Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 36, 1903, Unnumbered Page

Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute. Annual Report. During the past year seven meetings of the Institute were held, including the annual business meeting. At the ordinary meetings three lectures were delivered and six papers read. The Council met five times during the year. On the whole, the session may be considered a very successful one. The change that has taken place in the government of the New Zealand Institute is worthy of note. By “The New Zealand Institute Act, 1903,” branch institutes are now entitled to direct representation on the Board of Governors. Your Council, in December last, unanimously elected Mr. Hill as this branch's representative on the Board, and Mr. Hill attended the first meeting of the newly constituted Board in Wellington last month. Considerable additions have been made to the library during the year, about forty volumes having been added. Unfortunately, the value of the Institute's library is not known to the general public, and the Council feel that if members would bring under the notice of their friends and others the large number of up-to-date scientific works that have been added in recent years there would be a considerable increase in membership. The only additions to the Museum have been two meres, one taiaha, and one walking-stick, all deposited by Mr. McCulloch, of Ongaonga. Three new members were elected during the year, and four old members resigned. The balance-sheet shows a fair credit balance, but the expenditure for the year has been in excess of receipts. List of Papers read during the Session 1903. May 4.—The President, Dr. Leahy, delivered the inaugural address, his subject being “Meteorology in Relation to Public Health.” June 1.—Lecture by Dr. Kennedy, “The Moon as seen through the Telescope,” illustrated by numerous lantern-slides. July 6.—Lecture by Mr. G. Hogben, “A Chat about Earthquakes,” illustrated by a large number of lantern-slides. August 3.—Papers: Taylor White, “On a Viviparous Lizard; F. Hutchinson, jun., “Our Shingle and its Origin”; W. Dinwiddie, “The Study of Character.” September 7.—Lecture by Dr. Reid Mackay, “The America Cup, and International Yacht-racing,” illustrated by 120 slides. September 21.—Paper by H. Hill, “Taupo, Past and Present—a Geological Review,” illustrated by lantern-slides.