Annual Report for the Year ended March 31, 1956.

Membership. Four members resigned during the year and three new members were elected at the April meeting. At the last Annual Meeting, the Hon Secretary for the past seven years, Mrs. O. Sanson, relinquished her post, and in recognition of her services, was elected Honorary Life Member of the Society. The Society is greatly indebted to Mrs. Sanson for her devoted work for the Branch over so many years. The membership on March 31, 1956, stands at 7 life members and 43 ordinary members, the total of 50 being one less than that of the previous year.

Meetings. These were held as follows:—April 6: Address by Mr. J. H. Sorenson, “Some Strange Life Histories.” May 25: Annual Meeting; Presidential Address, Mr. F. M. Corkill, “Chlorella,” “Rain Making,” “Prestressing of Concrete,” “Portland Cement.” June 22: Address by Dr. Neil Prentice, “Modern Advances in Medical Treatment.” July 27: Dr. R. K. McFarlane, “Diagnostic Radiology.” September 28: Mr. O. H. Keys, “Poison Panorama” October 19: Mr. B. L. Wood, “The Geology of Antarctica.” The Branch is very grateful to these gentlemen who addressed us during the year for their time and trouble in preparing such good material.

Field Excursion. The November meeting took the form of an evening field excursion to the Lands Department Development Block at Waituna Mr. T. Clearwater, of the Lands Department, who is in charge of the project, very kindly showed us round the block, and it was clear that many members found this to be a most instructive and interesting evening Transport to Waituna proved easy to arrange because of the generosity of members who brought their cars, and there is every encouragement to run further field trips during the summer months.