Minutes of The Annual Meeting of The Council, Held May 22, 1958.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 86, 1959, Page 15

Minutes of The Annual Meeting of The Council, Held May 22, 1958. The Annual Meeting of the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand was held in the Council Room of Victoria University of Wellington on Thursday, May 22, 1958. Chair. The President, Professor L. H. Briggs, presided. Present. The following members of the Council were present: President, Professor L. H. Briggs; Vice-Presidents: Professor R. S. Allan, Professor L. R. Richardson. Government Representatives: Dr. G. Archey, Mr. F. R. Callaghan, Dr. R. A. Falla, Dr. C. A. Fleming; Auckland Institute Representatives: Mr. S. G. Brooker, Dr. A. W. B. Powell; Wellington Branch Representative: Mr. K. R. Allen; Canterbury Branch Representative, Professor E. Percival; Otago Branch Representatives: Mr. O. H. Keys, Dr. F. G. Soper; Waikato Scientific Association Representative: Mr. R. White; Rotorua Branch Representative, Mr. J. Healy; Hawke's Bay Branch Representative, Mr. N. L. Elder; Nelson Branch Representative, Dr. H. O. Askew; Southland Branch Representative, Mr. R. W. Willett; Co-opted Member, Dr. J. T. Salmon; Honorary Treasurer, Mr. S. Cory-Wright; Fellows' Representatives, Professor C. A. Cotton, Sir Ernest Marsden. Apologies. As he was in residence in Auckland, His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Cobham, was unable to be present. The Hon. P. M. Holloway, Minister for Scientific and Industrial Research, regretted his inability to be present. Apologies were also received from Dr. M. A. F. Barnett (Wellington Representative) who was overseas, and from Dr. R. S. Duff (Canterbury Representative) who was engaged in field work. President's Remarks. In his opening remarks the President referred to the loss the Society had sustained during the year by the death of four of its Fellows. The death of Professor W. N. Benson and of Dr. H. H. Allan had been recorded at the Half-yearly Meeting of the Council in November. Since then, Mr. G. O. K. Sainsbury, author of the Society's Bulletin “Handbook of New Zealand Mosses” and Dr. R. O. Page, of Christchurch, had died. The Society's sympathy had been extended to the relatives in each case. Professor Briggs then went on to speak of events of scientific importance which had occurred during the year. He stated that as President of the Royal Society of New Zealand he had sent a congratulatory cable to the USSR on the successful launching of the first satellite. The success which had attended the I.G.Y. programme had been “embarrassingly” good, and showed that the nations could unite in scientific work. Professor Briggs congratulated Sir Ernest Marsden on the recent honour bestowed upon him by Her Majesty the Queen. He also moved that the Council send its greetings and good wishes to Professor W. P. Evans, a Past President of the Society, who had reached his ninety-fourth year. Carried by acclamation. New and Retired Members of the Council. The President referred to the following resignations from the Council: —Professor K. B. Cumberland (representative of Auckland Institute) and Dr. Beryl Brewin (representative of Otago Branch), and Dr. J. K. Dixon (representative of the Rotorua Branch). He thanked them for their work while on the Council. He then welcomed to the Council the following

new representatives: Sir Ernest Marsden (Fellows' representative), Dr. A. W. B. Powell (Auckland Institute representative), Dr. F. G. Soper (Otago Branch representative), and Mr. J. Healy (Rotorua Branch representative). Notices of Motion were then handed in. Hector Award. Dr. D. B. Macleod, convener of the Hector Award Committee, wrote stating that his committee had not yet reached a decision on the Hector Award for 1958. The Standing Committee was authorised to make the award when the committee's recommendation is received. On the motion of the President, seconded by the Hon. Treasurer, it was resolved that the amout of the Hector Prize be £50. E. R. Cooper Award. The President read the recommendation of the E. R. Cooper Award Committee as follows:— “.… The Committee is unanimous in recommending to the Council to award the E.R.Cooper Memorial Award for 1958 to Dr. C. D. Ellyett. “(Signed) C. E. Fenwick, “Acting Convener”. On the motion of the President, the Award Committee's recommendation was adopted. It was resolved that the E. R. Cooper Memorial Prize for 1958 be an order for books to the amount of £5. Vote of Thanks. On the motion of the President, seconded by Professor Richardson, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Award Committees. Fellowship Royal Society of New Zealand. Four vacancies caused by the death of Dr. H. H. Allan, of Professor W. N. Benson, of Dr. R. O. Page, and of Mr. G. O. K. Sainsbury were declared. On the motion of Dr. Salmon, seconded by Dr. Archey, it was resolved that four Fellows be elected in 1959. Hon. Membership. No vacancies were declared in the Honorary Membership of the Society, and there would therefore be no election in 1959. Annual Report of the Standing Committee for the Year ended March 31, 1958. The Standing Committee presents its report for the year ended March 31, 1958. Meetings. Eleven meetings of the Standing Committee were held during the year, including an informal one for the purpose of meeting Mr. Harold J. Coolidge, of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington. Attendances were as follows:—Professor L. H. Briggs, President (Auckland), 1; Professor R. S. Allan, Vice-President (Chnstchurch), 1; Professor L. R. Richardson, Vice-President (Wellington), 4; Mr. K. R. Allen (Wellington), 10: Dr. M. A. F. Barnett (Wellington), 10; Mr. F. R. Callaghan (Wellington), 7; Mr. S. Cory-Wright (Wellington), 8; Professor C. A. Cotton (Wellington), 9; Dr. J. K. Dixon (Wellington), 7; Dr. R. S. Duff (Christchurch), 1; Dr. R. A. Falla (Wellington) 9; Dr. C. A. Fleming (Wellington), 10; Dr. J. T. Salmon (Wellington), 8; Mr. R. W. Willett (Wellington), 8. Council Immediately after the last annual meeting, Mr. B. W. Collins, one of the representatives of Canterbury Branch, was appointed Scientific Liaison Officer for D.S.I.R. in London, and he resigned from the Council. Dr. R. S. Duff was appointed to succeed him. In July, leave of absence was granted to Professor Richardson, who was going overseas on refresher leave. Dr. Barnett was appointed Chairman of the Standing Committee during Professor Richardson's absence. In March, Dr. Barnett was granted leave as he was going to Geneva. Other changes on the Council which have been notified are as follows:—Professor K. B. Cumberland resigned as a representative of the Auckland Institute and has been succeeded by Dr. A. W. B. Powell. Miss B. Brewin, on becoming President of the Otago Branch, resigned from the Council, and Dr. F. G. Soper has been appointed in her place. Dr. Dixon resigned as representative of the Rotorua Branch, and Mr. J. Healy has been appointed in his place. Fellows' Representatives: The two-year term of the Fellows' representatives having expired, nominations were called from Fellows and three nominations came to hand. Voting papers were therefore sent out to Fellows. Subsequently, one of the nominees intimated that he had not intended his name to go forward. Consequently, at a meeting of the Standing Committee held in March, Professor Allan, Vice-President, declared Professor C. A. Cotton and Sir Ernest Marsden to be the Fellows' representatives for the ensuing two years, their appointment to take effect from April 1. Obituary. During the past year the Society has lost two eminent scientists, Professor W. N. Benson and Dr. H. H. Allan. A tribute was paid to Professor Benson by Professor Allan

and to Dr. Allan by Mr. F.R. Callaghan at the Half-yearly Meeting of the Council in November. Since that date, Mr. G. O. K. Sainsbury, author of the Society's Bulletin “A Handbook of New Zealand Mosses,” has died. Among tributes to Mr. Sainsbury's work has been one from last year's President of the American Bryological Society. Council's Half-yearly Meeting. At the invitation of the Rotorua Branch, the Council's half-yearly meeting was held in Rotorua. A previous invitation to Rotorua had been rejected on account of the travelling expenses that would be involved, but by arranging transport by members' cars the expenses were reduced from the original estimate of approximately £200 to £70. The cost of holding the meeting in Wellington would have been approximately £95. Arrangements had been made by the Branch for the meeting, and the evening meeting addressed by Dr. Falla, with accompanying slides, was well attended and was most successful. The Rotorua Branch has written stating that the visit of the Council has stimulated interest in the work of the Royal Society of New Zealand and more specifically in the Rotorua Branch. Financial. In June, a deputation to the Minister acquainted him with items of interest arising out of the annual meeting held in May and also submitted to him the Society's budget requirements for the current year. The Hon. Mr. Algie had been sympathetic towards the request for an increased grant but, subsequently, the grant received from the Government was the same as in the previous year, namely, £4,000. In considering what further action could be taken to obtain increased income, the Standing Committee referred the matter to the half-yearly meeting. At that meeting it was considered that a deputation to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to “discuss the status of the Royal Society of New Zealand and its annual submission for adequate financial support” might prove of value and the Standing Committee was authorised if possible to arrange such a meeting. In February, the Finance Sub-committee was authorised to prepare a budget for presentation to the Minister. It was thought that a meeting with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research might be arranged to follow the deputation to the Minister. Because of the financial stringency being enforced by the Government this year, the sub-committee reduced a number of items included in previous budgets and asked that the grant be increased to £5,000 for the year 1958–59. The date set down for the deputation is May 20. Finances of Member Bodies. At the last annual meeting the Hon. Treasurer had been asked to report whether the financial obligations imposed on Member Bodies were being complied with. In a report to the half-yearly meeting, the Hon Treasurer pointed out that from the balance sheets forwarded by Member Bodies it appeared that three were not complying with the Rule that one-third of income must be applied to the upkeep of an approved library or institution or one-sixth to the Parent Body. At a later stage the Hon. Treasurer reopened the question, discussed at length at the annual meeting, and advocated that a standard rate of contribution per branch member be imposed, and he suggested that the rate be 5/- per member. Eventually, this suggestion was referred to Member Bodies for consideration, and the following replies have come to hand:— Wellington Branch Agrees to proposed rate per full member on condition that the existing rule governing the one-third and one-sixth of income be revoked. Canterbury Branch: Agrees to principle and the proposed rate. Otago Branch: Agrees to principle and the proposed rate. Hawke's Bay Branch: Agrees to proposed rate and would raise subscriptions in order to meet it. Nelson Branch: Agrees to principle of Members' contributions, but would be unable to pay the proposed rate. Waikato Branch: Opposes standard subscription and rate proposed. Publication Matters. At the half-yearly meeting, the Otago and Wellington Branches advocated the printing of the Proceedings separately from the Transactions, and the distribution of the Proceedings to all members of Branches. This procedure was approved. In regard to the material for the Proceedings, the Standing Committee agreed that the onus for providing copy on Branch matters be placed on Member Bodies after a reminder has been issued by the Secretary before the annual meeting and the half-yearly meeting. It was decided that the Proceedings for the annual meeting, May, 1957, be printed and bound separately, and that thereafter the Proceedings for the half-yearly and following annual meeting be bound together and issued to Branches for their members. In October an increase of approximately 25% was made in printing costs. Owing to the delay by the printers in issuing the first part of Volume 85, and the fact that it did not appear until after the close of the Member Bodies' financial year, the levy on Volume 85 was not claimed, and if the printing lag is overtaken it will mean that some of the Branches will be required to meet the levy for two volumes in one year's finances.

