Reports of Member Bodies Auckland Institute and Museum President: Mr. J. W. Kealy, S. M. Secretary: Dr. G. Archey. Annual Report for 1957-58 President. The year just ended has again been one of progress. The new building is so well advanced that it may now be confidently expected that the main contract will have been completed by the time another annual meeting has been held. Despite the disorganisation inseparable from building operations, attendance has once more broken all previous records. Membership is at a new high level. Collections have been well maintained. By way of inoculation—if such be needed—against undue complacency, there is still no assurance that the required lecture hall will be included in the present building scheme, the financial problems resulting from the contrast between rising costs and an almost static revenue remain with us, and the added responsibilities, as regards both staff and furnishings, which the completion of the new building will bring, are matters which will require most earnest and careful consideration in the years ahead. Visit of H. M. the Queen Mother. The evening of February 3 was a memorable occasion in our history. Because the Town Hall was under repair, Auckland's civic reception in honour of H. M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was held in our building, which provided an ideal setting for such a great occasion. The function itself was not, of course, under the control of the Museum Council, but Her Majesty displayed very great interest in a small display of New Zealand alpine flowers which Dr. Cooper (with the help of other friends of the Museum, including some in the South Island) had been able to arrange, and in the Maori House, to which she paid a special visit, escorted by Dr. Archey. Her Majesty also interrupted the more formal programme to pause by the “Spitfire”, and to admire the portrait of H. M. the Queen recently presented to Auckland by Sir Ernest Davis. These various “digressions” resulted in Her Majesty remaining in the building a full half hour longer than had been planned—to the very great delight of Auckland citizens. Membership. These figures are as follows (last year's figures in parentheses):—Life Members, 327 (316); Annual Members, 890 (830); a total of 1,217 (1,146). Obituary. It is with sincere regret that the names are recorded of the following members who have died during the year under review: Mr. V. Johns, Mr. I. V. Payne, Mr. A. P. Postlewaite, O.B.E., Mr. C. V. Roberts, Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, F.R.S.N.Z., Mr. C. E. Worrall, Mr. W. P. Endean, Mr. Hugh C. Wright, Mr. T. W. M. Ashby, O.B.E., F.R.A.N.Z., F.A.I.S., Mr. L. J. Keys, Mr. G. A. Macmillan, Mr. Raymond Biss, Mr. N. R. Chapman, M.B.E., Mr. R. Prows Broad, Mr. G. L. Taylor, Mr. H. G. Atkinson and Mr. E. L. Wilcock. The late Mayor, Mr. T. W. M. Ashby, whose sudden death occasioned widespread sorrow, was an Institute member of many years standing, and his close personal interest in our activities will be much missed. Honours. It is pleasing to note the frequency with which the names of members of the Institute are included in the lists of those honoured by H. M. the Queen. On the present occasion our congratulations are extended to Professor P. W. Burbidge, C. B. E., Mr. H. C. McCoy, O. B. E., and Lieutenant-Commander J. F. Y. Schischka, M.B.E. The news of the celebration by our very loyal friend (and life member) Lord Bledisloe of his 90th birthday was received with real pleasure, and the felicitations of his co-members have been officially conveyed to him. Representation. Mr. Brooker has been re-appointed as one of our representatives on the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand, his colleague being Dr. Powell, who has been appointed to take the place of Professor Cumberland, who has resigned. Mr. Brooker has also been appointed as your Council's representatives on the Regional Council of Adult Education, taking the place of Dr. Archey, who had asked to be relieved.
The Institute.—Last year's lectures were fully attended—very much over fully in one case. We thank our lecturers for their most interesting presentation of the important subjects of their addresses: Professor P. W. Burbidge, C.B.E., “The Atomic Nucleus and Its Useful Reactions”; Professor N. A. Mowbray, “Engineering Application of Nuclear Energy and Its Problems”; Dr. P. Huck, “Medical Aspects of Nuclear Energy—Harmful and Beneficial”, Mr. T. A. Rafter, “Radio-Carbon Dating in the Aid of Archaeology, Oceanography and Geology”, Dr. R. E. F. Matthews, “The Control of Virus Diseases in Plants and Animals”'; Mr. G. E. Mmhinnick, O.B.E., “A Cartoonist”. The Sunday afternoon lectures were again well attended; for their participation in this service to visitors we thank Mr. P. J. Jew, “Parks and Gardens Overseas”: Mr. G. C. Roberts, “Life in the Philippines”; Dr. A. W. B. Powell; “An Expedition to Dutch New Guinea”; Dr. G. Archey, “The Art in Maori Carving”, Miss E. A. Evans, “Early Auckland”, Dr. C. B. Sheref, “Present Day Customs in Japan”. Astronomical Section. The Society has joined its Trustees in an application to the Minister of Lands and to the City Council for approval of Mt. Hobson or Mt. Roskill, preferably the former, as a site for the proposed Sir Edmund Hillary observatory, and has transferred £1,000 to the Trustees in support. An early decision is expected. The following members of the Section have been made Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society: Dr. Corban, Messrs L. R. H. Beaumont, T. Rownthwaite, R. A. Stevenson and L. A. C. Warner. Mr. Beaumont was awarded die Murray Geddes prize by the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand for long service in educational astronomy. Roger Hoi-rocks won for the third year in succession the Maurice O'Sullivan prize for juniors. The Amateur Telescope Makers' Club contributed a fine display at the Western Springs Carnival. A senior prize for observational work has been instituted; observing sections have been formed, lunar and planetary, and considerable systematic observation should result. Anthropology and Maori Race Section. Although the lectures arranged by the Section were not so well attended as on some previous years, those present found them both interesting and instructive, while the lively discussions at question time more than made up for the small numbers. During 1957, seven meetings were held, the first being at the Maori Community Centre, where Dr. M. Winiata welcomed the Section and introduced Mr. H. Toka, who gave a practical demonstration of Maori carving. Lectures and Papers presented were: “Moa Hunters Ancient and Modern”, Mr. J. Golson; “Maori Land Purchases in the 19th Century”, Mr. M. P. K. Sorrenson; “Educational Assessment of Maori Children”, Miss L. M. Smith; “Indians of Arizona”, Dr. B. G. Biggs; “Maori Welfare”, a panel discussion; and University of Auckland Students' Paper by Mr. A. B. Hooper and Miss E. Johnston. Conchology Section. This section reports well attended monthly meetings with no slackening of interest. A popular move was an extension of the period reserved for the identification of submitted specimens. A number of reasonably well attended field days was held, an innovation being a series, under the guidance of a senior member of the section, designed to encourage junior members. The Manukau Harbour Survey continues with some interesting new records resulting from several field trips. Bulletin No. 13, containing nine original papers, was published in November and the monthly Newsletter has increased to four pages. Research.—Papers being published in the current number of the Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum are as follows:—Professor G. T. S. Baylis: “A Botanical Survey of the Small Islands of the Three Kings Group”. Dr. R. C. Cooper: “Pohutukawa × Rata No. 2; Variation in Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) in New Zealand” Mr. J. A. Hunter: “Additional Notes on Tecomanthe speciosa W. R. B. Oliver (Bignoniaceae) from the Three Kings Islands, New Zealand”. Mr. E. T. Giles: “Dermaptera from the Three Kings Islands, New Zealand, with the Description of a New Species of Brachylabis Dohrn (Labiduridae)”. Mr. K. A. J. Wise: “Trichoptera of New Zealand 1. A Catalogue of the Auckland Museum collection with descriptions of New Genera and New Species”. Dr. Gilbert Archey: “Tiki and Pou: Free Sculpture and Applied”. Dr. A. W. B. Powell: “Mollusca of the Kermadec Islands, Part 1”.—“New Zealand Molluscan Systematics with Descriptions of New Species. Part 3”—“The Canoes of Geelvink Bay, Dutch New Guinea” Wellington Branch of The Royal Society of New Zealand Report of the Council for the Year ended September 30, 7957 Council. The Council has held six meetings during the year under review, and the previous Council held one meeting prior to the Annual General Meeting. Attendance at the six meetings has been as follows:—President, Dr. E. Marsden (5); Vice-Presidents, Miss L. B. Moore (6), Mr. R. W. Willett (5); Council—Mr. K. R. Allen (4), Dr. M. A. F. Barnett (4), Mr J. W. Brodie (4), Mr. P. C. Bull (5), Dr. R. K. Dell
