Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute, 1927.

three or five years may be made subsequent to the issue of Volume 57, and providing this agreement is signed, the cost of volume 57 shall be the same as if such agreement were in force from the beginning; (5) should any unforseen circumstance warrant it a fair increase of prices may be charged on submitting reasons for the same to the Institute which will agree to such an increase should the reasons seem good and valid; or, failing the receipt of the full Government vote, the New Zealand Institute may terminate the contract.

The signed agreement included also the specifications and the tender of Messrs. Ferguson and Osborn.

The Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs had expressed a desire to see the above agreement, and on a copy being submitted to him he forwarded a favourable confidential report to the Institute.

Volume 57 is still in the press at the date of this report, but the publishers hope that it will be out before the annual meeting.

Papers for Transactions.—On the 2nd June it was resolved that after a paper has been set up, the author will be required to pay for any additions and that before handing over the papers for Volume 57 to the printer they be sent back to the authors for final revision. It was further resolved on the 8th July, that if in the opinion of the Hon. Editor the manuscript is not suitable for the printer, it be returned to the author, and if not amended to the Hon. Editor's satisfaction, it be declined.

Finance Clause in Institute Act.—Last year the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs wrote stating that provision had been made in Section 7 of the Finance Act, to pay to the Institute £1500 yearly, and that the New Zealand Institute Amendment Act, 1920, had been repealed. At a meeting of the Standing Committee on the 21st May, it was resolved to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to have the New Zealand Institute Amendment Act and Section 7 of the Finance Act consolidated. This matter was brought before the Hon. Minister at the deputation which waited on him in regard to publication matters.

Incorporated Societies' Reports and Balance Sheets.—The following reports and balance-sheets have been received and are now laid on the table:—Philosophical Institute of Canterbury for the year ending 31st October, 1926; Wellington Philosophical Society for the year ending 30th September, 1926; Auckland Institute for the year ending 5th February, 1926; Nelson Philosophical Society for the year ending 31st October, 1926; Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute for the year ending 31st December, 1926; Otago Institute for the year ending 30th November, 1926. The Hon. Treasurer, on the 20th March, forwarded a statement showing the position of the incorporated societies. No report was available from Manawatu Philosophical Society.

Sales: Maori Art.—In view of the exceptionally heavy demand for Maori Art during 1925, the Standing Committee considered it expedient to raise the price to £6/6/- per set. This year, however, the sales of Maori Art have returned to normal but with the setting up of the Maori Crafts School at Rotorua there will possibly be in the future an increased demand. It was decided to order a limited number of covers to be made, the original stock being exhausted. Messrs. Whitcombe & Tombs executed the order and complete sets with original rafter pattern cover are now available at £10/10/- per set.

Bulletins.—The bulletins in stock do not produce a ready sale, only about half-a-dozen being sold during the year.

Carter's Books.—The Carter Revenue Account has been increased by £12/5/2 by sales of “Life of a New Zealand Colonist” and “New Zealand Loans.”

Partial Sets.—A partial set of the Transactions was presented to the French Academy of Sciences through the French Consul at Auckland.

Hector Award.—The Hector, Award for 1926 was made to Mr. H. D. Skinner, of Otago, for his research in Ethnology. At a meeting of the Otago Institute held on the 14th September, the medal and prize were presented to Mr. Skinner by the President of the Otago Institute acting on behalf of the President of the New Zealand Institute.

Hutton Award.—The Convener of the Hutton Award Committee, Dr. Benham, forwarded on April 9th the recommendation of his Committee as follows:—“As a result of careful consideration of the merits of various botanists, geologists, and zoologists, we are of opinion that the medal should be awarded to Professor Charles Chilton, M.A. D.Sc., for his continuous researches on the Amphipodous Crustacea of New Zealand, with special reference in his recent publications to the geographical relations of the Dominion to other Southern lands, as indicated by the distribution of representatives of this group.” At a meeting of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, on the 16th October, the Hutton Medal was presented to Dr. Chilton by Mr. Aston, President of the New Zealand Institute.

Hamilton Memorial Prize.—The prize for 1926 was awarded to Dr. Marwick and to Mr. H. J. Finlay, who were considered by the Hamilton Prize Committee to be equally deserving of the prize. At the Annual Meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society the prize was presented to Dr. Marwick by Dr. J. A. Thomson and Mr. Findlay was presented with the prize at a meeting of the Otago Institute on September 14th by the President of the Otago Institute.

Fellowship.—The New Zealand Gazette of 22nd April, 1926, notified that Professor W. N. Benson, B.A., D.Sc., F.G.S., and J. S. Maclaurin, D.Sc., F.C.S., had been elected to the Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute.

On the 19th May, incorporated societies were asked to forward nominations for two vacancies in the Fellowship for 1927. Ten nominations were received and were submitted to the Fellows for selection. On the 23rd September, the Honorary Returning Officer announced the names of the first three selections, and that three others had tied for fourth place. A fresh election for this place was therefore held, and on the 26th October the result was notified, and the four names submitted to the members of the Board of Governors for election at the Annual Meeting.

Research Grants.—There was a small unallocated balance remaining from last year's research vote, and on the 9th February incorporated societies were notified to this effect. Five applications were received and approved. On the 6th August an intimation was received from the Under-Secretary Internal Affairs that £1000 for research had been placed on the Estimates for the year. Applications for grants were called for on the 16th August, and twelve were received. Of these, seven have, so far, been granted, one is deferred for further information, and four have not been recommended by the Reseach Committee. The total amount of grants made during the year is £680. This £1000 is only sufficient to cover existing liability.

