The Royal Society of New Zealand Half-Yearly Meeting of the Council, Held December 1, 1958, Napier Minutes The Council. of the Royal Society of New Zealand held its Half-yearly Meeting on Monday, December 1, 1958, in the Merchant Navy Club Rooms, Napier. The Council was welcomed by the President of the Hawke's Bay Branch, Mr. J. S. Peel, and by the Mayor of Napier, Mr. P. Tait. Mr. Peel stated that it was the first time the Parent Body of the Royal Society had visited Napier and the Hawke's Bay Branch and it was very welcome. The Branch expected to receive a stimulus from the visit. These visits were of great value to the smaller Branches as a means of creating or renewing enthusiasm in the local Branches. The Mayor said that the need and incentive for initiative is not what it was and New Zealand today requires more example and leadership—democracy was becoming an excuse for mediocrity—he believed that the Royal Society of New Zealand with its membership of over 2,000 has a responsibility to show that leadership in the country. He spoke of the miracles of science and the work which made these miracles possible. Mr. Tait warmly welcomed the Council to Napier and wished them a very successful meeting. The President, Professor R. S. Allan, replying, thanked Mr. Peel and Mr. Tait for their welcome. He stated that in Napier there was tremendous evidence of a most remarkable civic pride. Professor Allan referred to the disastrous earthquake in 1931 and the contrast in Napier today in fine new buildings and civic amenities of the highest order. The President then invited Mr. Peel and Mrs. J. Winkley, Secretary of the Branch to attend the meeting as observers. Representation and Roll Call. The following were present: President: Professor R. S. Allan. Immediate Past President: Professor L. H. Briggs. Vice-president: Dr. J. K. Dixon. Government Representatives: Dr. G. Archey, Mr. F. R. Callaghan, Dr. R. A. Falla, Dr. C. A. Fleming Auckland Institute Representatives: Mr. S. G. Brooker, Dr. A. W. B. Powell. Wellington Branch Representatives: Mr. K. R. Allen, Dr. M. A. F. Barnett. Canterbury Branch Representatives: Dr. R. S. Duff, Professor E. Percival. Otago Branch Representatives. Dr. D. A. Brown, Mr. O. H. Keys. Waikato Scientific Association Representative, Mr. R. R. White. Rotorua Branch Representative: Mr. J. Healy. Hawke's Bay Branch Representative: Mr. N. L. Elder Nelson Branch Representative:————. Southland Branch Representative: Mr. R. W. Willett. Co-opted Member:———. Fellows' Representative: Professor C. A. Cotton. Apologies. Apologies were received from The Hon. Minister, Scientific and Industrial Research; Dr. F. G. Soper, Vice-president; Sir Ernest Marsden, Fellows' Representative; Dr. J. T. Salmon, Co-opted Member, all overseas; Dr. H. O. Askew, Nelson Branch; Mr. S. Cory-Wright, Hon. Treasurer. These apologies were sustained. President's Remarks. Professor Allan referred to the recent death of Lord Bledisloe and of Sir Douglas Mawson both Honorary Members of the Society. He stated that a tribute would be prepared to Lord Bledisloe and Sir Douglas Mawson for the annual meeting in May. Professor Allan then congratulated Dr. D. A. Brown on his recent appointment to the Chair of Geology at the University College of