(4), Dr. J. F. Gabites (6), Dr. H. J. Harrington (4), Mr. N. de B. Hornibrook (4), Mr. W. G. Hughson (5), Mr. H. G. McQueen (2), Mr. N. Modriniak (1), Dr. F. B. Shorland (4), Mr. B. G. Voisey (3), Professor D. W. Walker (2), Mr. W. H. Ward (6), Mrs. V. J. Wilson (6); Secretary, Mr. G. C. Shaw (5); Treasurer, Mr. R. W. Willett (5). Membership. The total membership of the Branch is (1956 totals shown in parentheses): 437 (426), made up as follows ordinary members, 309 (306); life members 25 (24); life members of other branches now attached to Wellington, 10 (11); associates, 93 (85). Of the total, 248 (242) receive the Transactions. During the year 21 (51) new ordinary and associate members were elected. 2 (0) life members were elected, 1 (7) members transferred to the Branch, 9 (4) members resigned or died, and 3 (4) transferred to other branches. The Council records with regret the death of Mr. R. A. Ewing, long a member of the Wellington Branch, and of Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, who was a past-President and Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. General Meetings. The following meetings were held: October 24, Annual General Meeting, 1956. January 9, “Antarctic Geophysics”, by Dr. Harry Wexler. April 24, “Science m Russia”, by Professor S. N. Slater. May 22, Presidential Address to the Royal Society of New Zealand, “Some Modern Problems in Science”, by Professor L. H. Briggs. June 26, “New Zealand Fossils”, by Dr. C. A. Fleming July 24, “Wood Utilization in New Zealand”, by Mr. I. R. C. McDonald. August 28, Hudson Lecture. “Contributions to Biology from Studies on Viruses”, by Dr. R. E. F. Matthews. September 25, “The Formation of Milk Fats”, by Dr. F. B. Shorland. Section Meetings Astronomy and Geophysics. October, 1956: “The Dispersal of Radioactive Debris in the Atmosphere”, by Dr. J. F. Gabites. May, 1957: “Airflow Over Mountains”, by Mr. J. W. Hutchings. June, 1957: “The Greenland Ice Sheet”, by Dr. C. B. B. Bull. July, 1957:-“The Future of Volcanology in New Zealand”, by Mr. F. E. Studt. August, 1957: “Solar Phenomena and Their Terrestrial Effects” by Mr. I. L. Thomsen. September, 1957: “Cosmic Rays and Interplanetary Space”, by Mr. N. V. Ryder. Biology Section. October, 1956: Annual General Meeting. April, 1957: “The Pitcairn Islands, their History, Social Life, and Biology”, by Mr. Gordon Williams. May, 1957: “Plant Quarantine m New Zealand”, by Mr. G. A. H. Helson. June, 1957: “The Relation of Wild Animals to Grazing Land in California”, by Dr. W. E. Howard. July, 1957: “The Shedding of Fruit and Leaves”, by Professor J. Addicot. August, 1957: “An Expedition to Lake Monk, Cameron Mountains, Fiordland”, by Mr. T. Riney. September, 1957: “Anistome, A New Zealand Endemic Genus “, by Mr. J. W. Dawson. Geology Section. October, 1956: “Tongariro and the Andesite Problem”, by Professor R. H. Clark. April, 1957, “Fossil Spores in Coal and Oil Research”, by Dr. R. A. Couper. May, 1957: “The Summer's Field Work”—Discussion by Section members. June, 1957: “New Developments in Oil Exploration” by Dr. J. Irving, Dr. R. Jackli, Mr. A. H. Basire, Mr. G. Bakker, and Dr. E. Marsden. July, 1957: Symposium, “Recent Geological Studies of Cook Strait”, by Mr. J. W. Brodie, Mr. G. J. Lensen, Dr. H. M. Pantin, and Dr. E. I. Robertson. July, 1957: “Glaciological Techniques”, by Prof. R. P. Goldthwait. August, 1957: “The Recent Geological Expedition to the Chatham Islands”, by Dr. R. A. Watters. September, 1957: “Geology and Pedology”, by Dr. H. W. Wellman. Physics Section. October, 1956: “The Future of the Gas-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor”, by Mr. J. A. McWilliams. April: “Some Physical Considerations Relating to Noise in Electrical Circuits” by Mr. E. W. Collings. May, 1957: “The Theory of Special Relativity and the Clock Paradox”, by Dr. C. J. Seelye. June, 1957: Symposium—“Microclimatological Investigations in Relation to Plant Growth”. July, 1957: “Antarctic Meteorology”, by Mr. I. S. Kerr. August, 1957: “The Ulracentrifuge at the Plant Chemistry Laboratory, Palmerston North”, by Dr. J. Lyttelton, Messrs. B. J. O'Brien, G. B. Marshall, and N. J. Rumsey. September, 1957: “The Work of the Dominion X-ray and Radium Laboratory, Christchurch”, by Dr. G. E. Roth. Social Science Section. October, 1956: “Human Problems of Industrial Communities”, by Mr. N. S. Woods. May, 1957: “Contemporary Problems in Town and Country Planning” by Mr. J. W. Cox. June, 1957: “Anthropology and Administration in New Guinea” by Dr. F. West. July: “New Zealand Urban and Rural Communities”, by Mr. S. H. Franklin. August, 1957: “Some Recent Developments in Empirical Sociology”, by Dr. E. G. Jacoby. September, 1957: “Comparative Agricultural Economies of Hawaii and New Zealand”, by Dr. E. Phillipp. Technology Section. October, 1956: “The Use of Geothermal Energy”, by Mr. G. Maskill Smith. April, 1957: “The Brewing Industry” by Messrs. A. P. Oliver, J. R. Beck, and J. K. Martin. May, 1957: “The Modern Trend in New Zealand Coastal Shipping”, by Mr. R. Staples. June, 1957: Visit to General Motors Factory, Petone, and address, “Plan-
ning for Production”, by Mr. A. S. Wilkinson. July, 1957: Visit to Government Printing Office, and address, “Printing for the Government”, by Messrs. R. E. Owen and A. R. Shearer. August, 1957: “Highlights of the World Power Conference, Vienna, 1956”, by Mr. W. G. Hughson. September, 1957: “Modern Trends in New Zealand Rail Traction”, by Mr. R. F. Black. Publications. The following is a list of papers published by members of the Wellington Branch in the Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand during the past year: Vol. 84, Part 1: W. R. B. Oliver, “The Genus Aciphylla”. G. H. Uttley, Remarks on the Bryozoan Genera Spiroporina Stolickza and Haswellina Livingstone and their Genotypes. R. K. Dell, “The Fresh-water Mollusca of New Zealand”, Parts II and III. J. D. Stout, “Aquatic Oligochaetes Occurring in Forest Litter”—I. W. H. Dawbin, “The Migrations of Humpback Whales which Pass the New Zealand Coast”. Vol. 84, Part 2: G. L. Adkin, “The Seatoun Fault, Miramar Peninsula”. Patricia M. Ralph, “Variation in Obelia geniculata (Linnaeus, 1758), and Silicularia bilabiata (Coughtrey, 1875) (Hydroida, F. Campanulariidae). Marshall Laird, “Intestinal Flagellates from Some New Zealand Insects”. R. Morrison Cassie, “Spawning of the Snapper, Chrysophyrs auratus Forster in the Hauraki Gulf”. R. Morrison Cassie, “Age and Growth of the Snapper, Chrysophrys auratus Forster, in the Hauraki Gulf”. D. E. Hurley, “Studies on the New Zealand Amphipodan Fauna. No. 13—Sandhoppers of the Genus Talorchestia”. Beverley A. Holloway, “Revision of the New Zealand Pill Millipedes (Oniscomorpha, Sphaerotheridae)”. Vol. 84, Part 3: J. B. Waterhouse and J. Bradley, “Redeposition and Slumping in the Cretaceo-Tertiary Strata of S.E. Wellington”. R. K. Dell, “A Revision of the Recent Scaphopod Mollusca of New Zealand”. Papers Read by Title at a General Meeting and Submitted for Printing in the Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. (Only papers submitted by non-members need be read before a branch meeting.) 22/5/57–B. G. Hamlin, “Studies in New Zealand Carices. Supplement to the Section Acutae Fries. Subsection Cryptocarpae Tuckerman”. 22/5/57–B. G. Hamlin, “Studies in New Zealand Carices IV. The Section Elatae, Kukenthal”. Distinctions. Council is pleased to record the following distinctions: Dr. H. W. Wellman was awarded the Hector Medal and Prize. Professor L. R. Richardson was appointed a Vice-President of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Dr. H. H. Allan has been awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Upsala. Dr. M. T. Te Punga has been awarded the Science Research Medal of the New Zealand Association of Scientists. Hudson Lecture. The Hudson Lecture for 1957 was given by D1. R. E. F. Matthews, Plant Diseases Division, DSIR, who spoke on “Contributions to Biology from Studies on Viruses'. The lecture will be printed in the “New Zealand Science Review” and reprints distributed to members. Loder Cup. Council has placed a nomination for the award of the Loder Cup for 1957. Library. Subscriptions to periodicals have been maintained. No books or new periodicals have been added to the library, nor has it been possible yet to commence the cataloguing of the library. Thanks. The Council wishes to express its thanks to all who have contributed during the past year to the success of meetings and other activities of the Branch; and to the New Zealand Association of Scientists for publication of addresses presented at meetings; to the Dominion Museum authorities for continued use of facilities; to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for use of the Council Room; to the Victoria University College Council for the use of the Staff Common Room and other facilities; and to the Press for reporting meetings. For and on behalf of the Council, E. Marsden, President. G. C. Shaw, Secretary. Canterbury Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Presidents: Mr. B. W. Collins (until July); Dr. R. Pilgrim. Secretary: Mr. E. R. Mangin. Annual Report for the year 1957 The year 1957 was a year of change, both in the composition of the Council and in the offices held by the members; there being changes in the offices of the President, the two Vice-Presidents, and the two representatives on the Council of the parent body in Wellington. Dr. Roger Duff joined the Council as one of the latter in August. The Council extended its congratulations to Mr. B. W. Collins on his appointment as a scientific liaison officer in London, and to Dr. R. R. Forster on his appointment to the position of Director of the Otago Museum. Dr. C. D. Ellyett was granted leave of absence in August, and best wishes were extended for his trip overseas.
