558 Proceedings. 



Netv Member. — E. I. Kingaley, Nelson. 



Papers. — 1. " On New Zealand Mean Time and on the 

 Longitude of the Colonial Observatory, Wellington ; with a 

 Note on the Universal-time Question," by Thomas King. 

 {Transactions, p. 428.) 



This paper elicited an interesting discussion, in which Messrs. 

 Martin Chapman, Adams, Hustwick, and Sir James Hector took part. 



2. " Notes on the Habits of a Spider (Porrhothele anti- 

 podiana) and a Fly {Salius monachus) ," by A. Quail, F.E.S. 

 [Trayisactions, p. 256.) 



3. "A Contribution to the Chemistry of Colophony," by 



Professor Easterfield and G. Bagley. {Transactions, p. 476.) 



This paper, which was illustrated by a splendid series of exhibits, was 

 listened to with great attention. 



4. " On the Molecular Complexity of Fatty Acids and 

 their Derivatives in Phenol Solution," by P. W. Robertson. 

 (Transactions, p. 452.) 



5. "The Exhibition of a Maximum or Minimum in the 

 Properties of certain Series of Organic Compounds," by 

 P. W. Robertson. {Transactions, p. 465.) 



6. "A List of Plants growing at 'The Gums,' Taita," by 

 T. Mason. {Transactions, p. 374.) 



7. "List of Papers on the Geology of New Zealand," by 

 A. Hamilton. {Transactions, p. 489.) 



The retiring President (Mr. W. T. L. Travers) gave a short 

 address. 



He said that his term of office had been an exceedingly pleasant one, 

 and he heartily congratulated the Society on their very wise selection of 

 Professor Easterfield as President for the ensuing year. He also con- 

 gratulated the members on the good work which had been done during 

 the past year, and thanked them for the assistance given him in carrying 

 out the duties of his office. He referred to ihe paper read by him 

 when he assumed the presidency, relating to the mistaken crusade against 

 small birds. He said that his contention had received the amplest con- 

 firmation in the late bountiful harvest in the South Island. Never had 

 the birds been more numerous or the complaints of the "pest" more 

 bitter, yet the yield of grain was absolutely without precedent, and to the 

 birds who had destroyed the natural enemies of the corn the credit was 

 due. But the agriculturists had again justified Virgil's old complaint of 

 the "greedy husbandman" who grudged his best friends the well-earned 

 toll they exacted for their services. 



