and a good deal of material secured, but owing to the extremely dry conditions and the presence of a large number of insectivorous birds the number of specimens collected was perhaps not so large as it might have been under normal conditions. Hen Island, an uninhabited island off Whangarei Heads, was also visited, and seven days were spent in collecting there, and some interesting material secured. Several hundred specimens from these localities have now been mounted, and the remaining work will probably occupy another twelve months. Expenditure for the year amounted to £14 7s 10d, and there is an unexpended balance of £1 16s. Mr J. W. Calder in 1930 was granted £30 for research in the vegetation of Arthur's Pass. He reported on the 29th March that the investigation of regeneration of sub-alpine scrub after burning had been continued during the year, and a detailed examination made of the area described by Dr Cockayne in a paper in the Transactions of 1899 and numerous photographs taken, many of them of areas photographed by Dr Cockayne 34 years ago, and thus furnishing an invaluable record of the changes which have taken place in the vegetation during that period. A paper describing the main changes has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Ecology. The work is being continued and permanent quadrants located. Expenditure amounting to £24 17s 2d has been incurred. Miss L. Cranwell in 1930 was granted £20 for research on marine algae of the West Coast near Auckland, and she reported on the 6th April that the survey is still incomplete, and it is unlikely that there will be anything ready for publication before the end of the two years' period which was suggested as the minimum for the work. Collecting and observation work have been undertaken along the coast. Special attention has been given to periodicity, and sufficient time has now elapsed to indicate striking seasonable changes. Miss Cranwell acknowledges generous assistance from Mr R. M. Laing, as well as of other overseas workers, in the identification of species. Expenditure amounted to £2 2s. Dr G. H. Cunningham in 1928 was granted £25 for a mycological survey of Tongariro National Park. He reported on the 23rd March that the Park had been visited on four occasions. An investigation was made of a disease of Pinus spp. which had become widely spread through certain afforested areas in Karioi, on the southern slopes of Mount Ruapehu. Collecting was also done in this locality, and other collecting tours were undertaken. In all 16 additional species of fungi were added to previous collections. He has had great difficulty in identifying several of these collections, since many belong to groups with which he is not familiar, and little accurate aid can be secured by sending material abroad owing to the penchant of overseas workers to consider (too often without justification) most species from a foreign region as being undescribed. No expenditure was incurred in connection with these collecting tours. Professor Florance in 1928 was granted £38 and in 1929 an additional £20 for research on oscillation crystals and supersonic waves. He reported on 4th April that during the last year work was carried out in an investigation of the fundamental modes of vibration of crystals, particularly with a view to correlating results obtained by various experimental methods (powder method, interference method, polarised light method). This investigation has not yet been completed. An investigation also was made of the sound field round oscillating crystals. The work was the subject of an honours thesis. The whole of the grant has been expended. Mr F. W. Foster, who in 1921 was granted £25 to correlate the late Sir David Hutchins's notes, has now completed the work, and a substantial MS. is in the hands of the Institute. Part II, comprising three sections—Forest Policy, Introduced Conifers, Cold Country Eucalypts—has just been received. No decision has been arrived at regarding its publication. The whole of the grant has now been paid to Mr Foster. Dr O. H. Frankel was in 1929 granted £32 12s and in 1930 an additional £20 for research on the cytology of New Zealand plants. He reported on the 3rd April that the research has progressed satisfactorily. A large number of