Incorporated Societies' Reports.—The reports of all the societies except that of Poverty Bay were laid on the table. On the motion of the President, seconded by the Hon. Mr. G. M. Thomson, it was resolved to refer the reports and balance-sheets of these societies to the Hon. Treasurer for his report on them.

Standing Committee's Annual Report.—The report of the Standing Committee was then considered clause by clause, and adopted with two slight additions.

Standing Committee's Report for the Year Ending 31st December, 1921.

Meetings.—Ten meetings of the Standing Committee were held during the year, the attendance being as follows: Professor Easterfield (President), 9; Professor Kirk, 9; Dr. Cockayne. 5; Hon. G. M. Thomson, 4; Dr. J. A. Thomson, 2; Professor Segar, 1; Professor Thomas, 1; Mr. M. A. Eliott, 1; and Mr. B. C. Aston (Hon. Secretary), 10.

Hector Award.—The award for 1920 was made to Mr. R. Speight, Christchurch, for his valuable work in petrology, physiography, and stratigraphy, which had been carried on with zeal and energy since 1892. A special meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury was held on the 26th July, when the Hector Medal was presented to Mr. Speight by Professor Easterfield, President of the New Zealand Institute.

Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, Volume 53.—This volume was issued to the incorporated societies in bulk in September and October, 1921, and to the exchanges on the 5th December. Copies of the volume were laid on the tables of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives on the 29th and 27th September respectively.

Publications.—The following have been placed on the mailing-list by the Standing Committee, and will in future receive the Transactions as published:—

Imperial Bureau of Entomology, London.

Biologisches Zentralblatt, Berlin-Dahlem.

Universitets biblioteket, Uppsala.

The Academy, Abo, Finland.

Annual Reports and Balance-sheets.—The annual reports and balance sheets-of the incorporated societies have been received as follows, and it is intended to submit them to the Hon. Treasurer to aid him in advising the Standing Committee on financial questions:—

Auckland Institute, for year ending February, 1921.

Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for year ending 31st October, 1921.

Manawatu Philosophical Society, for year ending 23rd November, 1921.

Nelson Institute, for year ending 31st December, 1921.

Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, for year ending 31st December, 1920.

Wellington Philosophical Society, for year ending 30th September, 1921.

Wanganni Philosophical Society, for year ending October, 1921.

Otago Institute, for year ending 30th November, 1921.

Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute.—On the 23rd June the appointment of Dr. Cotton, Dr. Hilgendorf, Rev. Dr. Holloway, and Professor Park to the Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute was gazetted, and copy of the Gazette notice was forwarded to each of these gentlemen.

At last annual meeting a committee consisting of Professors Segar, Sommerville, Easterfield, and Dr. Thomson was set up to draw up rules for a simple method of voting. This committee decided to send out a voting-paper containing the names of the nominees for the Fellowship, and asking voters to place a cross against the names of the candidates for whom they wished to vote. Societies were circularized on the 4th May and asked to forward nominations for the Fellowship for 1922; they were informed that the consent of every candidate must be obtained in writing and that the information supplied concerning the qualifications of each candidate must be capable of being reproduced as a single foolscap sheet of typewritten matter. The information to be given in the following order:—

• (1.) Name of candidate.

• (2.) Degrees, membership of societies, position now held, positions formerly held.

• (3.) Statement of approximate number of books and original scientific papers published, together with the names of the journals in which the latter appeared.

• (4.) Statement of the titles of not more than six of the most important papers.

The societies sent in twenty-two nominations, which were submitted on the 4th July to the Fellows of the Institute for selection. On the 14th September the Hon. Returning Officer, Professor Segar, forwarded the results of the selection, and these were communicated to every Governor on the 16th September.

Publications.—A partial set of Transactions issued during the war was supplied to the Naturforschende Gesellschaft, Bern, and the numbers issued during the war were supplied to a number of institutions in Germany and other late enemy countries who wrote in reply to the Institute's inquiry asking that they be reinstated on the exchange list.

Index, Volumes 41–51.—This index was printed and issued on the 14th July, 1921, and the Standing Committee decided that the price should be 2s., and that no free or complimentary copies be issued.

Science Congress Resolutions.—On the 7th February it was resolved that a copy of the resolutions of the Palmerston North Science Congress be forwarded to such Ministers as they concern and to the Minister of Internal Affairs, and that the covering letter should explain that they have been received from the Secretary of the Science Congress, with a request that the resolutions should be forwarded to the Government.