Professor Speight's report.—At last Annual Meeting it was resolved to request the Minister of Mines to publish Professor Speight's report on the Geology of the Malvern Hills as a Bulletin of his Department. The Minister replied on the 6th April that he considered it inadvisable to give effect to the Institute's request. Professor Speight was then informed that he was at liberty to take any steps he wished to have the report published. He replied that there was little chance of his report being accepted for publication elsewhere, and he should therefore prefer to leave it in the hands of the Standing Committee.

Library Matters: Binding.—During the year 24 volumes, all New Zealand publications, were bound, and on the 2nd November, on the recommendation of the Library Committee, it was resolved that the following series be bound as far as funds permit:—The Royal Societies of Edinburgh, of New South Wales, and of Victoria, the Geological Survey of India, the Linnean Society of New South Wales, and the United States Journal of Agricultural Research. These sets are in course of preparation for the binder.

Current Literature.—In order to extend the usefulness of the Library, a circular was issued on the 30th October to Institute members stating that if desired there would be sent to members on short loan current literature dealing specifically with the subject of their research work. Some members are enthusiastic about the usefulness of this proposal in saving their time and keeping them abreast of the latest literature on their special subjects.

Exchange List.—On the recommendation of the Library Committee the Exchange List was, on the 2nd November, augmented by the addition of the following:—Inst. Botanico, Coimbra; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass.; “Gaea” (Argentine Society of Geographical Studies); Musee Polonaise d'hist. nat., Warsaw; Museum, Tromso, Norway; Ac. Scient. Veneto-Trentino, Padova; Comité Geol. de Russie, Leningrad; Californian State Fisheries Laboratory; Rijks Geol. Mineral Museum, Leiden; University of Oregon; Wiss. Akademie, Bremen.

Reference List of Periodicals.—The Standing Committee was empowered at last Annual Meeting to have this list published. Quotations for printing were received, and it was ascertained how many copies would approximately be required by libraries, societies, etc., at a cost of 5/-. Applications for over 70 copies were received. At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 8th July, a suggestion was received from the Wellington Philosophical Society that the Reference List be published in the Journal of Science and Technology. After due consideration Dr. Thomson reported that this would not be practicable, and on the 3rd September the Standing Committee resolved to accept the tender of Messrs. Ferguson and Osborn for printing 250 copies. The list is now in the printer's hands, and will be published as soon as Volume 57 has been completed.

Tongariro National Park.—At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 2nd June, the President reported that the Agenda Paper of the Park Board Meeting included a proposal to rescind the motion regarding the eradication of heather. The following resolution was forwarded to the Chairman of the Board and to the Hon. Minister of Lands:—“That if this motion be rescinded the whole motive for making the National Park will be upset.”

At a meeting of the Standing Committee on the 8th July, the President reported that consideration of questions regarding heather, liberation of game birds, and leasing of sections, had been deferred until the next meeting of the Board in six months' time. The President then read the following statement as expressing the policy of the New Zealand Institute:—

“That this Standing Committee of the New Zealand Institute Board of Governors expresses satisfaction at the increased interest which is being taken by the various public societies and the public generally in the development of the Tongariro National Park as a field for public recreation.

“That this meeting, being directly represented on the National Park Board, and therefore officially entitled to speak on the management of the scientific amenities of the Park, now formally sets out the following policy in such matters:—

“The New Zealand Institute considers that the flora and fauna of the Park should be protected against the competition of any plant or animal foreign to this Park, and to this end the Institute seeks to prohibit the encouragement of any foreign plant or animal to make its home in the Park. This Institute is strongly hostile to the introduction of foreign game birds or animals, and to plants which would be necessary as food for them.

“In formulating this policy this Institute is guided by the example of the United States of America and the Swiss authorities in the management of the National Parks in those countries.

“The guiding principle in the development of the Park should be that the natural features are preserved with only that alteration that the passage of time effects, and that the wild life, both plant and animal, are protected so that the Park will afford for all time to the native-born an example of primitive New Zealand.

“In conformity with this policy the New Zealand Institute (1) strongly opposes the granting of leases of any portion of the Park to private individuals; (2) the milling of any timber within the Park; and (3) urges that where permission is granted to Acclimatisation Societies or other bodies to import foreign plants or animals to New Zealand, the authority granting the permit does so on the understanding that plants or animals are liberated in districts remoté from National Parks.”

The above statement was unanimously adopted by the meeting, and it was decided that it be circulated to incorporated societies and other interested public bodies and published in the press. This was done, and letters were received from numerous bodies endorsing the policy of the Institute, and the Press has throughout been most sympathetic.

On the 9th October there appeared in the “Evening Post” a statement that 13 grouse, the gift of Lady Liverpool to the Prime Minister, were liberated in the Park. The matter was immediately taken up by the Institute and a strong protest was made to the Minister against the release of the birds in the Park or in the Waimarino County. The Minister replied that permission had not been given to liberate the birds in the National Park, but in part of the Waimarino Acclimatisation District outside the Park! On the 2nd November the Standing Committee resolved to reply to the Minister stating that the Institute's letter anticipated the action of liberating the grouse in the Waimarino District, and it regarded this as a distinct violation of the spirit of the Park Board's regulations. The Minister replied on the 12th November that the resolution had been duly noted.

