Proceedings of the New Zealand Insitute 1933

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 64, 1935, Page I

Proceedings of the New Zealand Insitute 1933

New Zealand Institute. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for Year Ending 31st March, 1933. Receipts. £ s. d. Balance as at 31st March, 1932 1,389 10 3 Annual Grant 500 0 0 Carnegie Corporation of New York Grant 289 0 3 Levy Volume 62 (balance) 22 15 6 Sales of Publications 29 9 0 Travelling Expenses from Incorporated Societies 44 12 0 Research Grants Refunded 3 5 4 Trust Funds transferred to Bank of New Zealand 565 13 2 Interest P.O. Savings Bank 32 4 2 Carter Bequest Interest 465 13 4 Hector Memorial Fund " 65 3 9 Hutton Memorial Fund " 75 3 0 Carter Library Legacy " 9 1 2 Hamilton Memorial Fund " 2 9 1 Endowment Fund " 40 11 9 T. K. Sidey Summer Time Fund " 29 5 5 T. K. Sidey Summer Time Fund (contribution) 0 10 0 £3,555 7 1 Expenditure. £ s. d. Otago Daily Times Company, Vol. 62 (¾), 63 (1) 251 4 1 Stationery 6 6 9 Bethune and Company (Transactions purchased) 5 10 0 Salary 255 0 0 Travelling Expenses 69 19 9 Subscription Inter. Scientific Union 3 15 9 Petty Cash 15 4 8 Charges (Insurance, Bank Com. Audit) 6 3 0 Library Shelving 3 3 0 Library Binding 20 13 6 Gazette Notice—Fellowship 0 7 0 Trust Accounts—Audit Charges 2 0 0 Research Grants Instalments 43 6 6 Hutton Grants Instalments 60 0 0 Hector Prize and Charges on Draft 65 14 2 Trust Funds Invested 641 17 6 T. K. Sidey Summer Time Fund Deed 2 12 6 Interest credited direct to Trust Accounts 638 5 9 Balance as under 1,464 3 2 £3,555 7 1 Bank of New Zealand £300 13 11    Less Unpresented Cheques 43 11 1 257 2 10 Post Office Savings Bank 1,199 0 8 Petty Cash in Hand 7 19 8 1,464 3 2 £1,464 3 2

New Zealand Institute. Statement of Liabilities and Assets as at 31st March, 1933. Liabilities. £ s. d. Carter Bequest Capital Account 8,946 12 7 Hector Memorial Fund " " 1,184 18 1 Hutton Memorial Fund " " 1,314 8 6 Hamilton Memorial Fund " " 60 4 0 Carter Library Legacy " " 100 0 0 T. K. Sidey Summer Time Fund " " 508 19 4 Endowment Fund " " 948 4 6 Carter Bequest Revenue Account 279 14 11 Hector Memorial Fund " " 116 14 7 Hutton Memorial Fund " " 262 13 5 Hamilton Memorial Fund " " 5 19 10 Carter Library Legacy " " 67 6 2 T. K. Sidey Summer Time Fund " " 66 0 9 Endowment Fund " " 76 11 4 Library Fund " " 156 5 10 Research Grant Fund " " 216 9 11 Balance of Assets over Liabilities 1,067 11 11 £15,378 15 8 Assets £ s. d. Inscribed Stock converted 12,994 6 2 Bank of New Zealand 237 2 10 Post Office Savings Bank 1,199 0 8 Petty Cash in Hand 7 19 8 Outstanding Accounts 32 4 1 Carter Bequest P.O.S.B. Account 281 9 11 Hcctor Memorial Fund " " 117 19 7 Hutton Memorial Fund " " 278 18 5 Hamilton Memorial Fund " " 66 8 10 Carter Library Legacy " " 67 13 8 T. K. Sidey Summer Time " " 75 11 10 £15,378 13 8 The Audit Office having examined the Balance Sheet and accompanying Accounts required by law to be audited, hereby certifies them to be correct. G. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-general. New Zealand Institute. Revenue Account for the Year Ending 31st March, 1933. Expenditure £ s. d. Printing and Stationery 262 5 4 Salary 255 0 0 Travelling Expenses—Institute's share 9 14 6 Charges 13 1 9 Petty Cash 15 4 8 Sales credited to Endowment Fund 29 9 0 Balance 1,067 11 11 £1,632 7 2 Income £ s. d. Balance at 31st March, 1932 799 15 3 Annual Grant 500 0 0 Carnegie Corporation of New York Grant 289 0 2 Administration Trust Accounts 6 6 9 Sale of Publications and Levy 57 5 0 £1,632 7 2

New Zealand Institute Trust Accounts. Carter Bequest for the Year ending 31st March, 1933. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Interest Invested 441 15 0 By Balance 31/3/32 266 11 7 " Administration Expenses 1 15 0 " Interest 456 13 4 " Balance 279 14 11 £723 4 11 £723 4 11 By Balance £279 14 11 Hector Memorial Fund for the Year ending 31st March, 1933. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Prize (Dr Buck) 60 0 0 By Balance 31/3/32 118 18 6 " Charges Draft 5 14 2 " Interest 65 3 9 65 14 2 " Engraving Medal 0 8 6 " Administration Expenses 1 5 0 " Balance 116 14 7 £184 2 3 £184 2 3 By Balance £116 14 7 Hutton Memorial Fund for the Year ending 31st March, 1933. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Grants paid 60 0 0 By Balance 31/3/32 249 3 5 " Administration Expenses 1 5 0 " Interest 75 3 0 " Engraving Medal 0 8 0 " Balance 262 13 5 £324 6 5 £324 6 5 By Balance 262 13 5 Carter Library Legacy for the Year ending 31st March, 1933. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 0 7 6 By Balance 31/3/32 58 12 6 " Balance 67 6 2 " Interest 9 1 2 £67 13 8 £67 13 8 By Balance £67 6 2 Hamilton Memorial Fund for the Year ending 31st March, 1933. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 0 5 0 By Balance 31/3/32 5 0 3 " Half Interest to Capital 1 4 6 " Interest 2 9 1 " Balance 5 19 10 £7 9 4 £7 9 4 By Balance 5 19 10

