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Volume 64, 1935
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Ward Island.

Report of Representative on Domain Board.

Since the appointment of a Board two meetings have been held and two visits paid to Ward Island. Both trips have been due to the courtesy of Mr A. Holmes, who made his launch available on each occasion.

On September 10, 1932, members landed for about half an hour and made general observations on the state of the vegetation and the prevalence of rabbits, some of which were killed. Subsequently poison was laid by the Department of Agriculture. On the second visit. November 5th, the construction of a path

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to the upper portion of the island was begun. No evidence of rabbits having been recently on the island was seen, and it is believed that they have been exterminated by the poison. With the absence of rabbits it is confidently expected that scrub vegetation will gradually replace the grass and ice plant. It is intended, however, to sow seeds and plant shrubs to hasten the growth of a suitable plant covering.

W. R. B. Oliver,


New Zealand Institute Representative.

The report of the Ward Island Domain Board was moved by Mr Oliver and adopted.

Observatories Committee.

The Observatories Committee has practically ceased to function as an Observatories Committee during the year, as it was unnecessarily large and cumbersome, and a new committee consisting of Dr Kidson, Mr A. T. Walsh, and Dr C. Coleridge Farr was set up by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. This committee has been active in looking after the interests of the various observatories under the New Zealand Government control. In this connection and with the support of the Royal Society and authorities in England it brought before the notice of the Government the great international importance of Apia Observatory with a view to assuring its financial stability.

It is hoped that its representations will be successful.

C. Coleridge Farr

.

The report of the Observatories Committee was moved by Dr Farr, seconded by Mr Eliott, and carried.

Apia Observatory: On the motion of Dr Farr, seconded by Mr Eliott, it was resolved:—“That this Board expresses the hope that the Government will take such steps as will place the work of the Apia Observatory on a permanently assured basis.”

Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science.
Report of Sydney Meeting, August 17–24, 1932.

The meeting was attended by a large number of representatives from all the Australian States, and it seemed to be regretted by all that New Zealand had not a larger delegation. The meetings were held in the University of Sydney, and there was a good attendance at all of the sectional meetings.

In the various sections the different papers that were read had rarely any reference to New Zealand. There was, however, a combined meeting of the Geology and Geography sections to discuss the question of the former eastern extension of the Australian continent.

The two meetings of the Council of the Association were well attended. At the initial meetings an invitation to hold the 1937 meeting at Auckland was received with hearty applause. As the delegate of the New Zealand Instiute, I stated that the Association would be cordially welcomed, and that it would find an agreeable and convenient town for the meeting.

The delegates were formally welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Sydney at the Town Hall. All the members were entertained by his Excellency the State Governor at a garden party at Government House. The local State Government entertained all members at a harbour excursion. There was much private hospitality, which enabled members to engage in informal discussions.

P. Marshall

.

The report was on the motion of Dr Marshall, seconded by Mr Hudson, received.

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National Research Council: Dr Farr, convener of the committee forming the nucleus of the National Research Council, reported as follows: “In accordance with the instructions given at the last annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute, your committee, consisting of Professor Kirk, Dr Marshall, Professor Easterfield, Dr Farr, and Mr Furkert, has taken steps to select the following:—Mr J. E. L. Cull, Mr F. W. Grainger, Mr F. T. M. Kissell for Engineering; Dr D. Miller, Dr G. H. Cunningham, and Professor Benham for Biology; Professor J. A. Bartrum, Professor W. N. Benson, Dr J. Henderson for Geology; Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville, Dr E. Kidson, Dr E. Marsden for Mathematics and Physics.

“The committee also recommends that the rules of the Australian National Research Council to be found in the annual report of December, 1932, be taken as the basis of the rules for the New Zealand National Research Council.

“The committee feels that unless some method can be found for financing the work of the Research Council the body cannot function with any effectiveness, and therefore it recommends that until such finance is available no further steps be taken.”

On the motion of Dr Farr, seconded by Dr Marshall, the report was adopted.

Applications for Hutton Grants: An application from Mr G. M. Thomson for £30 to assist him in the preparation of an illustrated catalogue of the Crustacea of New Zealand and from Mr K. M. Rudall, of Massey College, for a grant of £5 in connection with a zoological research on Little Barrier Island were, on the recommendation of the Standing Committee, approved on the motion of Mr Aston, seconded by Mr Pycroft.

