library storage situation. I regret that I have to report that this progressive deterioration can be expected to continue for probably two more years. Information put before the Canterbury University College Joint Advisory Library Committee indicates that no significant addition to the pitifully inadequate storage space can be expected until the School of Art moves to Riccarton. This move—expected to take place in 1957—will make it possible to use the rooms vacated by the School of Art as additional reading room and storage space. A proposed link between the present Library building and the School of Art may provide centralized control of most of the library—if and when the proposed link is approved and erected. It would be unduly optimistic to expect that the proposed scheme to use the School of Art building for library purposes could bring about an improvement of the situation in much less than two years.

Despite the very difficult working conditions at the Library, the Hon. Librarian and his staff have been able to safeguard the interests of the Society and deserve the thanks of our members.

Representative on the Riccarton Bush Board of Trustees. As our representative has been overseas on leave there is no report this year.

Report of the Representative on the Canterbury Museum Trust Board. The outstanding event of the year has been the commencement of the building of the Centennial Memorial Wing and of the rebuilding and adaptation of parts of the older structure. This marks the end of a phase of development which has been going on with increasing impetus for almost 20 years and particularly since the establishment of the Trust Board. It marks also the beginning of an era of greater usefulness of the Museum as a teaching institution for the general public and as a research centre for specialists. The enlarged and more commodious building will provide means, so very much needed, for the meeting of those groups of people interested in natural science and some aspects of the arts.

Rebuilding has immobilised the Museum in relation to the public. At the same time, the teaching services have stopped for the first time in 17 years, but it is expected that they will resume early in 1956.

The staff is busy with preparation of exhibits in the new and in the reconstructed parts and with general planning.

Expeditions were financed and otherwise assisted to Martins Bay and to the Western Murchison Mountains of Fiordland for the purposes of collecting material, biological and geological study, and mapping. The public has been informed of those activities by means of lectures.

Field Club Section. Field excursions were held to Porter's Pass, Potts Point, Chalk Hill, Arthur's Pass, and Lake Janet. Although most of these were well attended, except the last, more support from members would be appreciated. Through the co-operation of the Railways Department, the Club was also able to run a series of winter field trips.

During Easter, 10 members of the Club visited Marsden on the West Coast. Here members, especially the botanists and ornithologists in the group, had an interesting and instructive time.

“During the winter season six lecture evenings, most illustrated by colour slides, were held as follows:—May 10: Dr. M. Gage, “American Landscapes”. June 14: Dr. R. R. Forster, “Expedition to Martin's Bay”. July 12: Mr, B. W. Collins, “Geologist in Fiordland”. August 9: Mr. J. P. Fox, “Viti Levu”. September 13, Professor Percival, “Aspects of Field Club Work”. October 11: Annual General Meeting, followed by three films lent by Messrs. I.C.I. Limited.

Mathematics and Physics Section. The section, having now completed the second full year of its existence, can be considered to have reached stability. Attendance remains satisfactory, and it is pleasing to see a small but steady inflow of new members of the Royal Society who have joined in order to attend the meetings of the Physics Section.

The following meetings were held during the year:—March 31: “Experiences With a United Nations Technical Mission in Saudi Arabia,” Mr. E. P. Sanders. (Attendance 27.) April 28: “Recent Advances in Ionospheric Work,” Mr. G. Allcock. (Attendance 23.) June 16: “Radiation Hazards to the Future of the Human Race,” Mr. G. E. Roth. (Attendance 53.) July 28: “Carbon 14 Work in New Zealand,” Mr. T. A. Rafter. (Attendance 84.) (An invitation was extended to the Canterbury Branch of the N.Z. Institute of Chemistry to be present at this meeting.) August 11: “New Zealand in the Year 2000,” Mr. I. L. Holmes, and Professor T. W. Walker. (Attendance 40.) September 22: “Post Office V.H F. Urban Mobile Services in New Zealand,” Mr. A. Ross. (Attendance 15.) (This lecture was followed by a visit to the P & T installation at the Takahe, Cashmere Hills) October 20: “The New Cobalt Beam Therapy Unit for the Christchurch Public Hospital,” Mr. R. A. Borthwick and Dr. A. J. Campbell. (Attendance 39).

Scientific Photography Section. A number of lectures were held throughout the year, and although some were well attended the majority were not supported well. The committee decided to cancel the November meeting and next year to confine the Section's activities to six winter meetings held in conjunction with other sections or societies.