![Thumbnail: [Volume 87, 1959 page 51]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_87/thumbnails/rsnz_87_03_0475_0051_ac_02.gif)
Reports of Hutton Grantees
Dr. Maxwell Gage, who was granted £50 in 1954 for research in the Pleistocene history of Canterbury, reported on April 14, 1959, that a further attempt was made to survey the lower part of the Cameron Glacier and its moraines when in company with Mr. W. P. Packard and three students he visited the glacier with plane-table equipment intending to survey a base-line and establish a number of cairn markers as a basis for more detailed topographical work later. An early snowstorm, however, prevented any survey work. It was then determined to wait until mid-summer, but illness in grantee's family prevented this before the opening of the University session.
Mr. L. Gurr, who was granted £80 for research on the Black-billed and the Red-billed Gulls in 1957, reported on April 20, 1959, that during the past year most attention has been paid to fabrication and trial under field conditions of the nest recording devices. Three have now been assembled, one three pen assembly for use with colonial nesting species, and two single pen assemblies for use with species having isolated nests. Field trials have shown that the nest tambours are tolerated by two species of gulls and one species of tern. Results obtained with Black-backed Gull were that a satisfactory colony, free from interference and reasonably close to Palmerston North has been found. Equipment has been tried and adjusted for this species and for conditions pertaining and sufficient records have been obtained to work out interpretation of tracings and indicate rhyme of incubation.
With regard to the Red-billed Gull, records were obtained at the Nelson Boulder Bank Colony. At this Colony also nest recorders were also tried and adjusted for the White-fronted Tern. It was found that the colony of Black-billed Gulls at Clive was subject to interference, and it was decided not to risk the recording apparatus.
The whole of the grant has been expended and grantee conveys his sincere thanks to the Royal Society for its assistance.
Miss V. Jolly, who in 1952 was granted £90 for research on the plankton of New Zealand lakes, reported on April 28 that the research programme is still in progress and the field has been extended each year. Data on 24 lakes has been assembled and a paper on this work was read at Limnologorum Conventus XIII at Helsinki in 1956. The rope and lines bought with funds from the grant are no longer serviceable, but the wire attached to a winch and used for lowering apparatus is still in use.
Mr. Jiro Kikkawa (Teaching Fellow at Department of Zoology, University of Otago) was granted £26 to cover half the cost of chartering an amphibian aeroplane to and from Lake McKerrow for measurement of bird productivity in that area as a part of a study of the habitat segregation of land birds in New Zealand. He reported on April 10 that the investigation has been successfully carried out and the results are being analysed together with similar work done on Kapiti and in the Lake Manapouri-Doubtful Sound area, and a MS. is being prepared for publication in New Zealand. Grantee gives details of the methods used in this work and he expresses his gratitude to the Royal Society for making possible the Lake McKerrow trip.
![Thumbnail: [Volume 87, 1959 page 52]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_87/thumbnails/rsnz_87_03_0476_0052_ac_02.gif)
Dr. Charlotte Wallace was granted £25 for a study of the Ascidial neural complex. She reported on April 27 that preliminary work had been done and collections were made from localities on the North Auckland and Coromandel peninsulas and on the East and West Coasts of South Auckland. Ten species were collected and are being worked upon. A detailed description of the work was contained in the report of grantee, who has to date expended £12 in apparatus.
Dr. J. T. Salmon, who was granted £25 in 1954 towards the translation of foreign papers, reported on April 15 that owing to his absence overseas he has not used the balance of his grant.
Mr. G. A. Knox who, with Dr. E. Godley, was granted £30 for the purchase of a film for the South Pacific Expedition, has reported that the whole of the grant was expended by himself on the understanding that the films would be available to both members of the Expedition. The reason being that he possessed specialised photograph equipment, including Rolliocord 120 cameras and electronic flash. The cost of the film was greater than anticipated, as it was not possible to purchase stocks before leaving New Zealand due to import restrictions. Film purchased in Chile proved expensive. The film thus provided has enabled a very complete photographic record to be made. Mr. Knox was mainly responsible for the black and white coverage on 120 size film, other members took only a limited amount of black and white. The photographs cover the general terrain, vegetation, close-ups of plants and animals, seashore zonation, marine plants and animals and activities of the indigenous Indians. A set of prints is being deposited in the Royal Society of London, and if desired a duplicate set could be deposited with the Royal Society of New Zealand. Grantee sincerely thanks the Royal Society for the grant.
On the motion of Dr. Falla, the reports of the Hutton grantees were received. Professor Percival drew attention to the report from Mr. G. A. Knox, in which he stated that if desired a duplicate set of prints for which film had been provided from a Hutton grant, for use in connection with the South Pacific Expedition to Chile, could be deposited in the Royal Society's library. It was resolved to obtain a duplicate set for the Society.
On the motion of Dr. Salmon, seconded by Mr. Willett, it was resolved:
“That in future all papers published as a result of researches assisted by grants from the Hutton Fund must convey an acknowledgment to the assistance received from the Hutton Fund.”
The meeting adjourned for lunch.