National Parks: On the motion of Dr. Oliver, convener of the Wild Life Control Committee, seconded by Mr. Archey, it was resolved that the question of the administration of National Parks be referred back to the Wild Life Control Committee to organise a conference with bodies and associations having a definite interest in New Zealand in National Parks. Honorary Treasurer's Statements: The following report of the Honorary Treasurer, and the balance sheets and statements of accounts were, on the motion of Mr. Eliott, seconded by Professor Evans, adopted:— Hon. Treasurer's Report. The Statement of the Revenue Account for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1940, shows that the expenditure exceeds receipts by £162 3s 7d. The principal items making up this amount are extra cost of printing (£86), increase in stationery (£20), and cost of library removal (£49). Decreases in levy received amounted to £11 and in sales of publications, £43. Now that the Carter Bequest account has been finally closed in our books, a brief statement of the financial history of the fund deserves an appropriate record. In 1896 C. R. Carter bequeathed to the New Zealand Institute the residue of his estate, etc., a sum amounting to £2,240 9s 5d. The Public Trustee was executor of the estate, and the amount was invested by him in the common fund of the Public Trust bearing interest at 4 ½ per cent. In order more vigorously to develop the fund so that the testator's wishes could be realised, the Institute, after obtaining legal advice. asked the Public Trustee to transfer the fund to the New Zealand Institute. An amount of £4,865 15s 10d was received from the Public Trustee on the 1st July, 1921, and was immediately invested by the Institute in Government Inscribed Stock in lots bearing interest at 5, 5 ¼, and 5 ½ per cent. In accordance with the Carter Observatory Act the fund with accrued interest and a final payment of £1,500 from the estate was handed over to the Carter Observatory Board on the 21st and 31st March, and 6th April, 1939, the total amount in scrip and cash being £13,741 1s 10d. The remaining trust funds are slowly growing—the Endowment Fund now stands at £1,708 14s 11d, showing a satisfactory increase for the year of £116 6s 6d. The cost of printing the Transactions continues to increase, as is shown by the following comparison:— Vol. 65 £410 15 9 Vol. 66 482 6 11 Vol. 67 487 5 10 Vol. 68 602 6 8 Vol. 69 673 13 11 Since our last annual meeting New Zealand, in common with all other parts of the British Empire, has become involved in war with Germany. It is difficult to forecast what effect this will have on our finances, but the position requires careful watching, and if the occasion arises, then appropriate action must be taken. I must once again record the satisfactory manner in which the books and accounts have been kept by the Secretary. M. A. Eliott, Honorary Treasurer.