Fireblight.—On the 11th February the Government Statistician wrote stating that it appeared quite impracticable to him to take, in conjunction with the population census, “an absolutely complete census of all hawthorn hedges or single plants and all other hosts of fireblight.” On the 3rd March the Hon. Minister of Agriculture wrote acknowledging receipt of two resolutions of the Science Congress regarding fireblight (Bacillus amylovorus), and stated that the matter was under active consideration by himself and his officers, and that due weight would be given to the opinion of the Congress as conveyed in the resolutions.

Seismology.—On the 1st June the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs wrote that, in regard to seismological equipment, the question of adding to the equipment now on order a seismograph registering vertical movement will be given due consideration when the present financial stringency is over.

Yale Telescope.—In respect to the Yale offers, as it was found that the actual specifications and the size of the small photographic telescope had not been furnished by Dr. Schlessinger he has been requested kindly to supply this information together with working-drawings, when it will be seen whether the mountings offered by the Wanga-nui Astronomical Society, the Wellington Philosophical Society, and the Seminary of Greenmeadows, Napier, will be suitable. A decision will then be arrived at by the Government as to the acceptance or otherwise of such offer. In regard to the offer of the telescope for stellar observations, the Government cannot see its way at present to give effect to the proposals of the Yale observatory, but if the money could be raised by private subscription it considers the project is one which should be carried out.

Longitude Standardization.—With reference to the standardization of longitudes, the erection of a high-powered wireless receiving outfit at the Observatory having been recently authorized, and the question of finding a permanent situation for the Observatory being under consideration, the Government, while in sympathy with the Empire scheme, is not at present prepared to incur any further expenditure in the provision of the additional equipment, staff, and housing required for the carrying-out of this work.

International Catalogue of Scientific Literature.—On the 23rd February Dr. Thomson, Hon. Librarian, reported that for the purposes of carrying on the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature the Royal Society required from New Zealand a contribution of a capital sum of £425 and an annual contribution of £213, otherwise the Catalogue would lapse. The Standing Committee referred the matter to the incorporated societies, and at a meeting held on the 9th March the Standing Committee resolved that the Catalogue authorities be informed that, although the Catalogue has been found to be of service by certain biologists in New Zealand, the Standing Committee, in view of the financial stringency, considers it hopeless to get a guarantee for such a large amount as that asked for from New Zealand. This resolution was communicated to the Royal Society on the 21st July, and a reply was received stating that as it was found that the total promises received in respect of income amounted to less than one-third of the eighty units, the minimum with which the Royal Society was prepared to resume the administration of the Catalogue, while in respect of working capital the proportion was even smaller, the President and Council had no choice but to decline, with the

greatest regret, the invitation of the Conference of September, 1920, to resume the administration of the Catalogue. On the 17th October Professor Dendy wrote, enclosing a letter from the Director of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature, intimating that the winding-up of the Catalogue was inevitable, and asking the opinion of the Institute as to whether any purpose would be served in calling a meeting of the International Council. The Standing Committee replied in the negative, and gave Professor Dendy power to act in the matter.

Hamilton Prize.—In accordance with a resolution of last annual meeting, a letter, dated 31st January, was sent by the President to the Wellington Philosophical Society asking that arrangements be made to hand over the balance of the fund to the Institute, so that it might be invested with the Public Trustee, and the various societies might be informed, thus facilitating the making of the first award in January, 1922. No reply was received from the society; and the President again wrote on the 24th May laying before the society the facts in connection with the offer of the society to hand over the funds, and stating that at the annual meeting of the Board of Governors held in 1921 it was understood that, as the society had not expressed any disagreement with the proposed rules and regulations as drawn up by Mr. Von Haast at the request of the Standing Committee, they were in favour of them. On the 7th June the Wellington Philosophical Society wrote asking that certain alterations should be made in the conditions. As the Standing Committee had no power to agree to the alterations, the letter and the matter of the Hamilton Memorial Prize Fund were referred to the annual meeting in 1922. (See Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 53, p. 494, and vol. 50, p. 333.)

