Notes

1. Expenditure

(a) Transactions: It is doubtful if five parts will come to charge this year, consequently the estimates presented are for four parts only, namely 86 (2), 86 (3), 86 (4), 87 (1). Four parts in 1958–59 totalled £3,058, and with £3,510 estimated an additional part could probably be handled if it were available. It is desirable, if possible, to publish five parts during the year in order to align our volume with our financial year.

(b)Rules and Index: These are likely to cost £540. The initial preparation of the Index shows a liberal view, which could well make the cost of its preparation, together with the Rules, well over the £500 figure.

(c) Proceedings: An estimate of £250 against £247 last year is set down for Proceedings as the Hudson Lecture will appear in this coming issue.

(d) New Zealand Science Congress: It is customary to allocate £50 to this Congress during the year, but in the coming year it is proposed to raise this to £150. The New Zealand Science Congress is scheduled for 1960 and in view of increased costs taking place over the past few years, it would be wise to be able to start the Congress off with as much money as possible. This would mean £350 being available for the Congress. The amount accumulated since the last Congress has been given to A.N.Z.A.A.S. as a part of our contribution to that Congress.

(e) Pacific Science Congress. This is a new item; £200 is felt to be a minimum contribution towards travelling costs. The intention is to aim at sufficient money to despatch two Society's representatives. Should the Society feel bound to present a case to the Minister for assistance of other than Government delegates, we are in a strong position if we can demonstrate our financial planning for this Congress.

(f) Staff Benefit Fund: A further additional new item. In the event of staff retirement or ill-health, the Society should be in a position to treat its servants at least comparable to the Public Service in the matter of retiring leave, special leave, or its equivalent. The establishment of such a fund is valuable in view of the fact that the Society carries no insurance or other form of benefit for its servants.

2. Income

(a) The Standing Committee is strongly of the opinion that the same grant should be sought, namely £5,000, as in the previous year. When the excess of income over expenditure is reduced to a smaller figure and our expenditure rises correspondingly, our case for a new grant is considerably strengthened. In the past this large carry-over from year to year has mitigated against favourable reception for a larger grant, and it would be good policy to reduce this amount to a smaller and more workable sum, particularly in view of the fact that the Secretary, D.S.I.R. has indicated that he will advance moneys to cover the period from April 1, until the grant is received, should this be necessary.

(b) Additional small income is being received from the one-sixth contribution rule. This is a result of the fact that Wellington Branch has now resolved to operate the alternative, Rule A (3).

Budget. Mr. Willett made some explanatory observations on the Budget drawn up by the Finance Sub-committee and approved by the Standing Committee for submission to the Half-yearly Meeting.

Professor Briggs drew attention to the large amount of binding in the Library which should be undertaken and said that an allocation of £50 annually could not meet the requirements. On the motion of Professor Briggs, seconded by Dr. Fleming, it was resolved:—

“That the annual allocation for binding be increased from £50 to £100.”

Dr. Duff congratulated the Sub-committee on making provision for sending delegates to overseas conferences especially the Pacific Science Congress.

Finally, on the motion of Mr. Willett, seconded by Dr. Dixon the Budget as amended was adopted.

Procedure. Some discussion took place on the procedure to be adopted in presenting the Budget to the Minister. It was finally agreed to go direct to the Minister after having seen Dr. Hamilton, Secretary, D.S.I.R., and informing him of the Society's requirements for the coming year.

At this stage Mr. Fowler, a representative of the Gisborne Philosophical Society, attended the meeting to which he had been invited as an Observer. Professor Allan welcomed Mr. Fowler and hoped he would find some matters of interest under consideration.

Mr. Fowler thanked the President for the invitation to attend the meeting.

New Zealand Science Congress, 1960: Mr. K. R. Allen intimated that the