In all there have been eight meetings of the Institute during the year—namely, annual general meeting, six ordinary meetings, and one extraordinary meeting. At these meetings two lectures were delivered and five papers read, a detailed list of which appears elsewhere. The Council held six meetings, at which a fair amount of general business was transacted.

During the session the Otago Institute raised the question of the desirability of a botanical survey of the colony being made, and of the appointment of a Government Botanist. Dr. Cockayne was named as the most suitable person for the post. After carefully considering the matter the Council decided to support the resolutions of the Otago Institute and the claims of Dr. Cockayne to the position of Government Botanist.

A communication has been received from the Town Clerk, asking for the transfer of the Museum to the Borough Council, who are willing to take it over and maintain it. This question will have to be considered by members at this meeting.

As will be seen by the balance-sheet, this Institute contributed to the Hutton Memorial Fund inaugurated by the Canterbury Philosophical Society.

Seven new members were elected during the year, and eighteen new volumes were added to the library.

The Treasurer's balance-sheet shows a small balance in hand.

Papers read before the Hawke's Bay Philosophical
Institute During The Session 1906.

1st May.—Inaugural Address by the President, W. Dinwiddie, “Some Modern Philosophical Movements.”

5th June.—Lecture by Dr. Kennedy, “Radium,” illustrated by lantern-slides and experiments.

3rd July.—Paper by C. J. Cooke, B.A., “Electricity, with Especial Reference to Submarine Cables.”

Mr. Hill called attention to an important occurrence at the Kidnappers, where the rocky archway at the point had collapsed, and thus a second island had been formed.

7th August.—Paper by J. Guthrie-Smith, “Imported Animals noticed at Tutira since 1882,” illustrated by maps thrown on the screen.

11th September.—Paper by H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S., “Oil wells and Oil-prospects along the East Coast,” illustrated by lantern-slides and by specimens of oil and shale.

28th September.—Lecture by Sir B. Stout, “A Pleasant Night in Wanganui,” illustrated by numerous lantern-slides.

9th. October.—Paper by W. Kerr, M.A., “Rock-cavities and their Contents,” illustrated by lantern-slides and specimens.

Election of Officers for 1907.—President—E. A. W. Henley, M.B.; Vice-President—T. Tanner; Council—W. Dinwiddie, T. Hall, H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S., T. Hyde, J. P. Leahy, M.B., D.P.H., T. C. Moore, M.D.; Honorary Secretary—James Hislop, District School; Honorary Treasurer—J. W. Craig; Honorary Auditor—J. S. Large; Lanternist—C. F. Pointon.