Samoan Observatory Committee.—On the 8th March Professor Marsden, who had recently spent three months in Samoa, wrote to the President intimating that Cabinet had decided to close down the Samoan Observatory, and urging the Institute to use its influence to prevent this step being taken. On the 9th March the President wrote to the Hon. Minister of External Affairs and placed before him the following resolutions:—

• (1.) “That, in view of the difficulty found by Cabinet in financing a complete scheme for a Samoan Observatory, and the ridicule which will fall to the lot of New Zealand in the event of the permanent closing of the Observatory, a request be made to Cabinet, through the Hon. Minister of External Affairs, asking that a smaller scheme be adopted, at a cost not exceeding £1,250 per annum, to keep in existence the most essential activities—namely, seismological and magnetical observations.”

• (2.) “That the apparatus not required under the smaller scheme be carefully stored with a view to recommencing activities so soon as the financial stringency due to the fallen values of Samoan products disappears.”

This letter was acknowledged by the Hon. Minister, who stated that he would be glad to place the representations of the Institute before the Government for its consideration. On the 6th September the Hon. Minister again wrote, stating that, as it had now been decided to continue the Samoan Observatory, he proposed to set up an honorary Board of Scientific Advice, consisting of the Naval Adviser, Government Astronomer, Government Meteorologist, the Surveyor-General, the Secretary of External Affairs, and four nominees of the New Zealand Institute, to advise his Department on the programme of work and other matters affecting the institution. At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 22nd September the following gentlemen were appointed to represent the Institute: Professors C. C. Farr, E. Marsden, D. M. Y. Sommerville, and Dr. P. Marshall.

Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science.—The invitation by the New Zealand Institute to the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science to meet in Wellington in 1923 has been accepted. The organization of the meeting is to be left in the hands of a committee originally set up by the Wellington Philosophical Society, together with others which the committee might add to its numbers, that committee having been recognized by the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science.

Carter Bequest Committee.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 25th July the Government Astronomer (Dr. Adams), representing the Wellington Philosophical Society, attended and suggested that by the aid of a committee the funds of the Carter Bequest might be augmented and the objects for which the funds were bequeathed more quickly attained. The Standing Committee resolved to set up a committee, the duties of which should be to report on the effective utilization of the funds of the Carter Bequest, and that the Standing Committee request the New Zealand Government, the Victoria College Council, and the Council of the Wellington Philosophical Society each to nominate a representative to act upon the Carter Bequest Committee in reporting upon the possible scheme or schemes which might be adopted. Professors Kirk and Marsden were appointed to represent the Institute; and, at the

to the Dominion Museum building due to the weight of books stored in the library having been raised, the Acting Director of the Dominion Museum be communicated with and asked to obtain a report as to the advisability of erecting further shelving. The Acting Director reported that the Public Works Department had the matter in hand. A letter, dated 1st September, from the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury with reference to the recent fire in the Museum and the danger to the library was read, and, after discussion, and a letter from the Department of Internal Affairs having been read, it was resolved that Professor Kirk, Hon. Mr. G. M. Thomson, Dr. Cotton, and Mr. Johannes Andersen be a committee to inquire into the most suitable place to house the library of the New Zealand Institute temporarily, Professor Kirk to be convener of the committee. On the 9th December a report was received from Professor Kirk regarding the housing of the library, and asking for an expression of opinion from the Standing Committee in order that certain provisions might be made to allow alterations at a lower cost than would be possible later in the Victoria College building in the event of the full Board of Governors being willing to transfer the library to that building. It was resolved that, owing to the state of the finances, and the cost of shelving, removal, and cataloguing, the Standing Committee could not at present see its way to express an opinion, and it deferred consideration to the annual meeting.

In regard to the binding of books, at a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 27th October the Hon. Secretary reported that it might be possible to get binding done at a reasonable rate. It was resolved to appoint the Library Committee and Mr. Aston a committee with power to act in the matter.

Carter Library: On the 27th October it was resolved that the Hon. Mr. G. M. Thomson and Mr. Aston be a sub-committee to draft a letter defining the terms under which the Carter Library shall be deposited with the Alexander Turnbull Library, the committee to have power to act. The following recommendations of this committee were adopted at a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 9th December:—

“The terms under which the New Zealand Institute ia prepared to hand over to the custody of the Alexander Turnbull Library the Carter Library, contained in two book-cases now in the Dominion Museum Library, are as follows:—

• “(1.) A complete catalogue of the Carter Library shall first be prepared by the assistant librarian (Miss Wood)—(a) as it exists at present; (b) any book known to be missing to be noted, and if possible recovered.