Sales of Publications. The number of copies of Bulletin 5 (Sainsbury's Handbook of N.Z. Mosses) sold to date is 183 and the number of copies of Bulletin 6 (Laird's Studies of Mosquitoes and Freshwater Ecology in the South Pacific) is 139. Orders for both these Bulletins continue to come to hand, although less frequently, 27 copies of Bulletin No. 5 and 12 copies of Bulletin No. 6 being sold during the past year. The sum of £120 was received on account of the sales of the Proceedings of the Seventh Pacific Science Congress, thereby reducing considerably the amount of outstanding accounts. There had been renewed interest in Hamilton's “Maori Art”, and a number of the parts held in surplus stock have been sold. An order for a bound set for an overseas library was received and it had to be bound. Opportunity was taken to bind six sets at the same time, thereby slightly reducing the cost per volume. Library. Loans: Much use has been made of the Library during the past year, 743 volumes being issued on loan, including 246 by way of the postal interloan scheme. The library assistant was absent for six months. She returned in March, and what work had had to accumulate in the Library is now being overtaken. Binding: An amount of £143 has been expended in binding periodicals during the year covering approximately 281 volumes. Exchange List: Approximately 50 new exchanges have been approved by the Standing Committee on the recommendation of the Library Committee. These additions will be included in the next publication of the Exchange List in the Appendix of the Proceedings. Library Accommodation. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research wrote enquiring whether the Royal Society would be interested in accommodation which may be available in a multi-storey building which it is proposed should be erected on the present site of the D.S.I.R. offices. At the same time, plans are proceeding for the extension of the building in which the Library is housed at Victoria University of Wellington, and enquiries as to the future needs of the Society have been made by Victoria University authorities. A sub-committee was set up to look into the matter of the needs of the Society's Library, and it based its findings on the present accommodation together with the estimated accessions for twenty to thirty years to come. This committee reported to the standing Committee in March that approximately 5,750 square feet would be required to allow for this period and for the provision of a separate room for the Secretary, a Librarian's workroom, and a committee room. The Committee recommended that wherever the Library is housed it should preserve its own identity. Copies of the Committee's report were sent to the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington and to the Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, who have both stated that the estimated space seemed reasonable. Honorary Librarian. Professor Richardson was given leave of absence and Professor H. B. Fell was appointed Acting Librarian during the time that Professor Richardson was away. Fellows. No vacancies were declared at last annual meeting. Honorary Members. No vacancies were declared in the Honorary Membership, hence no nominations were called for. Hector Award. The Hector Medal and Prize were presented to Dr. H. W. Wellman by the Vice-President, Professor R. S. Allan, at a meeting of the Geological Section of the Wellington Branch on August 8, 1957. Hutton Grants. During the year, the following applications for Hutton Grants were approved on the recommendation of the Research Grants Committee:— Mr. L. Gurr, £80, for further research on the Red-billed and Black-billed Gulls, on the stipulation that only half the amount would be called upon in the current year. Dr. Charlotte Wallace, £25, for bench fee at Ruakura Animal Research Station for research on the neural complex of Ascidians. Later, Dr. Wallace reported that a bench fee had not been required by the Ruakura Animal Research Station authorities, and she asked that she be allowed to utilise the grant in purchasing materials and in collecting. Approval was withheld pending some detailed information. Member Bodies. The Nelson Philosophical Society has now become the Nelson Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Annual Reports and Balance Sheets have been received from the following Member Bodies:— Auckland Institute for the year ended March 31, 1957. Wellington Branch, for the year ended September 30, 1957. Canterbury Branch, for the year ended October 31, 1957. Otago Branch, for the year ended September 30, 1957. Waikato Scientific Association, for the year ended October 31, 1957. Rotorua Branch, for the year ended September 30, 1957. Hawke's Bay Branch, for the year ended December 31, 1957. Nelson Branch, for the year ended September 30, 1957.

N.Z. Science Congress. It was decided that the next New Zealand Science Congress should be held in May, 1960, and Member Bodies have been given an opportunity if they so wish to extend an invitation to organise the Congress. Carter Observatory Board. Dr. M. A. F. Barnett and Professor D. Walker were re-appointed to the Carter Observatory Board as representatives of the Royal Society for a further term. E. R. Cooper Award. In accordance with a decision of the last annual meeting to make the first award of the E. R. Cooper Medal and Prize in 1958 (no award having been made in 1957), applications and nominations were called for in November, 1957. In the absence of Dr Barnett, Mr. C. E. Fenwick is acting as Convener of the Award Committee, which will report to the annual meeting in May. U. S. A. Post-Graduate Fellowships. Dr. D. W. Bronk, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, addressed a letter to the President of the Royal Society inviting the Society to co-operate by acting as a Selecting Body in New Zealand for four Post-Doctorate Fellowships offered annually and sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council, Washington, such Fellowships to be taken up in the United States for a period of one year with the possible extension of an additional year. Following this letter of invitation, Mr Harold Coolidge, of the National Academy of Sciences, who was visiting countries in the Pacific area co-operating in the scheme for the purpose of meeting the selecting body in each and acquainting it with details regarding the Fellowships, met the Standing Committee informally in March. At this meeting members expressed their appreciation of the invitation extended by the National Academy of Sciences and of the recognition given to the Royal Society in placing such a responsibility upon it. A special meeting of the Council was called for the purpose of reporting on the invitation received. The meeting resolved— “That we accept the responsibility of administering the programme of Fellowships offered by the National Academy of Sciences, Washington.” Mr. Coolidge had stressed that it was desired that the first appointments be taken up within this calendar year, and in order to do so the appointment of a Selection Committee was an immediate necessity, as applications should be in hand in June and much preliminary work would have to be undertaken. Professor R. S. Allan was asked to undertake the Convenership of the Selection Committee, and he agreed to do so. The following resolution was passed: “That an Interim Committee to deal with the 1958 nominations be appointed consisting of Professor Allan (Convener), three other representatives of the Royal Society, one representative of the University of New Zealand, and one representative of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, with power to co-opt”. The following three other representatives of the Society were then appointed:—Professor J. Packer (Christchurch), Dr. G. Archey (Auckland), and Mr. F. R. Callaghan (Wellington). Professor Allan offered the secretarial facilities of the University of Canterbury office, but the Standing Committee was of the opinion that the administration work should be undertaken by the Society's own office. The Standing Committee further resolved— “That the Selecting Committee have power (1) To assist the Academy in the preparation and dissemination of announcements relating to the project. (2) To work with the National Academy, through its representatives to assure effective coverage of New Zealand institutions. (3) To receive and review applications and recommend candidates to the National Academy. (4) To notify candidates who have been selected and placed by the National Academy. (5) To assist successful candidates on then return to New Zealand to make the most effective use in New Zealand of their training in the United States”. Professor Allan was cordially thanked by the meeting for undertaking this important office. Ninth Pacific Science Congress. In June, the Standing Committee appointed the President, Professor L. H. Briggs, to represent the Royal Society of New Zealand at the Ninth Pacific Science Congress in Bangkok, and the Society undertook to pay his return air fare. The Auckland Institute and Museum wrote urging the Royal Society to approach the Government for assistance to send Dr. A. W. B. Powell to the Congress. At the same time the N. Z. Archaeological Association wrote urging that an endeavour be made to send Dr. R. S. Duff to the Congress. A deputation waited on the Minister, who was sympathetic, but stated that there were no funds available for sending a delegation to the Congress. The Minister of Internal Affairs was then approached, but without success.

It was later learned that Dr. Powell intended to go to the Congress, and he and Mr. G. W. Grindley, of the Geological Survey, were appointed delegates from the Society in addition to Professor Briggs. However, Dr. Powell was unable to attend. When it was reported that the usual hospitality extended to Special Guests would not be made by the Congress Organising Committee, the Standing Committee increased its grant to the President to £300. Writing from London after the Congress, the President stated that there had been much adverse criticism about the small delegation from New Zealand, and he forwarded a copy of a letter he had written to the Prime Minister, the Right Hon Mr. Nash, on the policy of the Government in regard to representation at important overseas conferences. Pacific Science Council. As Dr. Archey was unable to attend the Ninth Pacific Science Congress, he tendered his resignation as representative of the Royal Society on the Pacific Science Council. Dr. Archey's resignation was accepted with great regret, and the Standing Committee expressed its appreciation of the able manner in which Dr. Archey had represented the Society during many years. Professor Briggs was appointed to represent the Society on the Pacific Science Council. Antarctic Research. At the instance of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) a special scientific committee was set up, and in the initial stages was convened by Profesor Rossby in Stockholm. Following on the sudden death of Professor Rossby the convenership was taken over by Dr. Herlofsen of the Meteorological Institute in Stockholm. This proposed committee was to be representative of all countries carrying out or contemplating scientific operations in Antarctica and its function was to examine the merits of further scientific investigation in the Antarctic after the conclusion of I.G.Y. It was not possible at the necessarily short notice given to appoint a representative to attend this meeting in Stockholm in September, but the I.G.Y. National Committee cabled its views to Dr. Herlofsen. This meeting concluded that there is need for further international organisation of scientific activity in Antarctica and it recommended the establishment of a committee to undertake this task. On the recommendation of the I. G. Y. Committee the Standing Committee appointed Dr. E. I. Robertson to represent New Zealand on this Committee. The first meeting of this committee named “Special Committee on Antarctic Research” (SCAR) was held in February in The Hague but Dr. Robertson was unable to attend. From a full report of the meeting which has been received the Committee consists of twelve nations and representatives of three International Unions together with the following appointed officers:— President: Ing Gen. G. Iaclavere; Vice-President, Professor K. E. Bullen; Secretary, Dr. V. Schytt. SCAR recommended a five-year plan to continue research in the Antarctic after the conclusion of I.G.Y. and to establish ten more stations for meteorological observations. It also recommended mapping of unchartered areas, more intensive study of geology and morphology, more intensive oceanic and biological study for whaling purposes and seismological studies. The Committee decided that the basic contribution for 1958 should be 500 dollars per nation. N.Z. Antarctic Research. At the March meeting of the Standing Committee it was reported that the New Zealand Government also was setting up a Committee for continuing research in the Antarctic and subsequent action is covered by a report from Dr. C. A. Fleming, who was appointed to represent the Royal Society of New Zealand on this committee. Ross Sea Committee Mr. R. W. Willett was appointed to the Ross Sea Committee during the absence of Professor Richardson on leave. Royal Society's Antarctic Research Committee Early in the year, because of the indisposition of Dr. C. A. Fleming, Mr. R. W. Willett was asked to act as Chairman of the Research Committee in the meantime. I. G. Y. The I. G. Y. New Zealand National Committee organised an informal gathering of Antarctic scientists in February, 1958, to coincide with the return to New Zealand of many of the Antarctic parties. Many meetings were held during the course of three or four days and in opening the session the Prime Minister gave an assurance that the Antarctic Research programme would be continued. With representatives from so many different nations coming together to discuss the results of their work and with the social side not overlooked the session was an unqualified success and eulogistic references were made at the February meeting of the Standing Committee and congratulations were conveyed to Dr. Barnett as chairman of the organising committee. Darwin Centenary Expedition. In June it was reported by Dr. Falla that the Government could not place the “Endeavour” at the disposal of the Expedition, and modified proposals were therefore being drafted by the Royal Society of London. Later the Royal Society proposed that a small preliminary expedition to Chile be undertaken this year, and it asked New Zealand to appoint a suitable person to take part in this expedition. A complete list of

