Nelson Institute. 533 



NELSON INSTITUTE. 



The annual general meeting of the Scientific Branch of the Nelson 

 Institute, the first meeting of the present year, was held on the 11th 

 August, 1920, Mr. F. G. Gibbs presiding. Over twenty persons were pre- 

 sent, apologies being received from a number of others who were willing 

 to become members. 



After some discussion as to the future constitution, it was decided that 

 the work of the branch should continue on the lines previously followed > 

 and the existing constitution was adopted. Gratification was expressed at 

 the large accession of new members, and especially at the willingness of 

 the staff of the Cawthron Institute to take an active part in the operations 

 of the branch, 



Three meetings of the committee and three general meetings were sub- 

 sequently held. Well-attended lectures were given by Professor T. H. 

 Easterfield, on " Colloids," and T. Rigg, on " The Work of the Rothamsted 

 Experimental Station." The following papers were read : R. J. Tillyard, 

 " A New Species of Uropetela " ; A. Philpott, " Notes on the Lepi- 

 doptera." 



The final gathering of the year took the form of an excursion to the 

 Dun Mountain, under the leadership of F. G. Gibbs. 



Election of Officers for 1921. — President — Theodore Rigg, M.A., M.Sc. 

 Committee— Professor T. H Easterfield, M.A., Ph.D., F.N.Z.Inst. ; Miss 

 K. M. Curtis, M.A., D.Sc, D.I.C. ; F. G. Gibbs, M.A. ; A. Philpott, F.E.S. ; 

 F. V. Knapp ; and F. L. N. Tuck, B.Sc. Secretary and Treasurer — W. C 

 Da vies, 



MANAWATU PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



The annual general meeting was held at the Museum on the 19th 

 November, 1920, when the annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. 



Abstract. 



Attendance at the monthly meetings has been fairly satisfactory, but, considering 

 the trouble and expense that the society has gone to in providing lectures and papers,, 

 the interest of the public leaves something to be desired. 



The society in October suffered a grievous loss by the death of Mr. Kenneth Wilson, 

 M.A., who for nearly eleven years had acted as its Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. 

 Mr. Wilson was one of the original founders of the Manawatu Philosophical Society, 

 had occupied every office, and to his untiring and enthusiastic work is due the jiresent 

 satisfactory position of the society, and the finding of his successor will be a difficult 

 matter. 



Death also removed two other very old members in the persons of Mr. C. E. Walde- 

 grave and Mr. T. Manson. 



Six members resigned, in all cases due to removal from the district, and nine 

 members were elected, the net result for the year being a gain of one in our member- 

 ship. The financial position of the society is, on the whole, satisfactory, but in view of 

 the heavy expenses attendant upon the holding of the New Zealand Science Congress 

 in Palmerston North special efforts are necessary, and are being made, to meet these 

 extraordinary conditions. 



The Museum continues to expand, and the Council is seriously faced with the 

 question of increased accommodation for exhibits ; and, our available space being now 