• “(2.) The books, and cases in which they are kept, to be carefully removed by the Alexander Turnbull Librarian to a room which shall be agreed upon.

• “(3.) That the Carter books shall thereafter while in the custody of the Alexander Turnbull Librarian be kept in the above cases and not removed from the room in which they are stored.

• “(4.) Members of the Institute shall have the right to consult the books, subject to any rules which the Alexander Turnbull Librarian may think fit to impose to safeguard his responsibility for the safe-keeping of the books.

• “(5.) That the Alexander Turnbull Librarian be responsible for the safe-keeping of the books.

• “(6.) The Alexander Turnbull Librarian agrees to allow Mr. Elsdon Best, who is most frequently consulting the books, the use of a key in order that he may be unrestricted as heretofore in his study of the books.

• “(7.) As the ownership of the Carter Library, by the terms of the deed of gift, is jointly vested in the Colonial Museum (now the Dominion Museum) and the New Zealand Institute, the formal consent of the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs must be obtained.

• “(8.) The insurance on the books to be paid by the New Zealand Institute.

“N.B.—The New Zealand Institute reserves the right to remove at any time the Carter Library to another building, and the fact that it is at present willing to house the collection in the Alexander Turnbull Library is forced upon the Institute owing to the danger of destruction by fire, and hopes to resume custody of it when a more suitable building is available for housing the collection.”

In view of the financial conditions it has not been deemed expedient to approach the Government with reference to the establishment of a Technological Library (see Resolution of Science Congress, vol. 53, p. 490).

Revision of Exchange List.—On the 11th May the Library Committee was requested to draw up a further exchange list, and on the 22nd September the committee presented their report, and it was resolved to send a circular to all the suggested exchanges in the terms mentioned by the sub-committee, and to give effect to it generally.

Pan-Pacific Conference.—Letters were received from Canterbury Philosophical Institute, dated 1st September, and Otago Institute, dated 25th August, asking that the Institute take into consideration the advisability of inviting the Pan-Pacific Conference to meet in New Zealand in 1923. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 27th October, and the President reported that he had interviewed the Minister on the matter. On the 9th December letters from the Manawatu Philosophical Society and the Wanganui Philosophical Society were read, and it was resolved that the Standing Committee considers that the meeting of the Pan-Pacific Congress should be held in New Zealand, provided that the Government is not called upon to pay any expenses beyond those of the necessary printing in connection with the meeting.

International Research Council.—A letter, dated 21st July, from the General Secretary of the International Research Council urging the New Zealand Institute to send a representative to the Brussels Conference to be held on the 25th July, 1922, was read at a meeting of the Standing Committee on the 27th October, when it was decided that, in view of the present financial condition, the matter of representation be referred to the annual general meeting of the Board.

U.S.A. National Research Council.—On the 8th March Mr. Vernon Kellog, permanent secretary of the National Research Council in the United States of America wrote suggesting that, in order to stimulate the scientific study of the Pacific region, special committees on Pacific investigations be appointed, and that steps be taken to bring together delegates from such interested countries, and that arrangements for forming a permanent organization be referred to such delegates. The President, Professor Easterfield, replied to this letter, stating that the scientific men of New Zealand would be deeply interested in the proposition to co-operate with the United States agency, and he would have pleasure in bringing the matter before the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute.

Vacancy in the Board of Governors.—On the 11th May the Standing Committee passed a resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr. C. A. Ewen, formerly Hon. Treasurer of the New Zealand Institute. On the 8th June it was resolved to call the attention of the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs to the vacancy occurring in the Board of Governors by the death of Mr. Ewen. On the 4th July Internal Affairs Department wrote intimating that Dr. Cockayne, F.R.S., had been nominated in Mr. Ewen's place. The appointment was gazetted on the 27th June, 1921. On the 21st December a Gazette notice was received notifying that Dr. J. A. Thomson and Mr. B. C. Aston had been reappointed representatives of the Government for the ensuing two years.