suitable people to take part in the expedition initially proposed had been compiled, and Mr. G. A. Knox was nominated and was approved by the Royal Society of London and he was formally appointed at the November meeting. Later the Royal Society of London stated that it was prepared to add a botanist to the personnel of the expedition, and after consultation with Dr. Hamilton, of DSIR, Dr. Eric Godley, Director of the Botany Division, was appointed. There is a possibility that a geologist could be included if funds were available from sources other than the Royal Society of London. This expedition is to go to Chiloe in the summer of 1958–59. Conservation Committee. At a meeting of the Standing Committtee in June, it was decided that the Society should offer the services of its Conservation Committee as a scientific advisory committee to the National Parks Authority. In regard to the issue of permits to bona fide scientific investigators the Authority stated that it had asked Dr. Falla and Dr. Wodzicki to attend the next meeting. The Conservation Committee's report on Modern Insecticides caused much interest and was widely distributed as well as getting considerable press publicity. The press also took up the matter of the preservation of the Aratiatia Rapids, strongly urged by Dr. Salmon at the November meeting. A report to the March meeting by Dr. Salmon on a recent visit to the Fiordland National Park and the apparent disregard of rules governing National Parks was referred to the National Parks Authority for comment. ICSU. Dr. Barnett was appointed to act as convener of a National Committee representative of the Royal Society and each National Society in New Zealand affiliated with ICSU. Owing to his absence from New Zealand for much of the year, Dr. Barnett has not yet taken any action. On behalf of a group of Crystallographers which had been formed and wished to affiliate with the International Union of Crystallography, Dr. F. J. Llewellyn wrote urging the Royal Society to become responsible for paying its fees to the Union. Dr. Barnett considered that this was a matter of policy to be determined by the Royal Society and not by his committee. The Standing Committee informed the Group through Dr. Llewellyn that it considered that national bodies should meet their own affiliation fees. Subsequently, another letter was received from Dr. Llwellyn urging that the matter be discussed at the annual meeting. The Standing Committee, while reiterating that it strongly opposed paying fees of any national body agreed to place the matter on the agenda. Overseas Conferences. Invitations have been received to the International Congress of Mathematicians, to the General Assembly of the International Union for Nature and Conservation, to the General Assembly of ICSU to be held in Washington in October, 1958, and to ANZAAS Meeting in Adelaide in August, 1958. Rutherford Memorial Lecture. Sir John Cockcroft wrote stating that the 1960 Rutherford Memorial Lecture is due to be given in New Zealand and asking whether the Royal Society of New Zealand would care to express any views regarding the choice of a lecturer, the subject, and whether the lecture should be given in more than one centre. Member Bodies were asked to express an opinion on any of these points. ANZAAS Journal. At the invitation of the editor of the Australian Journal of Science which is the organ for ANZAAS, Mr. M. O'Conner, of the DSIR Information Bureau was appointed as liaison in New Zealand and to contribute news items from New Zealand for the Journal. It was moved by Dr. Salmon that the report be taken as read. Carried. The report was then thrown open for discussion. On the motion of Professor Briggs, it was resolved to send a letter of thanks to Professor Fell, who had acted as Honorary Librarian during the absence of Professor Richardson. On the motion of the President, seconded by Professor Richardson, the report of the Standing Committee was adopted. Report of the Hon. Treasurer. Mr. S. Cory-Wright spoke to his report as Honorary Treasurer, and presented the Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts, which were subject to audit. In commenting on the financial statements sent in by Member Bodies, Mr. Cory-Wright stated that it appeared that four of the nine Branches are not fulfilling their financial obligations as laid down in the Royal Society of N.Z. Act, and he mentioned the names of the Branches concerned. The representatives of some of these Branches intimated that their respective Branches were complying with the rule. Professor Soper stated that the Otago Branch supported an Observatory and contributed towards an Auditorium. Dr. Askew stated that the Nelson Branch

paid part of its annual subscriptions to the Nelson Institute Library. Mr. Cory-Wright maintained that the balance sheets of these Branches did not reveal these contributions. After some discussion, it was resolved to defer consideration of the matter. Later in the meeting, the Hon. Treasurer submitted the following amended report, which was adopted. Report of Honorary Treasurer I have the honour to present the Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts as circulated, for the year ended March 31, 1938, subject to audit. Our Government grant for the year was £4,000 as previously. This, together with the funds built up to meet the back-log of printing of Transactions, enabled a clearance to be made of this back-log, and an advance payment on Volume 85, Part 2, so that a total of £4,908 was spent on printing. It is expected to complete Volume 85, Parts 2, 3 and 4, and Volume 86, Part 1, during the coming year. It should be remembered that printing costs must must be kept within about £3 000 until a larger income is available. The contribution from Member Bodies was investigated as instructed by Council last year, and I reported on the position at the November meeting. All the Branches have contributed their share of travelling expenses and the Levy for the Transactions, but not all have fulfilled their obligation under the existing rules to spend one-third of income to support a library or approved institution or pay one-sixth of income to the Royal Society. The completed returns for 1957 show that Auckland, Canterbury, and Hawke's Bay fulfilled their obligation by devoting one-third of income to their library, etc.; Waikato and Rotorua paid one-sixth of income to the Royal Society; while Wellington, Otago, Nelson and Southland did not state clearly in their Reports how they were fulfilling the existing Rules. Thus I must assume that four out of nine Branches are not fulfilling their obligations adequately as laid down. Last November, I suggested that 5/- per Branch member be made a standard contribution, and this was referred to Branches for their comments, as mentioned in the Report of the Standing Committee. I would ask Council to consider the matter further. The Trust Accounts are satisfactorv. Government Stock to the value of £780 will be maturing shortly, and will be converted into a new issue bearing a higher rate of interest. The Cooper Memorial Fund, established last year, stands at £118 9s 6d capital and interest, of which the original sum was £181 15s, and authority is sought to allocate a fixed amount of £180 to capital account with a balance of £8 9s 6d to revenue account which will then be available for an award this year. The Endowment Fund shows a balance of revenue for the year of £208 Os 1d, of which £184, the interest for the current year can be allocated as desired, and I seek direction of Council as to its application. May 8, 1958. S. Cory-Wright, Hon Treasurer.

Statement of Receipts and Payments for the Royal Society of New Zealand The Year Ended March 31, 1958. Receipts £ s. d. Balance at March 31, 1957 4,762 8 2 Annual Government Grant 4,000 0 0 Levy on Transactions (Balance 84, Part 85) 257 15 0 Sales of Publications— Tractions, etc. 221 5 3 Bulletin 5 23 3 4 Bulletin 6 10 14 7 255 3 2 Sales of Proceedings Seventh Pacific Science Congress 120 15 11 Favourable Exchange 0 0 7 Travelling Expenses: Member Bodies' Share 54 14 0 Member Bodies' One-sixth Contributions 17 19 5 Sales on Account owner “Fragments of N.Z. Entomology” 9 15 7 Endowment Fund, Donation 5 0 0 Endowment Fund, Interest 184 1 1 Hector Memorial Fund, Interest 50 5 11 Hutton Memorial Fund, Interest 59 2 8 T. K. Sidey Summer-time Memorial Fund, Interest 23 6 10 Plant Diseases Trust, Interest 32 12 8 Cockayne Memorial Fund, Interest 15 7 7 E. R. Cooper Memorial Fund, Interest 5 9 10 Hamilton Memorial Fund, Interest 6 4 10 Carter Library Legacy, Interest 8 1 5 Trust Funds transferred to General Account 27 19 9 Transfer from P.O.S. Bank to Bank of N.Z. 2,000 0 0 Compensation P.O., Damage to Book 1 0 0 £11,897 4 5 Payments £ s d Printing Otago Daily Times 84(2, 3, 4); 85 (1, 2) 4,908 6 4 Stationery 48 19 11 Binding Library Periodicals 143 7 0 Salaries 1,012 10 7 Honoraria, Editors 125 0 0 Editor's Postages, tolls 10 0 0 President's Expenses, Ninth Pacific Science Congress 300 7 6 Charges (Telephone, Insurance, Bank, etc.) 49 14 2 Imprest 44 5 8 Travelling Expenses (two meetings) 187 8 9 Office and Library Equipment 24 5 6 Owner “Fragments N.Z. Entomology” 8 18 7 Pacific Science Association: Secretariat Quota 120 1 8 Subscription International Council Scientific Unions 57 12 3 Trust Funds Audit 6 0 0 Hector Prize and Engraving Medal 51 1 0 Hutton Grants 79 0 1 Transfer from General Account to Trust Funds 55 19 0 Transfer from Bank N.Z. to P.O.S. Bank 2,000 0 0 Interest credited direct to Trust Accounts 38 3 3 Balance as Under 2,626 3 2 £11,897 4 5 £ s d. Bank of New Zealand 3,206 10 6 Less Unpresented Cheques: 16/1, £22 10/-, £6/18/1, £2 10/-, £1/12/6, £1,848, 7/8, £4/11/-, £23/2/6, £9/15/6, £17/10/-, £3/4/-, £9/7/6 1,950 4 10 1,256 5 8 Post Office Savings Bank 1,369 3 3 Cash in Hand 0 0 10 Imprest in Hand 0 13 5 £2,626 3 2

The Royal Society of New Zealand Statement of Assets and Liabilities At March 31, 1958 Liabilities £ s. d. Hector Memorial Fund, Capital Account 1,184 18 1 Hector Memorial Fund, Revenue Account 79 13 4 Hutton Memorial Fund, Capital Account 1,506 8 6 Hutton Memorial Fund, Revenue Account 169 16 5 T. K. Sidey Summer-time Fund, Capital Account 569 10 7 T. K. Sidey Summer-time Fund, Revenue Account 80 16 5 Plant Diseases Trust, Capital Account 542 13 5 Plant Diseases Trust, Revenue Account 306 16 5 Cockayne Memorial Fund, Capital Account 249 12 0 Cockayne Memorial Fund, Revenue Account 82 9 7 Carter Library Legacy, Capital Account 162 19 0 Carter Library Legacy, Revenue Account 92 0 5 Hamilton Memorial Fund, Capital Account 193 9 9 Hamilton Memorial Fund, Revenue Account 6 2 5 E. R. Cooper Trust Fund, Revenue Account 188 9 6 Endowment Fund, Capital Account 2,830 15 9 Endowment Fund, Revenue Account 208 0 1 Research Grants Fund 35 7 4 Library Binding Fund 121 17 0 N.Z. Science Congress Fund 303 7 10 Overseas Conferences Fund 5 5 0 Member Bodies' Contributions 43 11 1 Accounts in Credit 9 18 11 Balance of Assets over Liabilities 2,714 3 3 £11,688 7 1 Assets £ s d Hector Memorial Fund: Inscribed Stock (Face Value, £1,270) 1,184 18 1 Hector Memorial Fund: P.O. Savings Bank Account 79 18 4 Hutton Memorial Fund: Inscribed Stock (Face Value £1,580) 1,506 8 6 Hutton Memorial Fund: P.O. Savings Bank (owed £8 7s) 161 9 5 Summer-time Fund, Inscribed Stock (Face Value, £500) 500 2 6 Summer-time Fund: P.O. Savings Bank 150 4 6 Plant Diseases Trust, Inscribed Stock (Face Value, £500) 500 0 0 Plant Diseases Trust, P.O. Savings Bank 349 9 10 Cockayne Memorial Fund Inscribed Stock (Face Value, £260) 249 12 0 Cockayne Memorial Fund, P.O. Savings Bank (owes R. S. £98 13s) 181 2 7 Carter Library Legacy, Inscribed Stock (Face Value, £160) 162 19 0 Carter Library Legacy, P.O. Savings Bank 92 0 5 Hamilton Memorial Fund, Inscribed Stock (Face Value, £60) 60 0 0 Hamilton Memorial Fund, P.O. Savings Bank 139 12 2 E. R. Cooper Trust Fund, P.O. Savings Bank 188 9 6 Endowment Fund, Inscribed Stock (Face Value, £2,685) 2,636 2 5 Endowment Fund, Part P.O. Savings Bank Account 402 13 5 Sundry Debtors 268 14 1 Otago Daily Times Co, Vol. 85, Part 2, in advance 651 0 7 Bank of New Zealand 1,256 5 8 Post Office Savings Bank 966 9 10 Cash in Hand 0 0 10 Balance Imprest Account 0 13 5 £11,688 7 1 The Audit Office having made such examination as was considered necessary, certifies that in its opinion these accounts are correct. A. D. Burns, Assistant Controller and Auditor-General. S. Cory-Wright, Hon. Treasurer. Property Assets Estimated and Insured Value Nominal Value. Insured Value. £ s. d. £ Library and Stack Room, V.U. 11,592 12 0 5,800 Furniture and Library Fittings 1,564 0 0 2,000 Stock in Store Room, Parliament Buildings 500 Carter Library, Dominion Museum 500 £8,800

The Royal Society of New Zealand. Statement of Income and Expenditure For The Year Ended March 31, 1958. Expenditure £ s. d. Printing Volume 84 (3, 4); 85 (1) 3,013 5 2 Library Equipment 24 5 6 Stationery 48 19 11 Salaries 1,012 10 7 Honoraria (Editors) 125 0 0 Imprest and Editor's postages 54 5 8 Charges 48 13 7 President's Expense to Ninth Pacific Science Congress 300 7 6 Darwin Exp. Committee: Expenses of Dr. Falla to London 424 8 1 Subscription International Council Scientific Unions 57 12 3 Pacific Science Association: Quota Secretariat 120 1 8 Travelling Expenses 132 14 9 Allocation Binding Fund 50 0 0 Allocation N.Z. Science Congresses Fund 50 0 0 Balance 2,714 3 3 £8,176 7 11 Income £ s d. By Balance at March 31, 1957 3,397 13 6 " Annual Grant 4,00 0 0 " Sales of Proceedings Seventh Pacific Science Congress 120 15 11 " Cost of Dr. Oliver's paper to Cockayne Memorial Fund 98 13 0 " Order Form, “Fragments of N.Z. Entomology” 7 2 6 " Trust Funds Administration Expenses 5 5 0 " Levy on Volumes 84 and 85 421 5 0 £8,176 7 11 By Balance £2,714 3 3

