68 



In accordance with Rule 7, by which at least one-third of the income 

 of the Institute is to be devoted to the support of a local museum or 

 library, the sum of £40 has been appropriated in the purchase of books 

 ou Natural Science, those on the Natural History of New Zealand to 

 have a preference. 



An attempt was made, duiing the early part of the year, to form a 

 libraiy of deposited books for the use of the members of the Institute, 

 and several gentlemen promptly offered the loan of books in their 

 possession for this purpose ; indeed, Mr. Beverley has already placed his 

 in the custody of the Secretaries. 



A large number of donations have been made to the Institute during 

 the year. 



The receipts for the year ending 30th June, 1870, amount to £86 2s., 

 and the expenditure to £87 16s., leaving a balance due to the Honorary 

 Ti^easurer of £1 14s., of this expenditure £35 18s. has been for the 

 library fund. 



Mr. Justice Chapman and the Rev. Robert Scrimgeour were elecced 

 members of the Institute. 



Election of Office-bearers for year ending 30th June, 1871 : Presi- 

 dent — His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman ; Vice Presidents — J. S. Webbe, 

 J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S. ; Council — R. Gillies, J. Smith, S. Hawthorne, 

 R. Oliver, J. Hislop, A. Eccles, Rev. D. M. Stuart ; Honorary Secretary 

 — T. Morland Hocken, M.R.C.S. ; Honorary Treasurer — W. D. Murison. 



A discussion ensued as to the disposal of the library of the Institute, 

 but no determination was ai'rived at. 



1. "Report on the Whale Fisheries," by the Honorary Secretary. 



In accordance with the resolution of the Institute on this subject, 

 passed at the first meeting for the year (11th January) the following 

 information has been procured from old whalers, all of whom have had 

 very great experience in whaling matters, during periods of from thirty- 

 three to sixteen years. The Institute is greatly indebted to Mr. Pearson, 

 of Southland, Commissioner of Crown Lands, who took much trouble in 

 personally examining several of the informants. A principal question 

 in the enquiry sought information as to what had caused the great 

 disappearance of the whale from the New Zealand shores during the past 

 few years ; whether it was due to its desti-uction whilst visiting the 

 shoi'es and bays during the breeding season. If this were the fact, 

 whether something could not be done for the encouragement of whaling 

 entei'prise by enacting that such an important season should be a strictly 