Notices of Motion were then taken:—

Agenda of Annual Meetings: On the motion of Mr Pycroft, seconded by Dr Marsden, it was resolved that a copy of the Agenda of Annual General Meetings be sent to the secretaries of incorporated societies.

Portrait of Lord Rutherford: On the motion of Dr Farr, seconded by Dr Kidson, it was resolved that the thanks of the Board of Governors be accorded to Mr G. L. Stewart for his offer of help in collecting funds for a portrait of Lord Rutherford, and that he be informed that the Board hopes that the matter will be taken up again later.

Title “Royal”: On the motion of Mr Oliver, seconded by Mr Hudson, it was resolved that the Standing Committee be authorised to take action necessary to put into effect the following changes following on approval being given by his Majesty to adopt the title “Royal Society of New Zealand”:—

1.

To draw up consequential amendments to the New Zealand Institute Act.
2.

To alter the title F.N.Z. Inst. in the Fellowship Regulations.
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Cawthron Institute: On the motion of Mr Pycroft, seconded by Professor Kirk, is was resolved: “That it be a recommendation that this meeting urges the Government to give the Cawthron Institute such financial support as will enable it to carry on its very valuable research work, which is in the interests of the Dominion as a whole.”

Dr Marsden wished it recorded that he did not vote on this matter.

Pacific Science Congress: Mr Oliver proposed and it was seconded by Professor Easterfield: “That it be a recommendation to the Government that an invitation be forwarded to the Pacific Science Congress to hold a meeting in Wellington in 1939 or 1940, and that the Standing Committee wait on the Prime Minister to place the matter directly before the Government.”

Some discussion took place in regard to this resolution. Mr Oliver pointed out that if an invitation was to be extended it would require to be cabled by the Government to the Pacific Science Congress being held in Vancouver in June of this year, as invitations had to be considered two Congresses previously.

It was stated that the holding of a Pacific Science Congress involved a very large sum, as it was usual for hospitality to be extended to delegates and their wives, including free railway facilities and excursions to places of interest and in addition the printing of the report. It was considered most improbable that the Government would commit itself to providing the necessary grant or considering the matter in the limited time available.

The motion was withdrawn.

Natural Science in Schools: Professor Kirk informed the Board that some good had resulted from the report on Natural Science in Schools presented at last annual meeting, in that the Academic Board had recommended that Biology (with Botany as an alternative) should be included in the subjects for the Entrance Scholarship.

Science Congress: The qucstion as to whether a Science Congress should be held next year was discussed, and it was decided to refer the matter to the incorporated societies and authorise the Standing Committee to act.

Levy Volume 64: On the motion of Mr Eliott, seconded by Dr Kidson, it was resolved that the levy be fixed at 5s per volume.

Election of Officers: President, Professor R. Speight; Vice-President, Mr B. C. Aston; Hon. Treasurer, Mr M. A. Eliott; Hon. Editor, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville; Hon. Librarian, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville; Hon. Returning Officer, Professor H. W. Segar; Managers' Trust Accounts, Messrs Aston and Eliott; Representative Institute of Horticulture, Mr B. C. Aston; Representative Great Barrier Reef Committee, Mr W. R. B. Oliver.

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Election of Committees:

Research Grants Committee: Re-elected, Dr Hilgendorf (Chairman), Professor R. Speight, Dr Denham, Dr Farr, and Mr C. E. Foweraker.

Hector Award Committee: Dr Farr, Professor Sommerville and Dr Evans.

Library Committee: Professor Sommerville, Professor Kirk, and Dr Cotton.

Finance Committee: Messrs Eliott, Aston, Drs Marsden and Kidson.

Fellowship Selection Committee: Dr Marsden (Convener), Dr L. Cockayne, Dr P. Marshall, Dr W. P. Evans, and Mr W. R. B. Oliver.

Votes of Thanks: On the motion of Dr Marsden, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring President, Professor Segar, for his work during the past two years.

A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded to the Vice-President, and reference was made to the efficient way in which he had managed the affairs of the Standing Committee in the absence of the President.

Votes of thanks were also accorded to the Hon. Editor, Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville, the Hon. Treasurer, Mr M. A. Elliott, the Secretary, Miss Wood, and the Victoria University College Council for the use of the Lecture Hall for the meeting, and to the Press.

Date and Place of Next Annual Meeting: It was decided that the next meeting be held in Wellington in May, the exact date to be fixed by the Standing Committee.

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