Otago Institute. 441 



suggested. Mr. A. Black made over the egg at the price he paid for it — 

 namely, £50— and gave £5 towards liquidating the amount. The Institute 

 also agreed to give £5 from its funds towards that object, thus leaving a 

 balance of £40 to be paid by the University, and the term of repayment 

 was extended to four years. The egg in the meantime is deposited in the 

 Museum of the University of Otago by the President of the Otago Insti- 

 tute. Several members of the Council expressed their gratification at 

 the public spirit shown by Mr. Black in securing the egg and contri- 

 buting towards its purchase, and the following resolution was unani- 

 mously passed: "That the Council hereby records its appreciation of 

 the public- spirited action of Mr. Alexander Black, of Dunedin, engineer, 

 in securing for the Otago Museum the moa's egg recently obtained from 

 the banks of the Molyneux, and hereby resolves that Mr. Black be placed 

 on the list of life-members of the Otago Institute." 



In the matter of the Purakanui Fish-hatchery and Biological 

 Station, the Committee on that subject again visited the locality with 

 Mr. Ayson, and he appeared to consider it a suitable spot, but pointed 

 out that it would be desirable to have various data collected before 

 further steps were taken. We are now informed by Mr. J. A. Millar, 

 M.H.R., that the Government intend to proceed with the establishment 

 of the projected station ; but up to the present time no definite steps 

 have been taken. 



A list of volumes added to the Library is appended. They are prin- 

 cipally on the Annelida, in accordance with the resolution expressed in 

 last year's report, that special groups of the animal kingdom should 

 receive attention each year. 



The scheme of offering prizes for natural-history notes to be made 

 by children attending the Board schools in the educational district was 

 received by the Education Board, and referred to their Inspectors and 

 the Educational Institute for a report. After waiting for some time for 

 them to adopt the scheme, it was deemed advisable to withdraw the 

 matter from the Board, and to oSer the prizes through the columns of 

 8in educational journal circulating in the district. After modifying cer- 

 tain of the conditions this course was adopted, although the Council 

 would much have preferred having the support of the Education Board 

 in a matter which had for its aim the development of the faculty of 

 observation in children. 



The balance-sheet shows that the receipts for the year, including a 

 balance brought forward of £43 14s., amount to £130 178. The expenses 

 were £123 2s. 7d., leaving a balance of £7 14s. 5d. in hands of the bank. 



Election of Officers for 1900. — President — E. Mel- 

 land ; Vice-presidents — F. E. Chapman, Alexander Bathgate ; 

 Council — Dr. Hocken, Dr. Barnett, G. M. Thomson, A. 

 Hamilton, J. Barningham, C. W. Chamberlain, F. B. 

 :Stephens ; Ho7i. Secretary — Professor W. B. Benham ; Ho7i. 

 Treasurer — J. Crosby Smith ; Auditor — D. Brent. 



The retiring President then delivered an address on 

 " Federation." 



