Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 1926.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 57, 1927, Page 981

Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 1926. Minutes of Annual Meeting of The Board of Governors Held in Dunedin on the 28th January, 1926. The annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute was held in the Otago University on Thursday, 28th January, 1926 at 10 a.m. Present— President, Dr. P. Marshall, and the following governors:— Representing the Government: Dr. Chas. Chilton, and Mr. B. C. Aston. Representing the Wellington Philosophical Society: Professor H. B. Kirk. Representing the Auckland Institute: Professors H. W. Segar, and F. P. Worley. Representing the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury: Professor C. Coleridge Farr, and Mr. A. M. Wright. Representing the Otago Institute: Professor Park and Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C. Representing the Hawkes Bay Philosophical Institute: Mr. H. Hill. Representing the Nelson Institute: Professor T. H. Easterfield. Apologies for absence were received from Dr. J. A. Thomson, Mr. M. A. Eliott, Hon. Treasurer, Mr. G. V. Hudson, and Dr. L. Cockayne. Roll Call.—The Hon. Secretary called the Roll. Presidential Address.—The President gave his presidential address in the evening at the meeting at which the Science Congress was opened. It was resolved to publish the address in the Transactions. Notices of Motion.—These were called for and dealt with in their proper places.

Incorporated Societies' Reports and Balance-sheets.—The following reports and balance-sheets were received and were laid on the table: Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for the year ending 31st October, 1925; Auckland Institute, for the year ending 5th February, 1925; Wellington Philosophical Society, for the year ending 30th September, 1925; Nelson Philosophical Society, for the year ending 31st October, 1925; Hawkes Bay Philosophical Institute, for the year ending 31st December, 1925; Otago Institute, for the year ending 30th November, 1925. It was resolved that the reports be forwarded to the Hon. Treasurer for his perusal and report as to whether they are in order. Standing Committee's Report.—This was read and adopted. Report of the Standing Committee for the Year ending 31st December, 1925. Meetings.—During the year 9 meetings of the Standing Committee have been held, the attendance being as follows:—Dr. Marshall, 8; Mr. G. V. Hudson, 8; Mr. P. G. Morgan, 8; Dr. J. A. Thomson, 2; Dr. Cockayne, 1; and Mr. B. C. Aston, 5. Hon. Secretary.—In March the Hon. Secretary, Mr. B. C. Aston, was granted leave of absence in order that he might visit England, and Professor H. B. Kirk kindly consented to act in his place. Publications.—Volume 56 is not yet out of the printer's hands. The delay has been occasioned by pressure of work in the Government Printing Office, owing especially to the General Elections being held this year, but it is a matter for regret that the publication of the Transactions should be so frequently delayed. Part 4 of Bulletin 3, Dixon's Bryology of New Zealand, is also in the press. Hector Award.—The award for 1925 was made to Mr. B. C. Aston for his researches on the chemistry of bush-sickness and of the N.Z. flora. Owing to Mr. Aston's absence in England during the greater part of the year, the medal has not yet been presented to him, but it is hoped that this will be done at one of the meetings of the Science Congress in Dunedin in January. Exchange List.—Last year a circular was issued to over 200 institutions all over the world, stating that the N.Z. Institute would be glad to consider entering into an exchange of publications. The Library Committee, after considering the replies to this circular, recommended that about 70 of these institutions be added to the Exchange List, some of them being old exchanges resumed. In some cases complete sets of publications have been received from these new exchanges, and in other cases offers have been received to send some back numbers. As far as possible, the Institute is making an equivalent return, which should help to reduce the overstocked volumes of the Transactions. The names of the new exchanges are being printed in Volume 56. Sales.—There has been a very large increase in the sale of “Maori Art,” over £150 being obtained from this source. A number of partial sets of Transactions and some Bulletins sold have also increased the year's revenue. Incorporated Societies Reports and Balance Sheets.—The following reports and balance sheets have been received and are now laid on the table:— Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for the year ending, 31st Oct., 1925 Wellington Philosophical Society, for the year ending 30th Sep., 1925. Auckland Institute, for the year ending 27th February, 1925. Otago Institute, for the year ending 30th November, 1925. Hawkes Bay Philosophical Institute, for the year ending 31st Dec., 1925 Nelson Philosophical Society, for the year ending 31st Oct., 1925.

Fellowship.—The N.Z. Gazette of the 28th May contained a notice to the effect that Professor J. Macmillan Brown, M.A., LL.D. and Te Rangi Hiroa (P. H. Buck), D.S.O., M.D., Ch.B. had been appointed at the Annual Meeting on the 27th January, 1925, to the Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute. In April the incorporated societies were requested to forward nominations for filling the two vacancies for the Fellowship for 1925. Ten nominations were received and were submitted to the Fellows of the Institute for selection. On the 29th September the Hon. Returning Officer announced the names of the first three selected and stated that a tie had occurred for the 4th place. A fresh election for that place was therefore held, and on the 28th October the four names were submitted to the Governors for election at the Annual Meeting. Carter Library Legacy.—The accumulated interest on the legacy of £50, left by the late C. R. Carter and held by the Public Trustee, has now reached the sum of £100. In order that this fund might increase more rapidly, the interest has been invested in 5 ½% Inscribed Stock maturing in 1937. Research Grants.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 16th March, three applications for research grants, two of which had been held over from last year for further consideration, were granted. These amounts exhausted the research vote of £1,000 for the year 1924–25. An amount of £1,780 appeared on the Estimates as the vote for research and on the surface it looked as though the research vote had been increased. This, however, was not the case, for, although all last year's vote had been allocated research grantees had not expended their grants to the amount of £780, and this amount had to be revoted by Parliament. An endeavour was made to have the grants paid into the Institute directly they were allocated, but the Department would not agree to do this, and the practice of making progress payments as required in each case is therefore continued by the Department. On the 1st September, incorporated societies were notified that £1000 was available for research and applications were invited from research workers. The Research Grant Committee considered eighteen applications and recommended that eleven of these be granted. One other application is under further consideration and the remaining six were not recommended. Reference List of Periodicals.—Mr. Archey, who has compiled the reference list of periodicals, wrote on the 25th November that the List is now completed and ready for publication. It comprises about 30 typed foolscap sheets and it remains to be decided how this list is to be made available to those who require a copy. Binding.—During the year the following publications have been bound as far as they were complete:— Royal Society: Transactions and Proceedings. Bulletins of the Geological Survey of N.Z. Journal of the Polynesian Society. Journal of Agriculture, N.Z. Department of Agriculture. National Research Council.—On the 2nd March in accordance with a resolution of last Annual Meeting, the President wrote to the National Research Councils of Australia, America, Canada, and Japan, notifying them that in New Zealand the New Zealand Institute performs the functions of a National Research Council and is recognised by the N.Z. Government as such. Finances.—On the 5th February it was resolved that the various Departments whose officers published papers in the last volume of the Transactions should be appealed to for a contribution towards the cost of printing. Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture, the Geological Survey, the Cawthron Institute, and the four University Colleges were approached, with the result that the Geological Survey contributed £60, the Otago University £50 and the Cawthron Institute stated that it would contribute £15 conditionally on the statutory grant not being increased. The other departments were not willing to contribute.

