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Canterbury Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Presidents: Mr. B. W. Collins (until July); Dr. R. Pilgrim. Secretary: Mr. E. R. Mangin.
Annual Report for the year 1957
The year 1957 was a year of change, both in the composition of the Council and in the offices held by the members; there being changes in the offices of the President, the two Vice-Presidents, and the two representatives on the Council of the parent body in Wellington. Dr. Roger Duff joined the Council as one of the latter in August.
The Council extended its congratulations to Mr. B. W. Collins on his appointment as a scientific liaison officer in London, and to Dr. R. R. Forster on his appointment to the position of Director of the Otago Museum. Dr. C. D. Ellyett was granted leave of absence in August, and best wishes were extended for his trip overseas.
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Riccarton Bush Sub-Committee. Following a recommendation from the July ordinary meeting, the Council set up a sub-committee consisting of Mr. A. J. Healy (Convener), Professor Phillipson and Dr. Godley, to report every ten years on the state of the flora of Riccarton Bush. A fund was established to assist in this work.
Planetarium Sub-Committee. This was set up and is working on a project.
Membership. The ordinary membership of the Society (including Life Members) has reached the record total of 401, an increase of 115 since 1956. Associate members total 13, and those on the retired list number eight.
The increase in membership is due almost entirely to the vigorous membership drive of the Council, under the chairmanship of Mr. B. W. Collins. In all 124 joined, although this number has been offset to some extent by resignations and transfers.
General Meetings. Figures taken from the attendance book circulated at meetings show that the average attendance has been 60, with a maximum of 88.
Meetings held during the year were: December 5, 1956 (Annual Meeting): “A Zoologist at Large,” Mr. G. A. Knox. March 6, 1957 (Presidential Address): “Water Divining, Old and New”, Mr. B. W. Collins. April 3: “The Geneva Conference and Nuclear Research in New Zealand”, Dr. W. M. Hamilton. May 1: “Canterbury in the Ice Ages”, Dr. M. Gage. June 5 (Chalklin Lecture): “Probability and Improbability in Science and Technology”, Professor S. R. Siemon. July 3 (ordinary meeting): The following papers were read: “The Adventitive Flora of Riccarton Bush”, Mr. A. J. Healy; “A New Method of Quantitative Zoology”, Mr. G. R. Russell; “Some Interesting Aspects of a New Systemic Insecticide”, Mr. A. D. Lowe. August 7: “Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Tuberculosis”, Dr. F. A. de Hamel and Dr. A. J. McLeod. September 4: “A Museum Zoologist in the States” Dr. R. R. Forster. October 2: “Man's Control of Insects”, Mr. A. D. Lowe. November 6: “Oil Exploration, with Special Reference to the Search in New Zealand”, Dr. John Iiving. A paper, “The Genus Tricolea in New Zealand”, by Raymond E. Match, was read by title on April 3.
Field Trip. A visit was made to Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, and to the Physics Department Field Station, near Rolleston, on April 6. The Council placed on record its thanks to Dr. Burns, to the staff of Lincoln College, and to Dr. C. D. Ellyett for a very interesting programme.
Photograph Album. A leather-bound photograph album, suitably lettered, has been presented to the Society. There are already several photographs in it, and it is hoped that members will submit others of general and historical interest for inclusion.
Newsletter. A newsletter was issued during the year. The object is to keep the membership informed on items of general interest, and to obviate crowding of information in circulars giving details of meetings.
Obituary Dr. R. O. Page. By the death on July 14, 1957, of R. O. Page, D.Sc. (N.Z.), F.N.Z.I.C., F.R.S.N.Z., the Royal Society of New Zealand lost a distinguished Fellow, and the Canterbury Branch a past-President and loyal member.
Dr. Page spent most of his professional life with the Woolston Tanneries Ltd., but he was much more than an industrial chemist. He made noteworthy contributions to the field of leather chemistry, and he gave valued service in the administration of scientific research in New Zealand He served from 1937 to 1955 on the Council of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. At the time of his death he was serving on the Committee of the Wheat Research Institute, on the Leather and Shoe Research Association Committee and on the Cawthron Institute Trust Board.
