Annual Report.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 5, 1872, Page 467

Annual Report. The Council congratulate the members of the Society on the completion of the eighth year since its first establishment. The Society has now a firm footing, and its future welfare is no longer a matter of uncertainty. The Council would, however, point out that, although the number of subscribers is as large as ever, there has been during the past year a dearth of papers and communications, which may cause the Society to be compared unfavourably with the other affiliated Societies on the appearance of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. They would therefore urge upon the members the necessity of each one endeavouring to contribute information during the next session of the Society, and the Council beg to suggest that the Society is the proper medium for publishing much valuable information which is at present forwarded to newspapers and English periodicals. Nine papers have been read during the past session. Numerous gifts of books have been received during the year. A marine aquarium constructed of slate and plate-glass in the best method, and to contain 15½ gallons, has been obtained from home, and will shortly be stocked and placed in the Museum, where it will undoubtedly prove highly attractive. A grant of £5 has been made to assist Dr. Haast in his explorations in the Moa Bone Cave at Sumner.

£10 has been voted for the purchase of certain German works recommended by Dr. Haast and Dr. Powell. Though without their province, the Council cannot pass by without comment the strenuous efforts which are being made by the Collegiate Union, School of Science, and other educational bodies, to provide a higher education for the youth of the province by the establishment of a University College, and they think that the Society should use all the influence it possesses to further the endeavour. The number of members is now eighty. The total amount of receipts for the past year was £127 12s. 1d., and the expenditure £104 4s. 7d., of which the amount of £20 16s. 1d. was expended on books and an aquarium. The balance in hand is £23 7s. 6d.