Wellington Philosophical Society. 455 



At the close of the meeting Mr. W. M. Maskell moved a resolution to 

 the effect that the Society should express its regret at the departure from 

 Wellington of the President, Dr. Hutchinson, who is about to take up his 

 residence in the Taranaki District, and also that the Society should place on 

 record its high appreciation of the manner in which Dr. Hutchinson had 

 fulfilled the duties of his office. In moving the resolution, Mr. Maskell said 

 there were two ways in which they could regret his departure, first as an 

 individual, and then as an official. He was sure that all those who knew 

 Dr. Hutchinson in the City would deeply regret his departure. As an official, 

 in his capacity as President of the Society, and as a member of the Council, 

 he (Mr. Maskell) could not speak in too high terms of Dr. Hutchinson. He 

 had not missed a single meeting, and had done everything that was required 

 of him in a most courteous and urbane manner. 



Mr. Pennefather seconded the motion. 



Dr. Hutchinson said the resolution had taken him very much by sur- 

 prise. It was a very great source of grief to him that he was going to leave 

 Wellington and the Society ; but there were other considerations. He could 

 not stand the worry of professional life, and he desired a change. As it was 

 the last time he would occupy the chair, he wished to tender his thanks to 

 the members of the Council, and the Secretary, for the kindness they had 

 always shown him. 



The resolution was carried unanimously. 



Annual Meeting : 18th February, 18b8. 



W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S., in the chair. 



1. The Annual Keport and Balance-sheet were read and 

 adopted. 



Absteact. 



Ten general meetings have been held during the past year, at which 

 36 papers or short notices were read by the following gentlemen : — Messrs. 

 W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S., T. W. Kirk, T. Wakelin, B.A., W. Skey, 

 Sir James Hector, T. Kirk, F.L.S., E. Tregear, F.R.G.S., J. C. Crawford, 

 F.G.S., J. S. Prendeville, A. Reisckek, Hon. J. W. Fortescue, and W. VV. 

 Carlile, M.A. Besides the above, an address was delivered by the President 

 (Dr. Hutchinson). It was stated that an arrangement was made with 

 Messrs. Lyon and Blair at the commencement of the year for the publication 

 of the proceedings of the meetings in their " Monthly Record," and this had 

 been carried out with great success, and met with the approval of the members 

 generally and also the leading members of other Societies, who had expressed 

 satisfaction at the step taken by the Society in this matter. The good 

 example thus set would, it was hoped, have the effect of carrying out the 

 suggestion made in the New Zealand Institute Report of 1886— viz., that 

 each Society should publish its own proceedings. The Council wished that 

 the thanks of the Society should be officially recorded to Messrs. Lyon and 

 Blair, for the courteous and liberal manner in which they had met the wishes 

 of the Society. Twelve new members had been elected during the year, 

 and nearly 100 volumes added to the library, either by purchase or presen- 

 tation. The balance-sheet showed an expenditure of £184 0s. lid., which 

 left a credit balance of £39 16s. 2d. 



In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman 

 spoke of the valuable assistance rendered by Dr. Hutchinson during his 

 term of Presidency. He had been a most enthusiastic worker, aid had 



