Otago I itst it tile. 351 



At the annual meeting (4th December) the annual report was adopted, 

 and the following officers were elected for 1918 : President — Professor R. 

 Jack. Vice-Presidents Professor J. K. H. Inglis and Mr. G. M. Thomson. 

 Hon. Secretary — Mr. E. J. Parr. Hon. Treasurer Mr. H. Brasch. Hon. 

 Auditor Mr. J. W. Milnes. Council — Professors W. B. Benham, W. N. 

 Benson, J. Park, and D. B. Waters, Dr. R. V. Fulton, Messrs. G. W. Howes 

 and H. Mandeno. Representatives oh the Hoard of Governors of the New 

 Zealand Institute Messrs. G. M. Thomson and E. J. Parr. 



Abstract of Annual Report. 



The attention of the Council during the year has been very largely centred upon 

 the consideration of a proposal for the reform of the New Zealand Institute. The 

 proposed scheme of reform, which originated in the first instance with the Director of 

 the Dominion Museum, has been submitted by the New Zealand Institute to each of 

 the affiliated societies for its careful consideration. At the present time it appears 

 that when the scheme comes up for final consideration by the New Zealand Institute 

 at its annual meeting in January it will be considerably restricted in its scope before 

 its final adoption. As regards some of the more important features of the scheme, 

 your Council has expressed itself as being in favour of the proposed appointment or 

 election of Fellows of the Institute as a mark of distinction in recognition of scientific 

 research work, and also of the jtroposal to hold public meetings of the New Zealand 

 Institute in various centres in rotation, and is strongly of the opinion that an increased 

 Government grant is urgently needed by the Institute in order that it may carry on 

 its work. " It does not, however, see any necessity for altering the constitution of the 

 Board of Governors of the Institute, nor for the establishment of an associate membership. 



At the request of the New Zealand Institute your Council has also eo-operated 

 with the other affiliated societies in drawing up recommendations and suggestions to 

 assist the Efficiency Board in drafting a scheme for the co-ordination of science and 

 industry. 



Support was also given to the Wellington Philosophical Society in its endeavour 

 to have New Zealand mean time made exactly twelve hours in advance of Greenwich 

 mean time, instead of eleven hours and a half as at present. 



A sum of five guineas has been donated to the Sir William Ramsay Memorial 

 Fund, which is to be used for improvements in the training of chemists for industrial 

 work. 



e 



TECHNOLOGICAL BRAN( H . 



Five meetings were held during 1917, and the following papers and addresses 

 were read: (22nd May) "Steam Generators," by Mr. R. A. McLintoek ; (19th June) 

 " Fuels for Internal-combustion Engines," by Mr. J. B. Mason; (17th July) " Bridge- 

 design on the New Zealand Railways," by Mr. F. J. Jones ; (21st August) " The Fir 

 Hazard of Electrical Installations," by Mr. F. R, Shepherd; (Kith October) " Hydro- 

 electrical- Power," by Mr. M. C. Henderson. 



At the meeting of the 16th October the annual report of the branch was read and 

 adopted, and the following officers for 1918 were elected : Chairman, — Mr. J. B. Mason. 

 Vice-Chairmen — Professors J. Park and D. B. Waters, and Mr. B. B. Hooper. Hon. 

 Secretary — Mr. H. Brasch. Committee — Messrs. M. C. Henderson. F. J. .Jones, H. 

 Mandeno, G. Simpson, and R. N. Vanes. 



ASTRONOMICAL BRANCH. 



Only one meeting was held during the year — that of the 23rd October; a paper 

 on '" Astronomy in War-time " was read by .Mr. J. W. Milnes. 



The following officers for 1918 were elected at the same meeting : Chairman- 

 Mr. R. Gilkison. Vice-Chairmen — Professors R. Jack, J. Park, and D. R. White. 

 Hon. Secretary — Mr. J. W. Milnes. Committer — Dr. P. D. Cameron, and Messrs. H. 

 Brasch, C. Frys, W. T. Neill, E. J. Parr, and W. S. Wilson. 



