(Minutes of the Sectional Meetings are given below.)

The official welcome to members of the New Zealand Institute and of the Science Congress meeting under its auspices took place in the Physics Lecture room at Otago University on Thursday, 28th January, 1926, at 8 p.m. Dr. P. Marshall, retiring President of the Institute, presided, and there was a large attendance. The Mayor (Mr. H. L. Tapley, M.P.) expressed his genuine pleasure on behalf of the citizens in extending a welcome to the visitors who had come to attend this scientific congress. He was glad to know that they had with them scientists, not only from many parts of New Zealand, but also from Australia. He felt like an atom—(A voice: The mighty atom)—(Laughter)—coming among the galaxy of wisdom and learning. We must all realise the value of the work of men of science to-day, and it behoved all in positions of authority to do what they could to see that funds were available for scientific research. It was to such as those present that they must look for scientific discoveries that would mean much for the future of the world. He hoped that opportunity would be afforded them to visit places of beauty and interest about the city. He gave them all a warm and cordial welcome and trusted that their meetings would prove most successful.—(Applause.) Dr. P. Marshall returned thanks for the welcome accorded to them in this beautiful city. It was a special pleasure to him to return to this city where he had spent sixteen brief and most happy years. It was a special pleasure to them to see the noble pile of buildings that had been erected so that studies might be pushed as far as possible with the means at our disposal. It was a fact well-known throughout New Zealand that Dunedin had taken a greater pride in learning and had done more to promote learning than practically any other city in this country, and that was a record of which the city should be justly proud. His Worship's welcome assured them that the Institute would receive a hearty welcome from all interested in science here. It was a great thing to know that even though they might be recluses in some sense, yet the citizens were represented there in the person of the Mayor to welcome them and to show friendly interest in their activities. He read a number of apologies, including one from His Excellency the Governor-General, and one from the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The Hector Medal.

Dr. Marshall then presented the Hector Medal to Mr. B. C. Aston, who has just been elected President of the Institute. He recalled the manner in which the Hector Medal had been instituted. Sir James Hector was the pioneer adviser and organiser in many branches of science in New Zealand and in his memory a sum had been subscribed