Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute. 565 



HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE. 



Nine meetings were held during 1916, and the following papers were 

 read: "Shakespeare's Tercentenary," by several members; "Educational 

 Science," by D. A. Strachan, M.A. ; " Colenso's Diaries," by W. Dinwiddie ; 

 " Some High Temperatures in Modern Industry '" (illustrated), by J. H. 

 Edmundson ; "A Trip Across the Kaikouras " (including discovery there 

 of the black land-snail), bv F. Hutchinson, jun. ; ' ; Mind in Animals," by 

 Sir Eobert Stout ; " The' Artesian Wells of Hawke's Bay," by H. Hill, 

 B.A.. F.G.S. ; "' The Battle of Omarunui " (two versions, illustrated), by 

 W. Heslop, J. B. Fielder, and Colonel Porter ; " Distinctive Features of 

 Modern Civilization," by W. Kerr, M.A. 



At the annual meeting, 2nd December, 1916, the annual report was read 



and adopted. 



Abstract. 



At the end of the session the membership of the Institute was seventy-nine, two 

 members having left the district and four new members having joined. The Council 

 met five times. The Treasurer's statement shows a credit balance of £63 Os. 3d. 



Officers for 1917 . — President — W. Dinwiddie. Vice-President — T. Hyde. 

 Council— W. A. Armour, M.A., M.Sc. ; J. W. Craig ; H. Hill, B A., F.G.S. ; 

 F. Hutchinson, jun. ; W. Kerr, M.A. ; T. C. Moore, M.D. Hon .Secretary— 

 E. F. Northcroft (Roslyn Road, Napier). Hon. Treasurer — D. A. Strachan, 

 M.A. (Education Office, Napier). Hon. Auditor — J. S. Large. Hon. 

 Lanternest — E. G. Loten. _ Representative — H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S. 



NELSON INSTITUTE. 



At the annual general meeting, held on the 22nd December, 1916, the 

 annual report of the Scientific and Literary Branch was read and adopted. 



Abstract. 



During 1916 no general meetings of the Scientific Branch were held, but a com- 

 mittee meeting was held on the 17th April, when those present decided that an attempt 

 should be made to hold one or two meetings during the session, and the Secretary was 

 instructed to interview members of the branch about the end of June to ascertain their 

 opinions in this respect. On the Secretary's doing so, however, the opinion expressed 

 was unfavourable, owing to pressure of work created by the European war, and no 

 meetings were held. It is hoped, however, that during the coming year pressure will 

 not be so great and that a number of meetings rmvy be held. 



With respect to the Museum there is nothing to report except a few small donations. 



During the year the Atkinson Observatory has, weather permitting, been opened 

 to the general public on Tuesday evenings, but the number of days that have given 

 good seeing has been small, and the attendance of the public has fallen off slightly in 

 consequence. 



In conclusion, reference must be made to the proposed Cawthron Institute, the 

 establishment of which, by attracting to this city scientists of high qualifications, will 

 make Nelson, if not the greatest, at least one of the great centres of scientific research 

 in the Southern Hemisphere, and thus in every way increase the activity of our Institute. 



Election of Officers for 1917. — President — Mr. G. J. Lancaster ; Com- 

 mittee— Messrs. F. G. Gibbs, F. V. Knapp, T. A. H. Field, M.P., J. R. 

 Strachan, F. Whitwell. and W. F. Worlev ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer — 

 Mr. E. L. Morlev ; Hon. Auditor— Mr. F. Whitwell. 



