Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. 495 



have been made to the Board of Governors of Canterbury College to have the library 

 housed at the Pubhc Library in any contemplated extension of that building. This 

 request has been most generously met by the Board of Governors. The conditions 

 arising from the war still hinder the proper development of the library, and only a few 

 books in addition to the journals have been purchased. The work of keeping the binding 

 of the journals up to date is still hindered by the non-arrival of certain parts. A number 

 of completed volumes have been bound, however, and are now on the shelves, while 

 others are still at the binders'. The exchange copies of publications of other societies are 

 now arriving more regularly, and the Hon. Librarian has acknowledged during the year 

 the receipt of various books and pamphlets from the Queensland Museum, the American 

 Academy of Arts and Letters, the Department of Mines, New Zealand, as well as from 

 Mr. L. P. Symes and Mr. H. T. Ferrar. 



Riccarton Bush. — The Institute's representative on the Board of Trustees of the 

 Riccarton Bush rejjorts that the bush has been carefully attended to during the year, 

 and is in good condition. Improvements have been made to the paths, additional seats 

 have been provided, and an automatic gas heater for, boiling water has been provided, 

 under an appropriate shelter, for the convenience of visitors. Other improvements will 

 be made as soon as funds permit, but in the meantime these are only barely sufficient 

 for the ranger's salary and the necessary upkeep of the bush. The bush continues to be 

 largely used by the general public and by botanical students. Dr. C. Chilton has again 

 been elected the Institute's representative on the Board of Trustees. ' 



Preservation of Sinclair's Grave and of Butler's House.- — The Council has for some 

 time been negotiating with the owner of " Mesopotamia," on the upper reaches of the 

 Rangitata River, with a view to the permanent preservation of the grave of Dr. Sinclair, 

 one of New Zealand's pioneer botanists, and of the cottage formerly occupied by Samuel 

 Butler, the celebrated New Zealand author. These negotiations promise to be successful. 



Memorial Tablet. — With the approval of the Hon. W. Eraser, Minister of Public 

 Works, the Council has had a marble slab erected at the Lake Coleridge power-house to 

 perpetuate the memory of Hans Christian Oersted, the Danish scientist, who first dis- 

 covered the magnetic effect of an electric current, and thereby made possible all modem 

 electrical machinery. This year marks the centenary of his great discovery. 



Tunnel Research Fund. — As these investigations are now complete, and the 

 Research Fund is still almost intact, the Government has given permission to the Insti- 

 tute to retain the balance for research work. The unspent balance of £142 16s. 3d. has 

 accordingly been set aside as the basis for a Research Fund. The report of the Tunnel 

 Investigation Committee is published in volume 51 of the Transactions of the Neic 

 Zealand Institute. 



Samoan Magnetic Observatory. — Representations have been made by the Council to 

 the Hon. the Minister of Marine to arrange for the observations of the Samoan Magnetic 

 Observatory to be continued, and the Minister has replied stating that the matter will 

 receive his attention. 



Finance. — The balance-sheet shows the total receipts, including the balances from 

 the previous year, were £523 16s. 3d. This includes the sum of £83 2s. 9d., special con- 

 tributions towards the expenses of the Science Congress. Of the exjienditure, £73 14s. lid. 

 has been expended on the library, including the sum of £10 contributed to the Technical 

 Library and £77 9s. 6d. in connection with the Science Congress. The Institute levy of 

 £23 2s. 6d. has been paid, and research grants amounting to £60 returned to the New 

 Zealand Institute, leaving a balance of £70 2s. Id. to the credit of the Ordinary Account. 

 In connection with the Tunnel Investigation Account £4 lis. was expended on the 

 prejjaration of the final report, and the balance of £142 16s. 3d. has, with the consent of 

 the Minister of Internal Affairs, been transferj-ed to a Research Fund Account. The 

 Life Members' Subscription Account now stands at £158 19s. 7d., deposited with the 

 Permanent Investment and Loan Association of Canterbury. 



\_ 



Election of Officers for 1920. — President — Mr. L. P. Symes. Vice- 

 Presidents — Dr. C. Coleridge Farr, Mr. A. M. Wright. Hon. Secretary — 

 Mr. W. Martin, 51 Matai Street, Riccarton. Hon. Treasurer — Dr. Charles 

 Chilton. Hon,. Librarian — Miss E. M. Herriott Council — Captain G. E. 

 Archey, Mr. J. Drummond, Mr. G. Holford, Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf, Mr. 

 M. H. Godby, Mr. L. J. Wild. Representatives on the Board of Governors 

 of the New Zealand Institute~Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf, Mr. A. M. Wright. 

 Representative on the Board of Trustees of the Riccarton Bush-^Bv. Charles 

 Chilton. Hon. Auditor — Mr. J. 0. Jameson. 