Riccarton Bush Sub-Committee. Following a recommendation from the July ordinary meeting, the Council set up a sub-committee consisting of Mr. A. J. Healy (Convener), Professor Phillipson and Dr. Godley, to report every ten years on the state of the flora of Riccarton Bush. A fund was established to assist in this work. Planetarium Sub-Committee. This was set up and is working on a project. Membership. The ordinary membership of the Society (including Life Members) has reached the record total of 401, an increase of 115 since 1956. Associate members total 13, and those on the retired list number eight. The increase in membership is due almost entirely to the vigorous membership drive of the Council, under the chairmanship of Mr. B. W. Collins. In all 124 joined, although this number has been offset to some extent by resignations and transfers. General Meetings. Figures taken from the attendance book circulated at meetings show that the average attendance has been 60, with a maximum of 88. Meetings held during the year were: December 5, 1956 (Annual Meeting): “A Zoologist at Large,” Mr. G. A. Knox. March 6, 1957 (Presidential Address): “Water Divining, Old and New”, Mr. B. W. Collins. April 3: “The Geneva Conference and Nuclear Research in New Zealand”, Dr. W. M. Hamilton. May 1: “Canterbury in the Ice Ages”, Dr. M. Gage. June 5 (Chalklin Lecture): “Probability and Improbability in Science and Technology”, Professor S. R. Siemon. July 3 (ordinary meeting): The following papers were read: “The Adventitive Flora of Riccarton Bush”, Mr. A. J. Healy; “A New Method of Quantitative Zoology”, Mr. G. R. Russell; “Some Interesting Aspects of a New Systemic Insecticide”, Mr. A. D. Lowe. August 7: “Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Tuberculosis”, Dr. F. A. de Hamel and Dr. A. J. McLeod. September 4: “A Museum Zoologist in the States” Dr. R. R. Forster. October 2: “Man's Control of Insects”, Mr. A. D. Lowe. November 6: “Oil Exploration, with Special Reference to the Search in New Zealand”, Dr. John Iiving. A paper, “The Genus Tricolea in New Zealand”, by Raymond E. Match, was read by title on April 3. Field Trip. A visit was made to Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, and to the Physics Department Field Station, near Rolleston, on April 6. The Council placed on record its thanks to Dr. Burns, to the staff of Lincoln College, and to Dr. C. D. Ellyett for a very interesting programme. Photograph Album. A leather-bound photograph album, suitably lettered, has been presented to the Society. There are already several photographs in it, and it is hoped that members will submit others of general and historical interest for inclusion. Newsletter. A newsletter was issued during the year. The object is to keep the membership informed on items of general interest, and to obviate crowding of information in circulars giving details of meetings. Obituary Dr. R. O. Page. By the death on July 14, 1957, of R. O. Page, D.Sc. (N.Z.), F.N.Z.I.C., F.R.S.N.Z., the Royal Society of New Zealand lost a distinguished Fellow, and the Canterbury Branch a past-President and loyal member. Dr. Page spent most of his professional life with the Woolston Tanneries Ltd., but he was much more than an industrial chemist. He made noteworthy contributions to the field of leather chemistry, and he gave valued service in the administration of scientific research in New Zealand He served from 1937 to 1955 on the Council of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. At the time of his death he was serving on the Committee of the Wheat Research Institute, on the Leather and Shoe Research Association Committee and on the Cawthron Institute Trust Board. He was a loveable, gentle and humane man, with deep religious conviction. We are the poorer for his passing, but the richer for his example and friendship. (R. S. A.) Honorary Treasurer's Report.—The main event in this financial year has been the successful membership drive. The resulting large increase in membership has increased the work of the honorary secretary considerably. In consequence of this, a large number of accounts for subscriptions were sent out late in the year: this is reflected in the increased amount of subscriptions in arrears shown in the Balance Sheet. Included in the amount shown as sundry creditors, is the amount due to the Royal Society of New Zealand: this account had not been received in time for payment before the close of our financial year. The Society received a very generous donation of £50 from Mr. E. A. Adams towards the Planetarium Fund. Report of the Hon. Librarian. The joint libraries of the Society and of the University of Canterbury, as Canterbury University College has just become, have again been steadily used by many of our readers. The year 1957 has been a difficult one, partly through shortage of staff and partly through the intensified shortage of space for books, readers and library processing But the second handicap will be removed early in 1958 by the occupation of an extension in the former School of Art buildings nearby. A new entrance, with Circulation and Catalogue Hall, has been nearly completed in the space between the two buildings, and this will serve the whole enlarged Library area. About 200 more readers' seats will be provided,
and enough shelving to provide reasonable accommodation for the present stock. The University Library has now acquired a microfilm camera unit which will come into effective use when it is installed in the special photographic suite early next year. This new facility will extend the resources of interloan and special services offered to research workers. We continue to receive donations from institutions and individuals, including current periodicals from four members, Messrs. C. E. Fenwick, A. C. Macintyre, D. B. Mulligan and C. R. Russell. Publications, the prices of which were raised a year ago, have continued to sell, but less freely. Report of Representative on the University of Canterbury Joint Advisory Library Committee. During the year one meeting of the Committee was held (on October 25). The meeting considered plans for the redistribution of stock and the provision of much more satisfactory reader accommodation in the adapted quarters available in the now vacated School of Art buildings. Before the meeting, your representative was shown the new quarters in their state of semi-completion. Entrance and exit to the Library will be through the main Circulation Hall only, and this will permit the enforcement of Library rules which have had to be relaxed during the last ten years or so because of lack of suitable facilities. Members may rest assured that such rule enforcement can only facilitate the protection of the Society's valuable periodical sets, and the use of the sets by the membership as a whole. The more adequate housing of the Society's library and the provision of much more reader space will make the library more useful and better protected than at any time in the past. It is hoped that the new accommodation will be available early next year. Report of Representative on the Riccarton Bush Board of Trustees. Since the resignation of Professor L. W. McCaskill as representative of this Society on the Riccarton Bush Trustees, and my appointment to replace him, the Trustees have held five meetings, in January, March, May, August and October. During this period the appointment of Mr. L. Armstrong as ranger terminated, through ill health, and Mr. P. J. Ritchie has been appointed to this post. The ranger's cottage was found to need extensive repair, and this has been authorised. Repairs to the roof and spouting of Riccarton House have also been carried out, and considerable treatment against borer in these buildings and the 1840 cottage are in hand. The trustees raised the levy in the Councils of Christchurch, Waimari, Heathcote and Paparua and in Riccarton Borough to the level of 1/215th of a penny. A deputation from the Rotary Club of Riccarton proposing the development of Riccarton House as a community centre was received by the trustees and invited to bring forward more definite proposals for consideration. The dry condition of the bush in summer has caused concern, and proposals for irrigation by three alternative methods—viz, artesian wells, pumping from the river, and the local high pressure supply, are being considered. The duties of secretary to the trustees has been undertaken by Mr. Gainsford, assistant town clerk at Riccarton. Report of the Representative on the Canterbury Museum Trust Board. The most important aspect of the work of the Museum Trust Board is the completion of the Centennial Memorial extension of the Museum. The builders have handed over the construction and the detailed work of sub-contractors is proceeding. Meanwhile, the library is being transferred and re-arranged, halls are being furnished with cases, and exhibits of various kinds are in preparation or in contemplation. It is not yet possible to set a date for the re-opening of the enlarged and transformed institution, largely because of the very great amount of work which must be done by a small body of workers and a dependence also on voluntary help. Of particular interest to the Branch is the fact that the Museum lecture hall will be used for the delivery this spring of the Macmillan-Brown lectures. The Assistant Director, Dr. R. R. Forster, went on study leave to the United States of America, and while away was appointed Director of Otago Museum. In his place, Mr. E. G. Turbott has been appointed from Auckland Museum. Mrs. O. M. Turbott has been appointed as assistant keeper of ethnology. Many important additions have been made to the archives. The Education Section of the Museum is working at a high rate; about 300 children are received daily during the teaching year. In this way, an immense number of the growing population of the area is brought into close touch with the Museum and its purpose. The spire, which was such a striking feature of the original building, has been removed because of structural deficiency. It is intended that replacement will occur when funds allow. Sections Field Club. During the past year the section has encountered many difficulties. Despite this, the year proved a greater success than was expected after the trend in the previous two or three years. After this year, the section hope to hold their lectures back in the Museum, as alterations and additions are nearly completed. The Committee have already started their drive for new members and they hope that the opening of the new Memorial wing, and the