In accordance with a resolution of last Annual Meeting a deputation waited upon the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs to ask for an increased grant. On the 19th May the President reported that the deputation had been well received. On the 6th October the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs wrote intimating that the statutory grant had been increased from £1000 to £1500 annually, provision having been made in section 7 of the Finance Act, 1925, which reads as follows:— 1. The Minister of Finance shall, without further authority than this section, pay to the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute the sum of one thousand five hundred pounds in each financial year, beginning on the first day of April, nineteen hundred and twenty-five, to be applied in or towards payment of the general expenses of the Institute. 2. This section is in substitution for section 10 of the New Zealand Institute Act, 1908, and that section and the New Zealand Institute Amendment Act, 1920 are hereby repealed.” Index to the Transactions.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 19th May, a letter was received from the Nelson Philosophical Society, recommending that the publication expenses be cut down by discontinuing the printing of the Index. The Auckland Institute wrote, stating that it did not support the Nelson Society's resolution. The Philosophical Institute of Canterbury also wrote stating that, while recognising the great value of the present index, it considered that it could be materially reduced in size by the elimination of specific names and items of non-scientific importance. It felt a simple standardized system of indexing that would be considerably less bulky than at present might be arrived at. It was resolved that the matter be referred to the Annual Meeting. Sonic Depth-Finders.—The resolution of last annual meeting that the New Zealand Naval Service be equipped with sonic depth finders was forwarded to the Minister of Marine, who replied that the matter would receive careful consideration. Geological and Vulcanological Research.—The resolution of last annual meeting that the Government be asked to give effect to the recommendation of the Science and Art Board that a full-time research officer be appointed to make geological and vulcanological observations in the volcanic regions, was forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, who replied that the matter would receive his consideration. Catalogue of N.Z. Fishes.—The resolution of last annual meeting, requesting the Government to have a catalogue of the fishes of New Zealand prepared by a qualified expert was forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, who replied that this was one of the matters on which it was proposed to obtain the views of Mr. A. E. Hefford, who had been appointed to the position of Chief Inspector of Fisheries, after his arrival in the Dominion. Dominion Museum.—The resolution of last annual meeting, asking that the Government bring in a Bill placing the control of the Dominion Museum and Art Gallery in the hands of a Board of Trustees was also promised earnest consideration by the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs. Advisory Board of Astromony and Seismology.—The resolution of last annual meeting that there be set up a Board consisting partly of nominees of the Government and partly of scientific men appointed by the Institute as a Board of Advice for the geo-physical services of the Dominion was forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs. On the 15th June the Under-Secretary wrote, stating that the Minister approved of the Institute's nominating two permanent members of the existing Board. At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, Professor Sommerville and Professor C. C. Farr were appointed to represent the Institute on the Board of Advice. Tongariro National Park Board.—The resolution of last annual meeting was conveyed to the Chairman of the Park Board, who replied that a resolution

had been passed to the effect that the Park Board is of the opinion that the heather now growing in the Park should be eradicated. On the 15th June a protest was received from the Manawatu Philosophical Society in regard to the leasing of parts of the Park to private individuals and the matter was discussed at a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, when it was resolved that the N.Z. Institute strongly protests against the granting of leases in the Park to private individuals. It was further resolved that the Institute takes strong exception to the introduction of exotic game birds that, according to the press, the Tongariro Sports Club and the Auckland Acclimatisation Society propose to liberate in the vicinity of the Park, and it urges the Government to withhold permission for the introduction. These resolutions were published in the Wellington papers. The Chairman of the Park Board in reply pointed out that the question of prohibiting the introduction of such birds was a matter that was governed by the Animals Protection and Game Act, the provisions of which are administered by the Internal Affairs Department. The Standing Committee further resolved to ask Internal Affairs to refer all matters in connection with the introduction of plants and animals to an Advisory Board specially constituted for this purpose. The Under-Secretary replied that the introduction of plants was a matter which concerned the Agricultural, State Forests, and Lands Departments. With regard to the question of constituting an Advisory Board to consider matters relative to the introduction of animals, as his Department invariably consulted with the Board of Agriculture through the Agricultural Department as to the desirability or otherwise of authorising the introduction of animals, it was not considered necessary to set up a special advisory board. The Standing Committee decided to refer the matter for further consideration to the Annual Meeting. Science Congress, 1926.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, it was resolved that the Annual Meeting be held pro forma in Wellington on the 26th January and immediately adjourned to Dunedin to meet on the 28th January. On the 5th August it was resolved that the Science Congress last three days, January 28–30th inclusive and that the organisation be left in the hands of the Otago Institute. It was resolved to grant a request that papers which will be read at the Science Congress be regarded as read before one or other of the incorporated societies and that if so desired by the authors, accepted for publication in the Transactions, but not to be accepted for publication in Volume 57. At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 13th October the matter of the duration of the Congress was brought up again for consideration and it was resolved that the meeting be extended by two days if the Otago Institute considered it advisable. Pan Pacific Science Congress, 1926.—On the 15th April the President of the National Research Council of Japan wrote extending to the N.Z. Institute a most cordial invitation to the third Pan Pacific Science Congress, to be held in Tokyo from October 26th to November 9th, 1926. Copies of the letter of invitation were forwarded together with copies of the Preliminary Announcement to all members of the Board and to the incorporated societies. At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, it was decided that the President, Dr. Marshall, should be the Institute's representative on the Organisation Committee of the Pan Pacific Science Congress. It was also resolved that in the opinion of the N.Z. Institute it is desirable that membership of the Pan Pacific Congress should be restricted to countries, and that the National Research Council of each country should solicit the interest and assistance of all institutions in that country, and make such arrangements as may seem most suitable to organise all opinions on matters of moment to the Congress in order that the delegation of the Country should be able to represent all interested scientific opinion of the country at the Congress or on the Organisation Committee of the Pan Pacific scientific organisations. Further it was resolved that recognising that at such meetings as those of the Pan Pacific Congress there is danger that the different sections become too restricted and technical in their discussions,

and that the members of each section may lose touch with those of all other sections, the N.Z. Institute therefore welcomes the proposals of the National Research Committee of Japan to organise general and divisional meetings to take the place in part of sectional meetings at previous gatherings of the Pan Pacific Congress. The subjects selected for discussion at these general and divisional meetings will certainly arouse common interest among those who study widely different branches of science. Such discussions therefore should elicit opinions from many different points of view with much benefit to all who attend them. Further letters dated 28th July and 3rd August were received from the Secretary of the National Research Council and outlined the extent of the hospitality which it is proposed to accord to delegates. Probably two double fares between Wellington and Tokyo or four single fares will be provided, but this is not definitely settled. Part of the delegates' and their families' hotel expenses in Tokyo will be defrayed and the whole of the expenses of the excursions that are being arranged both before and after as well as during the session. As far as possible cars will be provided for delegates. Great difficulty about accommodation is feared and about 150 will be the maximum total number of delegates and their families that can be conveniently accommodated. The selection of delegates is left entirely to the Institute and direct invitations to any person individually will not be given. Pan Pacific Science Congress, 1929.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 13th October, Dr. Marshall reported that matters were in train with regard to a possible invitation to the Pan Pacific Congress to meet in Auckland in 1929. Advancing New Zealand Time.—A letter was received from Mr. W. A. Harding, of Napier, asking whether the N.Z. Institute would use its influence to have New Zealand time advanced half an hour permanently. It was decided that no action be taken at the present time. N.Z. Institute of Horticulture.—On the 21st January the N.Z. Institute of Horticulture wrote asking the N.Z. Institute to appoint a representative to act on the Dominion Council of the Institute of Horticulture. Mr. B. C. Aston was appointed and during his absence in England his place was taken by Mr. W. R. B. Oliver. Committee on Investigating the Temperature, Salinity, etc. of the Pacific Ocean.—In response to a letter from T. W. Vaughan, of the University of California, the President, Dr. Marshall, was appointed to represent New Zealand on the Committee of Salinity which was set up at the Pan Pacific Congress, 1923. Scenery Preservation Board.—On the 23rd January the N.Z. Tourist League placed before the Minister the following resolution which it had forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Lands and the Minister in charge of Tourist Resorts:— “That, while this League is aware of the good work that has been done in the matter of the preservation of scenery, it is considered that there is still much to be done in this direction, and that in order to further reserve and protect native bush areas and historical sites, a National Conservation Board should be set up, with a more liberal appropriation than at present exists. That this Board include representatives of the Department of Lands, the Forestry Department, the New Zealand Institute and the N.Z. Tourist League.” The Standing Committee strongly approved of the resolution and stated that it would be pleased to hear that the preservation of National Parks was included in the League's programme. A further letter, dated 12th February, was received from the Tourist League, inviting the Institute to express an opinion on the question of urging the authorities to widen the constitution of the Scenery Preservation Board so as to permit some representatives of outside bodies to sit with members of the Board and assist them in their task of selecting sites for preservation. The League suggested that a representative of the Institute and a representative of the Forestry League might act on the Board with advantage to the whole Dominion.