T. K. Sidey Summer Time Fund for the Year ending 31st March, 1933. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 1 14 3 By Balance 31/3/32 49 8 11 " Engrossing Deed 2 12 6 " Contribution 0 10 0 " One-tenth Interest to Capital, 1930–33 8 16 10 " Interest 29 5 5 " Balance 66 0 9 £79 4 4 £79 4 4 Balance £66 0 9 Endowment Fund for the Year ending 31st March, 1933. Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Interest Invested 200 2 6 By Balance 31/3/32 176 3 11 " Administration Expenses 1 15 0 " Interest 40 11 9 " Balance 76 11 4 " Interest from General Account 32 4 2 " Sale of Publications 29 9 0 £278 8 10 £278 8 10 By Balance £76 11 4 The Hon. Treasurer moved the adoption of his report and the balance sheet and financial statements. He also asked the Board to confirm the conversion of the Trust Funds in accordance with the following letter from the Registrar of Inscribed Stock:— The Secretary, New Zealand Institute, Wellington. Dear Madam,—With reference to your letter of the 23rd ult., and your interview with one of my officers in regard to the various holdings of stock in the name of the New Zealand Institute, conversion of which is now being effected in terms of the applications submitted, I have to confirm that for the purpose of adjustment of premium on conversion the applications submitted must necessarily be aggregated, and, furthermore, in view of the provisions of Section 37 of the New Zealand Loans Conversion Act, 1932, no notice of the Trusts in respect of which stock is held can be entered in the register or be receivable by the Registrar. To meet the Institute, however, the Treasury will be prepared to arrange separate inscriptions under several maturity dates to which the conversion stock has been allocated. Premiums on conversion of the Institute's holding total £46 11s 7d, calculated in accordance with the aggregation of the applications as mentioned above, and in this connection new stock to the nominal value of £45 will be issued and a refund of the fractional amount of £1 11s 7d made to the Institute on or after the 1st July next. The following stock has been allocated to the various maturity dates in accordance with the prospectus in the amounts shown hereunder:—15th January, 1940, £3410; 15th February, 1946, £3410; 15th April, 1949, £3410; 15th June, 1955, £3415. In regard to the matter of inscription of new stock this will be arranged as under:—1940 Stock, one inscription, £3410; 1946 Stock, one inscription, £3410; 1949 Stock, two inscriptions, one for £2640 and the other for £770; 1955 Stock, five inscriptions as under: £600, £100, £955, £510, £1250. Inscription in the manner indicated will enable you to allocate the respective amounts in accordance with the arrangement under which the various parcels of stock are held by the Institute. Yours faithfully, (Signed) A. D. Park, Registrar of Stock.

The Hon. Treasurer's report and financial statements were adopted, and on the motion of Professor Kirk the conversion of the Trust Funds as set out confirmed. Report of Honorary Editor. The publication of the Transactions has proceeded somewhat slowly during the past year, and although the matter for Volume 63 is all arranged for, there will be some delay before the parts are all published. Part, 1, consisting of 41 pages of Proceedings and 79 pages of papers. with 18 plates, was issued in October, 1932, and Part 2, containing 156 pages and 10 plates, in February, 1933. Part 3 is in the hands of the printer, and Part 4 is arranged for. The complete Appendix, containing the Act, Amendment Acts, Regulations, Trust Deeds, List of Members, and Exchange List which has not appeared since Volume 60, it is proposed to print in Volume 64, so as to embody the amendments and additions which will by that time have become effective. D. M. Y. Sommerville, Hon. Editor. On the motion of Mr Eliott the report of the Hon. Editor presented by Professor Sommerville was adopted. Report of the Honorary Librarian. Since the last report of the Library a certain amount of relief to the state of congestion has been afforded by the erection of an additional bookstack. It is hoped that this will enable the periodicals to be accommodated in a more or less accessible state until the more ample provision of the new Museum is available. Some further sets of periodicals have been bound, and this very necessary work should be continued as long as funds are available for the purpose. The Library is one of the most important assets of the Institute, and full use cannot be made of it until (a) it is properly housed; (b) the sets of periodicals are all bound and a fund provided for binding each volume as soon as it is complete; and (c) a complete catalogue is prepared and made available for the use of readers. These are essential objectives, the attainment of which must be continually stressed. D. M. Y. Sommerville, Hon. Librarian. On the motion of Dr Marshall, seconded by Mr Eliott. the report of the Hon. Librarian presented by Professor Sommerville was adopted. Research Grants Report. Dr R. S. Allan in 1930 was granted £30 for research on tertiary brachiopoda. On the 5th May he reported that he had carried out field work, and obtained collections of brachiopoda from several localities. The collections have been studied in part, and the results published in Volumes 62 and 63 of the Transactions, and the fossils now available will provide the raw material for further contributions to the knowledge of our tertiary palæontology and stratigraphy. The whole of the grant has been expended. Mr G. Archey in 1926 was granted £40 for research on New Zealand Chilopoda. On the 29th April he reported that he had been unable yet to finalise his report. Further collecting in the King Country, Coromandel, Clevedon, the Waitakeries, and the Waikato district has been done and has added new forms, and the examination of type specimens from the United States has caused a very worth while delay. Expenses during the year amounted to 21s, exhausting the grant. Mr B. C. Aston in 1928 took over from Dr Malcolm £9 16s 7d for research on pukateine. On the 7th April he reported that during the year further supplies of bark had been forwarded to Professor Barger, who has written from Edinburgh University that Dr Schlittler was just attacking the problem of the constitution of lauropukine, the third alkaloid of pukatea bark, of which he had been able to isolate some 15 grams. On the physiological side of the investigation, Dr Fogg, of the Otago Medical School, intends to resume this work. As Professor Barger has refunded the expenses incurred in forwarding material to him, the balance of the grant stands at £7 12s 11d.