possibility of new rooms, will bring back the enthusiasm of club members which has been lacking over the past years. At the end of the financial year, membership totalled 60, the same as last year. There are now 29 Royal Society members (an increase of one) and 31 section members. Three resignations have been received and two new section members have been added. The Committee has been depleted during the year. We have lost Dr. Forster who, on his return to New Zealand from the United States, took up a new position as Director of the Otago Museum. We congratulate him on his new appointment. He will be sadly missed by the section. Two further committee members have moved from Christchurch. During the year support was received from several W.E.A. Field Club members. This proved a great advantage on the two field excursions held. These were in December, to Lake Coleridge and The Curiosity Shop, and in April to Motanau. This latter trip was led by Mr. B. W. Collins, who is now scientific liaison officer in London. We look forward to meeting him again in three years time. The winter programme was made up of the following evenings: May 14, “Places of Geological Interest in Canterbury”, Mr. Campbell. June 25. “Nepal”, Mr. Norman Hardie. July 30, “Moa Hunter Excavations at Coromandel”, Mr. Ron Scarlett. September 4, “A Museum Zoologist in the States”, Dr. R. R. Forster. This was held in conjunction with the Canterbury Branch. September 24, “Volcanoes in the North Island of New Zealand”, Mr. Don Gregg. October 15, Annual General Meeting and films, “Sledges South”, and “Search for Oil”. Although the attendances at these meetings were reasonable, the Committee would naturally like to have even more support from members, especially Royal Society members. A greater response to an appeal for subscriptions in arrears has this year raised the funds to a more workable level. Funds are still not high, however, standing at £15 7s 3d. A Post Office Savings Account has been opened by the section and is hoped to be a source of some income. Again this year a grant was obtained from the Royal Society (Canterbury Branch), covering the cost of duplicating notices. We are grateful for this. Our thanks are once again tendered to the Registrar of the University of Canterbury for facilities rendered for evening meetings. Mathematics and Physics Section. In the fourth year of its existence the membership of the section has increased considerably. More evening lectures have been held than in any previous year, but the average attendance has been less than in 1956. The meetings held during the year were: March 21, A discussion on “The Restriction of Science Enrolments at Canterbury University College”, introduced by Mr. J. B. Gregory and Mr. G. S. Troup (attendance 23). May 2, “Aerial Photography and Mapping”, Mr. G. T. Railton (attendance 45). May 30, “Sea Waves”, Mr. N. F. Barber (attendance 37). June 27, A tape recording of Dr. L. V. Berkner speaking on the launching, instrumentation and data to be obtained from artificial satellites (attendance 45). July 25, “Fluorescence”, Dr. W. Metcalf (attendance 23). September 3, “Recent Structural Studies at the Cavendish Laboratory”, Dr. W. H. Taylor (attendance 50). September 26, Demonstration Evening; various members of the Physics Department (attendance 34). October 24, “Progress in Meteorology”, Mr. J. W. Hutchings (attendance 31). The average attendance at lectures was 36. Two visits have been made—the first to the factory of the Crown Crystal Glass Proprietary, and the second to Harewood Aerodrome. Otago Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand Annual Report for Session 1957 (88th Session) Officers of the Branch. President, Dr. F. G. Sopei. Vice-Presidents, Miss B. Biewin and Prof. G. J. Williams. Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. B. Mackie. Hon. Treasurer, Mr. B. W. Campbell. Hon. Solicitoi, Mr. J. M. Paterson. Hon. Auditor, Mr. J. G. Butler. Council. Prof. W. E. Adams, Prof. G. T. S. Baylis, Prof. D. S. Coombs, Dr. J. Murray, Dr. G. H. Satchell, Mr. O. H. Keys, Mr. J. Stuart (Astronomical Section), Dr. Basil Howard (Historical Section) and Mr. H. S. Tily (Microscopical Section). Membership. New Members elected: Mr. R. S. Adams, Dr. R. D. Batt, Mr. J. J. Carter, Dr. G. N. Davies, Dr. A. M. Douglas, Dr. F. N. Fastier, Mr. J. Gillies, Dr. H. Gresham, Dr. G. P. Harris, Mr. C. N. Hill, Dr. Kirschner, Mr. J. T. Linzey, Dr. N. Markham, Professor J. A. R. Miles, Mr. L. P. Parrish, Mr. L. R. Robinson, Dr. F. R. Shroff, Mr. D. Stenhouse, Prof. J. Le B. Warren, Dr. A. J. R. White, Mr. Havard Williams and Dr. R. F. Wilson. Resignations: Dr. Margaret Naylor and Mr. F. L. Miller. Transfer from the Branch, Mr. Ian Speden, to Southland. Deceased: Emeritus Professors William Noel Benson, D.Sc. (Syd.), M.A. (Cantab.), F.R.S., F.G.S., F.G.S.A., F.R.G.S., F.R.S.N.Z., F.A.N.Z.A.A.S., Hon. D.Sc. (N.Z.), and Robert Jack, M.A., D.Sc. (Glas.), Ph.D. (Gottingen).
Roll. With the roll now at 174, as against 157 at the end of 1956, it will be seen that there has been a significant increase in membership over the past year. This has resulted largely from a drive for membership commenced by your Council during the latter half of the session. So far, only members of the staff of the University have been approached, and the Branch welcomes those who have responded; our Society plays an important part in the scientific life of the Dominion, and it is certain that if its function were better known the membership figures would increase considerably. The drive for new members will continue. Attendances at Branch Meetings. 24, 50, 48, 50, 51, 40, 50; an average of 44. Otago Museum. During the past year the Branch has been represented on the Museum Trust Board by Professor Baylis. The extension to the Museum is coming much nearer to reality, and the Branch Council is keeping in close touch with the Board concerning the provision of a lecture room for our meetings. The Branch Auditorium Fund will be expended on the fitting-out of a lecture room in the extension after agreement has been reached with the Board in this matter. As in former years, the Branch joined with the Association of Friends of the Museum in sponsoring the annual Museum Conversazione on October 16. This was a very pleasant function which was high-lighted by demonstrations on early musical instruments by Professor Platt and Mr. N. Eastgate. Royal Society of New Zealand. Branch representatives on the Council of the Royal Society during 1957 were Miss B. Brewin and Mr. O. H. Keys. One of the major issues which arose during the year was the question of greater financial support for the Royal Society by its Branches. A set of proposals was drawn up which, if adopted, would have made it obligatory for all Branches to contribute a proportion of their income to the Royal Society. The whole question was debated at length, both by Branch Councils and the main Council, but eventually the new proposals, though supported by Otago, were lost on the vote, and there will be no immediate alteration of the rules governing Branch finance. Because of the amount of the Transactions levy to this Branch which, up till the present, has supplied these volumes to all its members free of charge, and because of rising costs, your Council was faced with two alternatives in endeavouring to keep British finances solvent. An obvious solution to the problem was to increase the subsription, but this did not appeal very much, especially as there had already been an increase in 1951 from a guinea to thirty shillings. The alternative was to discontinue supplying the Transactions to members on account of their subscriptions, and to charge those who wished to continue receiving them the amount levied by the Royal Society of N.Z.—viz., ten shillings per volume. The alternative seemed by far the lesser of two evils, and in May it was accordingly put to the Branch who approved the necessary change in the Constitution to make it effective. For those who still wish to receive the Transactions the cost of ten shillings per volume is indeed most reasonable, since the price to non-members of the Society is three pounds per volume. Because our members will no longer automatically receive any printed information from the Royal Society of N.Z., vour Council feels that the existing Transactions, which include the Proceedings of the Society, such as reports of Council meetings, Presidential Addresses and other business, should be split, and the Proceedings published separately for free issue to all Branch members. This would have the valuable effect of keeping all members in touch with the work the Society is doing. Your Council has accordingly recommended this course of action to the Royal Society and the matter will be discussed in Rotorua this month by the main Council. Branch Emblem. For some time your Council has thought there was a need for a distinctive Branch emblem to be inserted in the newspapers as part of our notice of meetings so that these might be more easily distinguished among the multitude of other notices. A subcommittee consisting of Mr. Tily and Miss Brewin worked on this for some time, and eventually recommended a plain emblem consisting of two concentric circles carrying the words “Royal Society of New Zealand. Otago Branch Founded 1869.” This device has been approved and will appear on our notices as from this month. Natural History Prize.—Your Council has recently had in mind the institution of a special prize in natural history for school pupils. A sub-committee set up to investigate the advisability or otherwise of instituting such a prize reported favourably on the proposal, and it has now been decided to go ahead with it. The prize will be known as the G. M. Thomson Prize in Natural History, and its aim will be to further the candidates' knowledge of their particular interests in this field. A public announcement stating the conditions of award of the prize will be made in due course. Section Activities. As will be seen from the appended reports of the Astronomical and Historical Sections, they are active and running interesting programmes. Unfortunately, however, the Microscopical Section has languished from lack of support, and its activities have had to be wound up and its assets transferred to the Branch.
