Annual Meeting. 483 



Kapiti Island. — A letter of the 23rd December, 1919, from the Hon. 

 the Minister of Lands, was read, stating that steps were being taken to set 

 up a committee to advise the Government on Kapiti Island, and asking 

 the Institute to nominate a representative to act on the committee. It 

 was resolved, on the motion of Dr. Cockayne, seconded by the Hon. Gr. M. 

 Thomson, That Professor Kirk be appointed the Institute's representative 

 on this committee. 



On the motion of Professor Kirk, seconded by the Hon. G. M. Thomson, 

 it was resolved. That the Government be again urged to take prompt action 

 in extinguishing the remaining Native titles on Kapiti Island, and in putting 

 an end to the damage being done by sheep. 



Indexing " Transactions.'" — A letter of the 20th December, 1919, from 

 ,the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, was read. The letter asked what 

 steps had been taken with regard to indexing volumes 41 to 50. It was 

 decided that the matter be left to the Standing Committee, to be kept 

 steadily in view for action when the facilities were available. 



Samoan Geophysical Observatory. — The Hon. Secretary read a letter 

 from Professor Farr, urging the importance of this observatory, and the 

 necessity for compensating Dr. Anghenheister for the expense of maintain- 

 ing it during the war. Dr. Adams, Government Astronomer, attended, and 

 gave the Board first-hand information obtained during his recent visit to 

 Samoa. 



On the motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Dr. Marsjiall, it was resolved, 

 That, in view of the great importance of the Samoan geophysical observa- 

 tory, a committee consisting of the President-elect, Professor Farr, Pro- 

 fessor Marsden, Professor Somerville, and Mr. G. Hogben be set up to confer 

 with the. Government Astronomer and the Minister of External Affairs 

 as to the best means to be adopted for the maintenance of the Samoan 

 Observatory. 



Macqiia/rie Island. — A report dated the 13th January, 1919, was received 

 from Mr. H. Hamilton, dealing with the preservation of the fauna of Mac- 

 quarie Island. It was resolved. That Mr. Hamilton be thanked for his 

 kindness in preparing the report. On the motion of Dr. Marshall, seconded 

 by Mr. Aston, it was further resolved, That the New Zealand Institute 

 would welcome action by the Tasmanian Government in the direction of 

 declaring Macquarie Island a sanctuary for animals and plants. 



Hamilton Prize. — A letter of the 17th January, 1920, from the Welling- 

 ton Philosophical Society, was read, offering to hand over the balance of 

 the Hamilton Fund on certain conditions. Professor Easterfield stated 

 that the Wellington Society had consulted the relatives of the late Mr. 

 Hamilton, and that they were in sympathy with the money being devoted 

 to a prize for encouraging beginners in scientific research. On the motion 

 of Dr. Cockayne, seconded by Dr. Thomson, it was resolved. That the offer 

 be accepted, and the matter be left in the hands of the Standing Committee 

 to meet the Wellington Philosophical Society and draw up rules for the 

 Hamilton Prize. 



New Zealand Flax. — On the motion of Professor Kirk, seconded by 

 Dr. Cockayne, it was resolved. That the Government be urged to take 

 effective steps to investigate the cause and treatment of " yellow-leaf " 

 and accompanying diseases in New Zealand flax, and advised that this 



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