Report of Honorary Treasurer

I have the honour to present the Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts as circulated, for the year ended March 31, 1938, subject to audit.

Our Government grant for the year was £4,000 as previously. This, together with the funds built up to meet the back-log of printing of Transactions, enabled a clearance to be made of this back-log, and an advance payment on Volume 85, Part 2, so that a total of £4,908 was spent on printing. It is expected to complete Volume 85, Parts 2, 3 and 4, and Volume 86, Part 1, during the coming year. It should be remembered that printing costs must must be kept within about £3 000 until a larger income is available.

The contribution from Member Bodies was investigated as instructed by Council last year, and I reported on the position at the November meeting. All the Branches have contributed their share of travelling expenses and the Levy for the Transactions, but not all have fulfilled their obligation under the existing rules to spend one-third of income to support a library or approved institution or pay one-sixth of income to the Royal Society. The completed returns for 1957 show that Auckland, Canterbury, and Hawke's Bay fulfilled their obligation by devoting one-third of income to their library, etc.; Waikato and Rotorua paid one-sixth of income to the Royal Society; while Wellington, Otago, Nelson and Southland did not state clearly in their Reports how they were fulfilling the existing Rules. Thus I must assume that four out of nine Branches are not fulfilling their obligations adequately as laid down. Last November, I suggested that 5/- per Branch member be made a standard contribution, and this was referred to Branches for their comments, as mentioned in the Report of the Standing Committee. I would ask Council to consider the matter further.

The Trust Accounts are satisfactorv. Government Stock to the value of £780 will be maturing shortly, and will be converted into a new issue bearing a higher rate of interest. The Cooper Memorial Fund, established last year, stands at £118 9s 6d capital and interest, of which the original sum was £181 15s, and authority is sought to allocate a fixed amount of £180 to capital account with a balance of £8 9s 6d to revenue account which will then be available for an award this year. The Endowment Fund shows a balance of revenue for the year of £208 Os 1d, of which £184, the interest for the current year can be allocated as desired, and I seek direction of Council as to its application.

May 8, 1958.
S. Cory-Wright, Hon Treasurer.