Guide Book.—A guide book to the Park is in course of preparation, and on the 8th July it was resolved to give any assistance possible in the scientific portion of it.

Scenery Preservation Bill.—On the 3rd September, the Hon. G. M. Thomson, M.L.C., reported that he had had a clause drafted and moved as an amendment to the Scenery Preservation Bill and the Peel Forest National Park Bill, but they were rejected by the Legislative Council, and there was no Bill before the House to which the clause covering all National Parks could properly apply.

Native Bird Protection: Whitney Expedition. At last Annual Meeting in Dunedin a resolution was passed and telegraphed to the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs asking that, if not too late to do so, a representative should be sent with the Whitney Expedition to supervise the collecting of native birds under the permit which had been issued. The Minister replied that he had decided that in future no permits will be granted to visitors to take native birds except on condition that a Government Officer having a knowledge of native birds accompany the expedition, and that the expenses of such officer must be born by the person to whom the permit is issued. Further, that where a permit might be given to a New Zealand collector it will be in such collector's name only, and will not, as at present, authorise the collector or his servants acting under his written authority to take birds.

On the 4th February he intimated that arrangements had been made whereby Mr. Oliver, of the Dominion Museum, would accompany the collector of the Whitney Expedition. This arrangement, however, was never carried out. The Hon. G. M. Thomson forwarded a letter which he had received from the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs in regard to the issue of the permit to the Whitney Expedition, and this was discussed by the Standing Committee. A reply was sent to the Minister stating that in the opinion of the Standing Committee the present regulations do not go nearly far enough towards the preservation of the fast-vanishing land-birds of the Dominion, and it therefore suggested that regulations be drawn up absolutely protecting certain birds (which were listed). The Minister replied on the 1st June that the Institute's request had been noted for consideration in the event of any application being received for permission to take specimens of any of the birds mentioned. At the same time he intimated that in future

no permits to take native birds will be granted to persons not resident in the Dominion, and if at any time it is decided to supply specimens to persons or institutions outside the Dominion, such specimens will be taken only by Government Officers. This letter was received by the Committee with satisfaction.

Sea Shags.—On the 3rd September a letter was received from an Auckland Committee engaged in an ecological survey of the Waitemata Harbour protesting against the Auckland Acclimatisation Society's request to the Government to take steps to destroy sea shags. It was resolved that the statements in the letter be supported, and that copies of the letter be forwarded to the Fisheries Department, the Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, and to the Press. On the 2nd November it was resolved to ask Mr. E. F. Stead to place his views on the matter before the Institute. Mr. Stead has now sent in a report which “he trusts may be of some use to the Institute in its efforts to stop the senseless destruction of these birds.”

Auckland Islands.—A resolution of last Annual Meeting expressing regret that the Auckland Islands had been leased was forwarded to the Hon. Minister of Lands, who replied on the 8th March that the Auckland Islands had been held almost continuously under lease since 1895, and the present lease does not expire until 1932. The Standing Committee resolved to ask the Minister to endeavour to induce the present lessees to surrender their rights, but he replied that there was little possibility of Messrs. Moffett Bros. agreeing to this proposal.

Science Congress, Dunedin.—On the 25th March the Minute Book of the Science Congress in Dunedin was received from the Hon. Secretary, Rev. Dr. Holloway, and it was resolved that Dr. Holloway be thanked for the valuable and successful work he did in connection with the Congress.

The Minutes of the Congress are being printed in Volume 57.

Pan-Pacific Science Congress. 1926.—On the 18th February incorporated societies were notified that four single or two double fares would be provided by the National Research Council of Japan for New Zealand delegates to the Congress, and they were asked to ascertain the names of their members who desired to attend. Representations were made to he Government to send a New Zealand representative, whose expenses would be defrayed by the Government, and Dr. Marshall was recommended by the Institute as Government representative. On the 14th August it was intimated by the Internal Affairs Department that Dr. Marshall had been appointed Government Representative. On the 2nd June Dr. Marshall, Prof. Benson and Prof. Macmillan Brown were appointed to represent the Institute at the Congress. The President of the Pan-Pacific Congress wrote on the 5th July that he was forwarding one double fare, and in the event of the Institute sending five or six delegates a second fare would be provided. At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 3rd September, it was resolved to vote the first fare to Prof. Benson, and also to appoint Mrs. Benson a delegate of the Institute. On the 16th September Dr. C. C. Farr was appointed to be the fifth delegate and the second fare was voted to him.

Pan-Pacific Science Congress, 1929.—On the 12th June the Auckland Institute wrote asking the New Zealand Institute to submit to the Government a proposal to hold the next Pan-Pacific Congress in Auckland. This matter was discussed by the Standing Committee on the 8th July, and it was resolved to forward the proposal to the Government for consideration. The Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs replied on the 15th September that the matter had received the careful consideration of Cabinet, and it had been decided that it is not opportune to have the next Conference in New Zealand.

At a meeting of the Standing Committee held on the 16th September, it was decided to refer the matter to Dr. Marsden, of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department. Dr. Marsden approached the Hon. Minister, who reaffirmed that Cabinet had decided against the proposal.

Sir Frank Heath's Visit.—As a result of a resolution passed at the last annual meeting to the effect that as the New Zealand Institute largely performs

Hutton Memorial Fund Revenue Account for the Year ending 31st December, 1926.

