Fellowship.—The N.Z. Gazette of the 28th May contained a notice to the effect that Professor J. Macmillan Brown, M.A., LL.D. and Te Rangi Hiroa (P. H. Buck), D.S.O., M.D., Ch.B. had been appointed at the Annual Meeting on the 27th January, 1925, to the Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute. In April the incorporated societies were requested to forward nominations for filling the two vacancies for the Fellowship for 1925. Ten nominations were received and were submitted to the Fellows of the Institute for selection. On the 29th September the Hon. Returning Officer announced the names of the first three selected and stated that a tie had occurred for the 4th place. A fresh election for that place was therefore held, and on the 28th October the four names were submitted to the Governors for election at the Annual Meeting.

Carter Library Legacy.—The accumulated interest on the legacy of £50, left by the late C. R. Carter and held by the Public Trustee, has now reached the sum of £100. In order that this fund might increase more rapidly, the interest has been invested in 5 ½% Inscribed Stock maturing in 1937.

Research Grants.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 16th March, three applications for research grants, two of which had been held over from last year for further consideration, were granted. These amounts exhausted the research vote of £1,000 for the year 1924–25.

An amount of £1,780 appeared on the Estimates as the vote for research and on the surface it looked as though the research vote had been increased. This, however, was not the case, for, although all last year's vote had been allocated research grantees had not expended their grants to the amount of £780, and this amount had to be revoted by Parliament. An endeavour was made to have the grants paid into the Institute directly they were allocated, but the Department would not agree to do this, and the practice of making progress payments as required in each case is therefore continued by the Department.

On the 1st September, incorporated societies were notified that £1000 was available for research and applications were invited from research workers. The Research Grant Committee considered eighteen applications and recommended that eleven of these be granted. One other application is under further consideration and the remaining six were not recommended.

Reference List of Periodicals.—Mr. Archey, who has compiled the reference list of periodicals, wrote on the 25th November that the List is now completed and ready for publication. It comprises about 30 typed foolscap sheets and it remains to be decided how this list is to be made available to those who require a copy.

Binding.—During the year the following publications have been bound as far as they were complete:—

Royal Society: Transactions and Proceedings.

Bulletins of the Geological Survey of N.Z.

Journal of the Polynesian Society.

Journal of Agriculture, N.Z. Department of Agriculture.

National Research Council.—On the 2nd March in accordance with a resolution of last Annual Meeting, the President wrote to the National Research Councils of Australia, America, Canada, and Japan, notifying them that in New Zealand the New Zealand Institute performs the functions of a National Research Council and is recognised by the N.Z. Government as such.

Finances.—On the 5th February it was resolved that the various Departments whose officers published papers in the last volume of the Transactions should be appealed to for a contribution towards the cost of printing. Accordingly, the Department of Agriculture, the Geological Survey, the Cawthron Institute, and the four University Colleges were approached, with the result that the Geological Survey contributed £60, the Otago University £50 and the Cawthron Institute stated that it would contribute £15 conditionally on the statutory grant not being increased. The other departments were not willing to contribute.

In accordance with a resolution of last Annual Meeting a deputation waited upon the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs to ask for an increased grant. On the 19th May the President reported that the deputation had been well received. On the 6th October the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs wrote intimating that the statutory grant had been increased from £1000 to £1500 annually, provision having been made in section 7 of the Finance Act, 1925, which reads as follows:—

Index to the Transactions.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 19th May, a letter was received from the Nelson Philosophical Society, recommending that the publication expenses be cut down by discontinuing the printing of the Index. The Auckland Institute wrote, stating that it did not support the Nelson Society's resolution. The Philosophical Institute of Canterbury also wrote stating that, while recognising the great value of the present index, it considered that it could be materially reduced in size by the elimination of specific names and items of non-scientific importance. It felt a simple standardized system of indexing that would be considerably less bulky than at present might be arrived at.

It was resolved that the matter be referred to the Annual Meeting.

Sonic Depth-Finders.—The resolution of last annual meeting that the New Zealand Naval Service be equipped with sonic depth finders was forwarded to the Minister of Marine, who replied that the matter would receive careful consideration.

Geological and Vulcanological Research.—The resolution of last annual meeting that the Government be asked to give effect to the recommendation of the Science and Art Board that a full-time research officer be appointed to make geological and vulcanological observations in the volcanic regions, was forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, who replied that the matter would receive his consideration.

Catalogue of N.Z. Fishes.—The resolution of last annual meeting, requesting the Government to have a catalogue of the fishes of New Zealand prepared by a qualified expert was forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, who replied that this was one of the matters on which it was proposed to obtain the views of Mr. A. E. Hefford, who had been appointed to the position of Chief Inspector of Fisheries, after his arrival in the Dominion.

Dominion Museum.—The resolution of last annual meeting, asking that the Government bring in a Bill placing the control of the Dominion Museum and Art Gallery in the hands of a Board of Trustees was also promised earnest consideration by the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs.

