Report for the Year 1955.

Meetings. In addition to the Annual General Meeting, two public meetings were held during the year, Mr. R. G. Drummond, Engineer of the H.B. Catchment Board, spoke in Hastings on River Control, and Mr. Malden spoke in Napier on Flying Saucers.

Three members' meetings have been held. Mr. Elder lectured on the Ecology of the Ruahines, Dr. A. Berry spoke on seals, and Dr. Francis gave a talk on some aspects of tuberculosis.

Sections. The Ornithological Section carried on during the year with field days and meetings. Reports of field observations are always made at meetings and are most valuable to members of the section.

Historical Section in Hastings: Seven meetings were held during the year, and the section continued to expand. Section records were checked and relisted, and have been deposited in the Hastings Municipal Library. The Section sought joint membership of the newly formed N.Z. Archaeological Association.

Historical Section in Napier: Monthly meetings were held. The main work of the section is still connected with the Taupo Road.

Meteorological Section: Monthly meetings were held at which specialist papers were read.

Library. The Branch has formed a Library Sub-committee to deal with the choice and purchase of books.

Royal Society, Wellington. Mr. Elder represented the Branch. Three remits were sent forward, one of which requested the parent body to do everything possible to preserve the Aratiatia rapids.

Membership. There are approximately 90 members of the Branch, including six life members. This represents a slight drop in membership, and your Council asks every member to do whatever possible to halt this tendency.

Allan BerryChairman.