Wanganui Philosophical Society. 553 



WANGANUI PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



Six ordinary meetings and two special meetings were held during the 

 year 1915-16, at which the following lectures were delivered and papers 

 read : (19th March, 1915) Lecture — " War Explosives," by Professor 

 T. H. Easterfield, M.A., Ph.D.: (12th April, 1915) Lecture— " 'New 

 Zealand Volcanoes," by Professor P. Marshall, D.Sc, F.G.S. : (17th 

 May, 1915) Paper.s — 1, "Easter Trip to Tongariro Group," by Mr. 

 T. W. Downes; 2, " At the Observatory," by Mr. J. T. Ward; 3, " The 

 Star Test for Telescopic Mirrors," by Mr. Thomas Allison : (21st June, 

 1915) Paper — " The Classic Architecture of Greece and Rome," by Mr. 

 C. Reginald Ford, F.R.G.S. : (26th July, 1915) Paper—" Some Features 

 of the Flora of the Swiss Alps," by Mr. J. A. Neame, B.A. : (29th 

 September, 1915) Lecture — " The Architectural Monuments of Belgium," 

 by Mr. S. Hurst Seager, F.R.I. B.A. : (1st November, 1915) Papers — 

 1, "The German Spirit," by Mr. H. E. Sturge, B.A. ; 2," Description 

 of a New Species of Melaiichra," by Mr. Morris N. Watt, F.E.S.; 

 3, " Contributions to the Study of New Zealand Entomology, No. 8," 

 by Mr. Morris N. Watt, F.E.S. : (26th January, 1916) Papers— 

 1, " Impressions of England in War-time," by Dr. Hatherly; 2, " New 

 Light on the Period of the Extinction of the Moa (according to Maori 

 Record)," by Mr. T. W. Downes. 



At the annual meeting, 14th February, 1916, the annual report and 

 balance-sheet were adopted. 



Abstract of Annual Eeport. 



The two special meetings held were arranged to enable the society to help 

 directly in the work of collecting for the patriotic funds, while simultaneously 

 serving its own special aims. Both meetings were held in the Opera House, the 

 public invited to attend, and a charge made for admission. In each case a con- 

 siderable sum was handed over to the local Patriotic Committee. The lectures 

 were— (1) "War Explosives," by Professor T. H. Easterfield, M.A. Ph.D., and 

 (2) "The Architectural Monuments of Belgium," by Mr. S. Hurst Seager, 

 F.E.I.B.A. 



The roll of the society includes at date fifty-nine ordinary and thirty-six 

 associate members. There is a slight falling-off in numbers, due to resignations, 

 some of them unavoidable owing to members leaving the district. 



The financial position is satisfactory, showing a balance on hand of £53 7s. 5d. 

 after paying a subsidy to the Museum of £21 14s. 6d. 



It was resolved to suggest to the Board of Governors the desirability 

 of making a collection of interesting lantern-slides in connection with 

 the library of the Institute, Avith the object of loaning them to the 

 affiliated societies. 



Dr. Hatherly was elected a life member. 



Election of Officers for 1916.— President —^l\\ H. R. Hatherly, 

 M.R.C.S.; Vice-Presidents — Messrs. J. T. Ward, R. Murdoch; Council— 

 Messrs. T. Allison, J. A. Neame, B.A., Morris N. Watt, F.E.S. , C. P. 

 Brown, M.A., LL.B., T. W. Downes, H. E. Sturge, B.A., Harry Drew; 

 Hon. Treasurer — Mr. E. P. Talboys ; Hon. Secretary — Mr. J. P. William- 

 son; Bepresentative on Board, of Governors, New Zealand Institute — Mr. 

 H. R Hatherlv, M.R.C.S. 



