H—ls

Four honour students from Otago University are at present making use of the Station for research work in marine biology. Professor Percival, with students from the Zoology Department of Canterbury College, has visited Portobello to make use of its special facilities during University vacations. Eesearch on the embryonic development of the elephant-fish (Callorhynchus milii) is now being done by Professor Percival with the aid of the facilities available only at the Portobello laboratory. The stocks of living fishes in the aquarium have been fewer than usual owing to the difficulty of maintaining a satisfactory water-supply with the ancient and defective pipes and from the absence of the deep-sea trawler from which frequent supplies of fresh specimens had previously been obtained. However, the aquarium continues to be an attraction of appreciable interest and educational value to visitors, though their numbers have fallen off since the war brought about a reduction in the ferry service from Port Chalmers. The problem of obtaining better access to the Station by land from Portobello Township —at present a matter of cross-country hiking—has received the Board's attention, but so far remains unsolved. The principal problems confronting the Board are those arising from the necessity of carrying out urgent repairs and replacements at a time when the requisite materials and labour are abnormally expensive and for the most part virtually unobtainable. There is the pressing need for additional laboratory accommodation. Plans have been made for a small annexe to accommodate workers from the Zoological and Physiological Departments of the University, but various efforts to get our modest plans materialized have so far been unsuccessful. The desired alterations to the Curator's cottage have similarly been delayed, which is a great inconvenience to him and a hindrance to the most efficient utilization of the Station. With the increased grant from the Marine Department and with the support of the University of Otago Council, which has shown its appreciation of the value of the Station for scientific research by making a capital grant of £250 and by providing for an annual grant of £lOO from the Departments of Zoology and Physiology respectively r the state of financial crisis which existed at the beginning of the year has passed. Nevertheless, the financial position is much less favourable than it was in 1932. Without a substantial addition to its revenue the Station cannot be utilized to the degree that is desirable or that would make it comparable with similar institutions in other countries. Sir William Benham resigned in August from his position as Chairman of the Board, which he had held since 1933, but still serves on the Board, on which he is the oldest member. Dr. J. Malcolm, formerly Professor of Physiology in the University of Otago Medical School, who has also given many years of valuable service as a Board member, resigned in May. Dr. J. C. Eccles, F.R.S., Professor of Physiology, and Mr. J. C. H. Somerville, member of the University Council, have been appointed as representatives of the University of Otago on the Board. Mr. J. Stuart Thomson was appointed Secretary to the Board in March, 1946, in succession to the late Mr. W. G. Howes, who for many years had acted as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, identifying himself with much zeal and competence with the practical affairs of the Station. As a son of the late Hon. G. M. Thomson, Chairman of the Board since its establishment till his death in 1933, Mr. Stuart Thomson had been in close touch with the affairs of the Board for many years and had given personal assistance at Portobello at various times. Mr. J. McG. Wilkie was appointed Treasurer in May, 1946. The Curator, Mr. W. Adams, retired in February, 1946. He had carried out his duties, which were always exacting and often heavy, with great conscientiousness and competence for many years. The Board wishes to place on record their appreciation of the value of his long and faithful service. Mr. J. Aitken, who has been engaged as Curator in his stead, is showing zeal and resourcefulness in the performance of his. duties under the present difficult conditions.

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