MANAWATU PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



The fourtli annual report was presented at a general meeting held on the 

 19th November, 1908, as follows : — 



Twenty-one meetings of the Council have been held, and fourteen meetings of 

 members. 



The following papers were read : (1) " On the Properties and Uses of Phosphorus 

 and the Phosphates," illustrated by experiments, by ilr. J. E. Vernon, il.A. ; (2) 

 " Animals as Subjects for Disease," by Mr. G. E. Owen, M.R.C.V.S. ; (3) " The Mineral 

 Resources of the West Coast," by jNIr.' C. E. Harden, M.A. ; (4) " Wireless Telegraphy 

 and Submarine Cables," by Dr. W. R. Stowe ; (5) " Notes on Nests and Habits of the 

 Fantails," by Mr. W. W. 'Smith, F.R.H.S. ; (B) 'Mournals and Journalism," by Mr. 

 E. D. Hoben ; (7) " Observations on some of the Forces and Influences existing between 

 the Sun and other Heavenly Bodies," by Captain J D. R. Hewitt, R.N. ; (8) "New 

 Zealand Plants and their Uses by the Maori," by Rev. G. B. Stephenson ; (9) 

 " Physiology versus Psychology," by Mr. D. Sinclair. 



Two popular lectures have also been held, the subjects being " Subantaretic Region," 

 by Dr. L, Cockayne, LL.D., and " The Kea, the Sheep-killer," by Mr. G. R. Marriner, 

 F.M. S. Dr. Cockayne's lecture was very largely attended, about six himdred persons 

 being present. 



It is proposed to institute a series of free popular lectures, the Palmerston North 

 Borough Council having granted the Society the free use of the Municipal Hall for that 

 purpose. 



Our Hon. Secretary, I\Ir. Kenneth Wilson, was granted leave of absence during his 

 visit to England, and j\Ir. M. A. Eliott was appointed to act until ]\Ii-. Wilson's return. 



The Museum now contains over 1,250 exhibits, 2()0 having been received since the 

 last annual report, including a valuable collection of over fifty stuffed birds from Professor 

 W. B. Benham, of Dunedin University. The Museum is greatly handicapped by want 

 of room, the present accommodation being quite inadequate, and in consequence many 

 exhibits are unable to be shown, and very few displayed to their full advantage. 



It is to be hoped that the Borough Council will shortly cany out the scheme for a 

 new library, which includes good accommodation for the Museum. The attendance 

 during the last year was over fifteen hundred, making a total of over four thousand since 

 the Museum was opened. 



The observatory, under the charge of Captain Hewitt, R. N., continues to be fairly 

 well attended by the public on the evenings it is open. Captain Hewitt has also made 

 ■& careful examination of sun-spots and kept a record of same during the past year. 



The Council decided to offer a prize of £3 3s. for the best collection of {a) botanical 

 and (h) entomological s]iecimens, to be exhibit-ed at the spring show of the Manawatu 

 Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The winner of (a) was Mr. F. Charwood 

 Campbell, of Jackeytown, who displayed a splendid collection of botanical specimens. 

 It is to be regretted that there were no entries for (h) sectioii. 



In order to bring oxu' Society in line with other societies affiliated with the New 

 Zealand Institute it was recommended by the Coiuicil to alter the date of the annual 

 meeting from the third Thursday in July to the third Thursday in November. This 

 recommendation was unanimously confirmed at a general meeting of members held on 

 the 16th July. 



The Council desires to thank the Mayor and Borough Council for the free use of the 

 Municipal Hall for popular lectures ; Professor Benham and other numerous donors of 

 gifts and loans to the Museum ; Captain Hewitt and assistants, for attendance at the 

 observatory ; Dr. Martin, for taking and publishing records in connection with the 

 meteorological station ; Mr. J. B. Gerrand, for honorary assistance in renewing and 

 adjusting various portions of the telescope ; the Curator of the IMuseum (Mr. Hirtzell), 

 for the zealous and careful manner in which he has carried out his duties ; the Auditor, 

 Mr. R. H. Keeling ; and the local Press, for their kindness in publishing information 

 of the Society's meetings, &c. 



