Dr. Marshall dealt with the physiography and development of the surface features as well as with the details of the interesting alkaline igneous rocks of the locality.

2. “Further Notes on Sipunculids,” by Professor Benham. (Transactions, p. 301.)

3. “On Earthworms from the Kermadecs,” by Professor Benham. (Transactions, p. 298.)

4. “The Occurrence of Large Masses of Ferrous Sulphate in Gold-mines,” by Mr. M. Paul; communicated by Professor Park. (Transactions, p. 551.)

The annual meeting was then held.

The report of the Council for the past year was read.

The Council has remained unchanged since its election in November, 1903, but a cordial welcome was extended to one of its members, Dr. Hocken, on his arrival from an extended visit to Europe.

During the session four new members were elected, three resigned, one deceased, and eight were struck off the roll for non-payment of subsoription. This is a reduction of eight members, so the total is now reduced to 104.

Two items of extraordinary expenditure appear in the balance-sheet. The one is an amount of £50, which is the balance of the sum promised by the Institute to the marine-fish hatchery. The Council was represented at the opening of the institution, and the representatives were thoroughly satisfied with its equipment, and have every confidence that valuable economic results will accrue from its establishment. The second large payment is a sum of £25 for the purchase of fifty copies of the “Index Faunæ Novæ-zealandiæ.” The work was published at the expense of the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, and the sum named above represents the amount of financial assistance that your Council felt justified in granting towards the expenses incurred in publishing this highly important work. The Council regrets that the other affiliated institutes did not contribute towards the expense of publication.

The lecture given by Professor Evans, of Canterbury College, was delivered in the Stuart Hall, and proved highly interesting. The Council thinks that the practice of inducing prominent scientific men in other centres to give lectures has proved so successful that it should be continued.

The new constitution of the New Zealand Institute came into operation during the past year. The Council considers that this direct representation greatly increases the benefits that the local institutes derive from the central body.

The balance-sheet, duly audited, was adopted. The receipts for the year, including a balance of £34 11s. 11d., amounted to £143 6s. 2d., and the expenditure to £267 16s. A sum of £150 was withdrawn from deposit to meet this expenditure, and a balance of £25 10s. 2d. remains at the Union Bank.

Election of Officers for 1905.—President—Mr. J. C. Thomson; Vice-Presidents—Professor Benham, Dr. T. M. Hocken; Council—Messrs. A. Bathgate, E. E. Collie, Dr. Fulton, Dr. Marshall, Professor Park, Messrs. G. M. Thomson and D. B. Waters; Hon. Secretary—Mr. R. Gilkison; Hon. Treasurer—Mr. W. Fels.