Tenth Atiuunl Meeting. 411 



The Hon. Mr. Fisher replied : Mr. E. Waite, Curator of the Museum at 

 Christchurch, who accompanied the trawler "Nora Niven "' when that vessel was 

 carrying out experimental trawling for the Marine Department, prepared drawings 

 of New Zealand fish, which wei'e published in book form, the cost of publication, 

 amounting to i'195 5s. 6d.. being paid by the Department. The preparation and 

 publication of a full and illustrated catalogue of the fishes of New Zealand would 

 cost between £'600 and ,4.'700. Such a catalogue would be valuable, but in view ot 

 the fact that a considerable sum of money is being expended in the introduction 

 into the Dominion of food fishes, and that the money available for fishery purposes 

 is limited, it is suggested that the preparation and publication of a catalogue is a 

 matter that might stand over for the present. 



Mr. Thomson stated that he would bring up the matter again in the 

 House next session. 



Finances of the Institute. — Mr. Thomson reported that an additional 

 £450 was promised by Mr. Allen, Minister of Finance, but only £250 

 had been voted. He moved, That this meeting respectfully recommends 

 to the Government that section 10 of the New Zealand Institute Act be 

 amended in the direction of omitting the words " five hundred pounds," 

 with the object of substituting the words " seven hundred and fifty 

 pounds." 



Mr. Speight seconded the motion, which was carried. 



The Hon. H. D. Bell here stated that some remission of the Government 

 Printer's account against the Institute might yet be made. 



The Hon. the Minister later addressed the meeting as follows : With regard to 

 the increase of the grant, he had no doubt that would be dealt with next session 

 of Parliament. So far as his memory went, it was not necessary to limit the 

 allowance for last year to £'250, because there was a sum due to the Government 

 that might be the subject of further representations. The matter of immediate 

 exigencies of finance, however, could, he thought, be disposed of to the satisfac- 

 tion of the Board and the Government. The control of the Museum was distinct 

 from the construction of the building and the establishment of the Museum in a 

 suitable home. The Government was in unison with the Governors of the Institute 

 and the Committee of Parliament, and he did not doubt that a measure would be 

 introduced next session that would be satisfactory to the Institute. He was not 

 satisfied, personally, with the Board of Control proposed by the Committee of the 

 House. There could be no doubt that the Scientific Boarcl of Advice for Govern- 

 ment publications would be attended to. Numbers of matters would require the 

 consideration of all Departments of State in order that a satisfactory decision might 

 be arrived at. The size of the volume at present published by the Institute might 

 not suit all Ciovernment Departments. He hoped that an agreement between the 

 Departments might be arrived at. He should like to ask the Judges of the Supreme 

 Court to elect one of their number to sit on the Scientific Board of Advice, and 

 also on the Board of Control of the Museum. He was now collecting information 

 with a view to having a measure drafted to put before the House next session. 



President's Address. — The President then delivered his annual 

 address. (See page 420.) 



Incorporated Societies' Reports. — The report for the last financial 

 year of each Society was laid on the table. 



Standing Committee's Report. — The following annual report of the 

 Standing Committee was received : — 



Four meetings have been' held during the past year, the attendance being as 

 follows : Mr. Cheeseman, 2 ; Mr. Ewen, 3 ; Mr. Petrie", 1 ; Mr. Young, 3 ; Mr. G. M. 

 Thomson, 2 ; Mr. Hamilton. 3 ; Professor Kirk, 3 ; Mr. Chapman, 1. 



Hector Meinorial Award. — The presentation of the award to Dr. Cockayne was 

 made at the celebration of the Jubilee of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 

 on the 30th August, 1912. A supply of ten medals has been received from Messrs. 

 Wyon, and one, suitably inscribed, has been forwarded to the first recipient of the 

 prize. 



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