Since presenting the last annual report, 52 new members have been added to our roll. This is the largest increase in any one year.

It is with the deepest regret that your Council is called upon to record the death of Sir James Hector, who has been an honorary member of the Branch since its inception; and of Dr. W. A. Logan, one of our most active members. The late Sir James Hector’s work in the field of science is well known to every member of the Branch, and it is gratifying to note that steps are being taken to establish a fitting memorial. Dr. Logan has for several years represented the Otago Division on the Council, and the Branch as a whole has profitted by the keen interest he has always shown in its welfare. By his death the profession in New Zealand sustains a severe loss.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.—On 18th. June last a Conference was held between your Council and delegates representing the Friendly Societies of New Zealand, a full report of which has already been circulated -in the Supplement to the N.Z. Medical Journal of July, 1907. The resolutions arrived at by the Conference have since been submitted to the several Divisions of the Branch, and are in the main approved. The Divisions, however, agree that an income limit should be insisted on, and that decision has been conveyed to the Colonial Executive of the Friendly Societies. The reply of the Colonial Executive has not yet come to hand.

REGISTRATION.—The annual general meeting in March last decided by a large majority against the proposal to register under “The Unclassified Societies’ Registration Act,” the feeling of the meeting being that the proposed Royal Charter would give to the Branch and its Divisions the liberty they desired in the management of their own affairs.

BRANCH RULES.—The new Branch Rules as passed by the special general meeting held in November, 1906, and adopted by your Council, have in the main been approved by the Central (Council. The rule, “annual subscription,” is held over pending application for Royal Charter.

A capitation of 7/- per member on subscriptions for 1907 has been paid to the several Divisions, and as the expenses of the annual meeting are now defrayed by the Branch, the position of the Divisions financially has been considerably strengthened.

N.Z. MEDICAL JOURNAL.—The Journal has been published regularly each quarter, and though the Editor has still to regret a good many misprints, the number of these is steadily decreasing; the printer has had considerable difficulty in getting efficient typesetters at times. There has been no lack of papers for publication during the past year, but the usual annual meeting not being held this year the Editor anticipates some lack of material for the coming numbers, and earnestly hopes that members will send for publication the papers which they would have read had there been the usual meeting. The financial position of the Journal continues satisfactory.

The special attention of members is again called to the instruction from Head Office, London, that all Branch subscriptions are to be collected in New Zealand. Those who have not paid are asked to send their cheques to the Branch Secretary, P.O. Box 156, Wellington.

Your Council desires to thank the Government, the Manawatu Railway Co. and the U.S.S. Co. for concessions to travelling members.

The attention of members is directed to the reports of the N.Z. Defence Union and Medical Benevolent Funds.