392 Proceedings. 



reading or investigating along certain lines, the members of each group to meet regu- 

 larly and follow a programme arranged by themselves, possibly on co-operative lines. 

 An annual summary of their work might be submitted to the Society. 



Considerable discussion resulted, and eventually a committee was set up to go into 

 the matter. 



Election of Officers for 1914.— President— Dx. H. K. Hatlierly, M.R.C.S. ; 

 Vice-Presidents — Rev. J. LI. Dove, M.A., and Mr. J. T. Ward ; Council — 

 Messrs. T. Allison, T. W. Downes, H. W. Hesse, M.A., B.Sc, F.L.S., R. 

 Murdoch, H. B. Watson, M.A., W. A. Armour, M.A., M.Sc, C. T. Brown, 

 M.A., LL.B., and H. E. Sturge, B.A. ; Hon. Treasurer— W . F. P. Talboys ; 

 Hon. Secretary — Mr. J. P. Williamson ; Hon. Auditor — Mr. H. S. G. Harper ; 

 Representative on Board of Governors, Neiv Zealand Institute — Dr. H. R. 

 Hatlierly, M.R.C.S. 



NELSON INSTITUTE. 



Report of the Scientific and Literary Branch. 



When in consequence of the fire the Nelson Institute had to seek refuge in tempo- 

 rary quarters, the Scientific Branch fell into a moribund condition ; but as soon as the 

 new building was erected it was decided to resuscitate the branch and resume the prac- 

 tice of holding meetings. A preliminary meeting was held on Monday, the 19th May, 1913, 

 for the purpose of electing officers and deciding upon a programme of work. At four 

 subsequent meetings interesting addresses were given as follows : 16th June, " Early 

 Nelson," by Mr. T. H. Field ; 21st July, " Fifty Years' Experience on the Collingwood 

 Goldfields," by Mr. H. P. Washbourn ; 30th September, " The Natural History of New 

 Zealand," by Mr. H. Travers ; 25th November, " Wireless Telegraphy," by Mr. L. J. 

 Carmine. 



A lecture was also given by Miss Proctor on the 14th April, at the School of Music, 

 under the auspices of the Nelson Institute. How Miss Proctor's visit to Nelson resulted 

 in Mr. Cawthron's offer to establish an observatory in the vicinity of Nelson is now a 

 matter of history. We may confidently hope that the exceptional advantages which 

 our clear skies offer for astronomical research will enable the Cawthron Observatory to 

 make both itself and the Town of Nelson well known throughout the world. 



The Atkinson Observatory, in Alton Street, has again been under the care of Mr. 

 L. Morley, and has been visited by a fair number of the general public. 



