508 Proceedings. 



WANGANUI PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



During the session of 1918 three meetings were held, at which the follow- 

 ing papers were read : '" The New Star," by W. J. T. Ward ; " New 

 ♦Stars,"' by Mr. A. C. Clifford; "New Stars "reviewed," bv Mr. Thomas 

 Allison; "The Geology of Wanganui," by Dr. P. Marshall," F.G.S. ; "To 

 what Extent is Earth-rotation the Cause of the Ocean Currents?" bv Mr. 

 A. W. Burrell, of Stratford (communicated by Mr. J. T. Ward). " The 

 following i)apers were taken as read : " Occurrence of Jloa-bones in the 

 Lower Part of the Wanganui Beds," by Dr. P. Marshall ; " Fossils and 

 Age of the Ham])den Beds." by Dr. P. Marshall ; and " Some New 

 Species of Fossil MoUusca," by Dr." P. Marshall and Mr. R. Murdoch. 



The annual meeting was held on the lOth December, 1918, when the 

 re])ort and balance-sheet were adopted. The roll shows a falling-of? in the 

 membership, and now stands at thirty-three ordinary and two life members. 



The following officers were elected for the year 1919: President — Dr. P. 

 Marshall. Vice-Presldeiils Messrs. J. T. Ward and J. A. Neame, B.A. 

 CouHcil-^Messv^. T. Allison ; C. Palmer Brown. M.A., LL.B. ; R. Murdoch ; 

 T. W. Downes ; H. K. Sturge, M.A. : Dr. H. R. Hatherly ; and {ex officio) 

 H. Drew, Hon. Curator. Museum. Hot/. Secretary — Mr. C. Reginald Ford, 

 F.R.G.S. 



NELSON INSTITUTE. 



During the two years following the lueermg on the 22nd December, 

 1916, no meetings whatever of the scientific and literary branch have been 

 held, a circumstance due to a number of causes, the chief being the pressure 

 of business created by the European war. The signing of the Armistice 

 last November, however, and the pros])ect of a speedy peace, give rise to 

 the hope that during the ensuing session the activity of the bjanch may 

 be revived and a suitable programme be carried out. 



As is only natural during such a jieriod as we have just passed through, 

 the membersliip has dwindled, but it is hoped that in this respect also the 

 conclusion of peace will have a beneficial effect. 



The Atkinson Observatory has been oj)ened to the ])ublic at intervals, 

 and has been in the charge of Mr. J. R. Strachan on those occasions. 



During tlie |)eriod also several interesting relics of Admiral Lord Nelson 

 have been presented to the Museum by Mr. W. F. Gordon, of New Plymouth, 

 and these, together with the letters already in the Museum, have enabled 

 a case to be set aside as a " Nelson case." An extremely fine model of the 

 St. George has also been presented to the Museum by the trustees of the 

 Suter Art Gallery. In addition, we are indebted to Dr. F. A. Bett for two 

 specimens, one of the saddleback and one of the jackbird, and these have 

 been placed on exhibition in the Museum. 



