N.Z. INSTITUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 117, 20 May 1932, Page 8

N.Z. INSTITUTE

MEETING OF GOVERNORS CURTAILMENT OF FINANCES CARNEGIE CORPORATION GIFT WELLINGTON, May 19. In his presidential address to today’s meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, the president, Professor H. W. Segar, referred to the straitened finances of the institute. The dominating influence on the institute’s activities during the year had naturally been the economic and financial condition of the country, he said, and the reduction in the grant to the institute had had a crippling effect. He referred to the fact that the Government had reduced the annual grant from £l5OO to £750, the National Expenditure Commission’s report reducing the grant stil] further to £4OO. The protest made against this further reduction had had the result of bringing the grant, up to £5OO. Professor Segar remarked that they had all heard of the process of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. There might be a few who called science a goose, but there was no doubt that science laid many golden eggs. It was disastrous to see the educational and scientific activities of the country being curtailed; they seemed to him to be penalised too heavily. As far as the library was concerned, it might be that, they would get some assistance from the Carnegie Corporation, but it seemed a pity that they should have to depend on outside assistance for what should be considered as essential. The speaker referred to the wide circulation throughout the world, and the value, of the ‘‘Transactions,’’ pointing out that it would not be to the credit of New Zealand if publication ceased from lack of funds.

Details were then entered into regarding the finance committee’s plans for increasing the endowment fund so as to provide a larger revenue for the institute. Chance for a Benefactor Professor Kegar concluded by suggesting that there was an admirable opportunity awaiting some public benefactor who, having made bis will and provided for all his dependants, found that there was some money left over. Here was a great chance for some public-spirited citizen, for the claims of the work of the New Zealand Institute were deserving of every support. The Hon. G. M. Thomson pointed out that the reduction of tb.e grant had been by special Act, and eould not be undone except by another Act. Subsequently, the vice-president announced that the Carnegie Corporation had forwarded a draft for a thousand dollars as a contribution towards publication expenses. This gift was due to the visit of Professor Coffman, of Michigan University, who came to New Zealand last year as a representative of the Carnegie Corporation. A resolution expressing thanks and appreciation for the gift was carried. Notice of motion was given to the effect that the institute recognises the extraordinarily difficult task that the Government has had in facing the financial and economic conditions and accepts the situation, determining to carry on its work as far as finances permit.

It was decided, after a keen discussion. that the present erection to fellowship was not satisfactory, and was abolished. In future nominations are to be made annually by incorporated societies, but nominees are not to be inform n d of their nomination, nomina tions to b submitted to a special committee which shall recommend to the Board of Governors those who should be invited to accept fellowship. The formation of a National Re-

search Council was decided on by the meeting. As a nucleus of the council the Institute will appoint five men who must be of recognised scientific attainments and thoroughlv representative of the basic sciences, as a committee em powered to frame regulations as ,to the period of office and other matters having to do with the constitution of the council. The committee will then pro cecd at nr.ee or from time to time to

co-opt other members to the. council, provided the total number shall not exceed 50. Officers were elected as "ollows: President. Professor H. W. Segar (Auckland): vice-president. Mr. B. C Aston (Wellington): treasurer, Mr. M A. Eliott (Palmerston T nrth); editor and librarian. Professor D. M. A • Sornmerville <V\ representative on the New Zealand ’fstitute of Horticultur. . Mr. B. C. Aston: representative on’ the Groat Barrier Roof Commit tee, Mr. W. R. B. Oliver (Wellington). DAYLIGHT SAVING DISCUSSED [ Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON. May 19. Among many matters dcalth with at the meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute to-day was daylight saving, arising from the question of finally formulating the terms of the deed of declaration of trust in connection with the award of the Sidcy memorial medal. Sir. T. K. Sidcy, who was present, said that there was latitude in the regulations which would enable the the changing times to be met. Tie award was to be made in respect of light radiations, but this could be extended tr include radiation’ <! *-11 kinds. There was discretionary power and the award could later on go beyond New Zealand and become international in scope. A resolution was passed, with one dissentient, asking the Government to extend the half-hour to the 12 months of the year, but on further representations from Sir T. K. Sidcy as to what this would mean in inconvenience to the South Island, the resolution was withdrawn and the discussion lapsed. Messrs G. F. Archey (Auckland), and Rigg (Nelson) were elected fellows. Mr F. Chapman, of Melbourne Museum, was elected an honorary member. It was announced that the recipient of the Hector medal would be Dr. P. Buck (Te Rangihiroa.)