Hamilton Memorial Fund Revenue Account for the Year ending 31st December, 1926.

Carter Library Legacy Revenue Account for the Year ending 31st December, 1926.

Dr.

The report was adopted.

Overdue Accounts.—It was moved by Mr. Eliott, seconded by Professor Kirk, “That a surcharge of 20 per cent. be made on all accounts issued by the Institute, this charge to be remitted to all who pay the accounts within two months.

Manawatu Philosophical Society.—Mr. Eliott made a statement in regard to the position of this society, and anticipated greater prosperity in the future.

Carter Bequest.—A letter was received from Dr. Adams, convener of the joint committee of the Institute and the Observatory Committee set up by the Standing Committee on the 2nd November, 1926, as follows:—

The President,

New Zealand Institute,

Wellington.

The preliminary question is as to whether the City Telescope is adequate as a Carter Memorial Telescope. The Committee is of opinion that it is. None the less, a few years' experience with this telescope might show that

Mr. W. C. Davies was, in 1921, granted £50 for research in soil bacteria and protozoa. He reports that investigations have been carried out during the year chiefly concerning the correlation of the bacterial counts with the relative fertility of a number of soils in the Nelson district. A paper dealing with one aspect of the work will shortly be forwarded to the Journal of Science and Technology. The whole of the grant is expended.

Professor H. G. Denham was, in 1925, granted £115 for research on the Low-temperature Carbonisation of Brown Coals. He reports that the investigation has not yet started, but arrangements have been made with a graduate to begin work on the subject in February. Expenditure amounts to £10/7/2.

Professor T. H. Easterfield was, in 1921, granted £200, and in 1926 an additional £100 for research on the cool storage of fruit. He reports that the work has followed closely on the lines of the previous year, and has definitely shown that the trouble commonly known as internal breakdown or flesh collapse is primarily due to low temperature, but that a moist atmosphere greatly increases the intensity of the trouble. The work has extended to varieties of apples not experimented with in previous seasons. The results of the investigation have been published in a Bulletin of the Cawthron Institute. Expenditure amounts to £216/1/4.

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Professor C. C. Farr was, in 1921, granted £15 for research on the physical properties of gas-free sulphur. He reports that work has proceeded as far as time and opportunities have permitted. It is believed that a sample of sulphur freer from gaseous impurities than any previous sample has been prepared, and its properties are now under examination. It is, however, hoped to improve still more. The expenditure to date has been £10 1/11.

Professor C. C. Farr was, in 1924, granted £250 for research on the occurrence of Helium in New Zealand. He reports that during the year work has been carried on actively. Many samples of gas which had been previously collected have been examined, and the existence of helium in all the samples has been proved. In this way the apparatus has been tested and some minor alterations which have suggested themselves have now been made. A new air compressor has been installed at Canterbury College which supplies an abundance of liquid air in a reasonable time, and this has greatly facilitated the carrying on of the work. The expenditure incurred to date is £118/4/9.

Mr. H. J. Findlay, in 1923, was granted £100 for research on tertiary mollusca. He reports that the report on the Mollusca gathered by the members of the Chatham Island Expedition has been forwarded to the Editor of the Transactions for publication. He is still at work on the Turridae, but lacks sufficient Australian material. Most of the year's work has been put into an extensive thesis dealing with the whole of the New Zealand Molluscan Fauna, both Tertiary and Recent, and entitled, “A Further Commentary of New Zealand Molluscan Systematics.” This has gone forward as a thesis for his D.Sc. Degree. Two more, papers will appear in the Transactions The whole of the grant has been expended.

Mr. F. W. Foster, in 1923, was granted £25 for collating the notes, etc., of the late Sir David Hutchins. He reports that he is still engaged on the Section on the Exotic Trees and Plantations, and has incurred no expenditure.

Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf, in April, 1926, was granted £50 for co-ordinating agricultural experiments. He reports that the amount of the grant was expended in the purchase of a calculating machine for calculating the results of manurial experiments. The machine arrived from America in September and work has been commenced.

Mr. H. Hill, in 1925, was granted £50 for completing a survey of the Taupo Plains to test the prospects of artesian water supply. He has forwarded a comprehensive report accompanied by maps and sketches. His expenditure for the year has been £23/2/-. He has consulted a very capable artesian well-sinker who has studied and tested his Heretaunga artesian well-system, and his opinion is that £100 would enable complete tests to be made for water in places indicated by Mr. Hill.

Dr. Inglis was, in 1923—25 granted £55 for research on essential oils of native plants. He reports that the programme of work carried out during

the year includes that on black pine and pepper plant, Dacrydium biforme, Metrosideros silver pine, white pine and totara. A paper has been prepared on Dacrydium biforme and should be ready for publication next year. It has been difficult to obtain proper supplies of black pine leaves, and the investigations on this and on the pepper plant are being continued next year. Expenditure amounts to £16/7/7.

Mr. G. Jobberns was, in April, 1926, granted £50 for correlation of shore-platforms of the north-east coast of the South Island. He reports that field-work has been done as far north as Stonyhurst. A paper on the Motonau Plain was read before the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, but publication is being withheld pending investigation of the coast further north, this being necessary before any accurate correlations can be made. It is hoped to get most of the work on the Marlborough section of the coast completed early in 1927. Expenditure during the year amounts to £6/4/5.

