HAWKE'S BAY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE.
Annual General Meeting. 6th February, 1882.
The Right Rev. the Bishop of Waiapu, President, in the chair.
Election of Officers for 1882:—President—The Right Rev. the Bishop of Waiapu; Vice-President—Dr. Spencer; Honorary Secretary and Treasurer—Mr. Colenso; Council—Messrs. H. Baker, H. E. Holder, J. G. Kinross, F. J. de Lisle, F. W. C. Sturm, C. H. Weber; Auditor—T. K. Newton.
ABSTRACT OF ANNUAL REPORT.
During the past winter session six ordinary meetings were held, at which nine papers prepared by members were read.
The number of members is 107, being an increase of 22 on the number of the previous year.
Throughout the year several zoological, botanical, palæontological, and geological specimens were collected by a few of the members of the Institute for the Museum.
The audited statement of accounts shows a balance of £271 15s. 7d. remaining to the credit of the society.
First Meeting. 8th May, 1882.
Dr. Spencer, Vice-President, in the chair.
1. The Chairman gave an address on the opening of the winter session.
2. "On the large Number of Species of Ferns noticed in a small Area in the New Zealand Forests, in the 'Seventy-Mile Bush,' between Norsewood, and Danneverke, in the Provincial District of Hawke's Bay," by W. Colenso, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 311.)
This paper was illustrated with several botanical specimens.
3. The Hon. Secretary gave a brief address to the memory of Dr. Darwin, lately deceased, as a great and useful man. Mr. Colenso had made his acquaintance in 1835, while residing at the Bay of Islands, when Capt. (afterwards Admiral) Fitzroy and Dr. Darwin were in that harbour together in H.M.S. "Beagle," on their voyage home to England from surveying in the Straits of Magellan.
The address was supported by fitting remarks from some of the members present.
4. Some fine specimens of rare and curious insects, of the orders Neuroptera and Orthoptera, in their various stages of transformation, were also exhibited by the Hon. Secretary.
Second Meeting. 12th June, 1882.
Dr. Spencer, Vice-President, in the chair.
1. "A Description of four New Zealand Ferns believed to be new to Science," by W. Colenso, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 304.)