Mr G. Brittin in 1919 was granted £20 for a research in fruit tree diseases. On the 18th April he reported that he had continued to obtain results from his experiments, and he forwarded a full report of the work accomplished up to that date with the conclusions arrived at, which may be summarised as follows: (1) That bud-dropping and die-back of peach trees is apparently due to late growth in the autumn, consequently the wood is not mature when the first frosts make their appearance. (2) That great care must be exercised when using artificial manure, the forcing effects of which are generally to promote too late a growth in the autumn, besides causing a later maturing of the crop. (3) That a cover crop every three years has proved the most satisfactory way of keeping the trees healthy and strong and fit to bear regular crops of fruit. (4) That a late spraying in the autumn of lime-sulphur 1–100 before the leaves fall, with regular sprayings of atomic sulphur or lime-sulphur 1–150, will keep under control both the brown-rot and shot-hole fungus in any ordinary season. (5) That careful pruning combined with judicious heading back will cause the trees to give regular crops of fruit, besides preventing much infection of the trees by silver blight. There is an unexpended balance of £2 11s 9d. Mr A. E. Brookes in 1928 was granted £40 for study of the coleoptera of the islands off the Auckland coast. On the 29th March he reported that during the past year practically all his spare time had been devoted to mounting and classifying the specimens obtained. Altogether over 1000 specimens had been dealt with. Six hundred were taken on the Little Barrier Island representing 152 species, and 400 specimens from the Hen and Chicken Island representing 85 species, and it is probable that there will be several new species to record. There is an unexpended balance of £1 16s. Mr J. W. Calder in 1930 was granted £30 for research in the vegetation of Arthur Pass. On the 18th April he reported that the work had progressed satisfactorily, two visits being made to the area at Arthur Pass. Most of the time was spent in locating from old prints and photographs areas photographed 35 years ago. Work is being continued as opportunity offers, and a paper dealing with the salient features of the vegetation changes has been published in the Journal of Ecology. The whole of the grant has been expended. Miss L. Cranwell in 1930 was granted £20 for study of the ecology of marine algae. On the 19th April she reported that intensive work on selected bays at Anawhata was continued, and a considerable amount of field work was done over a larger area than last year. Special attention was paid to localities where fresh-water streams or seepage entered, and where moving sand was an important factor. During the last year a big collection of bottled and pressed material has been made. The mounted specimens are being arranged in two series—(a) systematic and (b) according to their ecological grouping in herbarium boxes purchased for the purpose. There is an unexpended balance of £9 1s 5d. Dr G. H. Cunningham in 1929 was granted £25 for a mycological survey of Tongariro National Park. On the 24th April he reported that during last season he was unable to visit the Park, and consequently no fungi were collected. No expenses were incurred, and there is a balance of £18 1s. Dr O. H. Frankel in 1929 and 1930 was granted £42 12s for cytological research. On the 26th April he reported that the study of the cytology of genus Hebe has progressed considerably. At present the chromosome numbers of nearly 50 species are known. Different chromosome numbers have been found for forms belonging to the same species, e.g., for varieties of Hebe salicifolia. A case of species formation by chromosome restitution has been found in a hybrid swamp, H. buxifolia x Traversii, the new form possessing the added parental numbers. A similar mechanism apparently is responsible for several other species formations which, on morphological grounds, had been attributed to hybridization by Drs Cockayne and Allan (H. laevis and H. evenosa). Grantee has a balance in hand of £8 0s 2d.

Miss E. M. Heine in 1930 was granted £15 for research on pollination of New Zealand plants. She reported on the 7th April that since her last report she has been accumulating more data, and she is now only waiting for a further identification of insects by the Museum Entomologist before she can publish a full account of the results. Dr J. K. H. Inglis, who between 1923 and 1930 was granted £125 for research on essential oils of native plants, reported on the 18th April that work on the essential oil of Dacrydium Biforme was continued by Mr J. W. Shields. Special attention was directed to the solid Diterpene which is common to this oil, to that from Dacrydium Colensoi, and to that from Phyllocladus Alpinus. Work has also been started on the constitution of Karaka nuts. The expenditure during the year was only 17s 5d, leaving a balance in hand of £4 10s 5d. Mr A. W. B. Powell in 1925 was granted £50 for a survey of the Molluscan Fauna of Manukau Harbour. He reported on 12th April that a further series of dredgings was made, and in conjunction with others taken previously will suffice to supply the information required concerning the bottom conditions of the area. The shore work is still progressing as opportunity offers, but there still remain considerable areas yet to be investigated. Three papers prepared during the year have been sent in for publication in the Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London. There is an unexpended balance of 15s 11d. Mr H. F. Skey in 1927 was granted £175 in addition to the balance left by Captain Isitt for upper air research. He reported on the 19th April that with the aid of the second aerological theodolite the observational work is being continued almost daily free of expenditure from the grant. The first theodolite purchased is being used in Auckland for observational work. With the improvements in reliability of air-plane travel the air services will probably soon be extended, and with this in view it seems advisable to continue the observations of upper air currents. There is an unexpended balance of £48 1s 4d. Waitemata Harbour Survey Committee was in 1925 granted £65 for an ecological survey of the Waitemata Harbour. Mr Powell, who is secretary of the committee, reported on the 12th April that further series of dedge stations have been established, and much of the material obtained has been worked over and distributed to those engaged upon the various groups. The polychaete material has been named by Professor Benham, who intends writing a report on the whole of the polychaete material collected during the course of the investigations. The hydrographical and meteorological report is being prepared by Mr W. K. Hounsell, who already has made numerous salinity and hydrogen-ion concentration tests for the various parts of the area. Miss Cranwell has made further investigations with the seaweeds, and Mr Falla has collected a large amount of data concerning the feeding habits of the sea-birds of the area, and is making an investigation into the plankton content of the sea-water. Dr Uttley has the bryozoan material to report upon, and Mr W. F. Bennett, of Perth, has supplied identifications of crabs, and intends publishing a note on a species new to New Zealand that was dredged by the committee. He himself has prepared extensive lists of the mollusca of the area. Three papers based on the findings of the committee have been published. This research is also assisted by a Hutton grant of £25, £10 of which was paid during the year, leaving a total unexpended balance of £21 15s 7d. Dr G. H. Uttley in 1928 was granted £35 for research on bryozoa. He reported on the 24th April that the receipt of recent literature and collections of additional recent specimens have necessitated a considerable amount of revision of the papers already prepared. Hutton Research Grants. Mr F. J. Turner was granted £30 at the annual meeting in 1932 to enable him to undertake a geological expedition to the south-west portion of Otago. He reported that the expedition went to Hollyford Valley in January, 1933. After ten days in the field he was recalled to Dunedin, and the work was left in the hands of Messrs Mackie and Service, who were quite capable of carrying out the survey. Mr Turner returned later to the field to complete certain investigations (at his own expense), and the results of the expedition will be embodied in a paper which will be submitted to the Institute for publication within the next two years.