Mr. F. V. Knapp, in 1925, was granted £25 for collecting Maori Artifacts. He reports that at the northern end of Fisherman's Island in the estuary of the Waimea River he has discovered a number of interesting and rare implements used by the canoe-workers in their building operations. He had hoped to locate a canoe slip, but so far has not been successful. Expenditure amounts to £8/4/6.

Mr. R. M. Laing, in 1924, was granted £100 for research on New Zealand Algae. He reports that during 1925 he studied the literature published in respect to New Zealand Algae, and as a result he published a paper to appear in Volume 57 of the Transactions. This year he has been engaged in adding to and classifying his collection, and certain specimens have been sent to Sweden and to Kew for description and identification. He has written a paper on the External Distribution and Relationships of the New Zealand Seaweeds, and this is to be published in the Transactions. He has had some correspondence during the year regarding the commercial use of seaweeds, but so far nothing definite has resulted. The Japanese trade was, in 1914, in seaweeds, particularly, Porphyra, valued at annual rate of £800,000. Expenditure to date amounts to £51/17/1.

Dr. J. Malcolm, in 1918, was granted £30 for research on the Pharmacology of New Zealand Plants. He reports that during 1926, owing to the pressure of other work, nothing could be done on this research, but he is still hopeful that it may be used when the new pharmacological department of the new medical school is in working order. He is prepared to refund the unexpended portion, namely £10, if desired.

Dr. Malcolm, from 1918—26 has been granted £631/3/7 for research on the food-value of New Zealand Fishes. He reports that vitamin experiment tests have been made on the application of recently-published methods and valuable results were reached. Two new samples of mutton-bird oil were examined by rat experiments, and the presence of vitamin A in this oil was confirmed. Also fresh Stewart Island oysters, examined in mid-winter, proved to be rich in this.

Dr. E. Marsden, in 1924, was granted £60 for seismological research. He reports that as yet no work has been done on this question, but Professor Farr is making enquiry in Japan as to a local earthquake recorder. It was hoped that work could be carried out with the Eotvos Torsion Balance in the direction of a gravity survey, but unfortunately it was found that a much larger sum would be required. No expenditure has been incurred.

Mr. F. H. McDowall. in 1924, was granted £60, and in 1926 an additional £20, for investigation of the Ngaio Oil. He reports from London where he is continuing the research in the London University that he has a paper almost ready for publication, and it is to be submitted to the Chemical Society in the near future. He has forwarded a summarised account of the results so far obtained, some of which were published in the Journal of the Chemical Society, 1925. Expenditure to date amounts to £58/8/11.

Mr. W. J. Phillips, in 1924, was granted £30 for research on the life-histories of New Zealand Fishes. He reports that during the year he has visited West Oxford, Lake Forsvth, and River Styx in North Canterbury. A special visit has been made to Masterton and Pahiatua. Three papers were published during 1926, one in the Transactions on Galaxias burrowsius Phil-

lipps, one in Nature on Fresh Water Fishes of New Zealand, and additional notes on these were published in the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology. Other articles are in course of preparation. Expenditure to date is £20/13/-.

Mr. A. W. B. Powell, in 1925, was granted £50 for a survey of the molluscan fauna of Manakau Harbour. He reports that the microscope purchased with portion of the grant has been of great assistance in the sorting of marine dredgings. Two papers have been compiled during the present year since receipt of equipment. One entitled, “Mollusca from 100 fath. off Lyttelton with descriptions of four new species, and also a Pliocene Fossil” was published on 22nd October in the Records of the Canterbury Museum. A second paper on Mollusca from 23 fath. off Ahipara will be published in Volume 58 Transactions New Zealand Institute. Much preliminary sorting of other material has also been accomplished and results will be forthcoming next year. Expenditure amounts to £37/12/7.

Research Committee, Auckland, was in 1925, granted £65 for an ecological survey of the Waitemata Harbour. Mr. Falla, Hon, Secretary, reports that the committee consists of Miss Crookes, Messrs. Archey, Falla, Griffen, Powell and Graham. Its aims are (a) to list and classify the existing flora and fauna of the area which has been tentatively fixed as extending from Riverhead to Ponui Island at the eastern entrance of the harbour, Motuhi at the north-east and Rangitoto Beacon at the north; (b) to determine as far as possible the seasonal changes in the life of the area, and the relationship of one form to another.

The fisheries branch of the Marine Department has sanctioned the taking of specimens of fish at any stage of development, and the material collected should provide useful data regarding the distribution of food fishes. The Committee forwarded to the Standing Committee of the Institute a report on the question of the economic value of cormorants. The expenditure to date is £30/2/6.

Mr. H. F. Skey, during the year, took over the research on Upper Air, which had been commenced by Captain Isitt, who had been transferred to England. The balance of the grant then was £36/10/9. Mr. Skey reports that since July 25 flights have been observed in the Christchurch Domain and the results have been worked out, plots and velocities graphed, and from 22 of the flights the average results have been tabulated, and he forwards a copy of the table and graphs. Bad weather has interfered with the observations, but he expects to get a better summer series. Expenditure to date is £15/15/. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has asked permission to borrow apparatus used in this research during February for observations at Sockburn, and this has been granted.

Mr. W. F. Short was, in 1925, granted £100, and in 1926 an additional £75, for a research on the constitution of New Zealand Essential Oils. He reports that all the essential apparatus has not yet come to hand and work has been confined to general preparation for the research, and more especially to micro-analysis. He expresses his gratitude to the Institute for its generous assistance in making such a research possible. Expenditure to date is £95/19/1.

