Honorary Membership. Five nominations were received for the two vacancies in the Honorary Membership. The voting resulted in Professor R. B. Goldschmidt and Dr. R. Cushman Murphy being elected. Vacancies. No vacancies in the Honorary Membership were declared. Member bodies' Reports and Balance Sheets. The reports and balance sheets of the following Member Bodies were laid on the table: Auckland Institute for the year ended. 31st March, 1948. Wellington Branch for the year ended 30th September, 1947. Canterbury Branch for the year ended 31st October, 1947. Otago Branch for the year ended 31st October, 1947. Hawke's Bay Branch for the year ended 31st March, 1948. Southland Branch for the year ended 31st March, 1947. Nelson Institute for the year ended 31st December, 1947. Report of the Standing Committee. On the motion of Professor Richardson, seconded by Mr. Callaghan, the Standing Committee's report was considered. Report of the Standing Committee for the year ended 31st March, 1948. Meetings. One Special Meeting of the Council and eight meetings of the Standing Committee were held during the year, the attendance being as follows: Dr. E. Marsden, Wellington, 4; Dr. R. A. Falla, Christchurch and Wellington, 6; Dr. G. Archey, Auckland, 1; Mr. B. C. Aston, Wellington, 4; Mr. J. D. H. Buchanan, Napier. 1; Mr. F. R. Callaghan. Wellington (appointed to Council, February, 1948) 2; Dr. O. H. Frankel, Christchurch, 1; Dr. L. I. Grange, Wellington, 8; Dr. J. Marwick, Wellington, 8; Dr. W. R. B. Oliver, Wellington and Christchurch, 6; Professor L. R. Richardson, Wellington, 9; also attended, the Hon. Editor (Dr. J. Henderson) 5; the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. S. Cory Wright) 5. Council. In September, Dr. E. Marsden resigned the office of President on account of his leaving for London to take up an appointment there. The Vice-President, Dr. R. A. Falla, temporarily assumed the duties of President and in accordance with the new rule entitling Member Bodies to make nominations for the offices of President and Vice-President, two nominations were subsequently received. A Special Meeting of the Council was held on the 13th November and a postal ballot accepted from members of the Council unable to attend the meeting. Dr. R. A. Falla was elected President, thus leaving the office of Vice-President vacant. Two nominations for this office were received from Member Bodies and were submitted to members of the Council for a postal ballot. At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on 16th February, Mr. F. R. Callaghan was elected to the office of Vice-President. On the 27th November Mr. F. R. Callaghan's appointment to the Council as a Government representative in place of Dr. E. Marsden (resigned) was gazetted. Constitution of the Council. The question of the representation of Fellows and of kindred societies on the Council referred to the Standing Committee by the last Annual Meeting was considered and referred to a sub-committee consisting of Dr. E. Marsden, Dr. R. A. Falla, and Dr. J. Marwick. This committee reported to the Standing Committee on the 23rd September and the following recommendations were referred to the annual meeting for consideration:— (1) That it be a recommendation to the Government that the four nominees be reduced to two and that the Fellows elect by ballot two representatives. The total membership of the Council would thereby not be increased. (2) The sub-committee considers that the admission of other scientific societies to representation on the Council would materially alter the constitution of the Royal Society of New Zealand and affect unduly its rules. The committee considers that the position of the Royal Society