Hutton Fund: At the Council meeting held on March 9, the following motions were passed. “That the Council of this Society approves the principle that authors of papers in Botany, Zoology, and Geology may apply for grants from the Hutton Fund to defray excess cost of publication in the Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand that would other wise be charged against the author.” And: “That the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand be urged to take action in this direction, and that the support of member bodies be sought.” Letters were subsequently received from the Auckland Institute and from the Wellington Branch supporting this view. As a result of this action. the Council of the Royal Society of New Zealand removed the limit of £20 previously adopted as the maximum cost allowable for each paper published in the Transactions.

Hutton Medal: The presentation of this medal to Dr. W. N. Benson, F.R.S., for long continued researches in various branches of New Zealand geology was made by Dr. H. H. Allan, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, at the meeting on September 12.

Loder Cup: The President, Mr. C. V. Dayus, presented the cup to Mr. J. Speden, of Gore. at the meeting on June 13. The cup was awarded for botanical explorations and for his work in the collection and cultivation of native plants, including many species of shrubs and mountain herbaceous plants.

Astronomical Section: Membership, 60 full, 16 associates. With keen regret the death on active service is recorded of Lieut-Commander Murray Geddes, Director of the Carter Observatory, a former member of this section. Our Director. Mr. W. R. B. Hobbs, is serving in Italy. Lieutenant Murray McGeorge and Mr. D. C. Berry have returned after active service. Public demonsti ations at the Observatory were continued, and attendances were satisfactory. All current phenomena during the last three years have been observed and recorded.

Microscopical Section: The only activity has been the junior demonstration, which was attended by 155 secondary school children. Mr. Malcolm Morris, formerly section secretary. is on active service.

Junior Branch: Attendance has averaged 80, an improvement on last year. Programme—June 2: “The Story of Mathematics,” R. J. T. Bell, M.A., D.Sc. LL.D., F.R.S.E. June 16: “Volcanoes,” A. Payne. M.A. June 30: “Believe It Or Not,” arranged by C. M. Focken, B.M.E. B.Sc., Ph.D. M.S. July 14: “Crystals,” F. J. Turner, D.Sc., F.G.S. F.R.S.N.Z. July 28: Microscopical Section: Microscope Demonstration and Lecture. August 11: “Maori String Games, with Demonstrations,” W. G. Aldridge, M.Sc.

Main Branch Meetings: April 11: Presidential Address, “Progress and Problems in Agriculture.” May 9: “An Amateur Archaeologist in Egypt,” exhibits, Lieut.-Colonel Fred Waite. D.S.O. June 13: “English Forests and Forest Policy—Some Lessons for New Zealanders,” J. T. Holloway, M.Sc.(Joint meeting with Field Naturalists' Club.) July 11: “Heredity.” Marion Fyfc. M.Sc. August 8: “Fossil Penguins and Whales from North Otago,” Professor B. J. Marples. (Joint meeting with Field Naturalists' Club.) September 12: “Plastics,” Dr. R. Gardner. (Joint meeting with Institute of Chemistry.) October 10: Symposium on Mineral Oil—“Geological Considerations,” Dr. F. J. Turner; “Geophysical Prospecting.” Dr. C. M. Focken; “Economics of Oil,” Russell J. Laurenson. November 14: Annual General Meeting; Presentation of Report and Balance Sheet; Election of Officers; exhibits from Museum collections. Lantern Talk on the Homer District, Mr. G. Howes.

Original Papers: William B. Benham. K.B.E., F.R.S., (1) “The Octopodus Mollusea of New Zealand, Part V”: (2) “A New Genus of Earthworm—Conicodrilus.” Marion L. Fyfe, M.Sc., “The Classification and the Reproductive Organs of New Zealand Land Planarians. Part I.” Beryl I. Brewin, M.Sc., “On Some Stolonifera from New Zealand Waters, with the Description of a New Species.” Valerie Todd, M.Sc.,“Systematic and Morphological Account of the New Zealand Mygalomorphae.” Mary L. Prior and B. J. Marples, “A Comparative Account of the Vasculai System of Certain Raiiform Fisher.” E. B. Batham, M.Sc., “Pollicipes (Mylella) spinosus, Quoy and Guimard. I: Notes on Biology and Anatomy.” L. E. Richdale, M.A., “Supplementary Notes on the Diving Petrel.”