This letter was considered at a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 29th May, when it was resolved that in the opinion of the Institute it is desirable to widen the membership of the Scenery Preservation Board to include representatives of societies dealing with scientific and historical matters. The resolution was forwarded to the Hon. Minister in charge of Scenery Preservation, who replied that he had carefully noted the resolution passed by the Standing Committee and he should be pleased to give the matter careful consideration should the Government decide to modify the provision of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, under which the Scenery Preservation Board is constituted. Earthquake Prognostication.—Mr. F. R. Field, of Onehunga, in letters of the 19th March and 15th April, placed before the Standing Committee a report of his investigations and it was resolved to ask Mr. Field for a list of his prognostications for the next twelve months. Further letters were received from Mr. Field and a small committee, consisting of Professor Sommerville and Dr. Adams, was set up to report. The committee considered Mr. Field's claims and stated that it would be willing to report if it received from him a complete statement of the scientific basis of his theory, the facts and the hypotheses and a reasoned discourse explaining his deductions and so far as relevant the inter relations of the various fields in which he claims to have made successful predictions. On the 30th October Mr. Field reported that he will be glad to do his best to supply the information required. His report has not yet come to hand. Auckland Islands.—The Standing Committee on the 23rd June resolved to ascertain from the Lands Department if it were true that the Auckland Islands were to be leased as a sheep run. The Lands Department replied that 116,000 acres of the Auckland Islands were under lease to Moffatt Bros. at an annual rental of £40, the date of the expiry being 29th February, 1932. On the 5th August, the Standing Committee resolved to express regret that such a state of things should be possible and that the Government be urged to decide that the lease should not be renewed nor fresh ones granted. Auckland Museum.—During the year the foundation stone of the Auckland War Memorial Museum was laid and an invitation to the President and Board of Governors was received. Native Bird Protection.—The Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs advised the Institute on the 18th November that warrants had been issued for the capture of six pukako for transfer to Kapiti Island. It was resolved to inform the Under Secretary that the Standing Committee is surprised to learn that certain protected birds (saddle-backs) have recently been taken from the Hen and Chicken Islands and it would be glad to have further information on the matter. A reply was received stating that Mr. Hamilton, of the Dominion Museum, the caretaker of Kapiti Island, and Captain Sanderson, Hon. Secretary of the Native Bird Protection Society, visited the Hen and Chicken Islands for the purpose of capturing saddlebacks for liberation on some of the island sanctuaries. A number of birds were duly captured and were liberated on Little Barrier and on Kapiti Islands. It is proposed to watch the matter very carefully to ascertain whether the removal of the birds has caused any harm and also whether the transferred birds are doing well in their new habitation and become well established there. Transactions, Illustrations.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 23rd June, a letter was received from Mr. W. Martin, Dunedin, asking permission to copy from the Transactions plates for his forthcoming book on Plants and Animals. The matter was referred to the Annual Meeting. Advertising the Transactions.—When in London, Mr. Aston interviewed the London Agents, Messrs Wheldon & Wesley, Ltd., and this firm suggested

that a prospectus of the Transactions should be printed and circulated by it in order to advertise the Transactions. This matter came before the Standing Committee on Mr. Aston's return and it was resolved that a four page circular be printed, the cost not to exceed £5 to £6. The Hon. Editor undertook the arrangements about the printing. Library Matters.—With the addition of new exchanges the accommodation in the Library was taxed to its utmost. The Library Committee, therefore, on the 19th May was authorised to expend up to £25 in additional shelving. The only way to do this was to heighten the existing stacks and this was done at a cost of £18. The lighting of the room was badly affected and additional lights were installed at a cost of £5/12/6. The Hon. Librarian, Professor Sommerville, left in November for England, and during his absence Professor Kirk has kindly consented to act as Hon. Librarian. Business arising therefrom:— Institute Library.—Professor Kirk reported that negotiations were pending for obtaining more accommodation for the Institute's Library, and the matter was left in his hands. Sale of Maori Art.—The matter of altering the price of Maori Art was left to the Standing Committee with power to act. Reference List of Periodicals.—It was resolved to print or otherwise publish the reference list compiled by Mr. Archey as may be decided by the Standing Committee and the Hon. Editor. National Research Council.—The matter of joining the National Research Council was ordered to come up later when Sir Frank Heath's visit was discussed. Science Congress, 1929.—The proposal to hold a congress in Auckland in 1929 was discussed. Index, Transactions.—The question of the publication of the annual index to the Transactions was left to the Publications Committee. Report of the Tongarire National Park Representative.—The report was read and, after a discussion, in which the President related his experiences on the Board as representative of the N.Z. Institute, was adopted on the motion of Dr. Marshall, seconded by the Hon. G. M. Thomson. Tongariro National Park Board. Report of Representative of N.Z. Institute. Two decisions of the Board are of special interest to the New Zealand Institute as they may be fraught with considerable bearing on the plant and animal life in the Park. The Board has now definitely decided not to permit anyone to introduce exotic plants or animals without express permission and it has requested those acclimatisation societies which have been permitted to liberate introduced birds to free them as far from the Park as possible. The Board has decided to cut up a small area on the margin of the Park into small sections that will be leased to private individuals. The

