552 Proceedings. 



MANAWATU PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



During 1915 eight general meetings (including the annual meeting) 

 were held, at which the following papers were read : (11th February) 

 " The Marine Biology of New Zealand," by Dr. Mortensen, of Copen- 

 hagen; "Continental Experiences during the War," bv Mr. M, A. 

 Eliott: (18th March) "The Effects of Recent Chemicar and Physical 

 Research on Astronomy," by Mr. C. T. Salmon: (15th April) " Lumin- 

 iferous Ether, with Special Reference to Occult Forces, Telepathy, and 

 Wireless Telegraphy," by Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. ; "The Working of 

 Wireless Telegraphy," W Mr. A. J. Colquhoun, M.Sc. : (21st May) 

 "Two Notable Years, 1815 and 1915," by Mrs-. J. H. Primmer: (19th 

 August) " Radio-active Substances," bv Mr. A. J. Colquhoun, M.Sc. : 

 (16th September) "Wool in 1815 as compared with 1915," by Mr. M. A. 

 Eliott; "X Rays," by Rev. H. M. Smyth, M.A. : (21st October) "A 

 Survey of Bacteriology, Economic and Clinical," by Mr. J. W. Poynton, 

 S.M. : (29th November) " Recent Progress in Chemical and Physical 

 Research," by Mr. A. J. Colquhoun, M.Sc; "The Use and Influence 

 of Novel Machines in Warfare," by Mr. C. T. Salmon. 



At the annual meeting, 29th November, 1915, the annual report was 

 read and adopted. 



Abstract. 



It was stated that the continuance of the war had prevented the Government 

 from taking any further action in the matter of the preservation and improvement 

 of the Tongariro Park and the reserves on Wharite. 



In April last the Council had decided, on the recommendation of tlie Curator, 

 to open the Museum on Sunday afternoons instead of Thursday, and the experi- 

 ment had so far been a success, for, while the average daily attendance for the 

 whole year had been twenty, for the Sundays it had been thirty-one. 



During the year 140 fresh exhibits had been received, amongst the most notable 

 of which were- a collection of marine fossils from the Dominion Museum, received 

 through the kindness of Dr. Allan Thomson, and one of rocks, presented by 

 Mr. M. W. Walmsley, illustrating the geology of Otago Peninsula, and a valuable 

 collection of native weapons from Fiji, presented by King Cacabau to the late 

 Mr. Hawkins, of Palmerston. 



During the year a limited advantage had been taken by the public schools of 

 the free use of the telescope, and classes, accompanied by their teachers, had 

 visited the Observatory. 



Election of Officers for 19 16. ~F resident — Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. ; 

 Y ice-Presidents — Messrs. M. A. Eliott and J. L. Barnicoat; Officer in 

 charge of the Observatory — Mr. C. T. Salmon; Secretary and Trea- 

 surer — Mr. K. Wilson, M.A. ; Council — Miss Ironside, M.A.. and 

 Messrs. R. Gardner, J. B. Gerrand, H. D. Skinner, B.A., W. Park, 

 F.R.H.S., and J. E. Vernon, M.A.; Auditor— lir. W. E. Bendall, 

 F.P.A. 