With so much emphasis on nuclear science and on rocket and satellite investigations of nearby space, the present time would be particularly appropriate for the development of a Mathematical and Physical Sciences Section. The Branch Council would be willing to support the formation of such a section if a sufficient number of interested persons were forthcoming to start it operating. Main Branch Meetings. The following lectures were given to the Branch during the 1957 season:—Tuesday, April 9, Dr. F. G. Soper, C.B.E., Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago: Presidential Address, “The Royal Society”. Tuesday, May 7, Mr. L. H. Martin, N.Z. Broadcasting Service: “Visit to Antarctica” (illustrated). Tuesday, June 11, Miss Marion Fyfe, Department of Zoology, University of Otago: “Study leave in Brazil”. (Illustrated.) Tuesday, July 9, Professor G. C. L. Bertram, tutor at St. John's College, Cambridge, and late Director of the Polar Research Institute, William Evans Visiting Professor to the University of Otago for 1957: “This Antarctic Business”. Tuesday, July 16, Professor Richard P. Goldthwait, Department of Geology, Ohio State University, Columbus, U.S.A.: “Adventure on Baffin Island”. Tuesday, August 13, Professor L.H. Briggs, Auckland University College, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand: “Modern Trends in Chemical Research” Tuesday, September 10, Mr. A. L. Poole, Assistant Director of Forestry, N.Z. Forest Service, Wellington: “New Zealand Forests and their Administration”. Tuesday, October 8, Professor H. N. Parton, Department of Chemistry, University of Otago: “The Place of Science in a Liberal Education”. Historical Section Meetings. Tuesday, April 30, Mr. I. Douglas: “The Settlement of Martin's Bay”. Tuesday, May 21, Joint Meeting with Historic Places Trust. Tuesday, June 18, Mr. P. O'Connor: “Recent Historical Work on the Renaissance”. Tuesday, July 16, Mr. D. G. Herron: “Sir George Grey and the Summoning of the First General Assembly”. Tuesday, August 13, Mr. I. W. Page: “Relations between the Colonies of Australia and New Zealand, 1850–1870”. Tuesday, September 17, Professor H. C. Darby, University College, London, Nuffield Visiting Professor, University of New Zealand: “The Geographical Interpretation of the Domesday Book”. (Joint with Otago Branch, Royal Society and Otago Branch, New Zealand Geographical Society). Tuesday, October 15, Meeting of Secondary School Teachers: History Textbooks. Original Papers. “A Cytogenetical Study of New Zealand forms of Solanum nigrum L., S. nodiflorum Jacq. and S. gracile Otto” by Professor G. T. S. Baylis, Department of Botany, University of Otago. “Ascidians of New Zealand, Part XI” and “Ascidians of New Zealand. Part XII”, both by Miss B. Brewin, Department of Zoology, University of Otago. “The Cladoniae of New Zealand”, by Mr. William Martin, Anderson's Bay, Dunedin. November 12, 1957. F. G. Soper, President. J. B. Mackie, Hon. Secretary. Historical Section: Annual Report, 1957 The past year has shown a considerable advance by the society. The membership has increased by fourteen full members, with no student members last year, to twenty full members and two student members. Also this year we were able to present a full session of seven meetings, which all drew good attendances. One of the meetings was a joint meeting with the Royal Society, Otago Branch, and the Geographical Society, addressed by Professor H. C. Darby. During the year the place of meeting has been shifted from the Museum to the University Staff Common Room, and this has proved most satisfactory. October 19, 1957. W. P. Morrell, President. Astronomical Section: Annual Report, 1957 During the year one general and one committee meeting were held. Office-Bearers. The following were elected at the last annual meeting: Chairman, Mr. W. D. Anderson, F.R.A.S. Vice-Chairmen, Messrs. A. J. Doig and J. C. Begg, F.R.A.S. Hon. Sec.-Treasurer, Mr. K. M. McIntyre. Hon. Observatory Director, Mr. A. J. Doig. Representative on Council of Otago Branch, Royal Society: Mr. J. Stuart. Committee: Messrs. W. A. H. Drew, J. Riach, G. W. Broad, A. J. Symonds, R. N. Campbell, E. W. Chrisp and R. Patterson. Beverley-Begg Observatory. The winter observing season comprised 26 Saturday nights from April 6 to September 28. As is usual these public nights were conducted by committee members on a rota system. This year the burden of work was eased somewhat in that instead of each man conducting one night in four, it was one night in six, two other committee members having offered their services.
As well as the Saturday night sessions there have been many private parties entertained at the Observatory on other nights of the week. In all about 400 people visited the Observatory this year. The figure would have been higher if bad weather had not been experienced to such a great degree over the last two or three months of the seasaon. This affected both the public nights and the number of private parties. Last year we took £17 8s 6d in Observatory collections; this year £14 Os 6 1/2d. Equipment. All items of equipment have been carefully maintained and are in good condition. Early in the season the Observatory dome was given another coat of paint to preserve the good condition of the malthoid covering. Some expenditure also had to be made on the Observatory stop-watch, which became unreliable early this year. However, it now functions perfectly again after a thorough overhaul by a city jeweller. Occultations. During this past year the Observatory Director, Mr. A. J. Doig, has observed some 50 occultations, the results of which have been forwarded to Greenwich. Annexe. It is with some regret that we have to report lack of progress in the building of the annexe. However, this is not our fault. Operations ceased in March because concrete blocks of the right dimensions could no longer be supplied. The maker is awaiting the arrival of a new type block from Australia because of an accident to his own. The replacement block is expected late in October, and subsequent upon its arrival building operations will be revived. Vandalism. There has not been as much vandalism this year as last. The only major item was a suspected case of someone trying to jemmy open the shutter of the dome. A section of it was discovered to be off the rollers and levered to one side. It seems unlikely that the wind could have caused such damage, so we suspect an act of vandalism. The damage was put right by the Observatory Director, and since then vandalism has been restricted to nuisances like the tossing of scrap timber into the annexe excavations. A.N.Z.A.A.S. Conference. The Society was represented at this Conference early in the year. Some members attended various lectures, particularly those dealing with astronomy. Transit of Mercury. An attempt was made to view this phenomenon by several members of the section; however, the attempts were unsuccessful because of heavy cloud obscuring the sun's disc for the duration of the transit. Russian Artificial Satellite. At the time of writing this report the satellite has been orbiting the earth for a week. Successful sightings of the satellite have not been made, but members have observed the third stage of the launching rocket at various times. The magnitude of the rocket casing has varied between 4th and 6th. This is what makes us certain that it is the rocket casing which is being sighted by so many people the world over, as the satellite itself has a magnitude (according to Moscow) between 7 and 8. Since the successful launching of the satellite great interest has been aroused in the skies, and with further launchings planned by both Russia and America, we feel safe in predicting a very full and busy season in the ensuing year. Already the hon. secretary-treasurer has been called upon to give quite a number of interviews over Station 4ZB, and the telephones of many members of the section have been busy with enquiries from the public Membership. At the last Committee meeting, permission was given to purge the roll of all those members whom we have not seen or heard from for the last three years or more. The roll now stands at seven full members and 25 associate members. W. D. Anderson, Chairman. K. M. McIntyre, Hon. Sec. Waikato Scientific Association Annual Report for the Year ended October 31, 1957 Executive. At the Annual General Meeting on November 15, 1956, the following committee was elected: Mr. R. R. White (President); Mr. A. G. Yarrall (Vice-President); Mr. W. F. Rolt (Secretary); Miss W. G. Tinsley (Treasurer); Mrs. P. J. A. Chrisstoffels (Miss Post), Mr. C. G. Hunt, Mr. D. O'Hare. Mr. K. J. McNaught, who remained on the Executive as immediate Past-President, went overseas in May for a period of several months. Your Executive met on nine occasions during the year. Membership. Twelve members have resigned during the year, half of these having left the district. Our nominal membership is now 66, four of whom are overseas, while the number in good financial standing is 60. Two new members have joined. General Meetings. Nine general meetings were held during the year. At the Annual General Meeting, Dr. W. G. Whittlestone shower a film on Pavlov, “In the Name of Man,” while at the others lectures of general interest were given. The list of meetings is as follows:— November, 1956: Annual General Meeting. Morch, 1957: “Dairy-farming in the North-Eastern United States”, Dr. W. K. Kennedy. April: “The Use of Genealogies for
Estimating Chronology”, Dr. J. B. Robertson. May: “The Geology of Samoa”, Mr. D. Kear. June: “Wild Caves of the Waikato”, Mr. L. G. Watson. July: “Earthquake Study Today”, Mr. G. A. Eiby. August: “Taste and Taste-testing (Presidential Address), Mr. R. R. White. September: Maori Craftsmanship”, Mr. V. F. Fisher. October: “Further Evidence on the Mystery Wreck at Ruapuke Beach”, Mr. C. G. Hunt. The average attendance was more than 40, which included a fair proportion of non-members. Special General Meeting. One special general meeting was held during the year for the purpose of amending Rule 4.1, to enable the subscription to be increased from 10/- to 15/-per annum. The Annual General Meeting was adjourned to enable this special general meeting to be held in order to comply with Rule 10. Field Trip. A party of 20 visited the Perlite Products factory near Atiamuri on the morning of August 11. In the afternoon the party was shown over the Hydro Project at Atiamuri, where Mr. D. Kear described the geology of the district. Publicity. The Waikato Times has continued to publish advance notices of meetings and reports of lectures and field trips. Mr. Eiby gave a radio interview on the occasion of his visit, which resulted in some publicity for the Association. Ruapuke Beach Wreck. Mr. C. G. Hunt has pursued his researches on behalf of the Association and has succeeded in narrowing down the field of investigation. Wet weather prevented further search at Ruapuke, but it is hoped to resume activities in the coming season. Royal Society of N.Z. Dr. Davies attended the half-yearly meeting in November, 1956. He subsequently resigned as delegate and Mr. R. R. White, who was elected in his place, attended the half-yearly meeting of the Council in May, 1957. During the current year, proposals to amend the system of contributions to the Royal Society have been considered by member bodies and suggestions have been put forward to institute a more equitable system. Under the present arrangement those branches of the Royal Society which contribute to the upkeep of museums or libraries do not pay a levy. However, your committee considers that any amendment to the system cannot alter the fact that contributions from member bodies will continue to represent only a small fraction of the Royal Society's income, the major part of which is obtained in the form of a Government grant to enable it to meet the high costs incurred in publishing the Transactions and in maintaining its library in Wellington. Even so, the committee, while appreciative of the prestige accruing from membership of the Royal Society, considers that our contributions and other expenses incurred in connection with our membership, already represent a very high proportion of our expenditure, and has instructed our delegate to vote against any amendment which would increase our expenses. Finance. The financial statement shows no appreciable change from last year in spite of the raised subscription. There were increases in travelling expenses to Royal Society meetings and in advertising, postage and stationery. Furthermore, there were the expenses of two outside speakers to be met. Allowing for outstanding liabilities, there is a cash balance of £9 4s 6d, a figure slightly below that of last year. Membership of the Royal Society involved us in an expenditure of £14 18s 8d from a subscription income of £38 10s. General. Your Executive considers that this association should convene a meeting of interested organisations with the object of forming a Waikato Museum Society Inc. The object of this Society would be to establish and maintain a Museum in Hamilton, possibly as a Centennial Memorial. Subject to the approval of members at the Annual General Meeting, your committee recommends that the incoming committee takes steps to put this into effect. Acknowledgments. We wish to thank all those who have contributed to the success of our activities. Our thanks are specially due to Mr. A. G. Greenslade, our honorary auditor, and to our speakers for their interesting lectures. R. R. White, President Royal Society of N.Z. (Rotorua Branch). Annual Report, 1957. On behalf of the Committee I have pleasure in presenting the fourth annual report of the Rotorua Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Officers. An the annual meeting held on November 26, 1956, office-bearers for 1956–57 were elected as follows: President, Mr. J. A. Andrew; Vice-President, Mr. W. G. Harwood; Secretary, Mr. C. G. Vucetich; Treasurer, Mr. L. Clark; Committee—Messrs. G. R. George, I. Healy, J. H. Kempthorne, and W. G. Wilson. Librarians, Messrs. R. H. McMillan and F. E. Gee. Membership. The number of financial members for the year was 64. Committee Meetings. Twelve meetings were held.