Mr. A. L. Tonnoir was, in 1925, granted £50 for a research on Glowworms. He reports that observations were made at Waitomo Caves, Nehotupu, Port Waikato, and then again at Waitomo, where 450 worms were collected and brought alive to Christchurch, where they were placed in an underground chamber which had been specially built for the purpose in the Canterbury Museum ground. The specimens placed in the tunnel did not survive long, probably on account of some noxious substance contained in the concrete roof. The roof was, therefore, partly replaced by frames supporting grass sods and some niches were excavated on the sides of the entrance pit. Several further lots of worms got acclimatised to the modified tunnel. Mr. Tonnoir regrets that, owing to his appointment as Field Entomologist at Cawthron Institute, he had to suspend operations in the meantime, but hopes next spring to resume work. He is sorry that the tunnel which was built and which absorbed a great part of the grant, will now be useless to him and he will probably have to apply for a further grant to erect one in Nelson. Total expenditure is £43/8/9.

posed upon authors and speakers, and it was a very exceptional paper that could be given more than 10 minutes. Though, no doubt, it would be well to have more time, yet such restriction is not so bad as it might seem. Fairly complete abstracts were available, and were often read in place of the paper. These abstracts were printed and distributed on the morning or afternoon that any particular paper came on, and it could thus be seen in advance what the paper was about, and as all the delegates were staying at the same hotel in Tokyo, there were many other opportunities for discussion. It was in the hotel that some of the most valuable discussions took place, between perhaps the author of a paper and others who might be interested. It is often the case in scientific meetings such as this, that informal discussions arising perhaps out of papers read are more productive of good than the actual hearing of the papers. To appreciate fully the work described by an author in a written paper, it is necessary to read and study the paper and in Physical and Mathematical Papers it is frequently important to work out anew the author's mathematical reasoning. For this the publication of the paper is essential, and in the present case most, if not all of the papers read, will, in due course, be published. And so it is that although the number of papers offered was very large for the time available, yet I think all the delegates felt that this did not militate against the success of the meeting to the extent which it might have been expected to have done by those who were not present. In future meetings it may, perhaps, be well if a previous censorship of papers is instituted, so that only those of outstanding importance shall be read.

Constitution of the Congress.—Up till the present meeting I believe the meetings of the Conference have been conducted without any very definite constitution or by-laws, such being left to the President, and to the discretion of those organising the next forthcoming meeting—that is to say to the Local Organising Committee at the place of meeting. At the Tokyo meeting just passed, however, a definite Constitution and By-laws were drawn up, and received the approval of the Conference as a whole. By this Constitution, the name of the Conference is now “The Pacific Science Association,” and its meetings are to be held at intervals of not less than two and not more than five years. The Constitution consists of fifteen clauses, of which Clause 4, relating to the Constitution of the Council, is probably the most interesting and important from the point of view of the New Zealand Institute. The administrative work of the Association is arranged to be carried on by a Council of not more than fifteen members, the seats on which Council are allocated to “Countries,” of which eleven or twelve are named in the Constitution, leaving three or four vacancies for countries that may at some future time desire to come in. The countries so far named are: United States of America, Canada, Australia, France, Great Britain, Hawaii, Japan, Netherlands, Netherlands East Indies, New Zealand, Phillippine Islands, and Russia, and for these countries, the country shall be represented on the Council by one member for each country, who shall be elected by its National Research Council, or by some other scientific organisation of recognised standing. The scientific bodies thus having electoral powers are named in the Constitution, and in the absence at present of a National Research Council, the New Zealand Institute has been named for New Zealand.

Amongst the by-laws which consist of fourteen Articles, there is one (Article 7) for which perhaps we may be grateful. It provides that the usual Language of the Congress shall be English.

Other than these matters, there does not seem to be anything in either the Constitution or in the By-laws of sufficient local interest to draw attention to.

Visits to Scientific Institutions.—This journey to Japan presented exceptional opportunities for visiting and obtaining information about the activities of any particular Scientific Institution there in whose work one might be interested. In most cases visits of a large body of delegates to these institutions was a part of the programme of the Congress, but at such visits the greatness of the numbers present prevented many questions being asked, or much individual attention being given to any particular visitor. They were, however, most valuable as they showed all who took part in them

how much Japan was doing in the cause of science. One had, however, only to express a wish to see any particular institution, and a more or less private inspection of it was most willingly and most courteously arranged. In this more complete way one was enabled to see many most interesting organisations, the work of some of which will now be referred to.

The Aeronautical Research Institute at Tokyo.—This Institute is, and always has been, a part of the Imperial University of Tokyo. The first of the Ordinances which govern it states that the Aeronautical Research Institute shall be attached to the Tokyo Imperial University, though its present location is some miles from what is actually the Imperial University Building.

It concerns itself with the investigation of all subjects relating to aeronautics, a term which it wisely interprets in a very broad manner. It is a development of the “Investigation Committee on Aeronautics,” which was founded under the chairmanship of Dr. A. Tanakadate in 1916. The Research Institute dates from 1918, and like most other Tokyo institutions was very seriously damaged by the 1923 earthquake. It is, however, rebuilt sufficiently to enable work to be carried on there pending the completion of a much larger and more complete Institution at another part of the city. Much might be said about this institution, but in the limits of a report only a few of the points which were most interesting to myself can be referred to. The work of the Institution is divided into twelve Departments, which are as follows:—

The Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Materials, Wind Tunnels, Aero Engines, Aircraft, with sub-departments of Instruments and Aeronautical Psychology, Central Library, Workshop, Office.

