loss it has sustained by the death of the Rev. William Colenso, F.R.S., F.L.S., who from its foundation was closely connected with the society as secretary, president, and member of the Council, and, as a contributor of papers on botany, anthropology, and kindred subjects, has done much for the advancement of science throughout the world."

The science classes inaugurated two years ago were continued during the past year, but did not meet with the support they deserved. Dr. Milne-Thomson kindly undertook the electricity class.

The balance sheet showed that the total receipts (including a balance of £23 14s. 1d. from the preceding year) were £97 8s. 7d., and the expenditure £74 15s., leaving a balance in hand of £22 13s. 7d. The total assets are valued at £847 88. 7d. Of the Colenso bequest of £200, a balance of £103 88. remained in hand.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 1900.-President - W. Dinwiddie; Vice-president-T. Hall; Council-J. E. H. Jarvis, M.R.C.S., J. Caughley, H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S., F. A. Tregelles, T. Tanner, T. C. Moore, M.D.; Hon. Secretary-James Hislop; Hon. Treasurer-J. W. Craig; Hon. Auditor-G. White.

WESTLAND INSTITUTE.

The annual meeting was held in the library, the attendance being fairly good.

ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL REPORT.

The report dealt exhaustively with its past and present, including some allusions to its future requirements. The Borough Council was gratefully thanked for their annual subsidy, likewise the Harbour Board for their welcome donation. The members' roll was reported to contain fifty-nine names, though the income from paying members is the best criterion of the strength of the society. The trustees have held nine monthly meetings, the average attendance being seven. The library still maintains its popularity, and a welcome addition of 118 volumes has been made; it is to be hoped that another increase will be gained during the current year. The reading-room has been well supplied with papers, and is much frequented. The trustees take the present opportunity of thanking those proprietors who so kindly donate their papers for its benefit.

The trustees record their deep sense of the loss of the late Mr. A. H. King, who for many years took the greatest interest in and whose services. were many for the benefit of the society.

The balance sheet showed-Receipts, £113 6s. 8d.; expenditure, £101 12s. 5d.: leaving a credit balance of £11 148. 3d.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 1900.-President-Mr. A. J. Morton; Vice-president-Mr. A. Mahan; Hon. Treasurer— Mr. G. K. Sinclair; Trustees-Messrs. Clarke, Dawes, Perry, Macfarlane, McNaughton, Michel, Beare, Solomon, Park, Lewis, Drs. Macandrew and Teichelmann.

NELSON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

FIRST MEETING: 8th August, 1899.

The Bishop of Nelson, President, in the chair.

A proposal from the Nelson Institute reading-room committee suggesting amalgamation with the Philosophical Society was discussed and eventually agreed to on certain conditions, one of which was that the Nelson Institute should first apply for and obtain incorporation with the New Zealand Institute.

SECOND MEETING: 13th November, 1899.

The Bishop of Nelson, President, in the chair. Paper." On the Formation of the Nelson Boulder Bank," by W. T. Worley. (Transactions, p. 221.)

The author's theory was that it was formed from the denudation of an ancient elevated ridge, of which the Arrow Rock once formed a part. In the discussion which followed, the author's theory was fully criticized.

Mr. C. Coleridge Farr, B.Sc., gave an exhibition of the magnetic and meteorological instruments used in his magnetic survey of the coasts of New Zealand.

An interesting description of each instrument was given, with a demonstration of the method of using it in the work of taking observa

tions.

It was stated at the meeting that the proposed amalgamation considered at a previous meeting had been postponed indefinitely.

ANNUAL MEETING: 13th March, 1900.

The Bishop of Nelson, President, in the chair. New Member.-Captain Cox, Nelson.

ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL REPORT.

One ordinary meeting and one special meeting were held during the year. The attendance at the ordinary meeting was very good.

One paper was read and one address delivered. A proposal to amalgamate with the Nelson Institute Library, with a view to strengthen the membership of the Society, was brought forward, but postponed.

The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts, inclusive of a balance of £9 13s. 3d. from the preceding year, were £20 3s. 3d., while the expenditure was, on the Museum, £3 58.; Society's library, &c., £3 6s. leaving a balance in hand of £13 12s. 3d.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 1900.—President-The Bishop of Nelson; Vice-presidents-A. S. Atkinson and Dr. Mackie; Hon. Secretary-R. I. Kingsley; Hon. Treasurer-Dr. Hudson; Hon. Curator-R. I. Kingsley; Assistant CuratorE. Lukins; Council-The first five ex officio, and F. G. Gibbs, E. Lukins, Dr. Boor, Rev. F. Chatterton, and J. G. Bartel.