Broun Collection of New Zealand Beetles.—On the 9th November the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs wrote regarding the collection of New Zealand beetles which Major Broun, who had died in August, 1919, had bequeathed to the British Museum. A proposal had been made to the British Museum authorities to allow the collection to remain in New Zealand for a period of five years, in order that a representative duplicate collection might be made for the purpose of reference by New Zealand entomologists. The British Museum authorities agreed that it be retained for two years, and made an alternative proposal that the collection be despatched forthwith, the Trustees of the Museum on their part undertaking to have compared and named by experienced entomologists all as-yet-unnamed insects in the Dominion Museum as may be desired, and any further collection of New Zealand insects which may be formed for the Dominion Museum within the next five years, and offering to have the comparison and naming done with all possible expedition, and to return the collections from time to time as the work is completed. The Minister intimated that, as the Broun trustees in Auckland will not permit entomologists to view the collection because of the fact that it was bequeathed to the British Museum, he proposed to agree to the request of the British Museum and allow it to go forward. On the 9th December the Standing Committee approved of the proposal.

Statutory Grant to the Institute.—A letter, dated 22nd November, from the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs was received intimating the intention of the Government to reduce the statutory grant from £1,000 to £500. It was resolved at a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 9th December to protest against the reduction, and a deputation waited upon the Hon. Minister. Later the Under-Secretary attended an adjourned meeting of the Standing Committee, and at his request it was decided to write fully stating the exact financial position of the Institute, and to assure him of the Institute's intention to carefully scrutinize all matter for publication in order that the printing bill might be reduced. On the 23rd December the Under-Secretary wrote that, in view of the representations made by the Institute, the matter had been reconsidered, and the Hon. Minister had directed that the full statutory grant of £1,000 be paid for the current year.

Life Members: Incorporated Societies Exchange.—The Wellington Philosophical Society wrote on the 20th September asking for some ruling on the matter of life-membership exchange between the various societies. The Standing Committee resolved to ask societies whether they consider it a wise policy for societies to agree that a life member of one society should on being transferred to another society and district become on application a member of that society. Societies were asked to reply in time for the matter to come before the annual meeting.

Catalogue of New Zealand Fishes.—This matter had been left in the hands of the Hon. Minister of Marine, who in October, 1920, promised that it should be considered with the estimates in 1921. No further information regarding the catalogue has been received.

Resolutions of the Standing Committee not otherwise mentioned in the Report.

1. On the 7th February it was resolved to keep a minute-book of future Science Congresses.

2. On the 9th March it was resolved that all applications for research grants should come to the Standing Committee with the full approval of some incorporated society, and that this be insisted upon in every case.

3. On the 9th March it was resolved that Broun's Bulletin No. 1 (parts 6 and 7) should be printed in the most economical manner possible, and that the Hon. Editor be authorized to proceed in the matter of the other publications as reported.

4. On the 11th May it was resolved that 1,750 copies of the 53rd volume of Transactions be printed.

5. On the 11th May it was resolved that the amount of the Hector Prize be £45.

6. On the 22nd September it was resolved to authorize the publication of the final part of the late Major Broun's Bulletin No. 1 (pt. 8).

7. On the 22nd September it was resolved that no action in regard to issuing the honorary members' certificates be taken at present.

8. On the 22nd September it was resolved that a quorum of four be necessary before the Standing Committee can transact business: this resolution to be confirmed at the annual meeting.

9. On the 9th December it was resolved that the price of Major Broun's Bulletin, parts 6 and 7, be 5s. each to non-members and 3s. 6d. each to members.

The following five items arising from the report were then dealt with:—

1. Quorum.—On the motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Dr. Chilton, it was resolved, That the number of members required to form a quorum of Standing Committee be four.

2. Hamilton Prize Fund.—After hearing the President's explanation of the position which had arisen, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Thomson, seconded by Professor Cotton, it was resolved, That the matter of the rules and regulations of the Hamilton Prize stand over till a committee, consisting of Professors Chilton, Farr, and Segar (convener), have reported on the question.

Later, the following report of the committee was received and adopted: “The committee, after considering the correspondence, recommend that a committee of two be appointed by the New Zealand Institute to confer with a similar committee of the Wellington Philosophical Society, and that the committee of the Institute be given power to act.” The committee appointed was the Hon. Mr. Thomson and Dr. Cockayne.

3. U.S.A. National Research Council.—It was resolved that this should be considered in connection with the Pan-Pacific Congress later.