It will be seen that at the head of this list of departments, which is taken as it stands out of a report of the Institute, the Fundamental Sciences of Physics and Chemistry are recognised as of the first importance in progress. This is the case in all the Japanese Research Establishments of this sort, and there are very many of them. Without progress in the Fundamental Sciences, progress in the applications is impossible. I was very much struck with the work in these departments, and with the width of interpretation adopted. The whole Institution is under the general control of Baron Shiba, who most kindly showed me over ft. The liberal staffing of the various departments is worthy of more than passing notice. Thus the Physical Department has five chief investigators, nine senior assistants, seven junior assistants, and two laboratory attendants. The Chemical Department has seven chief members, one senior assistant, five junior assistants, and one laboratory attendant. The Aero Engine Depot has eight chief investigators, twelve senior assistants, fifteen junior assistants, and twenty-two laboratory assistants, and so on throughout the whole of the Institute. The subjects under investigation at present are some nineteen in number in the Physical Department, nine in Chemistry, five in Metallurgy, two in Materials, seven in Wind Tunnel Department, thirty-three in the Aero Engine Department, eleven in Air Craft Department, five in the Instrument Department, and seven in the Aeronautical Psychology Department, making in all about 100 different subjects which are under investigation in this one Institute of Aeronautical Research alone. Many researches have been completed and have led to results of great value, and one finds amongst these such subjects as the Transverse Vibrations of Elliptic and Rectangular Plates, The Content of Helium and other constituents in the Natural Gases or Japan, and many many others. The bearing of the first of the subjects mentioned is, of course, in connection with the vibrations of Aeroplane Wings, and that of the second is for the inflation of dirigible balloons. One must visit Japan to realise what is being done in institutions like this—one institution that is to say, whose whole object is research, and I think one should spend a much longer time there than I was able to do, to appreciate fully what is going on. It is there and at similar places that every advance in scientific method is examined, and if it is possible, some application of it is made to the practical problems under consideration. The remotely, or seemingly remotely-connected subject of Piezo Electricity finds a most valuable use in the investigation of the pressure of piston rings and

the wearing of cylinder walls. Electric valves find an application here to the examination of the rate of dissemination of the gaseous charge to different parts of the cylinder. Very much more could be said about this interesting institution at which, owing to the courtesy of Baron Shiba, I was able to spend an all-too-short morning, but it is after all only one of many other similar places and I must refer to some of the others.

The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.—Perhaps the best way to begin my remarks upon this will be to quote from a pamphlet which was published this year concerning it:—

“The Purposes of the Institute.” “The Institute conducts investigations in the pure sciences of Physics and Chemistry, aiming at their industrial development, and at the same time engaging in applied research. No undertaking, whether it be in industry or in Agriculture would be able to attain sound development unless it was based on Physics and Chemistry. Particularly in such a densely populated country as Japan, where industrial materials as well as other commodities are not ample, it is essential to aim at the development of industry by having recourse to science, thereby promoting national interest. The object of the Institute is to perform this important mission.

“Industrial Experiments.—When any Physico-chemical applied research is completed in the laboratory, it is tested for its industrial applicability, and in case the test shows an appropriate result, arrangement for manufacture is carried out at the Institute; or the manufacture may be entrusted to others; or a new company may be established on the basis of a remunerative contract with the Institute, depending upon the nature of the work. At present there are several undertakings that have already existed as industries or are going to exist as such. As the fundamental cause of success in these applied researches lies in there being sound scientific investigations at the back of them, a part of any profit accuruing to the Institute is allocated to the investigation expense of pure science and a further part is given as a reward to the inventor or discoverer.”

The staff of this institution numbers three hundred and eighty-four, of whom two hundred and sixteen are directly engaged in the investigations. The number of distinct lines of research pursued is this year one hundred and seventy-one, whilst last year it was one hundred and fifty-four. The results of the researches are published, very often in the English language, but they do not appear, as a rule, in any of the more generally recognised Scientific Journals which we see, at any rate in New Zealand; and I have, therefore, asked that copies of any papers that may come out should be sent to us, and I think it would be well if some recognised library, such, for instance, as the library of the New Zealand Institute, should make a formal application, through its librarian or its president, for copies to be sent it. I feel sure that such a request would be readily granted.

Glancing through a list of the investigations which was very kindly given to me, one would hardly realise that this Institute of Physical and Chemical Research is, like the Aeronautical Research Institute, utilitarian in its work. But the Japanese have realised that for the industries to attain a sound development it is an absolute essential that they should be based upon the fundamental sciences of Physics and Chemistry, and that any advance in these means a hundred-fold corresponding advance in the Industries and in Agriculture. They therefore interpret the Charter in the broadest possible spirit, and amongst the one hundred and seventy-one distinct investigations in progress in the Institute, there are to be found those relating

and one hundred and sixty-others. The greatest freedom is given to the investigators in their work, they are free to undertake or reject any proposed problem. They are experts in their work and are treated as such but they receive some benefit of a financial kind for any practical applications of their work. I had the benefit of spending an afternoon at this most interesting institution, and was most kindly shown round by Professor Nagaoka, whose scientific reputation is well known, and by Viscount Okochi, who is the “Superintendent and Director” of it.