Mr Christensen, who was granted £25 for collecting hybrids at Hanmer, reported that he had been unable to utilise the grant last year. and has asked that it may be available this year. Mr L. C. King was granted £20 for a field study of tertiary rocks in the Awatere Valley. He reported on the 21st February that during the summer he spent ten and a-half weeks and traversed an area of 250 square miles, most of which was geologically mapped. Collections of fossils were made and brought in for study. The examination of the rocks belonging to the Awatere series is practically complete, and cursory observations have also been made on the older rocks of the district. He proposes to prepare the results of the investigation when the classification of the fossils is completed. Dr O. H. Frankel and Waitemata Harbour Survey Committee reports are embodied in the research grants report given on pages xvi and xvii. On the motion of Dr Kidson, seconded by Dr Farr, the report was adopted. Tongariro National Park Board. Report of the New Zealand Institute's Representative on Park Board. During the year ending 31st March, 1933, two meetings of the Park Board have been held in Wellington, both of which were attended by your representative. The question whether the collection of botanical specimens, seeds, or live plants should be allowed was brought up by an application from an intending visitor from Auckland to the Park. It was pointed out that collections could quite well be made outside the Park boundaries. As a matter of general policy the Board will not grant permits to remove plants from any portion of the Park. So far as is at present known, there is no plant peculiar to the Park, and all plants that occur there can be found outside its boundaries in the adjacent mountains, swamps, or forests. Section 15 of the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922, provides, inter alia, that every person is liable to a fine of £50 who, without being authorised by the Board, wilfully breaks, cuts, injures, or removes any or any part of any wood, tree, shrub, fern, plant, stone, mineral, furniture, utensil, tool, or thing of any kind. The above provision appears to be sufficient to safeguard the amenities of the Park if enforced by the local honorary rangers and supported by public opinion, but there is also urgent need for a paid ranger to patrol the Park regularly, and when there are funds available for this purpose it is hoped that such an appointment will be made. An application for permission to cut firewood and dead timber from the Park was, in accordance with this Institute's resolution at the last annual meeting, opposed by your representative and refused by the Board. Permits to cut wood have all been cancelled now, but a permit to cut dead wood for firing has been granted to the Prisons Department at the old milling area at Waikune, near Erua, under strict supervision. The better definition of the route from the Ohakune track to the Chateau track by means of painted poles has been completed to the general satisfaction of climbers. Two honorary rangers have been appointed during the year—Mr Blyth, the well-known climber, who is also a member of the National Park Board, resident at Ohakune, and Mr Young, a member of the Chateau staff. It is hoped that these appointments may help to bring about a better attitude of the local settlers and of visitors towards the preservation of the natural features of the Park. An adequate camping ground has been set aside for motorists in an area near the Chateau. B. C. Aston. 18th April, 1933. The report of the Park Board was on the motion of Mr Aston, seconded by Mr Pycroft, adopted. Dr Marshall asked if any survey had been taken to ascertain to what extent the heather was spreading in the park. Mr Aston replied

