Director's Report

Extract

As announced in the Report of the Council for 1896–97 (p. 100), important changes have taken place in the staff of naturalists working for the Association. Mr. Garstang, who now has charge of the fishery investigations, commenced his new duties in June; and Mr. E. W. L. Holt, who has placed his services, for the time being, at the disposal of the Association, has been occupied with researches on food fishes since March last. It is much to be desired that the staff should be maintained at at least its present strength, but unfortunately the conditions of Mr. Holt's appointment, which is purely honorary, preclude the possibility of our hoping that this may be the case, unless funds can be provided to give him a position of a more permanent character. It will be remembered that it was only through private generosity that the Association was able for a number of years to retain the services of two naturalists for fishery investigations, and although we have the good fortune for the present to maintain this condition of things, the possibility of the reduction of the number is a prospect which cannot but be regarded as most serious for the future welfare of the Association. It would be exceedingly unfortunate if from the want of funds to remunerate his services the really valuable work which Mr. Holt is now doing for the Association were to be stopped.