480 Proceedings. 



Profenf^or J. Malcolm, to whom £30 was granted in 1918 (through the Otago 

 Institute) for research in New Zealand plant poisons, reported on the 17th December, 

 1919, that there was still about £14 13s. of the grant in hand. The research on 

 pukateine was continued during the vacation, but pressure of teaching- work had 

 prevented the completion of a paper begun on the subject. Professor Malcolm would 

 like to have the final report postponed until December, 1920. 



Professor W. P. Evayis, to whom £200 was granted in 1918 (through the Philosophical 

 Institute of Canterbury) for investigating New Zealand brown coals, reported on the 

 22nd December, 1919, that the fractionating column — mentioned in his previous 

 report--had at last come to hand. As it was more likely to be of general use in the 

 laboratory than for the special purpose of this research, it had been paid for entirely 

 out of laboratory funds. Analyses and experiments had been made in connection 

 with (1) Avoca coal, (2) Homebush coal, (3) Mount Somers coal, (4) Mossbank coal. 

 Of the £200 grant a balance of £10 Cs. 2d. remains unexpended. Professor Evans 

 desires a further grant of £200 to continue the investigations in 1920. 



Mr. Guy Brittin, to whom £100 was granted in 1919 (through the Philosophical 

 Institute of Canterbur}') for research in fruit-tree diseases, reported on the 16th Decem- 

 ber, 1919, that the general work had been proceeding. This consisted of special 

 pruning and spraying, and noting the effects. The microscopical investigations had 

 been delayed by the difficulty of procuring the requisite apparatus ; but owing to the 

 kindness of Professor Kirk he had obtained the loan of a Cathcart microtome, which 

 enabled him to prepare sections of some of the later stages of the diseases being investi- 

 gated. At the time of reporting only £1 12$. had been expended. 



Professor C. C. Farr, to whom £100 was granted in 1919 (through the Philosophical 

 Institute of Canterbury) for experiments on the porosity of insulators, reported on the 

 7th January, 1920, that the whole of this grant had been expended in the construction 

 of a testing- vessel, which cost £95, and its fittings. Investigations will commence 

 immediately Professor Farr returns from Australia. 



Mr. W. G. Morrison, who in 1919 was granted £70 to £100 (through the Philosophical 

 Institute of Canterbury) for research in the natural regeneration of exotic and indigenous 

 forest-trees in connection with natural afforestation of high country, reported in 

 December, 1919, that a certain amoimt of useful data had been collected, and many 

 interesting photographs taken. This information would be used in connection with a 

 paper to be read before the Philosoijhical Institute of Canterbury. The amount so far 

 expended was £13 18s. 3d. Mr. Morrison asks for a continuance of the grant. 



Mr. G. S. Thomson and Hon. G. M. Thomson, who in 1919 were granted £50 

 (through the Otago Institute) for a research into the economic value of whale-feed, 

 reported on the 3rd December, 1919, that the aj^paratus ordered from England had 

 not come to hand, and, owing to adverse weather conditions, there had been almost 

 no opportunities for collecting. It is desired that the grant be renewed for another 

 year. 



Professor J. Malcolm, to whom £250 was granted in 1919 (through the Otago 

 Institute) for a research on New Zealand fishes, reported on the 17th December, 1919, 

 that he had secured the services of a research worker and carried out the anaylses of 

 several of the common food-fishes, including groper, kingfish, moki, blue cod, &c. 

 A paper entitled " Food Value of New Zealand Fishes, Part I," had been forwarded to 

 the Hon. Editor. £115 had been expended, and a liability to the extent of £25 had been 

 incurred for apparatus. It is hoped that another grant will be made to enable the work 

 to be continued. 



Mr. R. Speight, to whom £225 was granted in 1919 (through the Philosophical 

 Institute of Canterbury) for a geological survey of Malvern Hills, reported on the 

 19th December, 1919, that owing to the lateness of receipt of the money no expenditure 

 had yet been made. Mx. Speight devoted all the time he could to the preparation of a 

 report on the coal-measures at Broken River — an investigation which has some bearing 

 on the problems to be considered at Malvern -and was submittmg a paper on the 

 geological features of these beds. Work on the research for which the grant was 

 specially given would, however, be commenced forthwith. 



Messrs. Lancaster and Comes, to whom £50 was granted in October, 1919 (through 

 the Auckland Institute), for forestry research, expect to commence work early in 1920. 



Dr. C. E. Adams, to whom £35 was granted in 1919 (through the Wellington 

 Philosophical Society) for astronomical research, reported on the 5th January, 1920, 

 that the total amount of the grant had been remitted to the British Astronomical 

 Association, London, for the purchase of apparatus. A transit micrometer is on the 

 way to Wellington, and as soon as this instrument is in operation a further report will 

 be made. ' 