The Royal Society of New Zealand Trust Funds for the Year Ended March 31, 1958. Hector Memorial Fund Dr. £ s. d. To Balance, March 31, 1957 6 2 1 " Prize 50 0 0 " Engraving Medal 1 1 0 " Administration Expenses 2 0 0 " Balance 1,264 16 5 £1,323 19 6 Cr. £ s. d. By Capital Invested 1,184 18 1 " Interest 50 5 11 " Transfer Endowment Fund (Resolution Ann. Mtg., 1957) 88 15 6 £1,323 19 6 By Balance Capital Account £1,184 18 1 By Balance Revenue Account £79 18 4 Hutton Memorial Fund Dr. £ s. d. To Grants 77 18 7 " Administration Expenses 2 0 0 " Engraving Medal 1 1 6 " Balance 1,676 4 11 £1,757 5 0 Cr. £ s. d. By Capital Invested 1,506 8 6 " Balance Revenue A/c., 31/3/57 172 6 1 " Transfer from Endowment Fund (Resolution Ann. Mtg., 1957) 19 7 9 " Interest 59 2 8 £1,757 5 0 By Balance Capital Account £1,506 8 6 By Balance Revenue Account £169 16 5 T.K. Sidey Summer-Time Fund Dr. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 2 0 0 " Balance 650 7 0 £652 7 0 Cr. £ s. d. By Capital Invested and in P.O.S.B. 567 3 11 " Balance Revenue Account, 31/3/57 61 16 3 " Interest Revenue Account 21 0 2 " Interest Capital Account 2 6 8 23 6 10 £652 7 0 By Balance Capital Account £569 10 7 By Balance Revenue Account £80 16 5 Plant Diseases Trust Dr. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 0 12 6 " Balance 849 9 10 £850 2 4 Cr. £ s. d. By Capital Invested 542 13 5 " Balance Revenue A/c., 31/3/57 274 16 3 " Interest 32 12 8 £850 2 4 By Balance Capital Account £542 13 5 By Balance Revenue Account £306 16 5

Cockayne Memorial Fund Dr. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 0 12 6 " Cost of Dr. Oliver's Paper 98 13 0 " Balance 332 1 7 £431 7 1 Cr. £ s. d. By Capital Invested 249 12 0 " Balance Revenue A/c., at 31/3/57 166 7 6 " Interest 15 7 7 £431 7 1 By Balance Capital Account £249 12 0 By Balance Revenue Account £82 9 7 Carter Library Legacy Dr £ s d To Administration Expenses 1 0 0 " Balance 254 19 5 £255 19 5 Cr. £ s. d. By Capital Invested and P.O.S.B. 162 19 0 " Balance Revenue A/c. at 31/3/57 84 19 0 " Interest 8 1 5 £255 19 5 By Balance Capital Account £162 19 0 By Balance Revenue Account £92 0 5 Hamilton Memorial Fund Dr. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 0 12 6 " Balance 199 12 2 £200 4 8 Cr. £ s. d. By Capital Invested and P.O.S.B. 190 7 4 " Balance Revenue A/c, at 31/3/57 3 12 6 " Interest, Revenue Account 3 2 5 Interest Capital Account 3 2 5 6 4 10 £200 4 8 By Balance Capital Account £193 9 9 By Balance Revenue Account £6 2 5 E. R. Cooper Trust Fund Dr. £ s. d. To Administration Expenses 0 2 6 Balance 188 9 6 £188 12 0 Cr. £ s. d. By P.O.S.B. Account 183 2 2 " Interest 5 9 10 £188 12 0 By Balance Revenue Account £188 9 6

Endowment Fund Dr. £ s. d. To Administration 2 5 0 " Transfer to Hector Fund 88 15 6 " Transfer to Hutton Fund 19 7 9 " Balance 3,038 15 10 £3,149 4 1 Cr £ s d By Capital Investigated and P.O.S.B. 2,780 7 3 " Balance Revenue A/c. at 31/3/57 179 15 9 " Donation 5 0 0 " Interest 184 1 1 £3,149 4 1 By Balance Capital Account £2,830 15 9 By Balance Revenue Account £208 0 1 Balance Sheet. The Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts, subject to audit, were adopted. On the motion of Dr. Archey, it was resolved that £100 of the Endowment Fund Revenue Account be added to the Capital Fund and the remainder of the current year's interest to general purposes. Report of Honorary Editor There would appear to have been undue delay in the issue of recent Parts of the Transactions, and this has been due in large measure to reorganisation taking place in the office of the Society's printer. I am assured that the delay which has occurred will be made good as rapidly as possible by the printer. However, during the year under review, Volume 84, Part 3, and Part 4 and Volume 85, Part 1, of the Transactions have been issued. Part 2 is in the press and should be issued at any moment. The three Parts that have been printed comprise 1,189 pages of Transactions and 62 pages of Proceedings. This is 524 pages of Transactions and 11 pages of Proceedings more than were printed in the corresponding period of last year, so that although there may have been delay in the issue of the actual Parts, the volume of material issued by the Society has been very nearly double that issued in the previous twelve months. The cost of the Parts of the Transactions and Proceedings issued during the financial year just closed is £2,998 9s 9d. It should be noted that with the issue of Volume 85, Part 1. the cost of printing the Transactions has been increased, so that the remainder of Volume 85 will cost more per page than Volume 84. Every effort is being made to keep down the cost of the printing of papers accepted for publication, but in spite of this it is inevitable that the Society will require more money for the printing of the Transactions and Proceedings in future if the present volume of work is to be maintained. There is no dearth of papers coming forward, and the increases estimated last year are materialising. No Bulletin has been issued this year, but following on the resolution of the November meeting of the Council the Proceedings, commencing with Volume 85 of the Transactions, will be issued separately from the Transactions and bound as a distinct series. In conclusion, I must again record my appreciation of the help received from the Associate Editor, Professor C. A. Cotton, the various scientists who act as referees of papers. and the manager of the Printing Department of the Otago Daily Times Co, Ltd. John T. Salmon, Hon. Editor. April 17, 1958. Dr. Salmon presented the report of the Hon. Editor. He stated that in accordance with a resolution of the November Meeting the Proceedings were now being issued separately. He read the alternative prices quoted by the printers for 1,750 (8 point), 63/9 per page, and 2,250 copies 72/3 per page. The question as to how much of the cost Branches would have to bear was raised. Dr. Archey stated that the Auckland Institute would not take any copies, as members would not be interested in the Proceedings as printed especially if each member would be required to pay for a copy say at a cost of 5/-. If the Proceedings were issued more in the nature of a news letter they might appeal more to the general members.

The President stated that the previous Council meeting had adopted the scheme of providing Proceedings for each member, and he thought that the present arrangement must be accepted. Dr. Soper hoped that it would be given a fair trial. Dr. Salmon stated that he would be leaving immediately on refresher leave, and that Professor Cotton had consented to carry on the editorial work during his absence. The President thanked Professor Cotton and conveyed the good wishes of the Council to Dr. Salmon. The report was adopted. Report of Honorary Librarian Exchanges. The Society is now exchanging with 463 institutions. This figure includes the new exchanges which were approved during the past year by the Standing Committee. Library Assistant. Mrs. J. W. Brodie was absent for six months, accompanying her husband on his visit to overseas institutions. It was not practicable to fill the temporary vacancy, and the secretary coped with the library work as far as possible. Mrs. Brodie returned in March, and is now rapidly overtaking the arrears of accessioning. New Accessions. Publications received during the year totalled 2,052. Binding. During the year 281 volumes have been bound. These include runs of the Bulletin U.S. National Museum, Trans. N.Y. Academy Science, and six sets of Maori Art (for selling purposes). Volume 1 of Palaeontologia Indica was bound because it has been in regular use for some years and required protection. The Original Loans Register, now of historical interest, has been appropriately bound, in keeping with its importance. It contains numerous holograph entries by earlier New Zealand scientists from the first years of the New Zealand Institute. Two more binding firms have been tried out, and their work has proved very satisfactory. At an extra cost of 2/- per volume, one of these firms has produced a much better and more lasting binding than the firm which handled similar work last year. Loans. A total of 743 loans were made during the year, including 246 through the postal interloan scheme. Extensive use of the library facilities has been made by members of the Society and by the staff and research students of Victoria University. H. B. Fell, Acting Hon. Librarian. May 1, 1958. The report of the acting Hon. Librarian, Professor H. B. Fell, was presented by Professor Richardson, who referred to the fact that 743 loans indicated that there was much research activity. He referred to the rebinding of the original Library Register, which contained many signatures of historical and scientific significance. The report was adopted. Reports of Hutton Grantees Dr. R. W. Balham was granted £26 18s 10d for the purchase of film for use by the biologists and geologists attached to the Trans-Antarctic Expedition engaged in field work during the summers of 1956–7 and 1957–8. He reports that 20 rolls of Kodachrome and 36 rolls of Plus × 120 (black and white) were used by two biologists and two geologists. The biologists have now deposited with the Ross Sea Committee all the films used. The geologists still retain their film, but this will be deposited with the Committee on the completion of their reports. Dr. Balham thanks the Society for making the grant available to members of the Expedition. The photograph coverage will much enhance the value of their work. The actual amount expended was £23 13s 4d, the balance being refunded. Dr. Maxwell Gage was granted £50 in 1954 for research in the Pleistocene history of Canterbury. He reported on April 16, 1958, that a paper on the Waimakariri glaciation studies has been published in Vol. 1, No. 1, of the N.Z. Journal of Geology and Geophysics. The Cameron Glacier was again visited, but a heavy snowfall prevented any work being done. He then decided to extend the scope of the investigation to include a plane-table survey of the several sets of moraines in the Cameron Valley and plans a field trip for this purpose in late April. Travelling expenses incurred were £4 6s 4d, as well as 13s for processing film. Mr. L. Gurr, who was granted £80 for research on the Black-billed and the Red-billed Gulls, reported on April 29 that the work this year has been mainly exploratory, covering the obtaining, assembling and trial of nest recording apparatus and a portable hide.

One nest recorder was assembled and tried out on blackbird nests at Palmerston North. This apparatus was then taken to Nelson and set up in a colony of Red-billed Gulls; however, owing to interference by vandals, who destroyed the colony and interfered with the recorder, no records were made. However, two days were spent observing behaviour and 200 feet of 16 mm cine film was taken. This visit was useful as a field trial of the portable hide, and suggested modifications that could be made with advantage. Later, a visit was made to Napier, and colonies of Black-billed Gulls and Black-backed Gulls were photographed and tentative arrangements made for nest recording next year. It is intended to study the Black and Red-billed Gulls in the coming season. The only call on the grant was for material amounting to £39 19s 8d. Grantee conveys his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Society for the grant. s V. Jolly. Granted £90 in 1952 for research on the plankton of New Zealand lakes, reported that there had been no expenditure of the grant during the past year. The apparatus previously purchased is still in use on the Lakes Survey which she is carying out in the Rotorua-Taupo area. Dr. J. T. Salmon, who in 1954 was granted £25 towards the translation of foreign papers, reported on April 17 that he is conserving the balance of the grant for use in the translation of really difficult papers in connection with his research. A sum of £2 has just been incurred for the translation of one paper. On the motion of Professor Richardson, the reports of the Hutton grantees were adopted. Report of Representatives on Board of Trustees of The National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum During the year the representation of scientific interests on the Museum Management Committee was considerably strengthened by the appointment of Mr. F. R. Callaghan and Dr. W. M. Hamilton as representatives of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Dr. Fleming resigned from the Building and Finance Committee of the Board and Mr. McQueen was appointed to take his place. The Museum has received a constant inflow of acquisitions, including the herbarium and other collections bequeathed by the late Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, the balance of the Sainsbury moss collection, and Macquarie Islands birds obtained by the Director, Dr. R. A. Falla, during a visit to the Island on the invitation of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition. The construction of a store-room in the base of the Museum courtyard was completed, and promises to help solve some of the more urgent problems of storage which have become acute. Although there has as yet been no progress in the attempt to increase the number of professional officers on the Museum staff, your representatives are pleased to comment on the improved academic qualifications of several members of the present staff, in particular the award of doctorate degrees to Dr. R. K. Dell and Dr. T. Barrow, and by the continued studies in the United States of Miss B. A. Holloway, who has been appointed Entomologist. The Museum Management Committee again surveyed the staff establishment and has asked the Board to ask the Government to approve an increase of seven during the next five years. Recommendations for constitutional reform were drawn up by members of the committee referred to in our last report, but all progress in this matter has been halted by complete opposition to any change by the Management Committee of the National Art Gallery. This attitude emphasises our opinion that the interests of Art Gallery and Museum are too divergent for the present constitution of the Board to be satisfactory. The Museum has been asked, during the past year, to take increasing responsibility for the housing of war relics, and technological and historical objects for which it has at present neither space nor the staff. We believe the time is rapidly approaching when national specialist museums should be set up to cater for such material. H. C. McQueen, C. A. Fleming, Representatives on the Board of Trustees. April 30, 1958. Dr. Fleming presented the report of the representatives of the Society on the Board of Trustees, and he suggested that the Standing Committee be asked to consider the situation as expressed in the report regarding the present constitution which links the Dominion Museum with the National Art Gallery. The report was adopted and Dr. Fleming's suggestion agreed to.