4. International Research Council.—On the motion of Dr. Cockayne, seconded by Mr. Eliott, it was resolved, That we take no action in the matter of the International Research Council.

5. Life Membership Exchange.—On the motion of Dr. Marshall, seconded by Dr. Tillyard, it was resolved, That the recommendations of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury in regard to the transfer of life

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

M. A. Eliott. Hon. Treasurer.

Examined and found correct.—G. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Dr. Adams, who in 1919 was granted £150 through the Wellington Philosophical Society for an investigation in astronomical and geophysical sites, reported on the 21st December that the instruments which had been purchased were still in use in different stations in Otago, in charge of the Astronomical Branch of the Otago Institute, for the purpose of obtaining a year's observations at the different sites. No results had so far been published, but it is hoped to have a report comprising the observations for a year at least at each station ready for the American Eclipse Expedition which will pass through New Zealand next June. The balance of the grant is £123 14s. 7d., and of this Dr. Adams had £23 14s. 7d., which he refunded. He asks that the instruments may be retained for another year, and suggests that they then be handed over to Internal Affairs Department for future use in similar investigations.

Mr. G. Brittin, who in 1919 was granted £100, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for a research on fruit-diseases, reported on the 12th January, 1922, that the year's work consisted in pruning, spraying, and observing the results of the previous year's work. Pruning was done in the same manner as last year, with the result that the trees are growing strong, with plenty of foliage and fruiting-wood. The spraying results are also eminently satisfactory, there being a heavy crop of fruit, and the disease very much reduced, whereas in the check trees the crop is practically nil. As the grower in whose orchard the experiments are made is doing the spraying free of charge, being satisfied with the results of last season's work, Mr. Brittin has had no occasion to expend any of his grant, and the balance remains at £97, £17 being in hands of grantee.

Dr. Charles Chilton, who in 1918 was granted £50, through, the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for an investigation of New Zealand flax, had been unable to complete this research owing to the absence of his assistant in Edinburgh, and in accordance with a resolution of last annual meeting refunded the unexpended balance of £44.

Dr. Kathleen M. Curtis, who in 1920 was granted £100, through the Nelson Institute, for research in parasitic mycology, reported on the 29th November that the partial immunity to black spot of four varieties of pear and three of apple, and to brown-rot of three varieties of peach, one of nectarine, and two of plum, has been investigated. She intends before concluding the work to examine three more varieties of apple, one of peach, and one of nectarine. A portion of the grant, £21 3s., has been expended in books, and the balance, £78 17s., still in the hands of the Institute, will be spent in a similar direction.

Professor T. H. Easterfield, who in 1919 was granted £200, through the Wellington Philosophical Society, for an investigation into the mineral oils, waxes, and resins of New Zealand, reported on the 24th December that the work carried out with the aid of this grant was epitomized in a paper read before tho Science Congress in January, 1921 (see Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 53, p. 516). More material has been received during the year, and the investigation is approaching completion. During the year £45 0s. 6d. has been spent in the salary of a part-time assistant. The balance in hands of grantee is £8 0s. 6d.

Professor W. P. Evans, who in 1921 was granted a further £200, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for an investigation of New Zealand brown coals, reported on the 16th December, 1921, that—(a) Calorific values previously determined had been checked where necessary, and further determinations made by Mr. Gilling; (b) producer runs where apparently abnormal had been checked, and further work of more detailed character with resinous brown coals had been carried on; (c) further runs with tandem producers had been made. Mr. Gilling had received an offer of permanent work, which he had accepted, and all attempts to procure a new assistant had proved useless; but it is hoped that next year two graduates will be able to assist. No portion of the work has been published, but the whole report is now undergoing its final checking, and should be ready early next year. The further £200 has not been touched, and the balance to the credit of this research is £244 8s. 6d., £24 8s. 6d. of which is in the hands of the grantee.

Professor C. Coleridge Farr, who in 1919 was granted £100, through the Philo sophical Institute of Canterbury, for a research on porcelain insulators, reported on the 18th November that much work had been done during the year, and very conclusive results and valuable data had been accumulated, and it is hoped to publish a paper giving the fullest details very soon, as the subject is of the utmost importance not only to the Dominion but to all users of high-tension insulators throughout the world. The tests for porosity devised by the authors of this paper, Dr. Farr and Mr. H. E Philpott, have been adopted by the Government as a part of the acceptance tests to be applied to insulatore coming into the Dominion, and it is hoped that the application of such tests will result in a considerable and very desirable improvement in

insulator-manufacture. The grant has been overexpended, and the grantee has asked that £60 might be transferred from his grant for gas-free sulphur to the porcelain grant, in order that the work might be completed. Professor Farr has deposited with the Hon. Secretary a 48-paged manuscript copy of his paper.

