﻿406 Proceedings. 



Numerous gifts of books have been received during tlie year. 



Since the Council submitted their last x-eport £82 8s. Id. has been expended 

 in the purchase of scientific books. 



A Library Committee has been appointed to arrange for the issue of books 

 and periodicals, and they hope that very shortly the books may be accessible 

 to the membei'S. 



The Council beg to point out that donations of works of reference will be 

 gratefully received, as it would confer a great benefit on the community that 

 books of occasional reference should be generally accessible instead of being 

 shut up in private libraries. 



A further sum of <£20 has been sent home to Mr. ISTottidge for a Micro- 

 scope, making altogether £4:0, and the Council hope that the Institute will 

 shortly be in possession of a first-class instrument. 



Five pounds have been voted for the purchase of a Mai'ine Aquarium of 

 the best construction for the Institute. £54 19s. has been handed over to the 

 Trustees of the local Museum in accordance with Rule III., section 1, of the 

 rules of the New Zealand Institute. 



Arrangements have been made for the additional comfort of the members 

 on the evenings of meeting. 



The receipts for the year ending 30th November, 1871, amount to 

 £188 6s. 3d., and the expenditixre to £159 8s. 2d., leaving a balance in hand 

 of £28 18s. Id. 



The Honoraiy Secretary stated that the Council recommended the altera- 

 tion of Rule VIII., so that it might be possible to substitute a conversazione 

 for the annual dinner. 



It was moved by Mr. Eraser, "That the words 'or conversazione' be 

 added after the word 'dinner' in Rule VIII. ;" seconded by Dr. Coward, and 

 carried after some discussion. 



A number of presents were laid on the table. 



Election of Officers fob 1872 : President — His Honour Mr. Justice 

 Gresson ; Vice-Presidents — W. B. Bray, R. W. Eereday ; Hon. Treasurer — 

 John Inglis ; Hon. Secretary — Dr. Powell ; Council — Julius. Haast, Ph.D., 

 E.R.S., Rev. Canon Wilson, and George Elall, mceW. B. Bray, R. W. Eereday, 

 and W. Rolleston, retired. 



Adjourned Meeting. 20^7^ December, 1871. 



His Honour Mr. Justice Gresson, President, in the chair. 



The President, on taking the chair, said a few words in acknowledgment 

 of his election to the office. 