He was a loveable, gentle and humane man, with deep religious conviction. We are the poorer for his passing, but the richer for his example and friendship. (R. S. A.)
Honorary Treasurer's Report.—The main event in this financial year has been the successful membership drive. The resulting large increase in membership has increased the work of the honorary secretary considerably. In consequence of this, a large number of accounts for subscriptions were sent out late in the year: this is reflected in the increased amount of subscriptions in arrears shown in the Balance Sheet. Included in the amount shown as sundry creditors, is the amount due to the Royal Society of New Zealand: this account had not been received in time for payment before the close of our financial year. The Society received a very generous donation of £50 from Mr. E. A. Adams towards the Planetarium Fund.
Report of the Hon. Librarian. The joint libraries of the Society and of the University of Canterbury, as Canterbury University College has just become, have again been steadily used by many of our readers. The year 1957 has been a difficult one, partly through shortage of staff and partly through the intensified shortage of space for books, readers and library processing But the second handicap will be removed early in 1958 by the occupation of an extension in the former School of Art buildings nearby. A new entrance, with Circulation and Catalogue Hall, has been nearly completed in the space between the two buildings, and this will serve the whole enlarged Library area. About 200 more readers' seats will be provided,
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and enough shelving to provide reasonable accommodation for the present stock. The University Library has now acquired a microfilm camera unit which will come into effective use when it is installed in the special photographic suite early next year. This new facility will extend the resources of interloan and special services offered to research workers. We continue to receive donations from institutions and individuals, including current periodicals from four members, Messrs. C. E. Fenwick, A. C. Macintyre, D. B. Mulligan and C. R. Russell. Publications, the prices of which were raised a year ago, have continued to sell, but less freely.
Report of Representative on the University of Canterbury Joint Advisory Library Committee. During the year one meeting of the Committee was held (on October 25). The meeting considered plans for the redistribution of stock and the provision of much more satisfactory reader accommodation in the adapted quarters available in the now vacated School of Art buildings. Before the meeting, your representative was shown the new quarters in their state of semi-completion. Entrance and exit to the Library will be through the main Circulation Hall only, and this will permit the enforcement of Library rules which have had to be relaxed during the last ten years or so because of lack of suitable facilities. Members may rest assured that such rule enforcement can only facilitate the protection of the Society's valuable periodical sets, and the use of the sets by the membership as a whole. The more adequate housing of the Society's library and the provision of much more reader space will make the library more useful and better protected than at any time in the past.
It is hoped that the new accommodation will be available early next year.
Report of Representative on the Riccarton Bush Board of Trustees. Since the resignation of Professor L. W. McCaskill as representative of this Society on the Riccarton Bush Trustees, and my appointment to replace him, the Trustees have held five meetings, in January, March, May, August and October. During this period the appointment of Mr. L. Armstrong as ranger terminated, through ill health, and Mr. P. J. Ritchie has been appointed to this post. The ranger's cottage was found to need extensive repair, and this has been authorised. Repairs to the roof and spouting of Riccarton House have also been carried out, and considerable treatment against borer in these buildings and the 1840 cottage are in hand. The trustees raised the levy in the Councils of Christchurch, Waimari, Heathcote and Paparua and in Riccarton Borough to the level of 1/215th of a penny. A deputation from the Rotary Club of Riccarton proposing the development of Riccarton House as a community centre was received by the trustees and invited to bring forward more definite proposals for consideration. The dry condition of the bush in summer has caused concern, and proposals for irrigation by three alternative methods—viz, artesian wells, pumping from the river, and the local high pressure supply, are being considered. The duties of secretary to the trustees has been undertaken by Mr. Gainsford, assistant town clerk at Riccarton.
Report of the Representative on the Canterbury Museum Trust Board. The most important aspect of the work of the Museum Trust Board is the completion of the Centennial Memorial extension of the Museum. The builders have handed over the construction and the detailed work of sub-contractors is proceeding. Meanwhile, the library is being transferred and re-arranged, halls are being furnished with cases, and exhibits of various kinds are in preparation or in contemplation. It is not yet possible to set a date for the re-opening of the enlarged and transformed institution, largely because of the very great amount of work which must be done by a small body of workers and a dependence also on voluntary help.
