32 Proceedings. 



The " Journal of Geology " is an addition to the library, and all past numbers were 

 obtained, so that the publication is now complete to date. 



With the view of forming a library of antarctic literature, publishers of the results of 

 the various antarctic expeditions were communicated with, and it is hoped that arrange- 

 ments may be made to secure the publications for the Institute. 



Negotiations were opened with three publishing institutions in South America with 

 a view to the exchange of scientific literature. 



3Ieeimgs of the Insiiiuie. — During the jear eight ordinary meetings and one special 

 meeting were held. By the kindness of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College, 

 and with the consent of Di'. Evans, the chemical lecture-room was ydaced at the disposal 

 of the Institute for its meetings, the biological lecture-room being found too small to 

 accommodate the audiences. The average attendance has been eighty-eight, and this 

 would no doubt have been even larger had the weather on night%of meetings been more 

 favourable. Nineteen original papers of a techirical character have been read during 

 the session. They may be classified as follows : Zoology, 8 ; botany, 4 ; geology, 2 ; 

 chemistry, 1 ; mathematics, 2 ; miscellaneous, 2. It is gratifying to note that several 

 of these were by younger and more recent members of the Institute. 



A special meeting was held on the 1st July to amend the laws. A\\ former altera- 

 tions were incorporated, several anomalies were removed, and it is anticipated that no 

 further revision will be necessary for several years to come. 



The following addresses of a popular character have been delivered during the ses- 

 sion : " Mendel's I^aw of Heredity," by the retiring President, Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf ;. 

 " Physical and Geological Problems suggested by the Construction of the Arthur's Pass 

 Tunnel," by Mr. E. G. Hogg, Dr. C. Coleridge Farr, and Mr. R. Speight ; " Some Appli- 

 cations of Chemistry to Industry," by Mr. A. JI. Wright ; " The Story of Antarctic 

 Exploration," by Mr. T. W. Rowe. In addition an address was delivered by Dr. Mack- 

 intosh Bell, Director of the New Zealand Geological Survey, on the " Heart of the South- 

 ern Alps." The meeting was held in the Canterbury College Hall, and, in spite of the 

 most inclement w^eather, there was an excellent attendance. 



As Professor David, of Sydney University, was staying a few days in Christchurch 

 before the departure of the " Nimrod," the Council arranged for him to give a lecture under 

 its auspices. He found, however, that the urgent natvue of his engagements prevented 

 him from delivering it, but he kindly consented to deliver one on his return from the 

 Antarctic. 



Memhershiy. — Diu-ing the year forty-nine new members have been elected and seven- 

 teen have either resigned or been struck off, so that the number now stands at 170, the 

 highest for many years. It is a matter for congratulation that the work of the Institute 

 seems to have met with general 'a])proval, as has been evidenced both by this great 

 increase of members and also by the large attendance at its meetings. 



Obituary.— The members of the Institute have to regret the death of Jlr. Edward 

 Dobson, C.E., who was one of its founders, a former President, and member of the Council 

 for many years. Until old age prevented him, he took an active part in the affairs of 

 the Institute, and even in the last years of his very long life he evinced a keen interest in 

 its welfare. 



Balance-sheet. — The balance-sheet shows a credit balance of £13 16s. 4d., after ex- 

 pending a sum of £96 Is. 3d. in connection with the library, £30 4s. 5d. on the Otira Pass 

 Tunnel investigations, and investing £75 as a fixed deposit with the Permanent Invest- 

 ment and Loan Association of Canterbury. Of the amount spent on the library, the 

 sum of £27 16s. was raised bv special siibscriY)tion, chiefly for the purchase of Rothschild's 

 " Extinct Birds." 



The balance-sheet of the Expedition account shows a credit balance of £15 9s. 4d.,. 

 but the whole of this will be required for the preparation of maps, photographs, and 

 other illustrations for the forthcoming volume of reports on the collections made during 

 the Expedition. 



The thanks of the Institute are due to the Board of Governors of Canterbury College 

 for allowing the use of their rooms for meetings, and to Mr. G. E. Way, the Honorary 

 Auditor, who has filled that office for many years. 



Election of' Officers for 1909. — President — Mr. Edgar E. Waite ; 

 Vice-Presidents — Mr. E. G. Hogg and Mr. E. M. Laing ; Hon. Secretary — 

 Mr. E. Speight ; Hon. Treasurer — Dr. Charles Chilton ; Hon. Librarian — 

 Mr. Edgar E. Waite ; Council — Mr. J. Drummond, Dr. C. Coleridge Farr, 

 Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf, Mr. J. B. Mayne, Mr. S. Page, and Mr. A. M. Wright ; 

 Representatives on the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute — Dr. 