Board has not yet definitely decided on the site on which the hostel should be built, though they have restricted the possibilities to the stretch between the present Whakapapa huts and the bridge near the Haunted Whare. The Board has carried a resolution that in its opinion the heather should be eradicated. P. Marshall. Chas. A. Whitney Expedition.—On the motion of Professor Kirk, seconded by Professor Segar, it was resolved that the Department of Internal Affairs be asked, if it is not too late to do so, to send a representative with the Whitney Expedition to supervise the collecting of native birds under the permit which has been issued. Great Barrier Reef Committee's Report.—The report of the Institute's representative on this committee was adopted. Great Barrier Reef Committee. Eight meetings of the Committee were held during the past year. Boring Proposals.—The sub-committee appointed to report on the costs and difficulties of boring, furnished a statement giving details regarding the boring required, the estimated cost of purchasing the plant, and the monthly cost of running it. After various suggestions and correspondence, it was finally decided that the tender from the Goldfields Diamond Drilling Co., wherein it undertakes to bore with the calyx drill and chilled shot, be accepted, and that the Mines Department of Victoria be asked for a loan of a complete calyx drilling plant. The Sandbank, Oyster Cay, on the S.W. end of Michaelmas Reef, was agreed to as the site for boring operations, the work not to be commenced until April, 1926. Investigations.—The scientific director, Mr. Chas. Hedley, was absent on leave for four months, during which time Mr. R. C. Mundell was temporarily appointed to carry on the work. Mr. F. Jardine was employed for a time to examine the Hichinbrok Channel. Mr. G. Stanley will accompany H.M.A.S. “Geranium” on her survey. Mr. P. C. Morrison has been collecting at Yarrabah, near Cairns. Personnel of Committee.—Sir Matthew Nathan resigned the chairmanship of the Committee, as he was returning to England, and was appointed a Patron. Professor H. S. Richards was appointed Chairman, and Mr. Hedley, Secretary. Publications.—Thirteen papers were, during the year, published in the Transactions of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, Queensland. Credit Balance in Hand.—£2,328/14/10. Publication Committee's Report.—This report was read, discussed, and adopted. A letter was read from Messrs. Thos. Avery and Sons, Ltd., New Plymouth (11th December, 1925), giving an estimate for printing the Transactions. Publication Committee's Report. Volume 56 is not yet out of the printer's hands, though it was promised for June or July of 1925. It is now promised by the end of January. It must be observed that, while these promises are made in good faith by the printer, the Transactions always have to make way for other work; it should not be so, but it is so. There were 66 papers submitted for publication, and, of these, the volume will contain 60 papers by 42 authors, but details of pagination cannot be given, as page proofs have been received only as far as page

224. Owing to the systematic rejection of a certain class of paper during the last two or three years, fewer papers of the kind are now submitted, and rejection becomes a matter of more difficulty, for there are many good workers, and the results of their work should be recorded. It becomes increasingly evident, however, that unless the amount available for printing is augmented, there will have to be even more rigid scrutiny of papers It may be advisable to enforce the decision of the Institute that in all papers accepted for publication that are more than 30 pages in length, the author be required to bear the cost of all beyond 30 pages, though this will not mean a great deal. In the two parts of the last volume (No. 55) there were only two papers in each part, that is four in all, that exceeded the 30 pages. Some authors had more than one paper, and, including all their papers, there were three authors in each part, that is, six in all, who had more than 30 pages. If these extra pages, 58 in the first part and 71 in the second, or 129 in all, had been charged for, there would have been a saving to the Institute of just on £200. There were 34 papers of 10 pages or under; 47 of 20 pages or under; 53 of 30 pages or under. The total papers numbered 57, so that it will be seen that there were not many unreasonably long papers. There is another question that might be considered, and that is the publication of the volume in two parts, the first containing lists of new species and like urgent papers, the second the papers whose early publication is not so vital, together with the Annual Report and Appendixes. The cost would be very little more, and there would not be the great delay that the big volume causes. Johannes C. Andersen, For Publication Committee Delay in publishing Transactions.—A letter from the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury (5th December, 1925) was read. A letter from the Hon. Editor (9th January, 1926), tendering his resignation, was read. Dr. Farr read a letter from Messrs. Andrew Baty and Co., Ltd., Christchurch (17th December, 1925), giving another tender for publishing the Transactions. On the motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Dr. Farr, it was resolved that the Standing Committee be instructed to call for tenders under specification for the printing and binding of Volume 57 of the Transactions, and that alternative tenders be called for the issue of the Volume in one, two, or four parts. The Standing Committee shall have authority to accept any tender, not necessarily the lowest, and shall have authority to make such arrangements as it deems necessary for the expeditious publication of the Volume. On the motion of Professor Easterfield, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Thomson, it was resolved that the Board of Governors recommends that the index to the Transactions be continued, but that the indexing be simplified with the object of reducing the cost of publication. Illustrations from Transactions.—On the motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Professor Segar, it was resolved that permission be given to Mr. Martin to copy illustrations from the Transactions, subject to the source of origin being stated by the author. Sir Frank Heath's Visit.—The Hon. Secretary, Mr. Aston, reported the result of his meeting with Sir Frank Heath in London. It was resolved to wire to the Department of Internal Affairs the following resolution, which was moved by Professor Easterfield and seconded by the Hon. Mr. Thomson, “That, in consideration of the

fact that the New Zealand Institute largely fulfils the functions performed by Boards of Scientific and Industrial Research in other countries, the Board of Governors hereby requests Cabinet to appoint Dr. Marshall, retiring President of the New Zealand Institute, as a member of the Scientific and Industrial Research Committee which is to assist Sir Frank Heath in his forthcoming visit.” Financial.—The Hon. Treasurer's report and the following balance-sheets, which had been duly audited by the Auditor-General, were read, and on the motion of Professor Segar, adopted:— (a) Statement of Receipts and Expenditure. (b) Statement of Assets and Liabilities. (c) Statement of Research Grant Fund. (d) Trust Accounts:— (1) Carter Bequest. (2) Hector Memorial Fund. (3) Hutton Memorial Fund. (4) Hamilton Memorial Fund. (5) Carter Library Legacy. Honorary Treasurer's Report for the Year ending 31st December, 1925. The Balance Sheet for 1925 shows a Credit Balance of £263/13/-, as compared with a Debit Balance of £1,122/12/10 in 1924, but the liability for Volume 56 to the Government Printer, which will probably not be less than £1,500, will obviously leave the finances much the same as they were the previous year. However, it is satisfactory to find that the Statutory Grant has been increased from £1,000 to £1,500 per annum. This will, of course, assist the Institute in meeting the enormously increased cost for printing the Annual Volume, which in 1924 was £1,518, as compared with £334 in 1914. At the same time, as pointed out in my last report, even with this increased grant, the total receipts are not sufficient to cover the expenditure, and, in order to put the finances in a sound position, the cost of printing the Transactions should not exceed £1,000 to £1,200 per annum. Every effort should be made to get the grant increased to £2,000. The various Trust Accounts are in a very satisfactory condition. The Carter Bequest capital now stands at £6,055, showing a net increase of £301 for the year. This is after transferring £97/4/9 to the Carter Legacy Account for building room. With reference to this transfer, probably a little explanation is necessary. The original legacy was £50, which was deposited with the Public Trustee, and is still held by him. The interest on this £50, from the date deposited up to the year 1921, was included by the Public Trustee in other payments for interest on the Carter Bequest Capital, which prior to the year 1921 had also been invested in the Public Trust Office. It was considered that the interest on this £50 did not rightly belong to the Carter Bequest, but should have been credited to the Carter Legacy Fund. The compound interest for the period amounted to £97/4/9 and a transfer of the amount was accordingly made. The Capital of the Carter Library Legacy Fund is now £153/0/7, made up as follows:—£50 in the hands of the Public Trustee, bearing interest at 5% p.a.; £100 in N.Z. Government Inscribed Stock, bearing interest at 5 ½% p.a.; £3/0/7 held by N.Z. Institute. The Hutton Memorial Fund has increased from £1.095/8/5 to £1,155/6/1. With regard to the Hector Memorial Fund, I consider that the annual prize could now be increased to £60. The books and accounts have been excellently kept by the Assistant Secretary. M. A. Eliott, Honorary Treasurer.