that it was perhaps spreading in the wet marshy areas of the park, but it was not spreading in the higher, drier parts at all. Mr Pycroft asked if it would not be possible to eradicate the heather. Mr Aston replied in the negative. Professor Kirk asked whether the rangers in the park were honorary rangers or were paid for their services. On Mr Aston's replying that they were honorary, Professor Kirk suggested that the Institute should urge that as soon as possible paid rangers be appointed. Arthur Pass Park Board: Professor Speight asked if a report on the Arthur Pass Board was required, and being answered in the affirmative, promised that one should in the future be supplied. National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Board of Trustees. Report by Vice-president. During the year ending 31st March, 1933, seven meetings of the full Board have been held and attended by two representatives of this Institute, namely, the President's deputy (either Professor Kirk or Dr Marshall) and the Vice-president, also by Mr Oliver, Director of the Dominion Museum and member of this Board. The most important work during the year was the decision arrived at by the meeting on 15th November, 1932, presided over by the Prime Minister, to accept the tender of the Fletcher Construction Co., Ltd., for building the main Art Gallery and Museum building at a cost of £160,182 5s 7d. The contractors have made a start with the preliminary work, and it is expected that the building will take three years to erect. It is to be particularly noticed that the pink Putaruru stone of a vitric tuff, common to the Waikato basin, has been selected for the stone work required in the building, this stone having been found to be quite suitable in the completed Campanile building. The peat kauri gum collection secured through the good offices of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Mr Young, a member of the Board, will be housed in the new Museum, and will be a decided acquisition and also an exhibit of great value. Pictures: A suggestion from his Excellency the Governor-General that a replica of the painting of Lord Rutherford, by Birley, a New Zealander, painted by him through the Royal Society, should be purchased by public subscription for the Art Gallery was considered by the Board, but action was postponed for a year. An offer of a picture of Mount Cook from a local source had also to be declined, as there was no storage accommodation for pictures at present. Deputy Chairman: It has been found necessary to suggest that the Governor introduce amending legislation providing that in the absence of the Chairman (Prime Minister) and Deputy Chairman, the Minister of Internal Affairs should act as Chairman, and if all three are absent the Chairman of the Finance Committee shall take the chair at the Board meetings. B. C. Aston, Vice-president. The adoption of the report of the representative on the Board of Trustees was moved by Mr Aston and seconded by Dr Marshall, who stated that it was a matter for congratulation that New Zealand stone was being used in the facings of the new buildings. Management Committee of the Dominion Museum: On the motion of Mr Aston, seconded by Mr Eliott, it was resolved that the nomination of a Museum Committee of Management be made by the Standing Committee, if necessary to forward to the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum.

Institute of Horticulture. Report of the New Zealand Institute's Representative. The Institute of Horticulture has suffered a severe blow in the sudden death of Mr A. R. Stone, a secretary whose place it will be very difficult to fill. The work of the Institute for the year has been on the lines of the previous reports, but in addition the following will be noticed as an extension of the Institute's work:— Plant Patents: The Institute is taking an interest in forinulating measuies which will provide protection to the raisers of new plants, and also for the establishment in connection therewith of a statutory nomenclature Board. Forest Preservation: Consideration of the preservation of the Waipoua Kauri Forest received attention during the year, and a conference was held on the matter at which delegates from the Forestry Department, Agricultural Department, and Forestry League gave their opinions. Representations to the proper authorities are being made by the Institute which it is hoped will be conducive to the preservation of this rare type of forest. Other matters receiving consideration were the preservation of native forests, supervision of scenic reserves, and the importation of plants and animals. In connection with the latter, it was decided to support the following resolution passed by the Forestry League:— “Importation of Birds and Animals.—That in view of the past disastrous experience in connection with the introduction into New Zealand of birds and animals other than domestic, the Government be urged to absolutely prohibit any further importation.” Growing of Vegetables by the Unemployed: The Institute took an active part in furthering the Government's vegetable growing scheme whereby areas in the city suitable and vacant could be utilised by the unemployed under suitable supervision for growing vegetables. Monthly meetings have been held during the year and attended by your representative. B. C. Aston. Mr Aston, representative of the Institute on the Institute of Horticulture, moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr Pycroft and carried. Report of the Polar Year Committee for the Year ended 31st March, 1933. In April, 1932, a cable was received from Dr la Cour, President of the International Polar Year Commission, asking if the New Zealand Committee could use at Macquarie Island, Christchurch, or elsewhere a set of “quick run” magnetographs if provided by the Commission. The magnetographs referred to are of a type developed by Dr la Cour for the Polar Year work. They are run twelve times as fast as the ordinary magnetographs, enabling changes in the earth's magnetism to be recorded in detail and timed accurately. It was ascertained that to install the magnetographs at the Christchurch Observatory's magnetic station at Amberley and to tabulate the records for publication would cost approximately £200. Dr la Cour's offer was accepted, and an appeal made to the public for funds. With the assistance of the incorporated societies in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedm £165 9s 10d was collected. The state of the fund will be gathered from the balance sheet. The instruments have been received and installed by Mr H. F. Skey, Director of the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory, at Amberley, where they are working satisfactorily. Dr la Cour stated in a letter written on the 6th December, 1932, that “Some very interesting records have already been received. Thus as far as concerns the quick-run magnetic records the material up to date shows clearly the exact simultaneity over the earth of the sudden commencement of magnetic perturbations and various categories of oscillations, among which some oscillations are recorded with approximately the same amplitude, for instance, at the Azores and in Copenhagen, while other oscillations are very frequent in the Arctic regions, but of much smaller extension. Further, there are some still

quicker oscillations with time of oscillation of about I second, the occurrence of which could be recorded. Such oscillations occur simultaneously at stations some few hundred kilometres apart.” It is thus clear that the observational material being collected will enable the variations in terrestrial magnetism to be analysed with far greater accuracy than hitherto. A great deal is, therefore, sure to be learnt regarding their causes. Any such discoveries will have very important bearings on other branches of geophysics. In addition to the magnetic work it has been possible to arrange that determinations of the height of the Heaviside layer should be carried out. For this purpose, apparatus has been loaned by the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and is now being installed at Victoria College, Wellington, under the direction of Professor Florance and Dr M. A. F. Barnett. Special meteorological work is being done at the Meteorological Office, Wellington, and the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory. It is understood also that the New Zealand Astronomical Society's Solar Committee is recording solar and auroral phenomena. New Zealand's contribution to the Polar Year scheme will thus not be altogether negligible. Edward Kidson, Secretary, N.Z. Polar Year Committee. Magnetograph Fund Balance Sheet. Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. By Subscriptions 165 9 10 Expenses connected with Installation, Amberley 15 13 5 Cable, Postage, etc. 1 1 2 Cash in Hand 0 5 9 Balance in P.O.S.B. 148 9 6 £165 9 10 £165 9 10 The report of the Polar Year Committee was moved by Dr Kidson, seconded by Professor Speight, and carried. Great Barrier Reef Committee. Report of Representative. The committee met three times during the year 1932. All the apparatus and equipment left by Dr Yonge's expedition has been handed to the committee for storage or sale. The Secretary, Land Administration Board, advised that Hinchinbrook Island has been proclaimed a reserve for a National Park. It has been decided to resume survey on the Reef by a party working from a shore base, and a camp was established on Molle Island in July last. An investigation of Peel Island in Moreton Bay showed a considerable amount of coral. Coralline algae played a large part in binding together the detrital coral fragments. The financial statement shows a balance of £2255. W. R. B. Oliver, New Zealand Institute Representative. The report of this committee was moved by Mr Oliver and adopted. Ward Island. Report of Representative on Domain Board. Since the appointment of a Board two meetings have been held and two visits paid to Ward Island. Both trips have been due to the courtesy of Mr A. Holmes, who made his launch available on each occasion. On September 10, 1932, members landed for about half an hour and made general observations on the state of the vegetation and the prevalence of rabbits, some of which were killed. Subsequently poison was laid by the Department of Agriculture. On the second visit. November 5th, the construction of a path