Ordinary Meetings. Eight regular monthly meetings were held, at which lectures and papers covering a wide range were presented. March 27: Presidential Address, “Civil Engineering”, Mr. J. A. Andrew. April 24: “Modern Samoa and its Current Problems”, Mr. Stuart Cameron. May 13: “Plant Disease Control”, Dr. Harvey C. Smith June 26: “Blood Groups and their Application”, Mr. G. R. George. July 24: Conversazione: Laboratory Demonstrations and Displays of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography and Engineering, Rotorua High School Pupils. August 28, “Some Aspects of Public Health Resources”, Dr. W. C. Davidson. September 29, “Mineral Resources of the British Commonwealth,” Mr. R. W. Willett. October 23, Original Papers: “A Simple System of Calendar Reform”, Mr. Forester, “Lake Shore Forests of Rotoehu and Rotorua”, Mr. R. Cameron. Special Meetings. Three extra meetings were arranged. September 4, “Town and Country Planning, with Reference to Rotorua District”, Mr. A. Rosenberg. October 11, “Talk and Films on Life Cycle of Sea Birds-” Mr. F. C. Kinskly November 20, “Scientific Advances in Antarctica”, Dr. Falla. Finance. The attached financial statement prepared by the Treasurer and audited by Mr. A. D. Holloway, indicates that our financial position is satisfactory, but outstanding accounts due to the visit of the Royal Society will be a charge against next year's expenditure. General. Three events during the year can be recorded as marking the progress of this local Society. First, the Society having now qualified to become a Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand, its name was changed accordingly from Rotorua Philosophical Society to Royal Seciety of New Zealand, Rotorua Branch. And, secondly, two sections, the Historical Section and the Museum Section, were formed. Reports of the activities of these two sections are attached. However, while our Branch may thus appear to have successfully survived its infancy, it will not develop to adolescence if interest and enthusiasm are allowed to wane. Despite a varied and interesting programme of lectures presented again this year, the attendances were not as satisfactory as in previous years. It is most necessary if the Branch is to flourish that all members attend as frequently as possible and take part in the discussions, and I feel sure the incoming Committee would welcome any suggestions as to how our attendances Another event we are happy to record is that the Royal Society of New Zealand accepted and membership can be increased. the invitation of this Branch and held its November meeting in Rotorua on November 20 last. We are also indebted to our parent body for providing such an eminent speaker as Dr. Falla for our last lecture of the year, which was held that evening Both functions also enabled members of the parent Society and the Branch to get to know one another and to discuss mutual problems. Thanks. As in previous years, we have been most fortunate in having the free use of the High School staff room for our meetings, for which we thank Mr. W. G. Harwood, headmaster of the High School The general atmosphere of our meetings is in no small way contributed to by the unselfish work of Mrs. Harwood and members of the High School staff in so regularly serving supper. The assistance given by Mr. A. D. Holloway, honorary auditor, is acknowledged. In conclusion, I would express my personal appreciation of the co-operation and guidance of the Committee and in particular the work of both the secretary and the treasurer, whose duties extend beyond just attendance at meetings. 27/11/57 J. A. Andrew, President Historical Section It was suggested to the Society early in the year by the Rotorua Borough Council, which had been approached by Mrs. Enid Tapsell, that it might set up an historical section. This was approved, and Mr. J. H. Kempthorne appointed convener. An inaugural meeting was held, and attracted nearly 30 interested members of the Society and of the public. An interim committee was elected to draw up a set of rules in consultation with the Society and to frame a general statement of aims and objects. The committee also went ahead organising the section's first programme of lectures. Three lectures have been delivered under the section's auspices this year. The Very Rev. J. G. Laughton, Director of the Presbyterian Maori Mission, spoke on the Urewera country and its inhabitants, Mr. J. Colson, of the anthropology department of Auckland University, discussed archaeological diggings on the Waihi coast and the prehistoric inhabitants of this area, and Mr. L. W. Melvin, of Tauranga, chairman of the regional committee of the Historic Places Trust, explained the work of the trust and its application to the Rotorua district, and added an interesting account of the life and times of the fighting chief Te Waharoa. The average attendance at the three meetings was between 20 and 30. The preparation of a set of rules having been completed, the inaugural meeting was held in September, and the rules adopted. The interim committee was elected as the section's first
committee, the members being Messrs J. H. Kempthorne (chairman), W. D. Grace (secretary), Mrs. E. Tapsell, and Messrs B. C. Adam and M. Worthington (committee). Mr. Kempthorne was the section's representative on the committee of the Society, and Mr. Worthington was appointed convener of a section to plan the erection of signs at places of historic interest in the Rotorua district. This latter project is going ahead. The section hopes to organise a field trip in the summer and has intentions of forming a study group to work on lines suggested by Mr. Golson in the mapping of pa sites in the districts. Before long it is hoped also to take positive steps towards the cataloguing or preservation (in co-operation with the Museum Section) of Maori and European material of permanent value in the record of the district's history. J. H. Kempthorne, Chairman. Hawke's Bay Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand President: Dr. C. Crawford. Secretary: Mrs. J. Winkley. President's Report for Year ended December 31, 1957 Over the previous few years, the Society has shown relatively little activity, there being few meetings and no activity outside the meetings. The main work of the Society went on in the various sub-sections—the sections of History, Meteorology and Ornithology, all of which met regularly and showed great interest in their specialised fields. The Historical Section has probably done more practical work than the others, with its original work on the early history of Hawke's Bay. One result of the inactivity of the parent Society was that, with the lessening of interest, attendance at meetings became small and our membership dropped. This year, however, the Society has been more active again. There have been six meetings which I have listed in the Summary and, with the generally high standard of speakers, meetings have been well attended. I have the impression that they have been consistently larger than in other recent years. One paradoxical result of this activity is reflected in the Balance Sheet. You will see that our expenses have gone up considerably, while our income has not increased correspondingly. This added expense is accounted for by greatly increased advertising. Merely notifying members of meetings is a considerable expense, and the increase in meetings has meant an increase in circulars. As well as this, all public meetings have been well advertised in the local newspapers and, as you know, newspaper advertising is an expensive business. However, this has been eminently justified by the good attendance at meetings and, as one result, there has been a trickle of new members with each public meeting. I shall refer you to my summary for the statistics of membership, and the only point I would draw your attention to is the deaths of two of our old members, Mr. Sainsbury and Mr. Phillips. Mr. Sainsbury, as you know, has been a Fellow of the Royal Society for several years. The secretary has written to Mrs. Sainsbury and Mrs. Phillips expressing our sympathy with them. To return to the question of the increased expenditure of the Society last year, there is a point which I shall only mention at present, as it will not be my concern as retiring President. If we are to continue to maintain an active Society, these advertising expenses will recur and, unless we can increase our membership a lot, we shall soon be in the red Add to this the fact that the parent body of the N.Z.R.S. has asked for a levy of 5/- per member from each of the branches to meet its own considerable expenses, and you will see that we have reached the stage when your Council is going to have to ask members to increase their subscriptions. I shall not enlarge on this, because it will have to be dealt with by my successor, but there it is as a thought for you. One other piece of news that again will be for my successor to deal with is about the Library, but again I must report on this, since the work in question has been done during my term of office. Briefly, the time has come when the Council feels that the Society can no longer afford even to attempt to keep up a good scientific library. In previous years, we have spent about £50 a year on books to add to our library and, if you think for a moment, you will realise that, with scientific books costing perhaps £5 or £10 each, our £50 does not go far. You will also realise that, in this district with few industries to attract scientists, most of us are amateur scientists and, the few professionals among us will either have books of their own or will have recourse to central libraries. Add to this the fact that our headquarters is in a city with a large annual financial allocation to its Public Library so that it can buy all the scientific books required, and you will perhaps agree with your Council when it feels that the library is no longer an asset that is worth maintaining. With a view to helping the Society decide what to do about it, we had the library valued by a competent librarian, and we learned that, although it has previously been valued for accounting purposes at £1,000, in actual fact it is at present worth only £450. Most of the