Report of Representative on Council of the Royal N.Z. Institute of Horticulture Conference. The Institute held its annual conference at Wanganui, on February 13, 1958. In the evening, Mr. W. R. Stevens, of Wanganui, delivered the Banks Lecture on “The Influence on New Zealand of the introduction of South African and Australian Plants”. Publication. The Institute's journal, “New Zealand Plants and Gardens” is now in its third year. Under the editorship of Mr. G. A. R. Phillips, it has reached and maintained a very high standard, with good articles on a wide range of horticultural topics. It has also changed to a more modern and attractive format. A separate Publication Account has been established. In spite of the allocation of 5/- from each membership subscription and a generous Government grant, the credit balance in this account decreased by £354 during the year, but this was partly due to the coincidence that five quarterly issues came to charge during the financial year. It looks as though the journal can probably be kept financially sound by careful management. Membership and Finance. During the year ended September 30, 1957, membership increased from 2,102 to 2,205. In the general accounts (excluding the journal), income exceeded expenditure by £155. Patron. His Excellency the Governoi-General, Lord Cobham, has accepted the office of Patron of the Institute, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. G. F. Skinner, the office of Vice-Patron. International Society of Horticultural Science. The Director-General of Agriculture sought the Institute's views on a proposal that the International Horticultural Congress should establish an international society to foster the exchanges of horticultural information, and the study of specific problems. It was suggested that there be membership by countries and associate membership by societies and individuals. The Institute recommended that New Zealand should become a member, and resolved itself to become an associate member. Soil Conservation. Some time ago the Dominion Council of the Institute appointed a committee to review the question of soil conservation in New Zealand. The committee collected information from the New Zealand Forest Service, the Department of Lands and Survey, and the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, as well as from a few of the Institute's District Councils. The committee's report was presented to the Annual Conference in February and included the following statement:— “Probably nowhere in the world are there so many Government Departments and local bodies working so enthusiastically towards a common goal. While there are still some areas of indigenous forest being felled—a matter of regret—the overall picture is one of enlightened conservation and protection, and if maintained, augurs well for the future.” The report was adopted after much discussion, and it was agreed that no further action by the institute was called for at present. Timber Milling in the Urewera Country. Some time ago the Institute's attention was drawn to the fact that some milling was going on in this area. Whilst recognising the right of the Maori land owners to exploit the timber growing on their own land, the Institute is anxious that as much of this forest as possible should be preserved. It has therefore been in consultation with appropriate Government agencies, and believes that present plans are working out satisfactorily. The addition of a large area of land to the Urewera National Park by the Government was particularly welcome. Consultative Committee on Agricultural Education. This committee was set up by the Education Department under the chairmanship of Dr. L. J. Wild. The Institute submitted a statement of views on horticultural education. I do not think the committee's report has appeared to date. Examinations. I have continued to serve on the Institute's Examining Board, of which I was elected chairman a few months ago. In addition to the National Diplomas in Horticulture and Fruit Culture, and the certificates in various branches of horticulture, the Institute has now been given statutory authority to issue certificates and diplomas in beekeeping, a function not discharged by any other body. Proposals for a scheme of examination are being considered. The recently revised prescription for the Institute's various examinations were published during the year in the form of an Examination Handbook. The existing Guide to Students is now being revised. Special Prize Awards. For several years now the Institute has offered two special awards to candidates for the National Diploma in Horticulture. At the 1957 examinations a new award was inaugurated—namely, the David Tannock Memorial Prize. This prize is endowed by a fund (£100) subscribed to commemorate the horticultural work of Mr. David Tannock, O.B.E., A.H.R.H.S., A.H.R.I.H. (N.Z.), who was one of the founders of the Royal N.Z.

Institute of Horticulture and Superintendent of Botanic Gardens, Parks and Reserves at Dunedin from 1903 to 1939. Mr. Tannock trained many apprentices who later occupied responsible positions in horticulture both in New Zealand and overseas. The three special awards are: — (a) Cockayne Gold Medal to the most successful candidate completing the National Diploma in Horticulture. (b) J. A. Campbell Memorial Prize to the most successful candidate completing the Intermediate Section of the National Diploma in Horticulture. (c) David Tannock Memorial Prize, to the candidate gaining the highest marks in the Oral and Practical Stage III examination for the National Diploma in Horticulture. The Cockayne Gold Medal and J. A. Campbell Memorial Prize awards are subject to certain qualifying conditions. The successful candidates in the awards for 1957 were: (a) Cockayne Gold Medal. No award. (b) J. A. Campbell Memorial Prize: H. van den Bosch (Christchurch). (c) David Tannock Memorial Prize: L. J. Metcalf (Christchurch). H. D. Gordon, Representative of Royal Society of N.Z. on the Council of the Royal N.Z. Inst. Hort. April 30, 1957. Professor Richardson presented the report submitted by Professor H. D. Gordon, the Society's representative on the Council of the Royal N.Z. Institute of Horticulture. The report was adopted. Dr. Salmon commented on the reference in the report to the milling of timber in the Urewera forests. He stated that he had recently been in the locality and the virgin forest bordering the roadside had completely vanished. He compared the appearance of the Urewera Forest as it is now with photographs of the forest taken some years ago. Erosion was already starting. Dr. Salmon then went on to deal with the felling of the bush adjacent to main roads right through the North Island. Professor Briggs also protested in strong terms about the destruction of the New Zealand forests. He said “There must be a definite policy about the felling of bush adjacent to main roads”. On the motion of Professor Allan, seconded by Dr. Falla, it was resolved that milling in the Urewera County be referred to the Standing Committee for consideration. On the motion of Professor Richardson the report was adopted, and Professor Gordon was thanked for his informative and interesting report. Dr. Salmon then moved that this meeting express its deep concern at the denudation of forests. Professor Allan stated that such a resolution, unless supported by facts, would not do the Society any good. He considered that the Council should proceed in a scientific manner and collate facts and information. Professor Briggs thought the Standing Committee should first take up the matter of the preservation of native forests along the highways and roadways. He moved that this matter be referred to the Standing Committee and that Member Bodies be asked to report any instances of despoliation or of proposed destruction. Report of Representative on New Zealand Oceanographic Committee There has been no meeting and nothing to comment on since my last report to Council in May, 1957. The Secretary has advertised that Research Grants may be applied for, but apparently no applications were received. On April 15, 1958, I resigned from the position of representative of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the Committee, and am therefore no longer eligible as a nominee to represent the Royal Society of New Zealand. With the growth of the Department's Oceanographic Institute, the functions of this committee, which initially brought together the country's scattered and diverse interests in marine sciences and led to the formation of the Institute, have now become more restricted. The Committee can still function most usefully as a body representing the oceanographers of New Zealand as a whole, to advise the Department on matters not dealt with, or inadequately covered, by the Oceanographic Institute's programmes, to enable non-Governmental oceanographers to have their voice in New Zealand Oceanographic activities, and to apply for

giants to facilitate their own work. For these reasons I recommend that the Royal Society should nominate as my successor a member of the Committee who is not a member of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. C. A. Fleming, Representative of Royal Society of New Zealand on N.Z. Oceanographic Committee. Dr. Fleming, representative of the Society of the Committee, moved the adoption of the report. He stated that he had resigned from the committee as a representative of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and he would therefore not be able to continue to represent the Royal Society. He thought the Royal Society should be represented on the Committee by someone who was not a member of DSIR. Although the work of the Committee was now largely superseded by the Oceanographic Institute he still felt that the Committee had its function as advisory committee to DSIR and that the Royal Society should retain its representation on the Committee. The Standing Committee was authorised to appoint a successor to Dr. Fleming. The report was adopted and Dr. Fleming was thanked for acting for some years as the Society's representative. Report of Representative on Medical Research Council In previous years the work of the Medical Research Council has been organised around an annual calendar concluding on March 31. This has now been abandoned in favour of a normal calendar year, mainly in order to match the Council's accounting with that of the University of Otago, through which office most of the Medical Research Council payments are channelled. This change has resulted in a period of nine months during 1957 for which financial arrangements have been anomalous. Last year, I reported the amount of the Government grant was £70,000, and expressed the hope that for the current year this would be raised to about £100,000 in order to cope with an ever expanding research programme. The sum which has actually been allocated for the current calendar year is £92,000, with slightly greater sums in the two subsequent years of the triennium. The nine months intervening between the two complete financial years was met by a grant of £60,000. This increase in the Council's funds has made it possible to plan needful extensions to current activities of its own, and also to support with greater sympathy duly accredited researches outside its own jurisdiction. During the period under review, a number of bequests have been made, mainly for specific objectives. Notably among these has been a public subscription from the people of Gisborne and district which, together with a Government subsidy, has enabled an electron microscope to be purchased for the use of Research Committees in Dunedin. A further private donation will enable this installation to be adequately supported by the necessary auxiliary equipment. Research activities under all the eleven research committees previously constituted continue to progress in a healthy manner, and a large volume of published work is reported. The new Hydatids Research Committee, which is sponsored jointly by Medical Research Council and other interested bodies, has not yet made progress other than in a survey of the extent of the problem. Its future plans will be determined largely by the problem of accommodation, which is at present under negotiation. Further professional staff is under consideration for assembly as soon as practicable. L. Bastings, Representative of the Royal Society of New Zealand on The Medical Research Council. The report submitted by Dr. L. Bastings was adopted, and thanks were extended to Dr. Bastings. Report of Representative on Carter Observatory Board Board. The constitution of the Board at March 31, 1958, was as follows:–Royal Society of New Zealand representatives: Dr. M. A. F. Barnett, Professor D. Walker; Wellington City Council representatives: Mr. E. P. Norman, Mr. M. A. Castles; N.Z. Government representatives: Mr. R. G. Dick, Mr. R. C. Hayes, Professor F. F. Miles, Mr. W. Pilliet Pringle. Mr. E. P. Norman continued in office as chairman, and Dr. M. A. F. Barnett as Vice-Chairman. Owing to health, Mr. J. T. Martin resigned in December, and the Board has lost a most valuable and enthusiastic member. The vacancy his not yet been filled. Building and Equipment, These have been maintained in a satisfactory condition,

