Annual Report for Year ended September 30, 1955

Executive. Your Executive has met regularly and has kept abreast of its work. Mr. A. G. Harris, having resigned from the position of Vice-President, Mr. K. J. McNaught was appointed in his stead.

Attendances. These were disappointing except at the meetings addressed by Dr. E. W. Russell, Mr. Bryce and Mr. Hunt. Field days were popular, especially the visit to the James Aviation Works at Rukuhia.

The list of functions is as follows:—March 17: Dr. Gilbert Archey (Auckland Museum), “The Underlying Question” April 21: Mr. J. Healy (Geological Survey, Rotorua), “The Geology of the Philippines.” May 19: Mr. M. C. Gudex, The Presidential Address, “Scenic and Other Reserves of N.Z.” June 16: Mr. Allan Bryce, “The Principles of Colour Photography.” July 21: Elder Biesinger, “A General Survey of the Proposed Activities of the L. D. S. Agricultural College.” August 2: Dr. E. W. Russell (Oxford), “The Factors Limiting the Production of the World's Food.” August 18: Mr. A. W. B. Powell (Auckland Museum), “Land Snails and Earth History.” September 15. Mr. C. G. Hunt, “The Mystery Wreck on Ruapuke Beach.” October 20: Dr. A. M. McDonald, “The Utilisation of Natural Resources in Post-War Canadian Development.”

Field Days and Hosts. March 26: Mr. Kear (Geological Survey, Ngaruawahia), Rotowaro Opencast Coal Mines June 11: Elder Biesinger, L.D.S. Agricultural College, Frankton. October 15: Mr. Perrett and Mr. James, James Aviation Ltd., Rukuhia.

Membership. The total membership is 85, of which 71 are financial During the year four members resigned and eight were considered to have let their membership lapse.

Ruapuke Beach Wreck. A great deal of preliminary investigation has been done by Mr. C. G. Hunt. He has incorporated the early results in a large folio of notes, and has generously presented copies to members of your committee, the Auckland, Dominion, Canterbury and Otago Museums, and a number of people who have assisted him.

Our application for the sole rights to excavate the wreck was refused by the Minister of Marine, because they had been granted already to the Auckland Institute and Museum However, the Museum authorities agreed to co-operate with us, and Mr. Fisher came down to hear Mr. Hunt's address. Amongst the 120 people present, were representatives of the Waikato Historical Society, the Te Awamutu Historical Society, The Waikato Tramping Club, and the Raglan Old Settlers' Association Mr. Hunt is to be congratulated on his investigations and his excellent address. Further action will be discussed at the annual meeting. M. C. Gudex, President.