of the grossly inadequate salary position in relation to that of other countries.” This resolution was sent to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, the Secretary of the Public Service Commission, the President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, and the Minister of Scientific and Industrial Research, all of whom acknowledged receipt of it. Adult Education. The report of a Special Committee of the Royal Society of New Zealand on this subject was considered by your Council. It was decided that some action should be taken on para. 8 of that report, which reads: “That the Royal Society recommend to its branches that each set up a special committee actively to aid and co-operate with local agencies in adult education, such as community centres, natural history clubs. (That Committee could, for example, find lecturers for such groups.)” To test the reaction of the public and to obtain definite information it was resolved to arrange for a popular scientific lecture to be given in each of the three districts around Dunedin, those suggested being Oamaru, Ranfurly, and Kaitangata, and on the basis of the interest shown in these, plan for next year. Owing to the difficulty in arranging lecturers, however, the plan has been delayed, but it is hoped to have it functioning in the near future. The Waipoua Forest. The Branch was represented by Dr. W. R. B. Oliver in a deputation to the Government from the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, the Royal Society of New Zealand, and other bodies, which, asked that the Forest be declared a National Park under a special board of trustees for permanent preservation in its natural state. The Minister replied to the deputation that he was prepared to recommend the setting aside of 4,000 acres intact in the Forest, and that he would circularise all members of the Cabinet with notes of the deputation, so that a Cabinet decision could be made. Dr. Oliver reported that, in his opinion, the matter should not be allowed to rest there; efforts should be made on a larger scale to impress on the Government the necessity of saving the whole Forest intact. Broadcast, “How Things Began.” After the suspension of these broadcasts on direction from the Minister of Broadcasting, the Wellington Branch sent a letter to the Minister stating that in its opinion the broadcast presented proved facts in such a manner as to arouse interest in children in scientific matters, and strongly recommended that the broadcasts be resumed at an early date. The Wellington Branch asked for our support, which was given in a letter to the Minister. The Hon. Mr. Jones wrote assuring this Branch that full consideration would be given to its letter when the future of the series “How Things Began” was being decided. Coat of Aerial Photographs.—Dr. Archey wrote on behalf of the Auckland Branch to enlist this Branch's support in an attempt to have the cost of aerial photographs reduced. Your Council addressed the Minister of Lands, who replied, however, that he was unable to authorise any reduction, because of the high initial cost of taking the photographs. Hamilton Prize. This was awarded by the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand to Miss E. J. Batham, M.Sc. Secretary. Mr. Gordon Anderson left Dunedin to take up a new appointment in Wellington in July, and Mr. J. B. Mackie was elected Honorary Secretary in his place until the end of the 1947 session. Conversazione. The Annual Conversazione in conjunction with the Association of Friends of the Museum was held on Wednesday, October 22. It was again a highly successful function, there being a record attendance. A new feature on the programme was a mannequin parade by members of the Museum and University Library staffs displaying some of the gowns from the Museum series (1820–1900). Main Branch Meetings. April 15—Presidential Address (Dr. H. D. Skinner), “The Material Culture of the Maoris of Murihiku”; May 6—Dr. C. MeC. Brooks, “Appetite and Obesity”; June 10—Mr. A. G. Elliott, “Developments in Otago Farming”; July 8—Mr. H. Muir, “Recent Advances in Secondary Metallurgy”; August 12—Dr. R. A. Falla, “Unesco Plans for the Future”; September 9—Mr. J. T. Holloway, “The Work of the New Zealand National Forest Survey”; October 14—Dr. L. F. Story. “Unshrinkable Wool.”