Advisory Board of Astromony and Seismology.—The resolution of last annual meeting that there be set up a Board consisting partly of nominees of the Government and partly of scientific men appointed by the Institute as a Board of Advice for the geo-physical services of the Dominion was forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs. On the 15th June the Under-Secretary wrote, stating that the Minister approved of the Institute's nominating two permanent members of the existing Board. At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, Professor Sommerville and Professor C. C. Farr were appointed to represent the Institute on the Board of Advice.

Tongariro National Park Board.—The resolution of last annual meeting was conveyed to the Chairman of the Park Board, who replied that a resolution

had been passed to the effect that the Park Board is of the opinion that the heather now growing in the Park should be eradicated. On the 15th June a protest was received from the Manawatu Philosophical Society in regard to the leasing of parts of the Park to private individuals and the matter was discussed at a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, when it was resolved that the N.Z. Institute strongly protests against the granting of leases in the Park to private individuals. It was further resolved that the Institute takes strong exception to the introduction of exotic game birds that, according to the press, the Tongariro Sports Club and the Auckland Acclimatisation Society propose to liberate in the vicinity of the Park, and it urges the Government to withhold permission for the introduction. These resolutions were published in the Wellington papers. The Chairman of the Park Board in reply pointed out that the question of prohibiting the introduction of such birds was a matter that was governed by the Animals Protection and Game Act, the provisions of which are administered by the Internal Affairs Department.

The Standing Committee further resolved to ask Internal Affairs to refer all matters in connection with the introduction of plants and animals to an Advisory Board specially constituted for this purpose. The Under-Secretary replied that the introduction of plants was a matter which concerned the Agricultural, State Forests, and Lands Departments. With regard to the question of constituting an Advisory Board to consider matters relative to the introduction of animals, as his Department invariably consulted with the Board of Agriculture through the Agricultural Department as to the desirability or otherwise of authorising the introduction of animals, it was not considered necessary to set up a special advisory board. The Standing Committee decided to refer the matter for further consideration to the Annual Meeting.

Science Congress, 1926.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, it was resolved that the Annual Meeting be held pro forma in Wellington on the 26th January and immediately adjourned to Dunedin to meet on the 28th January. On the 5th August it was resolved that the Science Congress last three days, January 28–30th inclusive and that the organisation be left in the hands of the Otago Institute. It was resolved to grant a request that papers which will be read at the Science Congress be regarded as read before one or other of the incorporated societies and that if so desired by the authors, accepted for publication in the Transactions, but not to be accepted for publication in Volume 57. At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 13th October the matter of the duration of the Congress was brought up again for consideration and it was resolved that the meeting be extended by two days if the Otago Institute considered it advisable.

Pan Pacific Science Congress, 1926.—On the 15th April the President of the National Research Council of Japan wrote extending to the N.Z. Institute a most cordial invitation to the third Pan Pacific Science Congress, to be held in Tokyo from October 26th to November 9th, 1926. Copies of the letter of invitation were forwarded together with copies of the Preliminary Announcement to all members of the Board and to the incorporated societies. At a meeting of the Standing Committee, held on the 23rd June, it was decided that the President, Dr. Marshall, should be the Institute's representative on the Organisation Committee of the Pan Pacific Science Congress. It was also resolved that in the opinion of the N.Z. Institute it is desirable that membership of the Pan Pacific Congress should be restricted to countries, and that the National Research Council of each country should solicit the interest and assistance of all institutions in that country, and make such arrangements as may seem most suitable to organise all opinions on matters of moment to the Congress in order that the delegation of the Country should be able to represent all interested scientific opinion of the country at the Congress or on the Organisation Committee of the Pan Pacific scientific organisations. Further it was resolved that recognising that at such meetings as those of the Pan Pacific Congress there is danger that the different sections become too restricted and technical in their discussions,

and that the members of each section may lose touch with those of all other sections, the N.Z. Institute therefore welcomes the proposals of the National Research Committee of Japan to organise general and divisional meetings to take the place in part of sectional meetings at previous gatherings of the Pan Pacific Congress. The subjects selected for discussion at these general and divisional meetings will certainly arouse common interest among those who study widely different branches of science. Such discussions therefore should elicit opinions from many different points of view with much benefit to all who attend them.

Further letters dated 28th July and 3rd August were received from the Secretary of the National Research Council and outlined the extent of the hospitality which it is proposed to accord to delegates. Probably two double fares between Wellington and Tokyo or four single fares will be provided, but this is not definitely settled. Part of the delegates' and their families' hotel expenses in Tokyo will be defrayed and the whole of the expenses of the excursions that are being arranged both before and after as well as during the session. As far as possible cars will be provided for delegates. Great difficulty about accommodation is feared and about 150 will be the maximum total number of delegates and their families that can be conveniently accommodated. The selection of delegates is left entirely to the Institute and direct invitations to any person individually will not be given.

Pan Pacific Science Congress, 1929.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 13th October, Dr. Marshall reported that matters were in train with regard to a possible invitation to the Pan Pacific Congress to meet in Auckland in 1929.