Educational Work. The Observatory has continued to be open to the public every Friday evening except in the months of December, January, and February. Telescope demonstrations have been given on all clear evenings, and on all occasions lectures delivered. Attendances for the year totalled 2,114, giving a total of 26,054 since 1946. External lectures have been given and newspaper articles supplied whenever possible upon request. Research Work. Sunspot observations by projection have continued, the results of which are distributed to overseas observatories as regularly as possible. Owing to continual defects in the solar camera mechanism, photospheric photographs were temporarily stopped during the year, although it is hoped this may resume in due course. Pressure of other work, mostly of an administrative nature, has prevented full use of the spectrohelioscope. Auroral work has continued as formerly, and is financed mainly from a contract with the Air Force Cambridge Research Centre, U.S.A. Under this same contract the services of Dr. M. Gadsden working on high dispersion spectroscopy at Invercargill have been made available to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Radio disturbance forecasts have been supplied to the Post and Telegraph Department, the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, and Industrial Research. A special camera for photographing the moon and surrounding star background, was received from the U.S. Naval Observatory. It was in process of being adapted to the telescope at the end of the year. With the active co-operation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, arrangements are well in hand for a combined United Kingdom-New Zealand Expedition to Atafu Island, in the Tokelau Group, to observe the total solar eclipse of 1958, October 12. Instruments on loan from the United Kingdom to New Zealand for this purpose have already been received at the Observatory. General Astronomical Information. General astronomical information has been supplied to official and professional interests as required. Staff. The staff consisted of Mr. I. L. Thomsen (Director), Mr. G. W. McQuistan (Assistant), and Miss M. O. Jones (clerk). Under the U.S.A. contract, Mr. P. Crowe and Miss R. Taylor were employed on auroral research. To assist on public demonstration evenings, Messrs. G. A. Eiby, R. B. Orton. P. A. Reed and R. D. Belesky acted as honorary assistants. D. Walker, Representative of the Royal Society of New Zealand on Carter Observatory Board. April 24, 1958. Professor Richardson moved the adoption of the report of the representatives of the Society on the Carter Observatory Board. Carried. Thanks were extended to Professor Walker who, in the absence of Dr. Barnett, had submitted the report. Report of Representative on National Historic Places Trust Early in 1957 the Trust established Regional Committees in seventeen districts. In most cases these have made considerable progress in carrying out their primary function of surveying the historic sites in their regions, assessing their historical significance and reporting to the Trust the order of priority of the projects they consider should be undertaken. The number of projects put forward are, as might have been expected, beyond the present capacity of the Trust, on account of its limited financial resources. To keep the Regional Committees in touch with the policy of the Trust, the chairman, the secretary, and other members of the Trust have visited several of the committees, and inspected some of their proposed works. As another means of integrating the work of the Committees, and in order to keep them and associated members informed of Trust activities, a newsletter is being issued from time to time. The first of these was published last November. So far no planned campaign to build up a significant income from the subscriptions of associate and corporate members has been undertaken, but the number of public bodies (forty-one) that have become corporate members is encouraging. The roll of associate members now stands at one hundred and sixty. Associate and corporate members have the right to elect a member of the Trust, and the first election was held recently. The Trust does not yet consider that it is in a position to acquire by purchase any major properties, but a considerable amount of work has been in the field of its other functions of recording and marking sites of significance. An exploratory team under the director of Dr. R. Duff, examined and recorded cave drawings and paintings in the Waitaki Valley. These are likely to be submerged when the Benmore hydro-electric scheme is completed. Successful experiments have been carried out in recording rock-carvings by means of latex casts.

Old buildings, which for various reasons cannot be preserved intact, are being recorded by detailed architectural drawings and by photography. A set of principles governing this work has been drafted and sent to Regional Committees, so that this important work may be adequately and consistently earned out. A standard type of plaque and base has been approved by the Trust, and plaques have already been cast for the marking of sues in Taranaki, the Waikato, Marlborough and the East Coast. These will be set up in the near future. Trust plaques have been affixed to three of the historic huts at McMurdo Sound by the ship's company of the “Endeavour”. The future of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul is still in doubt. An approach by the Trust to the Wellington City Council asking for their support and help in preserving the structure as it stands was unsuccessful. A deputation from the Trust waited on the Prime Minister earlier in the year, and discussed the project with him. It is too soon to say whether this will put the Trust in a position to take active steps in the matter. At the instigation of the Trust, the Historic Places Trust Act, 1954, was amended last year, and properties vested in a bequest to the Trust are now exempt from Estate Duty. J. D. H. Buchanan, May 8, 1958. Representative on Historic Places Trust. Mr. J. D. H. Buchanan, the Society's Representative on the National Historic Places Trust, submitted his report. In connection with the preservation of certain Chatham Island reserves containing carvings on trees, a letter from the Secretary of the Trust stated that latex casts of some of the more important carvings is under consideration as the cost of fencing the area in which these trees stood would be £600 a mile, and the life of the trees is uncertain. It was resolved that the preservation of historic sites be referred to Member Bodies to advise the Trust of places of scientific interest. On the motion of Dr. Salmon, seconded by Mr. Willett, it was resolved—“That before moulds are taken of the tree carvings they should be properly photographed and the photographs made available for reference”. The report of the National Historic Places Trust was adopted and a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Buchanan. Report of Representative on Ross Sea Committee Following Professor L. R. Richardson's departure overseas on sabbatical leave, the Royal Society appointed Mr. R. W. Willett to act as its representative on the Ross Sea Committee. The Royal Society's Antarctic Research Committee drew up a plan for the winding up of scientific data arising from T.A.E. recommendation regarding the curation of collections. A panel of N.Z. scientists to whom material should be submitted for working up was also presented. At the same time a proposal to offer space in the Transactions for biological research, with a superscription indicating that it is a T.A.E. research paper. It was also recommended that Ross Sea Committee should allocate funds to defray cost of the publication. These recommendations were accepted by Ross Sea Committee and transmitted to the London Committee. Although the London Committee has not replied stating its views, Professor L. R. Richardson has written to the Ross Sea Committee indicating the London Scientific Sub-Committee's acceptance of the proposal, especially concerning biological material; geological material was considered to be a matter for discussion with Sir Vivian Fuchs. The Ross Sea Committee is not in a financial position to continue to hold T.A.E. members on its pay roll while they write up results. Fortunately the majority of scientists were officers of some Government agency and have been able to return to their respective departments and there work up their results. In the case of one member who was a graduate student, the New Zealand Geological Survey, D.S.I.R. has taken him on the staff in order that his work may be written up. The Ross Sea Committee's activities have passed the peak, and at present a large amount of work is entailed in rounding off its activities. From the point of view of scientific and survey work in the Ross Dependency its place has now been taken by the recently established Ross Dependency Research Committee. R. W. Willett, Acting Representative on Ross Sea Committee.

On the motion of Mr. Willett, acting representative of the Royal Society of New Zealand on the Ross Sea Committee during the absence of Professor Richardson from New Zealand, seconded by Dr. Fleming, the report of the Ross Sea Committee was adopted. Mr. Willett said the Committee's functions were moving to a close, and the scientific and survey work has now been taken over by the newly established Ross Dependency Research Committee. Report of Society's Representative on Ross Dependency Research Committee This Committee (RDRC) was appointed in terms of a Cabinet Minute of March 25, 1958. The Minister in Charge of Scientific and Industrial Research was given the responsibility for co-ordinating all New Zealand activity in the Ross Dependency, with the understanding that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research would co-ordinate executive action and perform any necessary executive acts not clearly the responsibility of any other Government Department or authority and the committee was appointed to advise and assist the Minister. The Committee consists of representatives of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Meteorological Service, the Departments of External Affairs and of Lands and Survey, the Chiefs of Staff Committee the Dominion Museum, the Royal Society of New Zealand, and New Zealand Universities. The functions of the Committee are to advise the Minister on organisation and administration of New Zealand activity in the Ross Dependency, to present an Annual Report, to co-ordinate all New Zealand activity in the Dependency with special reference to scientific programme, to co-ordinate this activity with that of other countries operating in Antarctica, and to co-ordinate publication and dissemination of results and custody of records. Owing to the need for a representative to attend the initial meeting of April 16, the undersigned was appointed in early April. The initial meeting discussed the Committee's terms of reference, proposals for New Zealand activities in Antarctica in 1959–60, and factors affecting the proposed programme, and set up a sub-committee to report on publication, dissemination and custody of records and information. The Committee's activities give promise of continued New Zealand scientific investigations in the Ross Dependency as a fitting sequel to the successful scientific programmes of the Transantarctic Expedition, the I.G.Y. Expedition, and the New Zealand Geological Survey during the past year. C.A. Fleming, Representative of Royal Society of New Zealand. Dr. Fleming, who has been appointed to represent the Royal Society of New Zealand on the Ross Dependency Research Committee, reported on the establishment and the personnel of the Committee and its functions. On his motion the report was adopted. Report of Royal Society's Representative on Great Barrier Reef Committee The Committee has been busy with the reopening of the Heron Island Research Station. The station now consists of a laboratory-library building, a workshop-laundry, and a Maintenance Officer's cottage. Facilities include a 15-foot launch and a dinghy. Plans are in hand for extension of the laboratory, and erection of both a dormitory building housing 16 and an aquarium. The funds available are by no means sufficient for the proposed programme. Investigations are being made as to grants in aid, and exploratory measures are being taken as regards the registration of the Great Barrier Reef Committee as a limited liability company. The Heron Island Research Station is a great asset to biologists and deserves support. In the last year 18 visiting scientists have made use of the facilities available and several scientific papers. published and in press, incorporate work done at the station. Beryl I Brewin, Royal Society's Representative Great Barrier Reef Committee. Dr. B. Brewin, representative of the Royal Society of New Zealand, submitted a report on the Committee's work. On the motion of Professor Richardson the report was adopted and Dr. Brewin thanked.

Report of Representative on National Parks Authority During the year ended March 31, 1958, five meetings of the Authority were held, Dr. J. T. Salmon attending one meeting and I the other four, two of which were held in Wellington, one at Arthurs Pass, and one at Takaka, when visits were paid to various parts of the Abel Tasman Park. The Chairman of the Authority since its inception, Mr. D. M. Greig, Head of the Department of Lands and Survey, retired in March, after presiding for the last time at the meeting of the Authority held in Takaka. The Authority has approached the N.Z. Geographic Board asking that Mr. Greig's services be commemorated by conferring his name on a group of peaks in the Arthurs Pass National Park. The Authority now deals with eight National Parks under the National Parks Act of 1952. They are: Urewera (119,614 acres); Tongariro (161,538 acres); Egmont (80,681 acres); Abel Tasman (40,622 acres); Nelson Lakes (139,833 acres); Arthurs Pass (239,152 acres); Mt. Cook (151,800 acres); Fiordland (2,959,793 acres); a total of 3,893,033 acres. Park Boards have been established for Tongariro, Egmont, Abel Tasman, Arthurs Pass and Mt. Cook, and are in the process of being established for Urewera, Nelson Lakes and Fiordland. In a number of the parks small changes in boundaries have been made generally by the acquisition of small areas adjoining and jutting on to the parks. During the year an attractive booklet, “New Zealand National Parks,” has been issued by the Authority which provides brief but very informative descriptions of each park, useful maps and well chosen photographs. The typescript of a larger publication giving historical, descriptive and scientific information on the Tongariro National Park is now being edited. The publication is on the lines of that previously written by James Cowan, only in greater detail. The Tongariro and the Arthurs Pass National Parks represent the regions where developments are proceeding most rapidly, and both Park Boards have been very active in organising these areas to meet the increasing influx of visitors. In the Tongariro National Park the developments mentioned in last year's report have continued to extend, more buldings have been erected, to the extent that both the Authority and the Park Board have refused a number of requests and consider a halt should be called in the Chateau sector of the Park and that a transfer of interest to the Ohakune sector of the Park should be encouraged. At Arthurs Pass township a number of improvements have been effected, including the completion of a very fine stone church possessed of striking architecture appropriate to its setting. In addition, plans have been prepared and a site cleared for a museum and recreation hall. A comprehensive botanical collection including a very large number of species collected from all parts of the Park has been established adjacent to the main road. The Arthurs Pass National Park at the Temple Basin and on the Craigieburn range provides excellent facilities for some six or more ski-ing clubs whose members have been very co-operative with the Park Board in developing tracks, building hostels and equipping the runways. The Board is pursuing an active policy of encouraging easy tramping recreation both on the West Coast and Canterbury sides of the Park. In the Egmont National Park much consideration has been given during the year to the tenure, maintenance and future of the several hostels established there. The Abel Tasman Park Board has been active in developing access tracks from the Mairehau, Canaan and Totaranui approaches to the Park. This is to meet the recreational needs which are rapidly growing as instanced by there being often 1,500 visitors to the difficult of access Totaranui Beach during week-ends. Forest regeneration and a revival of native bird life are reported in this Park, despite the presence of vermin. In the Nelson Lakes Park, various improvements have been made to Lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua, some adjoining properties have been absorbed into the Park, and some surveys made for future access routes. At Mt. Cook, a ranger's house has been erected and a ranger appointed. This marks the beginning of developments in this region. Already plans are being made for the establishment of a botanical reserve in fairly close proximity to the new Hermitage. The Fiordland Park Board is now in course of being established, and one permanent ranger has been appointed. This Park presents problems of very great difficulty, but the Authority is receiving very valuable assistance from the Deerstalkers' Association and various Southland and Otago bodies in the initial steps now being taken. The Authority was not successful in the endeavour made to have four takahe eggs collected in Fiordland hatched in the Wairarapa, but very useful experience was gained. The authority feels that it should persist in this endeavour on account of the possible risks threatening the small colony of these birds in their sanctuary. An expedition in this Park has been successful in locating the kakapo, another bird considered to be on the verge of extinction. Considering the smallness of the funds available, the various Park Boards have made notable achievements in developing their areas during the year. Some have raised further funds

