H.—29

2

This volume commences a new series of the "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," in which, for convenience and economy, the: size of the page hag been reduced from royal to demy octavo. An alphabetical index has also been added to the volume for the first time. A general alphabetical index of authors and subjects, for the seventeen volumes which constitute the first series, has been prepared and will be issued to all members of the institute. Vol. XVIII. contains sixty-two articles, also addresses and abstracts of articles included in the Proceedings and Appendix. There are 488 pages and 16 plates. The following is a comparison of the contents with that of the volume for the previous year : — 1886. 1885. Pages. Pages. Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. 72 .. 80 Zoology .. .. .. .. .. 146 .. 212 Botany .. .. .. .. .. .. 108 .. 94 Chemistry .. .. .. .. .. 4 .. — Geology .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 .. 50 Astronomy .. .. .. .. .. 26 .. — Proceedings .. .. .. .. .. 33 .. 35 Appendix. . .. .. .. .. .. 51 .. 65 488 .. 536 The cost of printing the previous year's volume (XVII.) was £590 17s. sd. for 536 pages, and the cost of the present year's volume (XVIII.), the first of the new series, is £390 14s. 9d. for 488 pages, or £200 2s. Bd. less than last year's publication. A statement of accounts by the Honorary Treasurer is appended, showing a balance to the credit of the institute of £60 15s. lid., besides a credit balance in the hands of the London agent of about £40. Approved by the Board Wm. P. Drummond Jekvois, Chairman. James Hector, 22nd July, 1886. Manager.

New Zealand Institute Account, 1885-86. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Vote fur 1885-8G .. .. .. .. 500 0 0 Balance due for printing Vol. XVII. .. 63 18 10 Contribution from Wellington Philosophical Advertising .. .. .. .. 4 2 0 Society, one-sixth annual revenue .. 21 3 C Purchase of second-hand volumes of Transactions of Now Zealand Institute .. 1 12 0 Printing-Vol. XVIII. .. .. .. 390 14 9 Balance .. .. .. .. .. 60 15 11 J8521 3 6 . £521 3 G 22nd July, 1886. A. Stock, Honorary Treasurer. [Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, nil J printing, (1,350 copies), 19s. 63.]

Authority : Geoijgtc Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB6.