to the upper portion of the island was begun. No evidence of rabbits having been recently on the island was seen, and it is believed that they have been exterminated by the poison. With the absence of rabbits it is confidently expected that scrub vegetation will gradually replace the grass and ice plant. It is intended, however, to sow seeds and plant shrubs to hasten the growth of a suitable plant covering. W. R. B. Oliver, New Zealand Institute Representative. The report of the Ward Island Domain Board was moved by Mr Oliver and adopted. Observatories Committee. The Observatories Committee has practically ceased to function as an Observatories Committee during the year, as it was unnecessarily large and cumbersome, and a new committee consisting of Dr Kidson, Mr A. T. Walsh, and Dr C. Coleridge Farr was set up by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. This committee has been active in looking after the interests of the various observatories under the New Zealand Government control. In this connection and with the support of the Royal Society and authorities in England it brought before the notice of the Government the great international importance of Apia Observatory with a view to assuring its financial stability. It is hoped that its representations will be successful. C. Coleridge Farr. The report of the Observatories Committee was moved by Dr Farr, seconded by Mr Eliott, and carried. Apia Observatory: On the motion of Dr Farr, seconded by Mr Eliott, it was resolved:—“That this Board expresses the hope that the Government will take such steps as will place the work of the Apia Observatory on a permanently assured basis.” Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science. Report of Sydney Meeting, August 17–24, 1932. The meeting was attended by a large number of representatives from all the Australian States, and it seemed to be regretted by all that New Zealand had not a larger delegation. The meetings were held in the University of Sydney, and there was a good attendance at all of the sectional meetings. In the various sections the different papers that were read had rarely any reference to New Zealand. There was, however, a combined meeting of the Geology and Geography sections to discuss the question of the former eastern extension of the Australian continent. The two meetings of the Council of the Association were well attended. At the initial meetings an invitation to hold the 1937 meeting at Auckland was received with hearty applause. As the delegate of the New Zealand Instiute, I stated that the Association would be cordially welcomed, and that it would find an agreeable and convenient town for the meeting. The delegates were formally welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Sydney at the Town Hall. All the members were entertained by his Excellency the State Governor at a garden party at Government House. The local State Government entertained all members at a harbour excursion. There was much private hospitality, which enabled members to engage in informal discussions. P. Marshall. The report was on the motion of Dr Marshall, seconded by Mr Hudson, received.

National Research Council: Dr Farr, convener of the committee forming the nucleus of the National Research Council, reported as follows: “In accordance with the instructions given at the last annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute, your committee, consisting of Professor Kirk, Dr Marshall, Professor Easterfield, Dr Farr, and Mr Furkert, has taken steps to select the following:—Mr J. E. L. Cull, Mr F. W. Grainger, Mr F. T. M. Kissell for Engineering; Dr D. Miller, Dr G. H. Cunningham, and Professor Benham for Biology; Professor J. A. Bartrum, Professor W. N. Benson, Dr J. Henderson for Geology; Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville, Dr E. Kidson, Dr E. Marsden for Mathematics and Physics. “The committee also recommends that the rules of the Australian National Research Council to be found in the annual report of December, 1932, be taken as the basis of the rules for the New Zealand National Research Council. “The committee feels that unless some method can be found for financing the work of the Research Council the body cannot function with any effectiveness, and therefore it recommends that until such finance is available no further steps be taken.” On the motion of Dr Farr, seconded by Dr Marshall, the report was adopted. Applications for Hutton Grants: An application from Mr G. M. Thomson for £30 to assist him in the preparation of an illustrated catalogue of the Crustacea of New Zealand and from Mr K. M. Rudall, of Massey College, for a grant of £5 in connection with a zoological research on Little Barrier Island were, on the recommendation of the Standing Committee, approved on the motion of Mr Aston, seconded by Mr Pycroft. Notices of Motion were then taken:— Agenda of Annual Meetings: On the motion of Mr Pycroft, seconded by Dr Marsden, it was resolved that a copy of the Agenda of Annual General Meetings be sent to the secretaries of incorporated societies. Portrait of Lord Rutherford: On the motion of Dr Farr, seconded by Dr Kidson, it was resolved that the thanks of the Board of Governors be accorded to Mr G. L. Stewart for his offer of help in collecting funds for a portrait of Lord Rutherford, and that he be informed that the Board hopes that the matter will be taken up again later. Title “Royal”: On the motion of Mr Oliver, seconded by Mr Hudson, it was resolved that the Standing Committee be authorised to take action necessary to put into effect the following changes following on approval being given by his Majesty to adopt the title “Royal Society of New Zealand”:— 1. To draw up consequential amendments to the New Zealand Institute Act. 2. To alter the title F.N.Z. Inst. in the Fellowship Regulations.