value lies in a few books that have value as collectors' pieces, and the large majority of the books have almost no re-sale value. So the Society is going to have to decide what it is going to do with its library. Meetings. There have been six meetings during the year. Annual General Meeting, Dr. C. P. Feltham, “Some Aspects of the Uses of X-radiation”. Three quarterly meetings, Dr. D. E. Hurley, of the Oceanographic Institute, “Exploring New Zealand Seas”; Mr. Lindsay Fooks, project engineer at Wairakei, “Geothermal Power”, Dr. R. A. Falla, of the Dominion Museum, “Antarctic Exploration”. Two members' meetings: Dr. J. A. Berry, “The Dead Sea Scrolls”; Mr. A. Howse, “Chalazoidites”. Historical Section. Eight meetings were held as follows: Mr. Phillips, “Te Kooti's Pa and Ihupuku Pa”; Mr. Elder, “Early Settlement in Norsewood”; Mr. Lester Masters, “Poporangi Station”; Mr. Rainbow, “Early Hastings”; Mr. Barnet Otene, “History Leading up to the Death of Tunui o Takaha”; Mr. Nepia, “Place Names of the Napier-Taupo Road”. There were also three interviews: Mr. Thodson, on “Early Life in Norsewood”; Mr. Sullivan on “Some Te Haroto Place Names”; Mr. Hallett, on “Puketitiri”. Meteorological Section. Monthly meetings of general interest. Ornithological Section. In temporary recess owing to lack of a secretary. Membership. Full members, 81; sectional members (Historical Section), 14; life members, six (Mrs. A. Hutchinson has been created a life member). New members, seven. Deaths: Mr. George Sainsbury, F.R.S, Mr. H. E. Phillips. Nelson Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand President: Dr. W. Cottier. Hon. Sec.: Mr. R. J. Monk. Annual Report for Year ended September 30, 1957 The Annual Meeting was held in the Nelson Institute on Monday, October 29, 1957, at 8 p.m. The election of officers resulted in all retiring officers being re-elected for a further session. Meetings. During the session six meetings were held, and the following addresses given: “Old and Interesting Books”, by Mr. E. S. Gourlay; “Some Aspects of Hop Research”, by Dr. H. O. Askew; “Diseases of Hops”; by Mr. T. Christie; “Education, Today and Tomorrow”, by Dr. Gallas; “Tobacco, Its History and Cultivation”, by Mr. R. Thomson; “The Historic Places Trust and the Nelson Historical Society”, by Dr. Jenkins. At the Annual Meeting two films were shown entitled, “Calder Hall” and “Atoms in the Service of Man”. Membership. During the session, two full and two associate members resigned, and three full members were elected. The membership has therefore decreased to 39, consisting of 29 full and 10 associate members Your committee has given considerable thought to ways and means of increasing the membership. A leaflet setting out the advantages of membership has been prepared and this will be printed and sent to likely future members. Finances. The balance sheet shows a credit balance of £44 5s 9d. This is £15 1s 6d more than was in credit the previous year. Some of this surplus will be used for the purchase of printed letter-heads and envelopes and also for the printed leaflets mentioned above. Attendances. The attendance at the monthly meetings averaged 16. Change of Name. During the Session the name of the Society was changed. Your Committee feels that the change has greatly clarified the relationship with the parent body, the Royal Society of New Zealand, and is confident that the Branch will benefit considerably from its closer relationship. It being necessary to alter the name of the Society in its constitution, your committee has taken the opportunity of revising the constitution, and at the proper time members will be asked to adopt or otherwise consider the constitution prepared by the Committee. Southland Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand Annual Report for the Year ended March 31, 1958 Membership. We were pleased to welcome six new members to our Branch during the year; some of them newcomers to the district. The roll now stands at 46 ordinary members and six life members. From our experience this year, it seems likely that a number of people in our district would join the Branch if nominated by present members. Meetings. Three meetings of the Council were held during the year, and seven general meetings of the Branch, at which the following addresses were given May 15, Dr. C. C. Anderson (Presidential Address), “Radioactive Isotopes In Everyday Life”, June 19, Mr. D. E. S. Mason, “Bluff Harbour Development”, July 17, Mr. O. Sly, Department of Agriculture, “Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation in Southland”; August 21, Dr. M. Gadsden
(on the staff of the I. G. Y. Station, Invercargill), “The Use of Colorimetry and Colour Photography in Research”; September 25, Dr. Paul, District Medical Officer of Health, address and film, “Hydatid Disease”; October 16, Mr. R. W. Willett, Director Geological Survey, “The Work of the Geological Survey in New Zealand”; November 20, Mr. P. Dorizac, Fiordland National Park ranger, gave an illustrated address on Fiordland Park. On Saturday, December 7, members of the Branch, with members of other interested organisations, were invited to an open day at the I.G.Y. Station at Awarua Radio. We are very grateful to speakers who have addressed us during the year for providing such an interesting and instructive programme of lectures. R. Burns Watson, President. I. C. McKellar, Hon. Secretary.
Presidential Address by L. H. Briggs Impressions of a World Trip In the course of my refresher leave, extending for seven months, and in attending six international science conferences, I visited twenty-five different countries, and for this reason I thought that some of my impressions abroad would be of interest to members of the Royal Society. In these countries I have visited nearly seventy universities and research institutions, dealing of course, mainly with my own subject of chemistry. Philippine Islands After visiting our neighbours in Australia, on which I need not comment, I visited some of the universities in the Philippine Islands. There has been a high development of university education in this country, where 23 per cent. of the budget is spent on education. There are in all 18 universities, one containing as many as 32,000 students. They are especially proud of the University of Santa Tomas, which was established even before Harvard University. I was impressed with the calibre and devotion of the university staff, but unfortunately their enormous teaching load and lack of equipment is not conducive to a large research output. However, there are great potentialities in the development of the country. Japan I, personally, think that every person in responsible government today should see something of Japan. Here we have 82 million people, tremendously energetic, living mostly on the perimeter of Japan, where only 16 per cent. of the land is available for cultivation. I doubt if there are any more hard-working people in the world today than the Japanese. It may be regarded as the England of the East, and has a tremendous range of manufactures. They have become the world's leading shipbuilders, mostly through imported steel, which is a tribute to the energy and business acumen of the Japanese. Tokio is now the world's largest city, but unfortunately the noisiest. Apart from those areas damaged by atomic bombs, most of the war-damaged Japan has been rebuilt, and there are few signs today of any past devastation. I visited three of their universities and was impressed by the efficiency of the staff and their students and their ability for hard work. Their equipment, on the other hand, did not appear to be particularly up to date. There is still a blend of old and new in Japan, both in dress and tradition, and it will be interesting to see how Japan develops—whether it will cling to its old tradition or adopt the so-called Western way of life. Japan is very keen to build up its tourist trade. It does have, in my opinion, a great tourist potentiality, and the Japanese Tourist Bureau is excellently organised. I was most warmly welcomed in Japan and extremely hospitably treated, and I must pay a tribute to Japanese hospitality and efficiency in organising the two international scientific conferences which I attended in Tokio. Hong Kong Hong Kong at the moment is in a curious position, in a relatively circumscribed area, but with a million extra population as refugees from Red China. The problem of accommodating this extra population is still acute. The University is an excellent one, founded on the British pattern, where all the students, approximately 1,000, are full-time and housed on the campus. Despite its small size, excellent research work is being carried out. Economically, Hong Kong is in a peculiar position, for although a British colony, governed directly from England, it is a free port with free exchange and all moneys can be freely exchanged, including the purchase of American dollars.