locally which carry a generous Government subsidy, and these have been put to good use. No major disasters through the ravages of fire have occurred during the year. Generally the vegetative cover is reported to be improving and increases in bird life are said to be noticeable. The ranging of the vast areas of rough terrain which has to be undertaken by a very small staff, presents a formidable task which, however, appears to have been dealt with very satisfactorily. A system for the training of Park Rangers will be put into operation this year. I feel that both Authority and Park Boards are resolutely pursuing a sound and enlightened policy, with slender resources, in the development of the almost 4,000,000 acres of extremely rough terrain which form the present National Parks of the Dominion. F. R. Callaghan, April 28, 1958. Representative of Royal Society. Mr. F. R. Callaghan, the Society's representative on the National Parks Authority, presented his report and made reference to certain aspects of the Authority's work. He said that much development had taken place in the Arthurs Pass National Park where there were now excellent facilities for skiing; the McCaskill Botanical Garden had been established and the training of Park rangers was also being undertaken. In reply to a question as to the duties of such rangers, Mr. Callaghan said that they were not trained as scientists but they were useful with tools in maintenance work. He thought it was an aspect of the work of the Authority that could be developed. In U.S.A. rangers led parties and gave scientific lectures as a guide to tourists; he thought that science students could be utilised for such a purpose. On the motion of Dr. Falla, seconded by Professor Allan, it was resolved— “That we ask our representative to bring before the Authority the policy of appointing and training Guide Lecturers in the National Parks.”. Dr. Archey stated that Auckland Institute and Mustum was urging that a “Wilderness Area ” be formed in the Tongariro National Park. It was reported that a booklet on the Tongariro National Park had recently been published. This dealt more with the historical aspect of the Park, but the scientific side could also be written up. After further discussion, the report was adopted and Mr. Callaghan was thanked for his work on the Authority. Ninth Pacific Science Congress. Professor Briggs, who represented the Royal Society at the Ninth Pacific Science Congress at Bangkok, reported briefly on the Congress at which there was an attendance of over 900 (575 foreign delegates and visitors and 400 Thai scientists). This attendance of foreign scientists created a record. The Organising Committee invited selected scientists as guests of honour and lecturers and he himself had been invited as a special guest. (Professor Briggs stated that he would therefore be refunding part of the grant allowed him by the Royal Society). The Organising Committee decided to adopt a new policy of publishing the Proceedings. Only Presidential Addresses, the addresses of official guests, and Reports of the Standing Committees are to be published. Other papers are to be abstracted. The Congress would prove of great value to Thailand; problems relating to the country were discussed and expert personnel was obtained to assist in establishing Museums and National Parks. A film of rare bison was obtained, and it was decided that their habitat should be preserved. Professor Briggs stated that relatively few of the resolutions earned would affect New Zealand. On the motion of Professor Allan, seconded by Professor Richardson, Professor Briggs was thanked for his report. Professor Briggs then stated that there had been adverse criticism about the small New Zealand representation at the Congress. He himself had been sent by the Royal Society of New Zealand, only one delegate had been paid for by the Government, and other New Zealanders present had been attending other con-

ferences in the area or were present in the country. This poor representation had been the subject of a letter he wrote to the Prime Minister from London, and he read a reply from the Rt. Hon. Mr. Nash. Mr. Callaghan said that action in regard to representation at the Ninth Congress had been taken too late. Interest in the Tenth Congress, which is to be held in Honolulu in 1961, should be stirred up now. Dr. Fleming considered that the Society should set aside an amount annually from its own funds for overseas conferences. Report of Conservation Committee The members of the Society's Conservation Committee have been in regular consultation during the year just closed, and have brought either before the Council or the Standing Committee several matters of national importance. The most important of these was the completion and release of the Society's report on the use of powerful insecticides. Great interest has been shown in this report, and copies of it have been in constant demand. The Committee brought before the Standing Committee a proposal that the Society should take action towards the preservation of the Aratiatia Rapids. The Standing Committee did not feel competent to pass an opinion on this matter, but suggested that the Convener might bring it up as a private matter at the November Council Meeting. This was done, and a resolution in support of the proposal was passed at that meeting, since which considerable newspaper publicity has been given to the Society's resolution throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. As a result the Convener of the Conservation Committee has received support bv letter from many interested organisations and private individuals. While travelling in the South Island in December the Convener of the Conservation Committee noticed that sheep were being grazed inside the Fiordland National Park, and that the greater part of the Eglinton Valley tussock flats had been either spoiled or destroyed by grazing. He also found in the Homer that raspberries had been planted and were spreading through one of the alpine gardens, and that a house had been built inside the National Park area in the Eglinton Valley. These matters were brought to the attention of the Standing Committee by the Conservation Committee at its February meeting, and it was resolved to send a letter to the National Parks Authority complaining of these matters, and to ask the Society's representative, Mr. F. R. Callaghan, to bring them forward at the next meeting of the National Parks Authority. Continuation of the investigations on the spreading of litter in scenic reserves and similar places which was brought before the Council last year, is taking place, and the Conservation Committee is at present awaiting advice from the Department of Internal Affairs as to whether existing legislation gives sufficient authority for this matter to be taken in hand. Following newspaper reports that baches were being erected in the Tongariro National Park, the Conservation Committee drew the attention of the Standing Committee to the undesirability of such activities inside National Parks This matter was also taken up at the meeting of the National Parks Authority by the Society's representative, and an assurance was obtained that the report in the newspapers was erroneous, and that the buildings referred to were housing for National Parks Authority staff members. A request made by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources for a report on the preservation of indigenous land cover of New Zealand for presentation to the meeting of the International Union at Athens in 1958, which was originally directed to Dr. Oliver, was redirected to the Convener of the Conservation Committee. The Committee arranged for Mr. A. L. Poole, of the Forest Service, and Mr. D. A. Campbell, of the Soil Erosion and Rivers Control Council to contribute reports for forwarding to the International Union. Supplementary Report. During the year the Conservation Committee brought to the notice of the Standing Committee the fact that sheep were being grazed in the Fiordland National Park as it is of the opinion that this is contrary to the best interests of the Park. The Standing Committee approved of a letter being sent to the National Parks Authority. and also requested the Society's representative on the National Parks Authority, Mr. F. R. Callaghan, to bring the matter up at a meeting of the Authority. A reply has now been received of which the following is an extract.—. “At the recent meeting of the National Parks Authority the matters raised in your letter of 11th March were discussed Mr. Callaghan was, of course, present and took part in the discussion. “I am unable, without further enquiry, to let you have my considered comments regarding the house on the Eglinton flats and the spread of raspberries near the Homer Forks, but the presence of sheep in the Park is well known to the Authority. Section 31

of the National Parks Act, 1952, authorises the granting of leases or licences for grazing purposes over land within a National Park, and in 1954 the Authority approved the leasing of some 9,500 acres in the Eglinton Valley area for the grazing of sheep. “One of the main reasons for granting this lease was to control the tussock lands in the open areas of the valley, along which camping grounds are situated. If these are not grazed a serious fire hazard could well arise. The grazing by stock considerably lessens the danger. “As far as the presence of European grasses is concerned there is no doubt that they are in existence, but they were not deliberately sown. They were possibly introduced by stock. “The National Parks Authority is conscious of its obligation to preserve all National Parks as far as possible in their native state, but at the same time it has an obligation to ensure that fire and other hazards are minimised as much as possible. In the circumstances pertaining to the Eglinton Valley region the Authority considers the granting of grazing rights reasonable”. The Standing Committee referred this letter to the Conservation Committee who are unanimously of the opinion that the reply is unsatisfactory, and have suggested that the matter should be discussed at the meeting of the Council on May 22. The Conservation Committee would point out that the grazing of tussock to prevent a fire hazard does not appear to bear critical investigation for the following reasons: (1) The annual rainfall for the Eglinton Valley almost precludes any danger of fire hazard. (2) Fire hazard is far greater in the many miles of road traversing forest than it is in the small areas of tussock land. (3) These tussock areas were, before grazing commenced, a feature of the Fiordland National Park and were one of the few areas in New Zealand where tussock in its native undamaged state was reasonably accessible to visitors. (4) Tongariro National Park, which also has a high average rainfall has much larger areas of tussock which it has not been considered necessary to graze on account of any fire hazard. These points are further amplified in that: (a) Eglinton Valley has about 150 inches of rain per annum and about 200 rain days. Compare with Tongariro National Park's 106 inches of rain per annum and 185 rain days. (b) It is doubtful whether there are 9,500 acres of flat tussock land in the Eglinton Valley, and the figures given by the National Parks Authority would suggest that mountain slopes and possibly the tops such as Key Summit have been opened to grazing. Members of the Committee would estimate that there would probably not be more than 1,000 acres of flat tussock land in the Eglinton Valley. (5) If it is important that the Park should provide an income this could be better obtained by proper management of the forests. The beech forests receive no management at present and they are in poor shape. Proper selection and management would improve the standard of the forests and with the regeneration encoraged they would eventually prove a better and more lasting source of income than destructive grazing of the valley floor. (6) The Eglinton Valley is the only valley of its kind within a National Park. On this account alone no risk whatever should be taken of prejudicing the survival of any part of it. The Conservation Committee wonders whether the grazing rights have been let in order to produce additional revenue to help in the maintenance of the rest of the Park. If this is so, the Committee considers that such action is contrary to the letter and spirit of the National Parks Act, and if such policies are allowed to go unhindered they may be adopted in all National Parks, which would then cease to be areas for the preservation of the native flora and fauna. It is understood that grazing is also permitted in parts of the Arthurs Pass National Park. The Committee has not at the moment any knowledge of the actual areas involved, but here again considers that this action is wrong, and that it should be stopped. The Committee recognises that the National Parks Board may need flat areas for recreational purposes within the Fiordland National Park, but even so the Conservation Committee is unanimously of the opinion that certain areas of tussock flats in the Eglinton Valley should be preserved intact, and that the matter should be pressed with the Authority

until the grazing rights are rescinded and the sheep removed. If this is done immediately the damage to the tussocks, when seen by the Convener of the Conservation Committee in December last, although considerable, was not sufficiently far advanced to prevent the regeneration of the tussock flats as such. J. T. Salmon, Convener, Conservation Committee. In moving the adoption of the report of the Conservation Committee, Dr. Salmon referred to the reply from the National Parks Authority regarding the grazing rights in the tussock flats in the Fiordland National Park. He stated that this area was the habitat of certain plants and moths found nowhere else. The tussock flats in the past have been a feature of this Park, and he thought that even now if the grazing rights were rescinded the tussock may reassert itself. It was resolved that a copy of the report be sent to the National Parks Authority, together with a request from this meeting of the Royal Society of New Zealand that grazing rights be rescinded. Mr. Keys seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried. Dr. Soper said that factual information was required, and the report should be referred back to the Conservation Committee for further work. On the motion of Profesor Richardson, seconded by Dr. Archey, it was resolved to appoint a deputy Convener during Dr. Salmon's absence overseas. I.C.Y. Mr. G.W. Markham, Secretary of the I.G.Y. Committee, attended and gave an oral report on the Committee's activities. He spoke of the work carried out by the major station in Invercargill under Mr. R.S Unwin, which collaborates with other stations under the University of New Zealand, D.S.I.R., Carter Observatory, the Navy and the Post and Telegraph Departments Under I.G.Y. forty stations throughout the world are studying the shape and structure of the world. Mr. Markham went on to give further details of the work and then refered to the establishment by the International Council of Scientific Unions of the Special Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) on which New Zealand is represented by Dr. E. I. Robertson. The Ross Dependency Research Committee set up by the Government on which the Royal Society is represented by Dr. Fleming had formulated a programme of work to be done at Scott Base. A most successful informal symposium had been held in Wellington in February when scientists were returning from the Antarctic. Seven countries were represented with strong delegations from the United States and from Russia. A summary of the Proceedings is to be circulated as a record. The President thanked Mr. Markham for attending the meeting and for his informative and interesting report which covered New Zealand's very successful participation in I.G.Y. Darwin Centenary. Dr. Falla reported orally on the proposed expedition to celebrate the Darwin Centenary, the revised plans of which had been approved. Mr. Martin Holdgatc, of Durham, would lead the Expedition, Mr. G.A. Knox and Dr. E. Godley, Director of the Botany Division of D.S.I.R. had now been appointed. They would probably leave by the Rangitoto early in September. There were two Chilean geologists who would join the expedition there. The Chilean Government was prepared to offer full co-operation. The Royal Society of London is financing the three members of the Expedition appointed, and if funds could be provided in New Zealand the Royal Society of London is prepared to include a New Zealand geologist as well. After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Dr. Falla, seconded by Professor Briggs : “That in the event of a suitable geologist volunteering, the Standing Committee look into the possibility of meeting a portion of his expenses.” It was further resolved, on the motion of Dr. Falla, seconded by Dr. Archey— “That the Standing Committee be authorised to contribute to the expenses of the Expedition and that the Branches also be invited to contribute”.