New Zealand Institute.—Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year Ending 31st December, 1925. Receipts. £ s. d. Balance as at 31st December, 1924 1,694 2 9 Statutory Grant 1,500 0 0 Contributions printing expenses 110 0 0 Levy, Vol. 55, incorporated societies 176 15 0 Publications sold 193 3 10 Author's Reprints sold 22 15 7 Research Grants from Internal Affairs 284 1 3 P.O.S.B. Interest 47 11 10 Carter Bequest Interest 343 15 0 Hector Memorial Fund Interest 68 10 0 Hutton Memorial Fund Interest 58 10 0 Hamilton Memorial Fund Interest 2 5 0 Endowment Fund Interest 15 0 0 Hamilton Memorial Fund: War Bonds paid 50 0 0 Carter Library Legacy Interest 2 0 10 Carter Bequest transfer to Bank of N.Z. 59 6 5 Hutton Memorial Fund transfer to Bank of N.Z. 69 0 0 £4,696 17 6 Expenditure. £ s. d. Government Printer 1,250 0 0 Library Shelving and Lighting 23 12 6 Binding 40 17 7 Travelling Expenses 51 16 10 Salary 300 0 0 Charges (Insurance, Bank Com. etc.) 4 15 0 Research Grants 441 11 11 Petty Cash (Postages, etc.) 19 11 3 Hector Prize, 1925 45 0 0 Carter Bequest Interest Invested 300 6 5 Hutton Memorial Fund Interest Invested 100 0 0 Carter Library Legacy Interest Invested 100 0 0 Endowment Fund Interest Invested 198 17 8 Trust Funds to Accounts P.O.S.B. 82 10 3 Balance as under 1,737 18 1 £4,696 17 6

£ s .d. £ s .d. Balance in Bank of N.Z. 158 6 5 Less Unpresented Cheque 50 0 0 —– 108 6 5 Balance Post Office Savings Bank 1,622 3 0 Petty Cash in Hand 7 8 8 —– £1,737 18 1 Made up as follows:— Dr. Cr. Library Fund 189 13 1 Government Printer 786 11 5 Research Grant Fund 548 17 11 Sundry Debtors 35 19 7 Balance on Year's Work 263 13 8 Hector Memorial Fund Revenue Account 3 11 8 Hutton Memorial Fund Revenue Account 41 0 3 Hamilton Memorial Fund Revenue Account 3 14 7 Hamilton Memorial Fund Capital Account 48 7 11 War Bonds Account 1 8 2 Carter Library Legacy Revenue Account 3 0 7 Carter Bequest Revenue Account 31 0 4 Endowment Fund Revenue A/c. 1 0 1 Carter Bequest P.O.S.B. Account 25 10 1 Hector Memorial Fund P.O.S.B. Account 15 18 4 Hutton Memorial Fund P.O.S.B. Account 41 0 3 Hamilton Memorial Fund P.O.S.B. Account 53 14 7 Carter Library Legacy P.O.S.B. Account 2 15 3 Balance as at 31st December, 1925 1,737 18 1 £1,917 7 11 £1,917 7 11 New Zealand Institute.—Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st December, 1925. Liabilities. £ s. d. Carter Bequest Capital Account 6,055 1 4 Hector Memorial Fund Capital Account 1,184 18 1 Hutton Memorial Fund Capital Account 1,114 5 10 Hamilton Memorial Fund Capital Account 48 7 11 Carter Legacy Capital Account 100 0 0 Endowment Fund Capital Account 397 17 0 Carter Bequest Revenue Account 31 0 4 Hutton Memorial Fund Revenue Account 41 0 3 Hamilton Memorial Fund Revenue Account 3 14 7 Hamilton Memorial Fund War Bonds Balance 1 8 2 Carter Library Legacy Revenue Account 3 0 7 Government Printer 786 11 5 Government Research Grants 548 17 11 Library Fund 189 13 1 Balance of Assets over Liabilities 263 13 8 £10,769 10 2

Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. Inscribed Stock 7,568 2 11 P.O. Inscribed Stock 1,283 19 4 Hector Memorial Fund Revenue Account 3 11 8 Endowment Fund Revenue Account 1 0 1 Petty Cash in Hand 7 8 8 Cash in Bank of N.Z. 158 6 5 Less Unpresented Cheque 50 0 0 —– 108 6 5 Cash in P.O.S.B. 1,622 3 0 Cash in Carter Bequest Account 25 10 1 Cash in Hector Memorial Fund Account 15 18 4 Cash in Hutton Memorial Fund Account 41 0 3 Cash in Hamilton Memorial Fund Account 53 14 7 Cash in Carter Library Legacy Account 2 15 3 Sundry Debtors 35 19 7 £10,769 10 2 By Balance £263 13 8 Examined and found correct—J. H. Fowler, Deputy Controller and Auditor-General. New Zealand Institute.—Government Research Grants for Year ending 31st December, 1925. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Jan. 1 By Balance 706 8 7 Feb. 17 " Treasury 10 0 0 Feb. 17 " Treasury 56 4 8 April 1 " Treasury 10 0 0 April 1 " Treasury 18 0 0 April 18 " Treasury 5 6 11 Aug. 20 " Treasury 100 0 0 Aug. 20 " Treasury 20 16 10 Dec. 3 " Treasury 3 12 10 Dec. 3 " Treasury 50 0 0 Dec. 3 " Treasury 10 0 0 Jan. 27 To Mr. H. J. Finlay 9 2 0 Feb. 21 " Prof. Burbidge 25 0 0 Feb. 21 " Mr. L. J. Wild 4 2 0 Feb. 21 " Dr. Malcolm 5 16 2 Feb. 21 " Dr. C. C. Farr 56 4 8 Feb. 21 " Dr. C. C. Farr 9 15 2 Mar. 18 " Dr. Malcolm 10 0 0 Mar. 18 " Dr. Inglis 10 0 0 Mar. 18 " Mr. W. J. Phillipps 18 0 0 April 24 " Dr. C. C. Farr 5 6 11 May 20 " Prof. Worley 10 0 0 May 21 " Mr. R. S. Allan 10 0 0 June 26 " Dr. C. C. Farr 3 12 10 Aug. 10 " Mr. L. M. Isitt 90 0 0 Aug. 10 " Mr. R. M. Laing 20 16 10 Sep. 17 " Dr. Malcolm 15 8 8 Aug. 10 " Mr. H. J. Finlay 15 0 0 Nov. 25 " Mr. H. J. Finlay 10 16 8 Nov. 25 " Prof. Speight 52 10 0 Dec. 10 " Mr. H. Hill 50 0 0 Dec. 10 " Dr. Inglis 10 0 0 Dec. 10 " Balance 548 17 11 £990 9 10 £990 9 10 Balance 548 17 11