Vietnam My only excursion into Vietnam was a visit to Angkor, the deserted jungle city. This was deserted centuries ago, and only relatively recently rediscovered by Western people. The French Archaeological Society deserve great credit for the way in which they have restored some of the main buildings at Angkor Wat while still retaining the atmosphere of the burred jungle city. For me it was one of the wonders of the world. Thailand As your representative of the Pacific Science Association, I attended the Ninth Pacific Science Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand, from November 18 through December 9, 1957. The Congress was sponsored by His Majesty's Government of Thailand and the Science Society of Thailand, and the local secretariat had complete responsibility for the Congress arrangements. In all, 575 foreign visitor attended the Congress from 35 countries and territories in addition to 400 Thai scientists. The attendance of foreign scientists constituted a record. The organising committee invited selected scientists as Guests of Honour and Guest Lecturers and assisted others, such as members of the Council, to attend as Special Guests. The scientific programme was organised in nine major divisions along the usual lines but, in addition, there was a symposium sponsored by UNESCO on “Climate, Vegetation and Rational Land Utilisation in the Humid Tropics”, while the Divisions of International Co-operation in Science organised two symposia, “Progress of Work in I.G.Y” and “Contributions to Pacific Science by International Organisations”. Excursions during and after the Congress assisted visitors in studying at first hand problems under discussion and to see something of the scenery, history and culture of Thailand. Wonderful hospitality was received from our Siamese hosts, including a Royal Garden Party, the first ever to be given to any group outside political personnel. The Government very generously supported the Congress, and there was ample opportunity for members to inspect the resources and manufactures of Thailand, particularly in the environs of Bangkok itself. Bangkok has a fine university with good facilities at the undergraduate level, but there is a need for further emphasis on research. The economy of Thailand is based mostly on agriculture, since it is the rice bowl of the East, and its major export is rice. The city of Bangkok is built on a river delta where a great deal of the transport is still carried out by boats. It has a characteristic red and gold architecture, and for this reason Bangkok is perhaps the most colourful city in the world. New Zealand was poorly represented with only five representatives, which was the subject of rather adverse comment from neighbouring countries. It must be realised that in conferences of this type, members can not only learn much for themselves, but they can also contribute to the scientific development of the host country and many of the resolutions passed at the conclusion of the Congress were drawn up to assist Thailand and neighbouring countries in furthering their scientific resources. New Zealand very generously supports the Colombo Plan in bringing young scientists from South East Asia to this country, but I feel that a larger delegation to the Congress would equally well have helped on the same principles of the Colombo Plan in reverse. Malaya I was able to visit the Federation of Malaya soon after they had gained independence. They still have a big political problem, since the three major races are Malayans, Indians and Chinese, each with their different cultures and religions, whilst the Communist bandits are still active. It is a country full of rich resources of minerals, timber and agriculture, with a very promising future. Singapore is
still a Crown Colony and, strictly speaking, not part of Malaya, but there is a close liaison with the Federation of Malaya, and the University of Malaya is still housed in Singapore, although a new university is planned at Kuala Lumpur, the capital. In Kuala Lumpur I attended a Symposium on the Phytochemistry of Tropical Plants, organised and sponsored by UNESCO. This was an attempt to encourage more active research into the plant products of South-East Asia. The potential of plant products in this area is still enormous In comparison with New Zealand flora of about 2,000 species, the Malaysiana area contains approximately 30,000 higher plants, most of which have not yet been explored. Plant chemistry is very active in the neighbouring countries of India, Japan and Australia, and the conference was of value in drawing attention to the resources of the area. Burma Only one day was spent in Rangoon as a tourist. It would appear from this brief visit that the economy of Burma has not improved since the withdrawal of the British, but Britain has left its mark in the architecture and town planning of Rangoon. Once proud buildings, however, appear to be in a stage of decay. India This is a peculiar country of possibly the greatest extremes of riches and poverty in the world. I saw little of their universities. One was very poorly equipped by modern standards, but there was no lack of keen and able students. On the other hand, another university was very well staffed and reasonably well equipped with a very energetic research school in chemistry. The National Chemical Laboratory at Poona is an excellent institution, very ably administered with staff and equipment of very high order. England The greatest impression I had of English universities was the building programme for new science buildings. Of the ten universities which I visited in the United Kingdom nine were in the process of erecting new buildings, particularly in chemistry. In Birmingham a new extension to the chemistry building had been completed, approximately half the size of their previous building, and now instructions have been given to build further extensions, as much again as their present accommodation. The older universities of Oxford and Cambridge, long famous for their teaching of the humanities, now house two of the largest chemistry buildings in the United Kingdom, and Oxford will be the biggest teaching institution for chemistry in the country. It is obvious that England is alive to the need for scientists in our present scientific age, but from the figures which are available, both England and America are well behind Russia in the production of scientists. The universities in England still have restriction of students, and there is a lot of leeway to be made up before all the students with the qualifications can enter British universities freely, particularly in science. The emphasis generally in England is still on fundamentals, and I am glad to say that the search for new knowledge, irrespective of its application, is still the guiding force in most of the universities which I visited. Relative to America, there is a lack of advanced fellowship, particularly at the post-graduate or post-doctoral level, and many British chemists are going to America for further experience, attracted by much more generous awards of American fellowships. After all, these are the cream of the universities, and this migration can be quite a drain on the scientific personnel of the country.
America The most striking thing to a visitor in America is the way in which life is bound up with the motor-car, both in transport and in economy. The automobiles are bigger and more powerful than ever, with larger areas of used car lots and also large areas on the edge of many cities for dumps of cars which appear to any outsider still to have many years of service. It is possibly the motor-car which is principally responsible for the present depression in America. Few cars were manufactured during the Second World War, and with the post-war demand for motorcars production was increased to an all-time record. Once this demand has been fulfilled, however, the only way to continue the production was for a person to buy a new car every few years. The American public has rebelled against this policy, leading first to a depression in the motor-car industry, then to the steel industry, and finally to business in general. Coupled with the motor-car is the present urban sprawl in America, where public transport is fast diminishing and people must rely on private transport. Los Angeles today is an enormous sprawling city of 500 square miles and other western cities appear to be following the same pattern. I consider there is a very urgent need in New Zealand for town planning, both at Government and local government levels, and we in New Zealand should decide whether we wish to follow the sprawling pattern of America, relying on private transport, or more high-density development, utilising public transport. However, in the same field of town planning, we can well copy the pattern of America in the growing of trees in the streets. In a land of relatively high sunshine, New Zealand should follow the same pattern and thus add to the beauty of our towns and cities. Another scientific development which strikes the visitor is the present use of methane gas, a by-product of the petroleum wells. Today, this is piped right across America and Canada for use in cooking and space heating of homes and, with suitable arrangements, the same pipe-lines in certain cases can also be used for the transport of petrol and oil. Canada is likewise developing the petroleum gas supplies from Alberta. History was made on October 5, 1957, when Russian scientists first launched a satellite in orbit. This was followed by other satellites, launched by the Russians, including one with a live dog. American scientists have quickly followed with the launching of their own satellites, and today a great deal of research work is being carried out in America in this new field of guided missiles, satellites and interplanetary travel. The Americans are using every endeavour to reach the moon by rocket transport. In order to carry out this and other programmes of research in America, it is necessary to have trained personnel capable of doing the fundamental work required. There is a great shortage of scientists, however, and I was alarmed at the small number of science graduates, majoring in chemistry, produced by American universities in the last few years. A summary of the position was recently published as a Progress Report, No 31, of the Committee of Professional Training in Chemical and Engineering News, April 7, 1958. The following figures collected for bachelor graduates, majoring in chemistry, make rather alarming reading: Harvard, 11, Yale, 10; Pittsburg, 4; Minnesota, 16 and the University of Southern California with 18,000 students, 12. At the Ph.D. level I was impressed by the large number of foreign students, possibly attracted by the large number of research fellowships available in American universities. It is obvious that a radical change must be made if America is to supply the ever increasing need for scientists. After two months and travelling through many States, my final impression was “the miracle of America”, where nearly 170 million people of different basic nationalities and environment have been welded into one energetic, democratic, hospitable and freedom-loving people. They can truly be called the United States of America.
Perhaps I could conclude with a few comments on education in general It appeared that both in England and America there was a trend back to the three R's I found general dissatisfaction with the 11 + system in England where a child sits an examination at 11 years of age and on the results of the examination his future secondary school and university training is mainly decided. A child with poor examination results is channelled into a technical education with little prospect of entering the university. Such direction does not take into consideration the development of the child and, in my own experience as a university teacher, I have seen a very marked development in science students at the university level, which would be unpredictable at 11 years of age. There is still a great deal of so-called “progressive” education in America and one factor which distinguishes American schools from British schools and our own is the absence of corporal punishment for boys. Perhaps this lack of corporal punishment and the lack of men teachers in the primary schools is a factor in the delinquency problem. Another factor is climatic, since, especially in the middle west and north-eastern States of America, school playgrounds, if any, are frozen hard for months of the year and are incapable of being used for outdoor sports. New Zealand should be thankful for a climate and a Government policy of providing playgrounds where the adolescent energy of youngsters can be utilised in health-giving after-school sports. Finally, I should like to emphasise the high place of moral values in education. There is little point in education in the three R's and other subjects if no emphasis is placed on moral values. If this were instilled into the youth of today at all levels, it would avoid the graft in high places which one commonly sees abroad. New Zealand has many things to be proud of, or many records in rugby football, infant death rate, consumption of this and that commodity, but if we are to progress we should not be satisfied until we can say that we have the best system of education, producing citizens of the highest character.
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Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 86, 1959, Page 45
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14,275Reports of Member Bodies Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 86, 1959, Page 45
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