THE PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20096, 27 November 1930, Page 9

THE PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.

REPORT ON YBAR*6 WORK. The attendances at meetings of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury during the past year have been very satisfactory, states the annual report, which will be submitted at the annual meeting of the Institute to be held on December 3rd. The membership roll stood at 197 at the end of last year, and this had remained the same since, although the Institute would be losing nine members from December 31st, 1930. Of these the resignations of Mr W. W. Smith, of New Plymouth, and Mr Alexander Jeans, of Christchurch, were particularly regretted, as those men had been members for a very long time. The session commenced in March, and meetings had been held every month 1 since, papers having been given on a variety of subjects. Several applications for research grants were received from members, and forwarded to the Research Grant Committee, but their decision regarding them was not yet known. A policy of careful maintenance of Kiccarton Bush had been continued, and the bush had been kept in excellent I condition, undesirable plants having been exterminated, and the paths kept in good order. The trustees report that the public displayed greater appreciation of the benefits of the bush during the year, and had refrained from the acts of vandalism that had frequently occurred in the past. No prosecutions for wilful damage to the bush had been made during the year. The balance-sheet showed a debit balance bf £lO, a considerable reduction on last year's debit, and a special appeal was being made to secure further annual contributions. The income from this source was at present £l4 10s, and it was hoped to increase that amount substantially. The bush had been visited regularly by botany students from Canterbury College, and the Canterbury College School of Forestry had decided to mark off a series of sample plots for the purpose of putting on record the periodical changes in the life history of the bush.

The Institute was represented on the Arthur's Pass Board of Control by Professor R. Speight. The work of the Board' during the year had been of a preliminary nature, but the general lines on which the Park was to be developed had been laid down. It was the intention of the Board to protect most rigorously the native fauna and flora of the Park, and interference with either would not be tolerated except under the closest control, and then only when investigation would be of advantage for the further knowledge of the natural history of the country. It was satisfactory to note, therefore, that the interests of the Institute in the Park were being adequately maintained. Eclipro Expedition. la response to the appeal by the New Zealand Astronomical Society tor

funds for the Solar Eclipse Expedition, under Dr. Adams, a number o£ members forwarded donations. The Institute also donated £4 4s towards the expenses of the Expedition. It was pleasing to be able to record that the. party, aided 'by dear weather during the actual eclipse, had had a very successful venture. The thanks of the Council were extended to all those members or societies from whom periodicals and other papers were received as presentations, or' exchanges, and also, to the Museum authorities, who, at some inconvenience to. themselves, permitted the Library to be housed with the Museum Library. In this connexion the attention of the members of the Institute was drawn to the fact that the time was approaching when the Institute would need to assist the Board of Governors of Canterbury College and the Museum authorities to extend the present accommodation at the Museum both for exhibits and for library purposes. Total receipts from members' subscriptions amounted to £205 16s, and the credit balance had been considerably increased to £7l 12s 6d. The working expenses of the Institute were about the same as in previous years.