Professor Farr, who in 1920 was granted £75, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for a research on the properties of gas-free sulphur, reported o [ unclear: ] n the 15th November that work on this research had gone on during the year, but so far no expense had been incurred, and the grantee has not received any part of the grant. It is hoped shortly to publish a paper giving the results of this investigation.

Mr. George Gray, who in 1920 was granted £50, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for an investigation on the waters of Canterbury, reported on the 24th December that about 130 samples of water had been collected from deep and shallow wells in the Lincoln district, and also from the Selwyn and Waimakariri Rivers at intervals in their courses. In these samples the amount and nature of the dissolved matter have been estimated and recorded for future use. The expenses so far have been trifling, and the grantee has not received any portion of the grant, which he requests may be made available for another year.

Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf, who in January, 1921, was granted £100, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, on behalf of the Artesian Wells Committee of that Institute, reported in December that in February and March four continuous recorders for reading the static level of waters in wells were made by the Physics Department of Canterbury College, and these were installed on three wells in Christchurch and on the River Avon. Much difficulty of a mechanical nature was experienced in obtaining satisfactory records, but this was finally overcome and a good series of records made. The instruments have now been moved to some wells near Lincoln for the purpose of eliminating the disturbance of the water in the wells by industrial use of those in the neighbourhood. When a sufficient series of records is secured, the work of comparing them and of attempting explanations of the fluctuations of the water can be undertaken. The sum of £39 14s. has been expended in shelters for recorders, piping for connecting wells with recorders, maintenance of instruments, &c. No permanent scientific material has been purchased, the recorders being on loan by Canterbury College, and iron piping will as far as possible go back to the suppliers. Dr. Hilgendorf asks that the remainder of the grant, £60 4s. 2d., in hands of the Institute, may be available for another year.

Professor R. Jack, who in 1917 was granted £25, through the Otago Institute, for an investigation of the electric charge on rain and its connection with meteorological conditions, has been absent in England, and on the 27th December he applied for a renewal of this grant. Grantee holds the balance, £25.

Mr. T. L. Lancaster, who in 1919 was granted £50, through the Auckland Institute, for an inquiry into the rate of growth of the principal New Zealand timber-trees, reported on the 19th December that it had been found impossible to devote much time to this research, and very little headway had been made. A number of kauri saplings in the Titirangi district have been marked with permanent labels and are being kept under observation. It is now certain that young kauri poles and saplings may suspend height-growth for a whole year, or possibly longer. It is proposed to extend observations to discover what external influences, if any, are concerned in this temporary cessation of height-growth, and whether it is correlated with increased growth in thickness. Observations on the growth-rings have been continued, a number of microphotographs have been made, and a quantity of data collected, but it is not at present possible to make definite statements about these. Next year it is proposed to begin a series of observations on specimens of kauri growing in an area of forest at Swanson. Balance of grant is £49, of which the Institute holds £35 and the grantee £14.

Professor J. Malcolm, who in 1919 was granted £250, and in 1920 a further £175, through the Otago Institute, for a research on the composition of New Zealand fishes, reported in June that his assistant, Mrs. Johnson, had completed, and sent in for publication in the Transactions, part 2 of her papers on the food values of New Zealand fishes. At present she is unable to continue the work, and Professor Malcolm's visit to England has prevented him from carrying on any further research. While on tour he proposes to buy apparatus for carrying on the work on his return, and asks that the Board of Governors should allow him to continue next year with the unexpended part of the grant, which is £150, and is in the Institute's hands.

Mr. W. G. Morrison, who in 1918 was granted £100, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for a research in afforestation of the Spenser Ranges, reported on the 10th January, 1922, that since his last report further photographs had been taken, and useful data was noted on his excursion through the North Island with Professor Wilson of Harvard University. Much evidence had been accumulated in support of his proposal of “natural afforestation,” and an experiment is to be made

at Balmoral Station along the lines of his suggestion—namely, to plant groups of lines of certain species at distances of several chains apart, in order to allow them to fill the intervals by natural seeding. Mr. Morrison applied for an extension of the grant for another year. Expenditure amounted to £16 5s., and the balance of the grant is £56 19s. 5d., of which grantee holds £29 19s.

