2. Several interesting communications from Mr. J. C. Crawford, now in England, accompanied by pamphlets and printed notices bearing on the subjects, were read, the most important being on the “Manufacture of Granolithic Cement,” the material for which, he considered, was abundant in New Zealand.

Dr. Hector considered this a question of great importance, and the information was most valuable. We had ample material in accessible positions, and he had no doubt that in time we could ourselves manufacture all the cement and concrete we required in the colony and of the very best kind. He instanced the blocks now largely used here, and known as O'Neill's patent flagging, as showing the excellent quality of this production, which was so highly thought of at the Sydney and Melbourne Exhibitions.

The President endorsed these views, and remarked that he hoped in time also to see the splendid granites we had largely used in constructive works.

Dr. Newman mentioned the newly-erected cement works in Nelson, which would prove of great importance, and entirely supersede the imported article.