

N.Z. INSTITUTE

NATIONAL WORK OF HIGHEST VALUE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 27. The annual meeting of the governors of the New Zealand Institute was held today. Dr P. Marshall, in his Presidential address, referred to the important part taken by the Institute in fostering research work in the Dominion. For fifty-six years it had placed the result of its researches in New Zealand before the world at large, to the great advantage of the country, from material, as well as scientific, aspects. It had given New Zealand a recognised place in the world of study and knowledge. The Institute’s stimulation of intellectual research, and provision for its expression must be regarded as a national work of the highest value. The desirableness of fitting vessels on the New Zealand naval and marine service i with Sonic depth finders was urged by Hon G. M. Thomson. The Standing Committee reported that the outlook for the new building for the Dominion museum was decidedly brighter. A motion was carried urging the Government to bring in legislation placing the control of the museum in the hands of a board of trustees. It was decided, after a long discussion, that a protest be made against the introduction of exotic flora, also other than native animals, into the Tongariro National Park. The importance of preserving the Park as a national sanctuary for native plants and animals was emphasised by various speakers. It was decided to recommend that the Government support the appointment of members of the Institute Board and Government representatives as a Board of advice in connection with the geophysical service of the Dominion. It was resolved that the authorities be urged to fit ships of the New Zealand naval units with depth finders to enable them to survey the bed of the ocean round the New Zealand coast and the deep waters between New Zealand and Samoa.

A proposal to make the qualification for election to the fellowship of the Institute ten years membership was defeated, the view being held that such a provision would be unwise.

Professor Segar (Auckland) said that he would not like to see such an insular policy. Dr Cockayne said that if an eminent man came to New Zealand from overseas, the Institute would honour itself by having him a fellow. The question should be left open.

Dr P. Marshall was re-elected President. Mr B. C. Aston, who is secretary to the Institute, who is chief chemist to the Agricultural Department, was awarded the Hector Award, the Committee’s prize and medal, for research in bush sickness, also New Zealand flora. The announcement was made that the Committee had great difficulty in deciding between the qualifications of Dominion chemists in allotting the prize.