Mr. R. Speight, who in 1919 was granted £225, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for a geological survey of Malvern Hills, reported in December, 1921, that a student, acting under his direction, had made a survey of that portion of the Malvern Hills area known as Cordy's Flat, the general result of which is to indicate the probable extension of the field under a portion of the flat. This is being worked now as a commercial source of coal with fair prospects of success, subject to the limitation of results obtained in other parts of the area, that the coal-seams are lens-shaped and do not continue for long distances either in the direction of the strike or the dip. This may prove an exception, but there are strong hopes to the contrary. The true extension of the coal in this area can only be determined by further work or by boring. Promising results have also been obtained from examination of the area in the vicinity of Glentunnel and of the country to the south of the Selwyn River. Work has also been commenced at Glentunnel, the extreme western portion of the area, near the Rakaia Gorge. Owing to the non-appointment of a research assistant at Canterbury College, it was found impossible to commence the work of examining the physical and chemical properties of the clay and sands, and it is difficult to suggest any satisfactory way for this being carried out at present. It is possible that an arrangement may be made with an ex-student of Canterbury College, and that this side of the work may be properly developed. The cost of the work for the year amounts to £9 15s. 6d., and the balance of the grant stands at £200, of which the grantee holds £25 1s.

Messrs. R. Speight and L. J. Wild, who in 1916 were granted £50, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for an investigation of the phosphate-yielding rocks of Canterbury, in accordance with a resolution of last annual meeting, refunded the unexpended portion of their grant—namely, £7.

Mr. L. J. Wild, who in 1918 was granted £30, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for a soil-survey in Canterbury, in accordance with a resolution of last annual meeting, refunded the unexpended portion of his grant—namely, £25 9s. 9d.

Mr. A. M. Wright, who in 1921 was granted £75, through the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, for a research on the vitamine content of commercial meat products, reported in January, 1922, that this investigation was carried out in the biological department of Canterbury College, and covered the determination of vitamin A and B in fresh and cold-storage meats, and the determination of vitamin A in pasteurized and non-pasteurized oleo-margarine. The main work has now been completed, and should be available for publication shortly. Some points remain to be cleared up, consequently the continuance of the grant is requested. A sum of £36 1s. 5d. has been expended, and the balance of the grant is £38 18s. 7d., of which £13 18s. 7d. is in grantee's hands.

Professor E. Marsden, who in 1919 was granted £125, through the Wellington Philosophical Society, for a research on the effect of a particles of radium, reported on the 13th January, 1922, that the research is in vigorous prosecution. Radium has been purchased and is in process of measurement. This measurement is carried over many months, to ascertain purity of radium. Special experiments are being directed to ascertain whether or not there is an extra terrestrial radiation of radio-active nature. For this purpose measurements were made in the tropics (Samoa), at Mount Egmont, and will be made on Ruapehu in a few weeks. Total expenditure amounts to £44 9s. 4d., and the balance is in the hands of the Institute.

Professor Marsden, who in 1919 was granted £60, through the Wellington Philosophical Society, for a research on coal efficiency, reported on the 13th January, 1922, that the remaining money from this grant is being used to investigate the efficiency of electric and other illuminants used for domestic purposes. There is a balance of £5 2s 6d. in the hands of the Institute.

Professor Marsden, who in 1920 was granted £50, through the Wellington Philosophical Society, for a research on the physical properties of New Zealand timbers, reports that there is an unexpended balance of £17 14s. 7d. in the hands of the Institute.

In regard to the manuscripts of the late Sir David Hutchins, Mr. E. P. Turner reports that Mr. Morris Jones is unable to undertake the work of collation, and it is desirable that steps be taken to have some report made by a competent person as to the best course to pursue in the matter.

During the year the following further applications for research grants were granted: Professor Burbidge, through the Auckland Institute, £100 for research on wireless telegraphy; Mr. W. C. Davies, through the Nelson Institute, £50 for research in soil bacteria and protozoa; Professor T. H. Easterfield, £200, through the Nelson