Cawthron Institute: On the motion of Mr Pycroft, seconded by Professor Kirk, is was resolved: “That it be a recommendation that this meeting urges the Government to give the Cawthron Institute such financial support as will enable it to carry on its very valuable research work, which is in the interests of the Dominion as a whole.” Dr Marsden wished it recorded that he did not vote on this matter. Pacific Science Congress: Mr Oliver proposed and it was seconded by Professor Easterfield: “That it be a recommendation to the Government that an invitation be forwarded to the Pacific Science Congress to hold a meeting in Wellington in 1939 or 1940, and that the Standing Committee wait on the Prime Minister to place the matter directly before the Government.” Some discussion took place in regard to this resolution. Mr Oliver pointed out that if an invitation was to be extended it would require to be cabled by the Government to the Pacific Science Congress being held in Vancouver in June of this year, as invitations had to be considered two Congresses previously. It was stated that the holding of a Pacific Science Congress involved a very large sum, as it was usual for hospitality to be extended to delegates and their wives, including free railway facilities and excursions to places of interest and in addition the printing of the report. It was considered most improbable that the Government would commit itself to providing the necessary grant or considering the matter in the limited time available. The motion was withdrawn. Natural Science in Schools: Professor Kirk informed the Board that some good had resulted from the report on Natural Science in Schools presented at last annual meeting, in that the Academic Board had recommended that Biology (with Botany as an alternative) should be included in the subjects for the Entrance Scholarship. Science Congress: The qucstion as to whether a Science Congress should be held next year was discussed, and it was decided to refer the matter to the incorporated societies and authorise the Standing Committee to act. Levy Volume 64: On the motion of Mr Eliott, seconded by Dr Kidson, it was resolved that the levy be fixed at 5s per volume. Election of Officers: President, Professor R. Speight; Vice-President, Mr B. C. Aston; Hon. Treasurer, Mr M. A. Eliott; Hon. Editor, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville; Hon. Librarian, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville; Hon. Returning Officer, Professor H. W. Segar; Managers' Trust Accounts, Messrs Aston and Eliott; Representative Institute of Horticulture, Mr B. C. Aston; Representative Great Barrier Reef Committee, Mr W. R. B. Oliver.

Election of Committees: Research Grants Committee: Re-elected, Dr Hilgendorf (Chairman), Professor R. Speight, Dr Denham, Dr Farr, and Mr C. E. Foweraker. Hector Award Committee: Dr Farr, Professor Sommerville and Dr Evans. Library Committee: Professor Sommerville, Professor Kirk, and Dr Cotton. Finance Committee: Messrs Eliott, Aston, Drs Marsden and Kidson. Fellowship Selection Committee: Dr Marsden (Convener), Dr L. Cockayne, Dr P. Marshall, Dr W. P. Evans, and Mr W. R. B. Oliver. Votes of Thanks: On the motion of Dr Marsden, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring President, Professor Segar, for his work during the past two years. A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded to the Vice-President, and reference was made to the efficient way in which he had managed the affairs of the Standing Committee in the absence of the President. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the Hon. Editor, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville, the Hon. Treasurer, Mr M. A. Elliott, the Secretary, Miss Wood, and the Victoria University College Council for the use of the Lecture Hall for the meeting, and to the Press. Date and Place of Next Annual Meeting: It was decided that the next meeting be held in Wellington in May, the exact date to be fixed by the Standing Committee.

Gentlemen,— As usual, my first duty is to refer to the losses we have sustained by death since we last met. Unfortunately, our honorary membership has suffered severely. No less than three of our honorary members have passed away during the past year in the persons of Professor J. W. Gregory, D.Sc., F.R.S., F.G.S., elected in 1920; Sir Ronald Ross, elected in 1929; and Sir J. Arthur Thomson, M.A., LL.D., elected in 1928. Professor Gregory held the chair of Geology in the University of Glasgow from 1904 to 1929, but a little previously to this period he had been Director of the civilian scientific staff of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1901, following which he became Professor of Geology and Mineralogy in the University of Melbourne and Director of Geological Survey in Victoria. These offices associated him closely with the scientific work of this part of the world, and made him eminently suitable in this respect for election to our honorary membership. During his life he visited many parts of the world on various expeditions, and received many honours from numerous societies. Amongst the names of those who have conferred really great benefits on the human race the name of Sir Ronald Ross looms large. He was the discoverer of the life-history of the malarial parasite and a pioneer in the treatment of tropical disease. He has been described as not only the conqueror of malaria, but as the man who made one-third of the world inhabitable. He had a strong inclination for the writing of verse. In one of his poems, referring to his discovery of the causal relation of the mosquito to malaria, he wrote:— “I know this little thing A myriad men will save.” This prognostication has been amply fulfilled. Yet he died a comparatively poor man. He used up his resources on his work for mankind, and ultimately a fund had to be raised to save him from dire poverty. The New Zealand Institute has been greatly honoured in having had Sir Ronald Ross amongst its honorary members. Sir John Arthur Thomson was lately Regius Professor of Natural History at the University of Aberdeen, and served that University for 31 years. His name as a scientist was exceedingly well known. A great contribution to this result was the extent and quality of his popular writings on modern knowledge in his own and various other fields; but he also wrote several solid treatises of a biological and zoological character that have gained wide acceptance and use, as well as numerous zoological papers, especially on Alcyonarians. The losses through death amongst the ordinary membership of the affiliated societies have not been heavy; losses have probably been greater as a consequence of resignations resulting from the present