N.Z. Science Congress.. The President announced that no invitation had yet been received from a Member Body to act as host to the N.Z. Science Congress in 1960. Report of Chairman of Royal Society s Antarctic Research Committed In July, 1957, Mr. R. W. Willett was appointed deputy chairman of the Committee at Dr. Fleming's request, for health reasons. Reports. An addition to the Special First Reports in Biology, No. 22 “Marine Nemertines from Antarctica” by E.W. Dawson, N.Z. Oceanographic Institute (at present in the United Kingdom) was distributed in March, 1958. A set of reports was forwarded to the Chief Scientist of the Soviet research ship “Ob”. T.A.E. Collections. A list of Zoological and Botanical collections made by the Trans-antarctic Expedition (N.Z.) Inc during the 1956–57 season and “returned to Wellington (under curation at the Dominion Museum) was received in the autumn of 1957. In July the Committee recommended to the Ross Sea Committee a panel of New Zealand scientists to whom the material should be submitted for working up, and further recommended that the list be forwarded for consideration by the London Committee of T.A.E. The Committee further recommended that papers dealing with the results of research on Ross Sea biological material be submitted to the Transactions. for publication, and that a superscription be added to each paper indicating that it is a T.A.E. research paper. This would enable reprints to be found in a volume of T.A.E. scientific reports. It also recommended that the Ross Sea Committee should allocate funds to defray part or all of the cost of such publication. The Committee agreed to assist in a caretaker capacity in scientific matters (collections and reports) after the Ross Sea Committee was wound up at the end of the Expedition. T.A.E. Summer Programme 1957–58. At the request of the Ross Sea Committee, the committee made detailed recommendations for the summer programme (1957–58) at Scott Base and in H.M.N.Z.S. “Endeavour” These included emphasis on biological work, release of the expedition's biologist from other duties, use of the “Endeavour” to the fullest possible extent to provide transport and opportunity for bottom sampling and other biological work. With some modifications these recommendations were accepted, and a successful programme carried out during the past summer, entailed extensive biological work in McMurdo Sound, including marine biological collecting from “Endeavour” as well as biological and geological exploration in the dry valleys of Victoria Land, made possible by the availability of United States air transport. The Expedition's geologists, working by dog team, have greatly extended knowledge of the formation of south Victoria Land, and have made new discoveries of fossils in the Beacon Sandstone. Although full written reports are not yet available, it is clear that great advances in our knowledge and understanding of the biology and geology of the Ross Dependency have been made by the Expedition's activities. These were discussed at a successful Antarctic Symposium held m Wellington in February under the auspices of the I.G.Y. Committee, and have also been referred to in the daily press. N.Z. Geological Survey Expedition. In the summer of 1957–58, the New Zealand Geological Survey sent an expedition of eight geologists and surveyors, led by Dr. H. H. Harrington, to the joint United States-New Zealand base at Cape Hallet. Man-hauling inland. the expedition mapped several hundred square miles of completely unknown territory in the vicinity of the Admiralty Range, and also brought back extensive collections of lichens and some insects, which have been deposited in the Dominion Museum in terms of this Committee's recommendations on the repository of Antarctic collections This expedition marks the first independent field work of a New Zealand Government agency in the Ross Dependency. Future Activities. With the return of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition from the field, it appears probable that the Ross Sea Committee will be wound up, and that the Antarctic Research Committee might usefully function (as originally constituted) as a continuing body to act as its executor in scientific matters. Already, however, the Prime Minister has announced the setting up of a Ross Dependency Research Committee to advise and assist the Minister in Charge of Scientific and Industrial Research in co-ordinating all New Zealand activities in the Ross Dependency. The Royal Society of New Zealand is represented, and most of the members of the Antarctic Research Committee are members of the new committee At present we see no suggestion of redundancy in the presence of two similar committees, for the Antarctic Research Committee has continuing obligations and responsibilities in respect to the scientific work of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition, and we recommend that the Committee be appointed for the year 1958-59. Recommendations. It is recommended that the Council reappoint the Antarctic Research Committee for the ensuing year, 1958-59. C. A. Fleming, Chairman. R. W. Willett,, Deputy-Chairman.

On the motion of Dr. Fleming, seconded by Professor Allan, the report of the Royal Society's Antarctic Research Committee was adopted. International Unions of ICSU. A letter from Dr. Llewellyn, of the University of Canterbury, urging the Royal Society of New Zealand to undertake the payment of the affiliation fees of a body of Crystallographers in New Zealand to the International Union of Crystallography, was read. The Standing Committee had previously intimated to the New Zealand Crystallographers that it was unwilling to create a precedent by paying the affiliation fees due to the International Union of Crystallography by this body. After some discussion the attitude of the Standing Committee was approved, and the following resolution, moved by Professor Richardson, seconded by Mr. Brooker, was carried— “That the Royal Society agrees to pay the augmented subscription to ICSU incurred by the increased number of national bodies in New Zealand affiliated with their respective International Unions, but it cannot accept liability for the fees due by any national body to its International Union.” National Academy of Sciences. Professor Allan, convener of the Selection Committee for the Post-Doctorate Fellowships offered by the National Academy of Sciences, reported that application forms had been sent on request to approximately thirty scientists, the closing date for applications being June 1. Professor Allan asked that the present Selection Committee be given authority to act until the next annual meeting. Approved. National Collections. Mr. Callaghan stated that there was nothing further to report, and he thought the National Collections Committee should cease to function. After some discussion, during which surprise was expressed that a letter from the Museums and Art Gallery Association had not been received, it was decided that the National Collections Committee should continue in office. Travelling Expenses. It was reported that no further replies had been received from Member Bodies on the proposed new scale of travelling expenses. Library Accommodation. Letters from the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington and from the secretary of DSIR were read. After the matter had been discussed, it was resolved that the offer of further accommodation in the proposed extension of the Biology Block be accepted, subject to the Library requirements. It was further resolved that the secretary of DSIR be thanked for his offer and that he be informed that owing to the Society's long association with the University, the Library should remain in that building at least in the meantime. Special Committee on Antarctic Research. Dr. Fleming stated that certain financial obligations had been incurred by the nations which had joined SCAR, and a scale of subscriptions had been drawn up. New Zealand would be asked to subscribe approximately five hundred dollars. It would add to the prestige of the Royal Society of New Zealand if it would accept this liability as the adhering body of ICSU. Council agreed to accept the liability of the subscription to SCAR. Notices of Motion were then taken. Budget. On the motion of Dr. Fleming, seconded by Mr. Willett, it was resolved—“That the Standing Committee be instructed to prepare an estimated budget for submission to the November Meeting and to the Minister of Scientific and Industrial Research before the 1st January in each year.” Fellowship. On the motion of Sir Ernest Marsden, seconded by Dr. Archey, it was resolved—“That a Committee be set up to review the regulations and conditions applying to (1) the award of Fellowships of the Society; (2) the desirability or otherwise of an increase in the numbers and (3) to make recommendations as to the functions if any which the Fellows might undertake.” “That the Committee consist of the President, Dr. M. A. F. Barnett, Dr. G. Archey, Dr. C. A. Fleming, Dr. F. G. Soper, and Sir Ernest Marsden (Convener).”

Fuel and Power. On the motion of Mr. Keys, seconded by Mr. Callaghan, it was resolved: “That the Standing Committee be asked to appoint a Committee on Fuel and Power to consider whether it should invite the Government to give consideration to the question of Fuel and Power and the desirability of establishing a co-ordinating authority on Fuel and Power.” Contributions from Member Bodies. On the motion of Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Keys, it was resolved—“That the Standing Committee be asked to prepare a definite proposal for submission to the November meeting, and that it be referred to the Member Bodies for further consideration.” November Meeting. On the motion of Dr. Archey, it was resolved—“That the subject of Scientific Education be included in the November meeting agenda.” Election of Officers. Dr. Falla, Convener of the Nominations Committee, presented the recommendations of the Nominations Committee regarding the offices of President and Vice-Presidents. This was approved, and the following officers were elected:— President: Professor R. S. Allan. Vice-Presidents: Dr. J. K. Divon, Dr. F. G. Soper. Hon. Treasurer: Mr. S. Cory-Wright. Hon. Editor: Dr. J. T. Salmon. Hon. Librarian: Professor L. R. Richardson. Co-opted Member: Dr. J. T. Salmon. Election of Committees. Hector Award Committee: Dr. A. W. B. Powell (Convener); Standing Committee to appoint other members. Hutton Award Committee: Professor C. A. Cotton (Convener), Dr. G. H. Cunningham, Dr. D. Miller. Fellowship Selection Committee: Dr. F. G. Soper (Convener), Professor E. Beaglehole, Professor C. A. Cotton, Dr. J. T. Salmon, Miss L. B. Moore. Library Committee: Hon. Librarian (Professor Richardson). Professor C. A. Cotton, Mr. F. R. Callaghan, Dr. J. T. Salmon. Conservation Committee: Dr. R. A. Falla (Convener), Dr. J. T. Salmon, Dr. G. Archey, Mr. F. R. Callaghan, Mr. N. H. Taylor, Mr. A. L. Poole. Research Grants Committee: Dr. R. A. Falla (Convener), Mr. F. R. Callaghan, Dr. C. A. Fleming. Nominations Committee: Professor R. S. Allan (Convener), Dr. R. A. Falla, Dr. G. Archey, Sir Ernest Marsden, Professor L. H. Briggs. Antarctic Research Committee: Dr. C. A. Fleming and Professor L. R. Richardson (Society's representatives). Election of Representatives. Royal N.Z. Institute of Horticulture: Professor H. D. Gordon. Trans-Antarctic Committee: Professor L. R. Richardson. Ross Dependency Research Committee: Dr. C. A. Fleming. Oceanographic Committee: Referred to Standing Committee for appointment. Rutherford Lecture, 1960. Sir Ernest Marsden submitted certain names, as did the Otago Branch of the Royal Society of N.Z., as suggestions for the Rutherford Lecture, 1960. After some discussion, it was resolved to forward three of these names to Sir John Cockcroft, Chairman of the Royal Society's Rutherford Memorial Committee. Printing of Rules, etc. On the motion of Dr. Archey, seconded by Mr. Willett, it was resolved—“That the Act, the Rules, and the Deeds of Trust be printed in booklet form.” Time and Place of November Meeting. It was left to the Standing Committee to decide on the time and place of the half-yearly November meeting. Votes of Thanks. On the motion of the President, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Professor Richardson, retiring Vice-President, for his work on the

Council during his term of office. Votes of Thanks were also extended to the Council of Victoria University of Wellington, to the Press, and to the Secretary. On the motion of Professor Allan, the sincere thanks of the Society were extended to Professor Briggs, retiring President, for his able chairmanship of the meeting and for the work he has done for the Society during his term of office of President. The meeting closed at 6.15 p.m. Confirmed. (Signed) J. K. Dixon, Vice-President. June 27, 1958.