Wanganui Philosophical Society.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 46, 1913, Page 391

Wanganui Philosophical Society. Annual Meeting: 15th December, 1913. Dr. Hatherly, President, in the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet was adopted. The financial position was satisfactory, showing a balance on hand and in bank of £35 9s. 3d., after payment of a subsidy to the Museum of £21 11s. 2d. Abstract of Report. Membership.—The roll of the Society at date includes sixty-nine [ordinary and sixty-three associate members. Council.—The Council held three meetings during the year. It was resolved to record in the minutes appreciation of the services to science of the late Mr. Augustus Hamilton, Curator of the Dominion Museum and ex-President of the New Zealand Institute. Mr. Hamilton, it will be remembered, came to Wanganui at the inauguration of this Society. Mr. H. W. Hesse, the Society's representative on the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, reported on the meetings of the Board held during the year. It was agreed to adopt a resolution of the Otago Institute deploring the removal of the protection hitherto accorded to the fur seal, and asking the Minister of Marine to restore the protection at an early date, before the number is diminished beyond recovery. This resolution was communicated to the Minister of Marine, who has replied that “inquiries are now being made as to the effect of the recent open season, and if it is found that the numbers of the seals have been so reduced as to render it necessary that the open season should be done away with until there has been a substantial increase the close season will be extended.” During the year the Society sustained loss through the death of the Rev. J. Ross and of Mr. J. T. Stewart, both members keenly interested in its welfare and progress. Meetings.—The following papers were read at meetings of the Society: Mr. Walter Grey— “The Worker's Attitude towards Immigration”; Mr. C. J. Wray— “Unemployment in England”; Mr. A. D. Brodie, LL.B.— “Objects of Local Historical Research Committee of the Society”; Professor C. W. von Zedlitz, M.A.— “Dante”; Mr. T. W. Downes— “The Wanganui River from an Historical Standpoint”; Mr. G. D. Braik, M.A.— “What is Technical Education?”; Rev. J. Ll. Dove, M.A.— “The Permanence of the Trade Routes of Europe”; Mr. Morris N. Watt— “Notes on the Eggs of some New Zealand Moths”; Mr. E. H. Clark— “The Theory of Harmonics”; Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G.— “The New-Zealander of the Future”; Mr. J. T. Ward— “Evolutionary Facts and Factors in the Origin of Life, with Special Reference to Professor Schaefer's Dundee Address.” Under the joint auspices of the Society and the Wanganui Astronomical Society, two lectures on astronomical subjects were delivered by Miss Mary Proctor in aid of the establishment in New Zealand of a solar physics observatory, a result fortunately assured through the generous donation of £12,000 by Mr. Cawthron. On the invitation of the Savage Club, the members had the opportunity of enjoying a beautifully illustrated lecture, by Mr. C. R. Ford, on “Antarctica.” Paper.—A paper was contributed by Mr. H. E. Struge, B.A., advocating the formation of subsections for special study. This, he held, would increase the value of the Society to the community, by stimulating the members to individual effort, and by making it a factory of educated opinion. At present, papers if popular represented an evening's amusement, and if technical were practically useless to the members, serving mainly to enable expert to communicate with expert by means of the printed Transactions. He suggested the establishment of small groups—say, from six to twelve—from our members and associates for

reading or investigating along certain lines, the members of each group to meet regularly and follow a programme arranged by themselves, possibly on co-operative lines. An annual summary of their work might be submitted to the Society. Considerable discussion resulted, and eventually a committee was set up to go into the matter. Election of Officers for 1914.—President—Dr. H. R. Hatherly, M.R.C.S., Vice-Presidents—Rev. J. Ll. Dove, M.A., and Mr. J. T. Ward; Council—Messrs. T. Allison, T. W. Downes, H. W. Hesse, M.A., B.Sc., F.L.S., R. Murdoch, H. B. Watson, M.A., W. A. Armour, M.A., M.Sc., C. T. Brown, M.A., LL.B., and H. E. Sturge, B.A.; Hon. Treasurer—W. F. P. Talboys; Hon. Secretary—Mr. J. P. Williamson; Hon. Auditor—Mr. H. S. G. Harper; Representative on Board of Governors, New Zealand Institute—Dr. H. R. Hatherly, M.R.C.S.