534 Proceedings. 



fully occupied, it has been found necessary to decline, though with great reluctance, 

 some valuable exhibits. There is good reason to hope, however, that in the new library 

 to be erected by the municipal authorities ample accommodation for the Museum will 

 be provided, and deputations from the Council of the society touching this matter met 

 with a most encouraging reception from the civic body. Meanwhile the fire risk in our 

 present building is causing the Council much anxiety, and this risk, added to the fact 

 of the congestion, were the points most dwelt upon by the speakers at the several depu- 

 tations. The report of the Curator shows that the average daily attendance was twenty- 

 two, and exhibits were received from thirteen different donors, to whom our best thanks 

 are accorded. 



Mr. R. H. F. Grace reported that the attendance at the Observatory has been fair, 

 but no great advantage has been taken of the privilege of schoolchildren attending as 

 a class free ; and in view of the very accessible situation of the Observatory and the 

 awakened interest in astronomy their lack of appreciation of the facilities afforded is 

 difficult to explain. 



The telescope is in good repair, but the building requires repainting, and, if the 

 opportunity offers, steps should be taken to secure a more modern instrument, as the 

 one we have is not adapted for precise work, and we therefore cannot collaborate in the 

 general work being done in New Zealand. The October eclipse of the moon was, 

 unfortunately, not observable, owing to heavy clouds. 



During the year nine general meetings were held, and the following papers were 

 read : Colonel Porter, " Personal Reminiscences of Maori Customs and Superstitions " ; 

 Dr. H. Bett, "The Transfusion of Blood"; T. E. Sedgwick, "Population"; R. 

 Edwards. " The Origin of Coal " ; Johannes C. Andersen, " Bird-song and the Song- 

 birds of New Zealand " ; C. T. Salmon, " The Cosmic Cycle " ; " T. Watson, " The 

 Climate as a Factor in Racial Characteristics " ; Elsdon Best, "Ancient Maori Lore and 

 Customs." 



Your Council commends to your attention the distinction accorded to Palmerston 

 North in being chosen as the location of the 1921 Biennial Science Congress, and 

 earnestly trusts that every effort will be put forth by members of the society and 

 townspeople generally to make the gathering, which is fixed for the last week in 

 January, a notable success. 



Election of Officers for 1921.— President— Dr. D. H. Bett, M.B., Ch.B., 

 M.B.C.S., L.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.E Vice-Presidents— A. Whittaker; J. B. 

 Gerrand. Council — Miss D. Wilson ; R. Ross ; R. Edwards ; J. A. 

 Colquhoun, M.Sc. ; C. Taylor ; E. Larcomb ; H. J. Canton ; A. H. M. 

 Wright; J. Murray, M.A. ; W. Park, F.R.H.S. ; M. A. Elliot; M. H. 

 Oram, M.A., LL.B. Officer in Charge of the Observatory — R. II. F. Grace. 

 Honorary Secretary and Treasurer — C. T. Salmon. Honorary Auditor — 

 W. E. Bendall. F.P.A. 



WANGANUI PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



Three meetings were held during the year 1920, at which the following 

 lectures were given :--- 



June : H. E. Segar, " The Dwindling Sovereign." 



September : P. Marshall, " The Age of the Earth." 



October : R. Dunn, " Coal-tar Chemistry " ; P. Marshall and R. Mur- 

 doch, " Some Tertiary Mollusca, with Descriptions of New Species," " Fossils 

 from the Paparoa Rapids, on the Wanganui River," " Tertiary Rocks near 

 Hawera." 



At the annual meeting the report and balance-sheet were adopted, and 

 the following officers were appointed : — 



President— Y. Marshall, M.A., D.Sc, F.G.S., F.N.Z.Inst. Vice-Presidents 



-J. A. Neame, B.A., and J. T. Ward. Council— T. Allison ; C. Palmer 



Brown, M.A., LL.B. ; R. Murdoch ; T. W. Downes ; H. E. Sturge, M.A. ; 



II. R. Hatherly, M.R.C.S. ; C. C. Hutton, M.A. Hon. Secretary and 



Treasurer — R. Murdoch. 