New Zealand Institute Trust Accounts. Carter Bequest Revenue Account for the Year ending 31st December, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Interest invested in P.O. Inscribed Stock 100 6 5 By Balance 82 11 6 Interest invested in Govt. Inscribed Stock 200 0 0 Interest on investments 343 15 0 Interest transferred to Carter Legacy A/c. 97 4 9 Interest P.O.S.B. 2 5 0 Balance 31 0 4 £428 11 6 £428 11 6 Hector Memorial Fund Revenue Account for Year ending 31st December, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Balance 27 13 8 By Interest on investment 68 10 0 Hector Prize, 1925 45 0 0 Interest P.O.S.B. 12 0 Balance 3 11 8 £72 13 8 £72 13 8 To Balance £3 11 8 Hutton Memorial Fund Revenue Account for the Year ending 31st December, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Interest Invested in Inscribed Stock 100 0 0 By Balance 80 2 7 Interest on investments 58 10 0 Balance 41 0 3 Interest P.O.S.B. 2 7 8 £141 0 3 £141 0 3 By Balance £41 0 3 Hamilton Memorial Fund Revenue Account for the Year ending 31st December, 1925. Cr. £ s. d. By Balance 1 9 7 Interest on War Bonds 2 5 0 £3 14 7 Carter Library Legacy Revenue Account for the Year ending 31st December, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Interest invested in Inscribed Stock 100 0 0 By Balance 3 15 0 Balance 3 0 7 Interest from Public Trustee 2 0 10 Interest transferred from Carter Bequest 97 4 9 £103 0 7 £103 0 7

Research Grant Report.—The report of the Research Grants Committee was received and adopted. On the motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Professor Park, it was resolved, subject to Professor Speight's approval, to forward his report on the geology of the Malvern Hills to the Minister of Mines, with the request that he favourably consider the publication of the report as a Bulletin of the Department. Report of the Research Grant Committee. On assuming office the Committee found that two applications had not been decided upon. These were considered in February and recommendations were made for two grants amounting to £115. As there was still available a balance of £150 from the grant for 1924, which would be withdrawn if not allocated before the 31st March, 1925, additional applications were asked for to reach the Committee not later than the 14th March. Two applications, amounting to £150, were received and recommended and the Committee's work with the 1924 grant was thus completed. At the 1925 session of Parliament £1,780 was authorised for Research Grants, viz. £1,000 for fresh grants and £780 for grants already allocated but not expended. Applications were asked for to be sent in before October 31st, 1925. Eighteen applications for a total amount of £1,310 were received. These were considered, and on November 17th the Committee made recommendations in favour of nine grants, amounting in all to £655, and on December 10th, after further inquiries had been made, two other applications, amounting to £125, were recommended. One application for a grant of £50 is still under consideration, pending the receipt of further information. In the remaining six cases the Committee has been unable to recommend the granting of the amounts asked for. The balance of the 1925 grant not yet allocated is £220, and there is also available the sum of £188/16/6 in the Research Fund Account, arising from grants that have been refunded. The Committee recommends that applications be invited for an early date so that allocations from these funds may be made before March 31st, 1926. The Committee suggests that a list of all instruments, apparatus, books, etc. the property of the Institute purchased by research grant funds, be prepared for the information of members. Abstracts of the reports made by grantees, kindly prepared by the Assistant Secretary, are appended. Mr. A. M. Wright recommends that the unexpended balance of about £15 from his grant be transferred to Professor Malcolm, who has a small grant for a similar research, and the Committee recommends that this be done. Chas. Chilton, Chairman Research Grant Report for the Year ending 31st December, 1925. Dr. H. H. Allan, who, in 1923, was granted £30 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for cocksfoot and ryegrass investigations, reported on the 15th December, 1925, that the research has been continued on the same lines as last year and certain results are now being prepared for publication. Final results will not be available for some time, but investigations can be carried on without any further grant. Material from America is not available owing to the restrictions on export of seeds. Considerable attention is being paid to the analysis of the various forms of both species under investigation and living examples have been collected from a number of New Zealand sources. The relationship, in various strains, of germinative energy to subsequent vigour of plants is being investigated. Wild hybrids between Italian and perennial ryegrasses have been collected and are under observation. The balance in hand, £9/16/6, will be expended during the year. Dr. H. H. Allan, who, in 1924, was granted £50 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for silvicultural investigations on Mt. Egmont, reported

on the 15th December, 1925, that this investigation was commenced in August, 1925, when the forests of the northern area were studied and a preliminary ecological classification made. Special attention was paid to the cryptogamic flora and its relationship to the dominant growth-forms. Help was received from Mr. H. N. Dixon, of Northampton, England, and Dr. Du Rietz, of Uppsala University. The first publication of results is being prepared. The investigations will be continued next year, when the balance in hand, namely £16/19/4, will be expended. Mr. G. Brittin, who, in 1919 was granted £100 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for research on fruit tree diseases, reported on the 23rd November, 1925, that the usual work of pruning, spraying and cultivation has been carried out during the year but was somewhat delayed by an abnormally wet Spring. No alteration has been considered necessary in regard to spraying routine, as the result of last season's work was very satisfactory, there being less than one per cent. of disease present and the fruit reached the market in perfect condition. Considering the numerous complaints of “Brown Rot,” not only from nearby orchards, but from many parts of the country, this is eminently satisfactory and that no infection took place during transit is evidently due to the fact that each peach was wrapped in paper when packed. Part of a block of young peaches was sown down in blue lupin which was ploughed in early in Spring and afterwards well limed. The trees are coming away well and are looking very healthy Grantee has in hand £10/17/3 and he relinquishes £80 of this grant. Mr. R. S. Allan, who, in 1924 was granted £40 through the Otago Institute for research on the Chatham Islands Rocks, reported on the 2nd August that he has spent two months in field work in that area and investigated the whole of Pitt Island also the South East Island, and revisited the north of the Main Island and examined for the first time the rugged southern volcanic plateau. During his survey he was able to make new observations on physiography, structure and general stratigraphy. He collected a large series of rock specimens, mostly of volcanic rocks, and many new and interesting fossils, both molluscan and brachiopoda. The first part of the final report on the “Physical Features and Structure of the Chatham Islands” is completed and in the hands of Mr. H. D. Skinner, who is editing the results of the Expedition. The second report, dealing with detailed stratigraphy, geological history, bibliography, etc., and containing fossil lists, will be ready by the end of the year. Mr. Allan proposes to make an extensive study of the petrology of the volcanic rocks of the Chathams at Cambridge University, and his further report will be submitted later. The whole of the grant has been expended. Dr. K. M. Curtis, who, in 1920, was granted £100 through the Nelson Institute for research in parasitic mycology, reported on the 15th December that the results of the investigation will be presented in a paper to be read at the Science Congress in Dunedin. The whole of the grant has been expended. Mr. W. C. Davies, who, in 1921, was granted £50 through the Neison Institute for research on soil bacteria and protozoa, reported on the 19th December, that work on the bacteriology of certain poor soils of the Nelson District had been continued during the year, further pot experiments and bacterial cultures and counts being carried out with a view to ascertaining (a) the presence or absence of bacterial life; (b) the conditions necessary for the improvement of the soil micro-flora, and (c) the effect of such improvement on the growth of crops in these soils. The experimental work is still in progress, and the results cannot be published until they have been verified by further observations. The whole of the grant has been expended. Dr. H. G. Denham, who, in 1925, was granted £115 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for research on the low temperature carbonisation of brown coals, reported on the 26th November that the grant had proved insufficient to tempt a qualified graduate to undertake the work. He had arranged with Mr. M. Barak, B.Sc., to start work in February next, but owing to Mr. Barak's recent appointment as Rhodes Scholar, he will probably not be able to carry on the work. Dr. Denham hopes that by next November an assistant will be available. £15 has been spent in literature.

