Otago Institute. 577 



Abstbact of Annual Repobt. 



Eight meetings of Council and seven of members have been held. 



Six new members have been elected. 



It is a matter for regret that the meetings have gradually become 

 almost limited to biology, which appeals to a very few members. The 

 remedy lies in the hands of members themselves, for if they would 

 contribute original articles on other branohes of knowledge a wider 

 interest might be awakened in the meetings ; and this would be still 

 more the case if subjects affording opportunity for discussion were 

 brought forward. 



The Council express a hope that a greater general interest will be 

 taken in the meetings next session. 



With regard to the fish-hatohery, the Council regret that the scheme 

 still hangs fire. In the early part of the year there seemed a probability 

 that the matter would be settled during the parliamentary session just 

 ended. Meetings of your representatives and of those of the Acclima- 

 tisation Society with the Inspector of Fisheries were held for the purpose 

 of explaining our views and the position of affairs finanoial. The site 

 originally fixed upon — at Purakanui — has been abandoned, and a spot 

 has been selected at the end of a small peninsula, Quarry Point, just 

 below Portobello, which, in the opinion of those who have investigated it, 

 is in all respects suitable. 



At the beginning of the year the Government despatched a small 

 steam-vesael — the " Doto " — to conduct a series of trawling experiments 

 round the coast in connection with the Fisheries Department. Permis- 

 sion was granted for a member of this Institute to accompany the In- 

 spector of Fisheries and to collect zoological material. The material 

 oollected, containing many interesting animals, forms the subject of a 

 preliminary report by Messrs. Thomson, Hamilton, and Benham, just 

 published by the Government as part of the report of the Inspector of 

 Fisheries. 



The delay in issuing the fifth part of " Maori Art " is regretted ; but 

 the printing is now proceeding, and it is expected that it will be issued 

 shortly. This part will complete a work of very great value to students 

 and others interested in the arts of the Maori race ; and the author (Mr. 

 Hamilton) deserves every praise for his industry and gratuitous labour in 

 making the work as thorough as possible. 



It was with pleasure that the Council heard that Mr. Cheeseman had 

 undertaken the preparation of a complete "Flora of New Zealand" for 

 the Government. 



The balance-sheet shows the receipts for the year to be £125 18s. 9d., 

 including the balance from last year. The expenditure during the session 

 amounts to £109 18s. 3d., leaving a balance at the bank of £16 0s. 6d. 



Election of Officees for 1901. — President — Mr. G. M. 

 Thomson ; Vice-presidents — Mr. E. Melland and Mr. F. E. 

 Chapman ; Hon. Secretary — Professor Benham ; Hon. Trea- 

 surer — Mr. W. Fels ; Council — Messrs. A. Bathgate, S. Barn- 

 ingham, C. W. Chamberlain, A. Hamilton, T. D. Pearce, Dr. 

 Hocken, and Dr. Colquhoun ; Auditor — Mr. D. Brent. 



The retiring President then gave his address, of which 

 " Cremation " was the subject. 



37 



