5 5< ) Proceedings . 



portance, both from the educational and the economic standpoint, of the 

 more extensive publication of the meteorological observations of a larger 

 number of stations in New Zealand. 



Annual Report of the Council. 



Death of President.- lief ore the opening of the 1916 session the society suffered a 

 severe loss in the death of its President, Mr. Thomas King, F.R.A.S., and at a special 

 meeting of the Council the following resolution was passed : " The Council, on behalf 

 of the Wellington Philosophical Society, desires to place on record its deepest sympathy 

 with the family of its late President, Mr. Thomas King, F.R.A.S., in their bereavement, 

 and at the same time ti> express Its highest appreciation of the valuable services which 

 he rendered for so many years to the Wellington Philosophical Society, as Secretary 

 and member of the Council." 



Boll of Honour. The following members of the society have volunteered for active 

 service : Mr. E. H. Atkinson, Dr. C M. Begg, Mr. Val. Blake, Mr. F. K. Broadgate, Mr. 

 ('. Ereyberg, Mr. J. Fulton. Mr. G. W. King, Mr. ( '. G. .Johnston. Professor E. Marsden. 

 Mr. 1). McKenzie, Mr. H. M. Miller, Dr. J. M. Mason, Mr. W. L. Moore, Dr. T. D. M. 

 Stout, Mr. H. S. Tily, Mr. H. Vickerman, Mr. C. J. Westland. Lieutenant 'Val. Blake 

 was killed in action at Gallipoli on the 9th December, 1915. 



The Sections. — The Astronomical, Technological, and Geological Sections have been 

 very active during the session, and a number of important papers have been read before 

 them. 



Membership. — Since the last report two members of the society have died, and 

 five have resigned their membership. Eighteen new members have been elected. The 

 roll at present contains 169 names, including those of sixteen members on active service, 

 nine life members, and one life member of the Otago institute. 



The Hamilton Memorial. — The committee appointed to provide a memorial to the 

 late Mr. Augustus Hamilton reports that arrangements are now well forward for the 

 erection of a suitable monolith and tablets over the grave at Russell, Bay of Islands. 



Statement of Receipts and Payments. — A statement, duly audited, of receipts and 

 payments for the year ended 30th September, 1916, is presented with this report. The 

 total receipts were £128 4s. 0d., and the total payments were £101 17s. 5d. The 

 balances at the end of the year were — Bank of New Zealand, £34 8s. 6d. ; Savings-bank, 

 £137 10s. 3d. ; war bonds.' £150 (including Research Fund, £49 Bis. Id., and Life Sub- 

 scription Fund, £80 7s. Is.) ; Hamilton Memorial Fund. £12:5 13s. 4d. : total, £445 12s. Id. 

 The liabilities were — Library Account, £48 8s. 2d. ; Hamilton Memorial Fund, £123 14s. : 

 total, £172 Is. 6d. : leaving a balance in favour of the society of £273 10s. 7d. 



Library Account. — In accordance with the rules of the New Zealand Institute, one- 

 third of the revenue of the society is devoted to the upkeep of the library. The amount 

 so available this year is £42 14s. 9d. : this with the balance carried forward from last 

 year makes £78 4s. 2d. available for the library. The payments on the library have 

 been £29 16s., leaving a balance of £4<s 8s. 2d. to be spent on the library. 



Interim Report of the Committet on Organization of Scientific ami Industrial Research. 

 — The committee appointed at the July meeting of the society has held several meet- 

 ings, and has got into touch with the Philosophical Societies in the other large centres, 

 and also with various industrial bodies. By invitation of the Philosophical Institute 

 of Canterbury, the chairman of the committee visited Christchurch on the 4th October, 

 and delivered a lecture "ii the importance of scientific research to industries and com- 

 merce. 



ASTRONOMICAL SECTION. 

 The following papers were* read during the year : .(6th October, 1915) 

 " Some Points in the Theory of Optical Instruments." Professor E. Mars- 

 den, D.Sc. : (3rd November, 1915) " Tidal Waves of the Earth's Crust," 

 Mr. G. Hogben, M.A. : (7th June. 1916) " Notes on Californian Observa- 

 tories,'' Dr. C. E. Adams : (2nd October. 1916) " Facts and Fancies of 

 the Fourth Dimension," Professor D. M. Y. Sommerville ; " Methods of 

 calculating Moonrise." Mr. C. J. Westland, F.R.A.S. : (6th September, 

 1916) ; ' Circular Errors in Pendulums," Mr. W. S. La Trobe, M.A. ; 

 " Novae," Mr. A. C. Gifford. M.A. : " Wireless Time Signals, and Notes on 

 Recent Eclipse of Sun," Dr. C. E. Adams. 



