Annual Report.

During the past year there have been seven meetings of the Institute—namely, the annual general meeting and six ordinary meetings. At the ordinary meetings thirteen papers were read, several of them being illustrated by lantern-slides. The Council held five meetings and transacted a large amount of general business.

Nine new members were elected during the year, making a total membership of sixty-seven.

The Council of the Institute has been approached by the Borough Council with regard to the transfer of the Museum to the latter body, and the opening of the Instiute's library as a reference library. Nothing definite, however, has yet been done with regard to either of these matters.

Mr. Hill has again been elected the Institute's representative on the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute.

The Treasurer's balance-sheet shows a credit balance of £20 3s. 8d.

Papers Read During the Session 1907.

7th May.—Inaugural address by the President, E. A. W. Henley, M.B.; subject, “Esperanto.”

11th June.—Papers by Dr. Kennedy—(a) “The Climate of Napier compared with those of Other Places in New Zealand and Europe”; (b) “The Nine-inch Refractor of the Meeanee Observatory.” Both papers illustrated by lantern-slides.

16th July.—Paper by J. L. Kayll, “The Criminal: His Evolution and Reform.”

13th August.—Papers by H. Hill—(a) “Strange Stones,” illustrated by a large number of specimens; (b) “An Experiment in Nature-study”; (c)“The Root-parasite Dactylanthus Taylori,” illustrated by lantern-slides.

3rd September.—Papers by W. Kerr, M.A.—(a) “Experimental Education”; (b) “Some Optical Phenomena explained.” Papers by H. Guthrie-Smith—(a) “Alien and Native Grasses of Tutira” (p. 506); (b) “Ferns of Tutira.”

29th November.—Paper by Taylor White, “On Hybrid Ducks.” Paper by H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S., “Evolution,” illustrated by a large number of lantern-slides.

Election of Officers for 1908.—President—T. Tanner; Vice-President—J. P. Leahy, M.B., D.P.H.; Council—G. Clark, W. Dinwiddie, E. A. W. Henley, M.B., H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S., T. Hyde, T. C. Moore, M.D.; Hon. Secretary—James Hislop, District School; Hon. Treasurer—J. W. Craig; Hon. Auditor—J.S. Large; Lanternist—C. F. Pointon.