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Mr. Harold J. Finlay, who last season undertook the preparation of a catalogue of the Mollusca of Otago Harbour and the adjacent sea, has been supplied with a largo number of specimens from various sources by Mr. Young. Mr. Finlay has forwarded an interim report to the Board, which is of a somewhat technical nature. The concluding portion of it states that " Over two hundred species have been identified from the present rather small collections ; a full list of these, and report on bathymetric range, distribution, &c, is, of course, withheld till further collections have been examined and more complete data obtained. . . . Interesting " finds " include a new species of Pronucula, making only the fifth member of this genus known ; many separate valves of the, true Chlamys dichrous (which has been confused with other species, but is a well-marked form, apparently restricted to deep water) . . . living specimens of Verconella caudala, V. marshalli, and Cominella nassoides, and several rare species of the Liotiidae. Some thirty new species have been separated, several belonging to genera not previously recorded from New Zealand. The molluscan fauna, on the whole, is very like that obtained by Captain Bolions in 50 fathoms near the Snares. Among the brachiopods obtained, the most interesting was the abundance of a new species of NeoLhyris, occurring together with N. lenticularis in the 60-fathom material." Mr. Young has also supplied Mr. Marwick, Paleontologist to the Geological Survey, with marine Mollusca obtained from dredging. This material is wanted, as it would bo. of great use in clearing up problems of distribution and classification. Mr. Raynor Bell, Professor of Clinical Dentistry in the University of Otago, who is continuing his researches on the development of teeth, has been supplied during the year with a number of the jaws of fishes, fixed and preserved for histological work. Dr. Mortensen, of Copenhagen, has been supplied (through Professor Benham) with brittlestars of various species, together with a large number of specimens of Goniocidaris umbulacrum, collected in 60 fathoms. This species has previously been only rarely gathered. During Health Week Mr. Young assisted the Public Health authorities with the identification, preservation, and setting up their fresh-fish exhibit. The regular routine work of the, station carried. on by Mr. Young includes — (a.) Monthly measurement of the rate of growth of various species of fish in the hatchery tanks. (b.) Examination of stomach-contents of all fish caught, (c.) Rate of growth of Algae on wood slabs suspended in the ponds. (d.) Collection of tow-netting. This work has been temporarily suspended on account of the impossibility of getting the mass of material already accumulated worked up. (e.) Cross-indexing and card-cataloguing of various scientific journals in the library. The following have been completed : Bulletins of the United States Fish Commission, from 1889 onwards; Reports of the United States Fish Commission, from 1887 onwards; Journal of the British M'arine Biological Association, to date. This work will prove of great value to every research student who seeks to make use of the hatchery laboratory and library. The reports of the Scotch Fishery Board are also being indexed, and a basic list of New Zealand fishes as drawn up by Mr. Waite, but without any kind of index. Mr. Young joined the scientific expedition to the Chatham Islands, organized by the Otago Institute, and was absent part of January and February. He has brought back considerable, collections, and has loft some formalin with Mr. Seymour, of Wharekauri, who is an enthusiastic and careful observer, and who will endeavour to preserve specimens for him. The scientific results of this expedition will be published in due course. During the past year Messrs. Jenkin and Ellis, of the Dunedin School of Art, have paid several visits to the hatchery during the spring months, along with some of their students, for the purpose of studying and drawing the various species of fish and other marine animals in the aquarium-tanks. A good deal of the work produced by them was exhibited at the Art Society's annual exhibition, and created considerable interest. . The usual meteorological returns have been regularly kept and furnished to the Government Meteorologist. The Board desires again to express its appreciation of the, care and close attention given to the station by Messrs. Adams and Broadley. The launch and dinghy have, been regularly slipped and painted ; the windmill has now been in continual running for seven years, and, though kept in good order, is showing signs of wear, and will require a very thorough overhaul. The pump-engine is kept in first-class order, and is used whenever periods of windless weather prevent the working of the windmill. The dwellinghouses, hatchery buildings, tanks, ponds, and all iron and woodwork are continually overhauled. It will be necessary ere long to renew the iron piping of the hatchery building, which has been in continual use for twenty years. This will entail a large expense and necessitate a temporary stoppage of all tank work. It is perhaps desirable that this should be postponed until next spring or summer, when danger of frost is past. The number of visitors to the station has been unusually large this past season, and the observationtanks have been kept well supplied with twenty or more species of fish and numerous other interesting forms of marine life. This exhibit has considerable educational value. The Board would again respectfully urge*on the, Government the urgent necessity of a catalogue of the fishes of Now|Zealand. On behalf of the Board. Geo. M. Thomson. Chairman. The Hon. the Minister of Marine, Wellington.