Professor T. H. Easterfield, who, in 1921 was granted £200 through the Nelson Institute for experiments on cool storage of fruit, reported on the 21st December that much additional information has been obtained during the year by means of a special experimental chamber erected within the cool stores of the Nelson Freezing Co. A second interim report has been published as a Cawthron Institute Bulletin by Messrs. McLelland and Tiller. The whole of the grant has been expended. With the additional grant of £100, made at last meeting of the Standing Committee, the work will be continued in 1926. Dr C. C. Farr, who, in 1921 was granted £75 (£60 being subsequently transferred to another grant) through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for investigations on gas-tree sulphur, reported on the 26th November that work has been continued and progress made. The advance has not been rapid but it is hoped that some conclusive results from the investigation will shortly be reached. No expenditure has been incurred during the year, and the balance remains at £4/18/1. Dr. C. C. Farr, who, in 1924 was granted £250 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for research in Helium in New Zealand, reported on the 26th November that work has been carried on actively during the year. The glass work is all ready, and, has been subjected to preliminary tests with satisfactory results. Inquiries have been received from New South Wales and Western Australia and it is hoped that arrangements may be made for testing gases from these States as well as from New Zealand. A new compressor, for the production of more liquid air than was formerly possible, is under order. The compressor, which is being obtained by Canterbury College for the general purposes of the Laboratory, will greatly help in the particular investigation under report. As soon as this compressor arrives everything is in readiness for quickly testing gas effusions. The expenditure to date is £65/4/5. Dr. C. C. Farr, who, in 1923, was granted £30 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for a research on the relationship between radium emanation and goitre, reported on the 26th November that Mr. Rogers, who has been carrying on this work, read a paper on the results of his analyses of the waters for Radon and for Iodine before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. It is hoped that the paper will be published in the next volume of the Transactions of the N.Z. Institute. This paper stirred up considerable interest and has been responsible for inducing the Christchurch Hospital authorities to continue investigations upon similar lines. An expenditure of £9/15/2 has been incurred. Mr. H. J. Finlay, who, in 1923, was granted £100 through the Otago Institute for research on the tertiary mollusca, reported on the 1st December that he has been occupied in the examination and determination of both living and fossil forms, chiefly with the large and important family of the Turridae, a thesis on the New Zealand members of which he hopes to present for the D.Sc. degree. Delay has occurred through difficulty in obtaining comparative material from Australia but considerable progress is now being made. A good deal of time has been spent on the study of Austalian shells in regard to their relations with New Zealand shells. Papers have been submitted to the editor of the Transactions. The expenditure to date is £62/0/6. Mr. F. W. Foster, who, in 1923, was granted £25 for collating the notes, etc., of the late Sir David Hutchins on Forestry in New Zealand, reported on the 15th December that, although he has been unable to make the progress during the year which he had anticipated, the first section of the native forests and forest trees has been quite completed as far as compiling and typing goes and some definite progress has also been made on the section on exotic trees and plantations, which section should not take so long, as the author seems to have completed a good deal of this section. The last part of the section on native trees, viz., the rate of growth, has taken up most of the time. The author had commenced writing it up, but Mr. Foster found very many fresh measurements taken by the author in 1920 and requiring to be incorporated in his earlier work, and new averages to be computed. £3 has been expended.

Mr. H. Hill, who, in 1925, was granted £50 through the Hawkes Bay Philosophical Institute for completing a survey of the Taupo Plains, reported on the 8th December that he has made arrangements for going into the Kaingaroa and Taupo Plateau country early in January. So far no expenditure has been incurred. Professor J. K. H. Inglis, who, in 1923, was granted £25 and later an additional £20 through the Otago Institute for research on the essential oils of native plants, reported on the 8th December that the work has been continued and several plants have been investigated, the large still purchased last year being used for the continuation of the work on the oil from Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) by R. Gardner, M.Sc., and a further paper, embodying his results has been sent to the Society of Chemical Industry, London, for publication. Further quantities of the oil from the Ngaio (Myoporum laetum) were extracted and forwarded to Mr. McDowall for completing the research. Work has commenced on Dacrydium biforme and on black pine (Podocarpus spicatus). The expenditure to date is £33/2/6 Capt. L. M. Isitt, who, in 1925, was granted £100 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for Upper Air research, reported on the 24th November that it has taken some considerable time to locate and order the necessary supplies and instruments. He has had an anemometer and barograph installed at the Aerodrome, these instruments being borrowed from the Meteorological Department. The United States Weather Bureau is also sending some apparatus and supplies on loan. A balloon theodolite is on order from London and he is negotiating for supplies of oxygen from Dunedin or Melbourne. Expenditure amounts to £12/9/0. Professor R. Jack, who, in 1917, was granted £25 through the Otago Institute for investigations on the electric charge on rain, reported on the 9th December that the cathode-ray osscillograph has been used this year on a research on some electrical properties of osglin neon lamps and a paper on this work will be read at the Science Congress in Dunedin. As the osscillograph has a working life of only 200 hours, its usefulness is now almost at an end. The whole of the grant has been expended. Mr. F. V. Knapp, who, in 1925, was granted £25 through the Nelson Institute for a research on Maori artifacts, reported on the 15th December that, owing to the wet weather of last summer and autumn, he was unable to proceed with the work, but hopes to commence early in the year. No expenditure has been incurred. Mr. R. M. Laing who, in 1924, was granted £100 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for research on New Zealand algae, reported on the 7th December that he has written a paper entitled “A Reference List of N.Z. Marine Algae” which he read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. A second and shorter paper entitled “External Distribution and Relationships of the N.Z. Seaweeds” will be read at the Science Congress in Dunedin. Collections have been made at various places and a considerable amount of work done on his herbarium specimens. The expenditure amounts to £25/2/8. Professor J. Malcolm, who, in 1919, was granted £250 and subsequently £175 through the Otago Institute for research on the food value of N.Z. fish, reported on the 15th December that he has continued work on the vitamins in fish and the results will be published as paper 7 of the series in the Transactions of the N.Z. Institute on the vitamins in the Tarakihi. This fish provides a valuable source of vitamin A and the vitamin was found to be to a very large extent resistent to heating, drying, refrigerating and predigestion. These results indicate that this would be a suitable fish for canning. It is already justly prized when smoked. Expenditure during the year has amounted to £33/13/5. Professor J. Malcolm, who, in 1918, was granted £30 through the Otago Institute for research on the pharmacology of N.Z. Plants, reported on the 15th December that a balance of about £10 remains in his hands and that he hopes to find someone to complete the work. Dr. Marsden, who, in 1924, was granted £60 through the Wellington Philosophical Society for seismological research, reported on the 1st December