The time available was, of course, much too short to appreciate all, or nearly all, that was going on at this most interesting establishment, and very little of the work could really be seen, but what I did see showed how complete and efficient the methods of investigation were, and what a valuable stream of knowledge is issuing from it.

The Institute was founded only nine years ago, and its income is derived from an endowment of over £600,000, about one sixth of which was an Imperial gift, a third was a Government subsidy, and the other half consisted of contributions from official sources as well as from individuals. The income is now, no doubt, being augmented by its interest in the rights of some one hundred and forty patents which have been obtained as the results of investigations carried out at the establishment.

The Research Institute for Iron, Steel and other Metals at Sendai.—It is a remarkable thing, and one to be noticed, that many of the “practical” research institutions of Japan are connected with Universities. The Iron and Steel Institute is a part of the Imperial University at Sendai, and the Aeronautical Institute is part of the Imperial University of Tokyo, whilst the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research is connected closely with the Tokyo Imperial University. This fact becomes more and more impressive the more of these institutions one is able to obtaini information about. The Iron and Steel Institute began in a somewhat small way in 1915 to deal with problems arising out of the War, but its scope has been rapidly enlarged until in 1924 its staff was very large, seemingly about 100 persons, with Professor Honda, a man whose reputation has been recognised in Europe for many years, at their head. The Research Staff consists of 20 gentlemen, all of them men of distinction and learning.

Forty-one questions have been the subjects of investigation since September of last year, of which a few may be enumerated, though these are picked at random from the list. Some of the forty-one are for example:

The Institute publishes its results—or at least some of them—in the Science Reports of the Tohoku Imperial University in European languages, and has thus published in some accessible European languages no less than one hundred and forty papers. The knowledge contained in these papers must be a very mine of information for those engaged in metallurgical questions, and it speaks most eloquently for the broadness of the view that the Japanese adopt, that they have published these papers in a European language—as indeed they do most of their papers in every institution. In the vast majority of cases the language used in recent years is English.

The regulations with regard to patent rights arising from work done in the Institute are well worthy of study, more especially as similar questions will crop up in connection with the Department of Industrial Research which is about to be established in New Zealand.

The Geophysical Laboratory at Beppu.—This laboratory, which is a part of the Imperial University of Kyoto—though it is several hundred miles from it—has only recently been established. So far no publications have issued from it, though a good deal of work is in hand. The laboratory is situated in one of the principal hot spring regions of Japan. The work undertaken there consists of researches, amongst others, into changes of level, temperature, hydrogen and chlorine ion content, and electrical conductivity of the hot spring waters. Microseismographs magnifying fifty thousand times are to be seen there, and the institution is undoubtedly being established at Beppu on a very broad and valuable basis. Indeed, it

might form a better model upon which to establish our own proposed vulcanological station than the Hawaiian Vulcanalogical Observatory. The latter is perhaps more concerned with the activities of a living volcano, whereas this Geo-Physical Laboratory is in a region not very unlike Rotorua, although perhaps of rather less activity than Rotorua. I was able to spend an all too short time at the laboratory. Dr. Shida, of the Geophysical Department of the Kyoto University, is in charge of the laboratory, and many of the instruments in use in it are of his own design.

Research in Japan.—What I have said refers to the institutions that I was able—in the exceedingly short time available—to visit. I am afraid it gives a most imperfect idea of the work that is going on in them, and it certainly gives no idea of the amount of research in progress in Japan. Besides the work at institutions mainly intended for that purpose, and to deal at all with these would need a volume rather than a short report, besides these, an immense amount of first-class research work is done at the Universities themselves, but I shall refer to them again shortly. There are forty-five Government or Municipal Research Institutions in Japan. As well as these there are twenty-five other institutions, either privately endowed or maintained by business firms. One of these is the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research already referred to, and this number does not include Observatories of which there are many. The average number of research “experts” employed in these institutions is about 23, which number does not include those who are classed as “assistants,” and who are very much more numerous, probably at least double as many. Thus the average institution is a very large institution, and as far as I have been able to judge the “experts” are most exceedingly competent men, and it does not include either the Observatories nor the Universities, and as I have said before, an exceedingly large amount of research work is done in institutions maintained by the Universities.

The Imperial Universities.—There are six of these, namely Tokyo, Kyoto, Sendai, Tohoku (at Sendai), Kyushu at Fukuoka, Hokkaido, and Keijo. There are also other Universities known as private Universities, to which I shall not refer. The staffing of these Universities is to a New Zealander exceedingly liberal, but it accounts for much that it would be otherwise impossible to explain. I shall refer in any detail only to the Imperial University at Tokyo, and also that at Kyoto, as these were the only ones I had an opportunity of seeing. The Tokyo University, besides teaching its students, or rather, perhaps, as an aid to teaching its students, maintains the following institutions:

as well (evidently) as some others.

The Kyoto University has associated with it:

These are, of course, in addition to the usual laboratories which are to be found in every modern University. The general policy and mode of working of these Universities can, perhaps, be seen from considering one department in one of them, and the one I naturally choose is that of Physics at Kyoto. The Department of Physics is divided there into three sub-departments, viz.:

The sub-branch physics has in it four professors three assistant professors and two lecturers, and I was informed that there are less than 60