Annual Report for the Year 1943–44.

President: Dr. C. C. Anderson.

Secretary: Mr. A. D. Nisbet.

Membership: The year began with a membership of 46, of whom five are on active service and one is a life member. During the year seven new members were admitted and four members tendered their resignations, so that we now have an active membership of 44, plus five on active service, making a total of 49.

Attendances: Attendances at meetings early in the season were very poor, but improved considerably towards the end of the session, the average of the last three meetings being about 25. Of these attendances, however, a large number were friends and not members.

Native Bird Work: During the year another small amount of work has been done in connection with the destruction of cats on Herekopare Inland. The total number of cats destroyed to date is 88. We had hoped to have had this work finished by this time, but unfortunately it has not been possible owing to war-time conditions. During the year, also, we undertook to assist Mr. Richdale's work on Whero Island by having a hut erected for him. The hut has been erected and the public and other interested bodies have been asked to assist in financing the project. As in the case of Herekopare, the response has been generous, and we are hopeful that in the near future the hut will be debt-free and that we shall have a surplus with which to finish the place with shelves, cupboards, etc.

Wild Life Control: A report having been received that rubbits had been released on Stewait Island, we took immediate action to have them removed. The result of our activities has been that the Government has sent a trapper over to Stewart Island and this work of destruction is proceeding, if it has not yet been completed.

Lectures: A delightful series of lectures was given during the session. They were as follows:—April 29, Dr. C. C. Anderson (Presidential Address), “Evolution of X-rays”; May 7, Mr. L. E. Richdale, “Bird Life on Whero Island”; June 17, Dr. J. E. Holloway, “Desert Vegetation”; July 29, Miss M. Fyfe, “You and Heredity”; August 23, Mr. R. Willett. “Minerals in War”; October 28, Dr. H. D. Skinner, “New Light on Ancient Races and Cultures”; November 2, Professor B. J. Marples, “The Story of Life in the Past”; November 18, Dr. H. Soper, “Chemistry and Society.”

Our thanks are due to these people for the valuable assistance they have given us.

Conclusion: Although times are difficult our branch continues to grow steadily, if slowly. We have enjoyed success in our efforts during the past year, and the forthcoming session promises to be equally as successful. To grow must be our slogan, and to do so we must make every effort to increase our membership. We must also have large attendances at our meetings, so that every member is urged to be present as often as possible.