Before concluding the meeting, Dr. Hector stated that Mr. John Buchanan, F.L.S., who had been connected with the Geological Survey for over 20 years as a botanist, draughtsman, and explorer, was about to leave the Government service, to retire on a well-earned pension; and he expressed, in feeling terms, how much the Society would lose in Mr. Buchanan. He referred at length to the valuable services rendered to the Society during the past 18 years by that gentleman, by his execution of the illustrations and diagrams, as well as by his numerous papers.

Dr. Hector then referred to his personal acquaintance with Mr. Buchanan, and related how, when he left for New Zealand in 1861, Sir Joseph Hooker gave him the name of John Buchanan, as that of a remarkable botanist, stating that if his services were secured in connection with the Geological Survey, a great benefit would be rendered to science.

A few months after landing, the speaker made his acquaintance, and they had been together ever since. They had undergone many hardships together, having on one occasion spent five or six months in the dingy cabin of a little schooner, when exploring the West Coast Sounds, with rain falling steadily for six weeks at a time. He spoke of Mr. Buchanan's ability at designing diagrams and maps, and exploring, or any work requiring the finest artistic touch or taste, in very high terms. At the close of his remarks, the Chairman, on behalf of the Society, handed to Mr. Buchanan an illuminated diploma of life membership, signed by the President, Vice-Presidents, and Council of the Philosophical Society, as a small token of the esteem in which his services were held. The diploma was handsomely illuminated by Messrs. Bock and Cousins. The diploma was accompanied by a present of several valuable books, chosen by the Council. The meeting signified its approval of the gift by hearty acclamation. Mr. Buchanan was quite taken by surprise, and was, in consequence, too much moved to reply at any length.