Advancing New Zealand Time.—A letter was received from Mr. W. A. Harding, of Napier, asking whether the N.Z. Institute would use its influence to have New Zealand time advanced half an hour permanently. It was decided that no action be taken at the present time.

N.Z. Institute of Horticulture.—On the 21st January the N.Z. Institute of Horticulture wrote asking the N.Z. Institute to appoint a representative to act on the Dominion Council of the Institute of Horticulture. Mr. B. C. Aston was appointed and during his absence in England his place was taken by Mr. W. R. B. Oliver.

Committee on Investigating the Temperature, Salinity, etc. of the Pacific Ocean.—In response to a letter from T. W. Vaughan, of the University of California, the President, Dr. Marshall, was appointed to represent New Zealand on the Committee of Salinity which was set up at the Pan Pacific Congress, 1923.

Scenery Preservation Board.—On the 23rd January the N.Z. Tourist League placed before the Minister the following resolution which it had forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Lands and the Minister in charge of Tourist Resorts:—

“That, while this League is aware of the good work that has been done in the matter of the preservation of scenery, it is considered that there is still much to be done in this direction, and that in order to further reserve and protect native bush areas and historical sites, a National Conservation Board should be set up, with a more liberal appropriation than at present exists. That this Board include representatives of the Department of Lands, the Forestry Department, the New Zealand Institute and the N.Z. Tourist League.”

The Standing Committee strongly approved of the resolution and stated that it would be pleased to hear that the preservation of National Parks was included in the League's programme. A further letter, dated 12th February, was received from the Tourist League, inviting the Institute to express an opinion on the question of urging the authorities to widen the constitution of the Scenery Preservation Board so as to permit some representatives of outside bodies to sit with members of the Board and assist them in their task of selecting sites for preservation. The League suggested that a representative of the Institute and a representative of the Forestry League might act on the Board with advantage to the whole Dominion.

This letter was considered at a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 29th May, when it was resolved that in the opinion of the Institute it is desirable to widen the membership of the Scenery Preservation Board to include representatives of societies dealing with scientific and historical matters. The resolution was forwarded to the Hon. Minister in charge of Scenery Preservation, who replied that he had carefully noted the resolution passed by the Standing Committee and he should be pleased to give the matter careful consideration should the Government decide to modify the provision of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, under which the Scenery Preservation Board is constituted.

Earthquake Prognostication.—Mr. F. R. Field, of Onehunga, in letters of the 19th March and 15th April, placed before the Standing Committee a report of his investigations and it was resolved to ask Mr. Field for a list of his prognostications for the next twelve months. Further letters were received from Mr. Field and a small committee, consisting of Professor Sommerville and Dr. Adams, was set up to report. The committee considered Mr. Field's claims and stated that it would be willing to report if it received from him a complete statement of the scientific basis of his theory, the facts and the hypotheses and a reasoned discourse explaining his deductions and so far as relevant the inter relations of the various fields in which he claims to have made successful predictions.

On the 30th October Mr. Field reported that he will be glad to do his best to supply the information required. His report has not yet come to hand.

Auckland Islands.—The Standing Committee on the 23rd June resolved to ascertain from the Lands Department if it were true that the Auckland Islands were to be leased as a sheep run. The Lands Department replied that 116,000 acres of the Auckland Islands were under lease to Moffatt Bros. at an annual rental of £40, the date of the expiry being 29th February, 1932. On the 5th August, the Standing Committee resolved to express regret that such a state of things should be possible and that the Government be urged to decide that the lease should not be renewed nor fresh ones granted.

Auckland Museum.—During the year the foundation stone of the Auckland War Memorial Museum was laid and an invitation to the President and Board of Governors was received.

Native Bird Protection.—The Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs advised the Institute on the 18th November that warrants had been issued for the capture of six pukako for transfer to Kapiti Island. It was resolved to inform the Under Secretary that the Standing Committee is surprised to learn that certain protected birds (saddle-backs) have recently been taken from the Hen and Chicken Islands and it would be glad to have further information on the matter. A reply was received stating that Mr. Hamilton, of the Dominion Museum, the caretaker of Kapiti Island, and Captain Sanderson, Hon. Secretary of the Native Bird Protection Society, visited the Hen and Chicken Islands for the purpose of capturing saddlebacks for liberation on some of the island sanctuaries. A number of birds were duly captured and were liberated on Little Barrier and on Kapiti Islands. It is proposed to watch the matter very carefully to ascertain whether the removal of the birds has caused any harm and also whether the transferred birds are doing well in their new habitation and become well established there.

Transactions, Illustrations.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 23rd June, a letter was received from Mr. W. Martin, Dunedin, asking permission to copy from the Transactions plates for his forthcoming book on Plants and Animals. The matter was referred to the Annual Meeting.

Advertising the Transactions.—When in London, Mr. Aston interviewed the London Agents, Messrs Wheldon & Wesley, Ltd., and this firm suggested