90 Proceedings. 



both bodies, this society has also become affiliated to the Institute, under practically 

 the same conditions as did the Technological Society, and now forms the Astro- 

 nomical Branch of the Otago Institute. The Astronomical Society's special equip- 

 ment fund, consisting of moneys specifically set apart for the purpose of buying 

 astronomical apparatus, has been maintained by your Council as an equipment fund 

 for the Astronomical Branch, and all future donations made towards this fund are 

 to be similarly set apart. Your Council has set apart a sum of £95 for the purpose 

 above specified. 



As the financial position of the New Zealand Institute has latterly become a 

 matter of grave concern, your Council, at the invitation of that body, took steps to 

 enlist the sympathy and co-operation of the local members of the .Legislature in an 

 endeavour to procure an increased grant from the Government. Unfortunately, the 

 efforts of the members of Parliament who have had the matter in hand in Wellington 

 have not been successful. The Government, however, is to be approached again in 

 the matter next year. 



During the year the Council took in hand the revision of the constitution and 

 rules of the Institute, and the results of its labours have been placed before the 

 Institute and formally adopted. Several new clauses have been added to the con- 

 stitution, the more important of them enabling the Institute to set up subcom- 

 mittees for the management of such branches as the Astronomical and Technological 

 Branches, and also to accept and set aside sums of money devoted to special purposes 

 within the scope of the Institute's objects. 



Your Council contributed five guineas to the Anton Dohrn Memorial Fund, and 

 a similar amount to the Captain Cook Memorial Fund. 



Towards the close of the year a subcommittee was appointed by the Council to 

 consider the question of securing for the Institute a suitable building in which it 

 might carry on its work more conveniently than at present, but no report from it has 

 yet been received. 



Ordinary Meetings. — Papers and addresses have been given by the President 

 (Mr. A. Bathgate), Professor Malcolm, Dr. Fulton, Dr. S. Moore, and Messrs. G. W. 

 Howes, H. D. Skinner, G. E. Thompson, E. E. Stark, and D. L. Poppelwell. A 

 number of technical and scientific papers have been read and placed upon the table 

 for publication in the Transactions. Interesting exhibits have been shown by Mr. 

 Howes, Mr. Tannock, Professor Marshall, and Professor Benham. 



In accordance with a custom that has obtained for some years past, your Council 

 invited Mr. R. Speight, F.G.S., of the Christchurch Museum, to deliver an address 

 before the members of the Institute. Mr. Speight chose for his subject "Remote 

 and Unknown Canterbury," and the lecture, which was well illustrated with fine 

 lantern-slides of the scenery of the high country in the Upper Rakaia basin, was 

 delivered in the Early Settlers' Hall to a large and appreciative audience. 



Addresses have been delivered before the Technological Branch by Professor 

 Waters and Messrs. E. E. Stark, F. Oakden, F. W. Furkert, H. McRae, F. W. 

 Payne, and M. Elliot. The Rev. D. Dutton delivered an address to the Astronomical 

 Branch. 



Membership. ■ — The current session has, consequent upon the affiliation of the 

 Technological and Astronomical Societies, witnessed an abnormally large increase in 

 the membership of the Institute. The number of members on the roll at the close 

 of last year was 134. During the year two members have resigned, and one member 

 (Mr. W. McLeod) has been removed by death. On the other hand, 125 new members 

 have joined the Institute, ninety of these coming in as members of the Technological 

 and twenty-two as members of the Astronomical Branch, so that the membership 

 now stands at 256. Five members of the Institute have during the year become 

 life members. At the meeting of the Institute held on the 6th June Miss Edith 

 Howes, of Gore, was elected an honorary member of the Institute in recognition of 

 the literary excellence and scientific accuracy of her recent publication, " The Sun's 

 Babies." 



Library. — The Council have co-operated with the University Council in appoint- 

 ing Mr. H. D. Skinner to make a card catalogue of our library, which contains many 

 books also belonging to the University and to the Museum, and to rearrange the 

 books, which, owing to lack of room, have in several instances been placed tem- 

 porarily in shelves apart from their proper locations. This desirable work will be 

 carried on during the summer months. 



Numerous additions by donation and purchase have been made during the year. 



Balance-sheet. — The balance-sheet presented by the Treasurer (Mr. W. Fels) 

 showed a credit of £64 lis. Id. The receipts totalled £844 Is. lid., including sub- 

 scriptions amounting to £231. During the year a sum of 4'195 was placed on deposit 

 at call with Hallenstein Bros. (Limited). 