financial straits of so many members. We may mention here, as amongst the deceased, Mr G. E. Way, who was for many years Hon. Auditor and a life member of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, and Mr Charles Rhodes, member of the Auckland Institute and Museum, who was also from its foundation a member of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Members of the Board will, I am sure, join with me in regret for the recent severe illness of Sir Thomas Sidey and Mr G. M. Thomson and in a heartfelt desire for their speedy and complete recovery. Reports of the Standing Committee. I think it is time that the Board should give expression to its recognition of the excellence of the reports that we get annually from the Standing Committee. These reports are full, complete, clear, and admirably drawn up. If any one individual is mainly responsible for the very satisfactory character of the reports, he deserves the thanks of this Board. These reports go a long way, by reason of their fulness and completeness, towards making an address from the President almost a superfluity, and it must often be a matter of some difficulty for a President to find any subject concerning the activities of the Institute during the year which has not already been adequately treated in the report of the Standing Committee submitted to the Governors. As to matters reported on in this year's report, Governors will notice with satisfaction that his Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of permission being granted to use the prefix “Royal” in the title of the Institute. Steps would no doubt have been taken promptly to obtain the amendment to the Act necessary to establish the new title, but for the decision of the Standing Committee, arising from afterthoughts and after adequately sounding the opinions of members of the Board, that a more satisfactory complete title would be “Royal Society of New Zealand” rather than “Royal New Zealand Institute.” This decision involved delay while further permission was sought. Though the Institute (for such we must still call it, at least for a time) has behind it a high tradition and a record of valuable work well and faithfully done, the proposed new title would, from its associations, indicate more clearly the special work of the Society, and distinguish us more clearly from the numerous “Institutes” that exist. The proposed new title would bring its own traditions from the Old Country, and, in itself, would do much to urge the Institute to increase its efforts to promote the interests of Science. Finances. Turning to the finances of the Institute, it seems reassuring to be told in the Honorary Treasurer's report that the finances of the Institute are “in a sounder position to-day than for many years,” even although this is the result of “the rigid economy carried out by the Finance Committee.” This constitutes a silver lining to the

cloud, but we must not let it dazzle us so completely that we cannot see the cloud. We must realise what this rigid economy consists of. It is mainly a rather ruthless cutting down of the Transactions, an economy we do not desire to have to continue for any great length of time. On the other side of the account, we have also to remember, we had last year a contribution of £289 resulting from a Carnegie Corporation grant of £1000. We can hardly regard this as other than a windfall or look on the Carnegie Corporation as a steady source of income. We shall be very fortunate if it be otherwise. The position then is clearly that, if we are to restore the Transactions of the Institute to their former standing, we require an assured income substantially greater than we can at present command. Further, if our research workers are to receive the encouragement they deserve we require a restoration of the research grant. It is not right that scientists, in addition to giving freely of their time, talents, and energy, should be sometimes also heavily out of pocket by reason of their researches. Though some researches will no doubt be carried out in the absence of financial assistance, others may be seriously delayed or abandoned. We have read often how other nations, when up against adverse circumstances, have turned to education and research with confidence as the best means of restoration. I hope our nation is not altogether devoid of this outlook. But, unfortunately, as things are, education and research, especially the latter, have been severely deprived of resources, either by loss of Government support or by other circumstances. Research. For we are not the only institution to have suffered in these times. All of us must have regretted what we have read in the press from time to time of the losses and restrictions of work suffered by such institutions as Massey College and the Cawthron Institute. Now the increasing complexity of the world's industry and affairs demands a higher proportion of educated people, and these educated to a higher degree. And to the progress of the material welfare of the people research is essential. There is no end to the problems that have to be solved. To use the words of Sir J. Arthur Thomson, whose recent death we lament to-day, “Whenever one is more or less solved, another crops up. The world becomes more and more intelligible, but there are always peaks beyond peaks. And besides puzzles which will disappear like cloudlets in the light of more facts, and besides half-solved problems, many of the fundamentals are elusive and mysterious.” The nation is not true to its best interests that allows either its educational or research facilities to be starved. Since we last met, the North American Review, writing of the operations of the Guggenheim Fund of £4,500,000, whose chief object is the financing of research and other creative work, remarks: “In a given length of time this assuredly will have its effect. This fund represents a faith in intellect as an investment. While the factories hum and the steel mills roar, the lamp of the student is kept lit and his mind is eased in the hope that a return will soon be forthcoming.”

In Canada, again, the report of the National Research Council for 1930–1 states that, although industry has been under a cloud, the annual expenditure of the Council in assisting research amounted to no less than £550,000; and “Nature” remarks that “it is evident Canada is building up a corps of research workers whose influence on the future of her industries is likely to be most important.” The large number of cases in which the chairmen of British banks have been emphasising the importance of research in their recent addresses to shareholders almost suggests a concerted scheme to educate the British public on the question. This should hardly be needed. The extraordinary developments that have taken place in some British industries, arising directly from research, and especially in the case of textiles and metals, ought to have been sufficient, if anything were needed, to inspire in Britain also that same “faith in intellect as an investment.” Those of us who have the interests of New Zealand at heart will at least hope that any such similar faith that exists here will be quickened, and not damped, by the adverse circumstances of the time. Research is not a luxury to be indulged in merely when we are prosperous; it is a necessity to be most insisted on just when we find it most difficult to provide the means. If our faith in intellect as an investment were what it ought to be, and equal to what we find in many other places, the provision for research would not be the cause to suffer first, and to suffer most, from the advent of diminished prosperity. Conclusion. I cannot conclude without expressing regret that circumstances during the year have prevented me from attending more than one of the meetings of the Standing Committee held during the year. Under these conditions Mr Aston, as Vice-president, has proved a tower of strength. By prompt and full correspondence we have kept in touch with one another, and he has succeeded in keeping me fully conversant with the business of the committee. It was partly to provide for such conditions that the office of Vice-president was instituted, and I can assure the Board that, in this respect, the office has fully justified itself. I thank Mr Aston heartily for his assistance, and apologise for the extra work my absence from meetings has imposed on him.