Of particular interest to the Branch is the fact that the Museum lecture hall will be used for the delivery this spring of the Macmillan-Brown lectures.
The Assistant Director, Dr. R. R. Forster, went on study leave to the United States of America, and while away was appointed Director of Otago Museum. In his place, Mr. E. G. Turbott has been appointed from Auckland Museum. Mrs. O. M. Turbott has been appointed as assistant keeper of ethnology.
Many important additions have been made to the archives.
The Education Section of the Museum is working at a high rate; about 300 children are received daily during the teaching year. In this way, an immense number of the growing population of the area is brought into close touch with the Museum and its purpose.
The spire, which was such a striking feature of the original building, has been removed because of structural deficiency. It is intended that replacement will occur when funds allow.
Sections
Field Club. During the past year the section has encountered many difficulties. Despite this, the year proved a greater success than was expected after the trend in the previous two or three years. After this year, the section hope to hold their lectures back in the Museum, as alterations and additions are nearly completed. The Committee have already started their drive for new members and they hope that the opening of the new Memorial wing, and the
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possibility of new rooms, will bring back the enthusiasm of club members which has been lacking over the past years.
At the end of the financial year, membership totalled 60, the same as last year. There are now 29 Royal Society members (an increase of one) and 31 section members. Three resignations have been received and two new section members have been added.
The Committee has been depleted during the year. We have lost Dr. Forster who, on his return to New Zealand from the United States, took up a new position as Director of the Otago Museum. We congratulate him on his new appointment. He will be sadly missed by the section. Two further committee members have moved from Christchurch.
During the year support was received from several W.E.A. Field Club members. This proved a great advantage on the two field excursions held. These were in December, to Lake Coleridge and The Curiosity Shop, and in April to Motanau. This latter trip was led by Mr. B. W. Collins, who is now scientific liaison officer in London. We look forward to meeting him again in three years time.
The winter programme was made up of the following evenings: May 14, “Places of Geological Interest in Canterbury”, Mr. Campbell. June 25. “Nepal”, Mr. Norman Hardie. July 30, “Moa Hunter Excavations at Coromandel”, Mr. Ron Scarlett. September 4, “A Museum Zoologist in the States”, Dr. R. R. Forster. This was held in conjunction with the Canterbury Branch. September 24, “Volcanoes in the North Island of New Zealand”, Mr. Don Gregg. October 15, Annual General Meeting and films, “Sledges South”, and “Search for Oil”.
Although the attendances at these meetings were reasonable, the Committee would naturally like to have even more support from members, especially Royal Society members.
A greater response to an appeal for subscriptions in arrears has this year raised the funds to a more workable level. Funds are still not high, however, standing at £15 7s 3d. A Post Office Savings Account has been opened by the section and is hoped to be a source of some income. Again this year a grant was obtained from the Royal Society (Canterbury Branch), covering the cost of duplicating notices. We are grateful for this. Our thanks are once again tendered to the Registrar of the University of Canterbury for facilities rendered for evening meetings.
Mathematics and Physics Section. In the fourth year of its existence the membership of the section has increased considerably. More evening lectures have been held than in any previous year, but the average attendance has been less than in 1956.
The meetings held during the year were: March 21, A discussion on “The Restriction of Science Enrolments at Canterbury University College”, introduced by Mr. J. B. Gregory and Mr. G. S. Troup (attendance 23). May 2, “Aerial Photography and Mapping”, Mr. G. T. Railton (attendance 45). May 30, “Sea Waves”, Mr. N. F. Barber (attendance 37). June 27, A tape recording of Dr. L. V. Berkner speaking on the launching, instrumentation and data to be obtained from artificial satellites (attendance 45). July 25, “Fluorescence”, Dr. W. Metcalf (attendance 23). September 3, “Recent Structural Studies at the Cavendish Laboratory”, Dr. W. H. Taylor (attendance 50). September 26, Demonstration Evening; various members of the Physics Department (attendance 34). October 24, “Progress in Meteorology”, Mr. J. W. Hutchings (attendance 31). The average attendance at lectures was 36.
Two visits have been made—the first to the factory of the Crown Crystal Glass Proprietary, and the second to Harewood Aerodrome.