that he had no report to make. No portion of the grant has been expended. Mr. J. G. Myers, who, in 1925, was granted £10 through the Wellington Philosophical Society for research on N.Z. Hemiptera, reported on the 27th July that a paper on the biology of the N.Z. Heteroptera had been submitted for publication in the Transactions before he left for America. The work now in progress on the Homoptera will be a much bigger work, but he hopes to have a paper on the Cicadidae in the next Transactions. While in Europe he examined and revised thoroughly all the types of N.Z. Homoptera in European collections in so far as they are at present available. This much needed work will obviate all further confusion so far as these species are concerned. The grant has been expended. Mr. F. H. McDowall, who, in 1924, was granted £60 through the Otago Institute for an investigation of Ngaio Oil, reported on the 8th August that a paper, embodying most of the results, was read before the Chemical Society of London on the 8th June and has been accepted for publication in the Journal of that Society. Later Mr. McDowall forwarded a reprint of his paper. The whole of the grant was forwarded through Internal Affairs to the High Commissioner and Mr. McDowall has so far expended £20/11/5. Mr. W. J. Phillipps, who, in 1924, was granted £30 through the Wellington Philosophical Society for research on the life-history of N.Z. fishes, reported on the 20th November that partly as a result of the grant received, he is writing a book on the fresh water fishes of New Zealand and it is nearing completion. Partial results of the investigation are published in preliminary descriptions of New Zealand eels in vol. 8, N.Z. Journal of Science & Technology with plates; the river flounder, and the N.Z. minnow in vol. 7 of the same publication. The expenditure so far is £7/5/3. Professor R. Speight, who, in 1919, was granted £225 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for a geological Survey of the Malvern Hills, forwarded on the 11th December a detailed report of 200 typed pages and maps of his work complete to date. The report includes that from Mr. Page on the chemical and physical properties of the clays as well as sections illustrative of the report and also a panoramic sketch of the locality. The report will not be quite complete until the results of some analyses of igneous rocks have been received from the Dominion Laboratory. These should be available in March when they will be added to the report. Expenditure to date is £133/12/9. Mr. L. J. Wild, who, in 1923, was granted £25 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for soil survey work in the Manawatu District, reported on the 21st December that during the year work has been carried on as far as opportunity has offered. Two lines have been developed (1) the collection of data relating to soils of the particular district under examination, and (2) the collection and examination of material and data bearing on the general question of soil survey methods. A paper, embodying some results, will be presented to the Science Congress in Dunedin. The expenditure incurred amounts to £2/12/6. Professor F. P. Worley, who, in 1923, was granted £25 through the Auckland Institute for a research on the chemistry of essential oils of native plants, reported on the 12th December that the investigations on the essential oils of Leptospermum scoparium, commenced by Mr. Inder, have been continued by Mr. Short, and are almost complete. The results will be published early next year. Essential apparatus, which could not be procured with the small grant, has been obtained otherwise. The expenditure from the grant is £19/7/0. Mr. A. M. Wright, who, in 1921, was granted £75 through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for research on the vitamin content of commercial meat products, reported on the 31st December that the investigations have been continued in the laboratory of the N.Z. Refrigerating Co., Ltd. and have been concerned chiefly with those vitamins which are supposed to be necessary for reproduction and which exert a specific growth promoting influence upon certain micro-organisms. The expenses incurred have been borne by the N.Z. Refrigerating Co., Ltd., and Mr. Wright requests that the unexpended balance of the grant, namely £25, be revoted to Professor Malcolm for the purpose of furthering his investigations upon the vitamin

contents of fish products, since further expenditure for the purpose of investigation of commercial meat products will be met by the N.Z. Refrigerating Co., Ltd. Notices of Motion:— 1. A series of proposed amendments to the fellowship regulations were circulated in the name of Dr. J. A. Thomson. On the motion of Mr. Wright, it was resolved that the proposals be circulated to the incorporated societies, and their replies submitted with the proposals to the next Annual Meeting. 2. On the motion of Dr. Farr, seconded by Professor Worley, it was resolved that the question as to how far the New Zealand Institute fulfils the functions of the National Research Council be discussed with Sir Frank Heath, the Standing Committee, and Dr. Marshall. 3. On the motion of Dr. Farr, seconded by Mr. A. M. Wright, it was resolved that the fact of Japan issuing two full passages, or four half passages, be notified to the incorporated societies, with a view to ascertaining the names of those who wish to attend the Pan Pacific Conference. 4. On the motion of Professor Chilton, seconded by Dr. Farr, it was resoved that the question of the Pan Pacific Congress, 1929, be left in the hands of the Standing Committee to take such action as it thinks fit. It was resolved that the Hon. Secretary ascertain from the A.A.A.S. Secretary the extent of assistance given by the Australian authorities (Government and otherwise) to the Pan Pacific Congress in Australia in 1923. 5. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Thomson, seconded by Dr. Farr, it was resolved that the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute at its Annual Meeting expresses its regret that the Government should have leased a large area of Auckland Islands for the purposes of a sheep-run. The monetary gain is infinitesimal, while the probably damage to animal life and vegetable life is very great. New Zealand Institute Science Congress.—Professor Segar gave the meeting a preliminary invitation to hold the next Science Congress of the Institute in Auckland. Fellowship Election, 1926.—The election for two fellows was held, and resulted in the election of Professor W. N. Benson and Dr. J. S. Maclaurin. Hector Award, 1926.—The report of the Hector Award Committee (Mr. Elsdon Best, Dr. Benham and Dr. J. A. Thomson) was then opened by the President and read. The report, which was adopted, recommended that the Hector Award and Medal be made to Mr. H. D. Skinner, Dunedin. Hamilton Award, 1926.—The Hamilton Award Committee (Drs. Marshall, Chilton and Tillyard) reported that two of the candidates, both well deserving of the prize, were so nearly equal that they were

unable to distinguish between them. They therefore recommended that the prize be divided between Mr. H. J. Finlay and Dr. J. Marwick, equal. The report was adopted. Hon. Members' Election.—A ballot for the election of the only vacancy in the Hon. Membership resulted in the election of Dr. Lotsy. Deceased Honorary Members.—It was announced that the following Honorary Members had recently died:—Dr. Botting Hemsley, Professor Haswell, Dr. A. Dendy, and Dr. Beddard. It was resolved to send a letter of condolence to Mrs. Dendy. Carter Bequest.—Correspondence dated 18th January, 1926, from Dr. Adams was read and referred to the Standing Committee to report to next Annual Meeting. The following officers were elected for 1926:—President, Mr. B. C. Aston; Hon. Secretary, Dr. P. Marshall; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. M. A. Eliott; Hon. Editor, Mr. J. C. Andersen; Hon. Returning Officer, Professor H. W. Segar; Hon. Managers Trust Accounts, Mr. B. C. Aston and Mr. M. A. Eliott; Hon. Librarian, Professor Sommerville. Library Committee.—Re-elected, Professors Sommerville, Kirk, Cotton and Dr. Thomson. Hector Award Committee.—Dr. Marshall and Professor Speight. Publications Committee.—The Hon. Editor and the Standing Committee. Research Grants Committee.—Re-elected, Drs. Chilton, Farr, Hilgendorf, Professor Speight and Mr. A. M. Wright. Next Annual Meeting.—It was resolved to hold the next annual meeting at Wellington on the last Thursday in January, 1927. Votes of Thanks to the President for his work for the last two years, to the University of Otago for the use of their buildings for the meeting and for the Science Congress meetings, to the Otago Institute and its officers for their work in organising the Congress, to the Hon. Editor and Hon. Secretary for their labours during the year, to Miss Wood for her work and assistance at the meeting and to the press for its attendance were carried. On the motion of the Hon. G. M. Thomson, seconded by Professor Kirk, a special vote of thanks was proposed and unanimously carried to the Hon. Mr. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs, for his sympathy and practical assistance given at a critical time in the history of the Institute. Travelling Expenses.—It was resolved that the travelling expenses of members of the Board and of the Assistant Secretary attending this annual meeting be paid.