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Auckland Institute.
First Meeting: 6th June. 1904.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
New Member.—Dr. Frengley.
The President delivered the anniversary address, taking as his subject “The Present Position of the Evolution Theory.”
The address was copiously illustrated with lantern-slides and diagrams.
Second Meeting: 20th June, 1904.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
Professor H. W. Segar gave a popular lecture on “The Balance of Trade.” (Transactions, p. 173.)
Third Meeting: 4th July, 1904.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
Papers.—1. “The Pollination of Vitex lucens,” by D. Petrie. (Transactions, p. 409.)
2 “The Present Position of the Evolution Theory” (Part II.), by Professor A. P. W. Thomas.
Fourth Meeting: 18th July, 1904.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
Dr. J. P. Frengley, Health Officer for Auckland, gave a popular lecture on “Progress in the Prevention of Disease.”
Fifth Meeting: 22nd August, 1904.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
New Members.—J. Henry, W. C. C. Spencer.
Mr. E. V. Miller delivered a popular lecture, illustrated by numerous experiments, on “Modern Views on the Conduction of Electricity.”
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Sixth Meeting: 12th September, 1904.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
New Members.—C. Arnold, R. S. Florance.
Papers.—1. “Notice of the Occurrence of the New Zealand Hawk at the Cook Islands,” by R. W. Gossett.
The writer stated that in April last he had shot on Manuae Island; one of the two Hervey atolls, comprised in the Cook Archipelago, a large hawk which he had no hesitation in referring to the common New Zealand Hawk (Circus gouldii). He had never seen a bird of prey on any of the Cook Islands before, nor was much an occurrence known to any of the residents, either native or European.
Mr. Cheeseman said that the New Zealand Hawk regularly visited the Kermadec Islands—presumably from New Zealand—every year at the time of the breeding season of the numerous petrels which frequented the Group.
Mr. J. L. Young asked if it was quite certain that Mr. Gossett's specimen had been correctly identified by him. He put the question because some years ago a South American hawk was introduced into Tahiti, and had become so numerous as to be a nuisance. It would be a comparatively short night for some of these to cross from Tahiti to the Cook Islands.
2. “A Rare Saurian,” by Archdeacon P. Walsh. (Transactions, p. 351.)
3. “A Flash of Lightning,” by Archdeacon P. Walsh. (Transactions, p. 580.)
4. “Federation through Free Trade,” by S. Gray.
5. “Notes on Ancient Polynesian Migrations to New Zealand,” by Elsdon Best. (Transactions, p. 121.)
Seventh Meeting: 26th September, 1904.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
Professor F. D. Brown delivered a popular lecture, illustrated with numerous experiments, on “Mist.”
Eighth Meeting: 27th February, 1905.
Professor A. P. W. Thomas, President, in the chair.
New Member.—F. K. Thomson.
Papers.—1. “Notes on Fruit-flies, with a Description of a New Species,” by Captain T. Broun. (Transactions, p. 325.)
2. “On some New Species of New Zealand Marine Shells,” by Rev. W. Webster. (Transactions, p. 276.)
Abstract of Annual Report.
The number of members on the roll at the present time is 160, of whom nine are life members and 151 annual subscribers. Six new members have been elected during the year—a number much below the average—and eleven names have been withdrawn (three from death, four from resignation, and four from non-payment of subscription for
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more than two consecutive years. The Council would point out that the chief aim of the Institute—the maintenance of a free public museum for the instruction and entertainment of the people of Auckland—is one which appeals to the sympathies of all classes, and should command a liberal amount of support.
Finance.—The total revenue of the General Account, excluding the balance of £123 9s. 3d. in hand at the commencement of the year, has been £2,108 2s. 1d. In comparing this amount with that received during the previous year, it is necessary to bear in mind that it includes the two exceptional items of £1,000 (being the Government grant for the erection of the new hall) and £150 received on account of the Mackechnie bequest for the purchase of groups of large animals. Deducting these two sums, the ordinary revenue is seen to have been £958 2s. 1d., showing an increase of £85 3s. 6d. on the receipts for 1903–4. Of the separate items, the largest is the interest derived from the invested funds of the Costley bequest, amounting to £371 19s. Last year the receipts under this head were £357 10s. The Museum endowment, in rents and interest, has yielded £340 5s. 10d., a sum almost precisely equal to that of the previous year. The members' subscriptions show a slight decrease, although not one of any great moment. The remaining items call for no special remark. The total expenditure has amounted to £2,231 11s. 4d. It includes several items of an exceptional nature, the largest being the cost of the new hall, amounting to £1,082 2s. 3d., a sum considerably in excess of the Government grant. A payment of £147 7s. 3d. has been made in connection with the groups of large animals being prepared for the Museum, while the erection of the Maori house has drawn largely on the funds of the Institute. It has also been necessary to incur a considerable expenditure in repairs to the caretaker's house, and in alterations to the windows at the eastern end of the main hall. Adding all these payments to the ordinary expenditure required for the maintenance of the institution, the year's operations show a debit balance of £29 7s. 6d. There is no change of importance with respect to the invested funds of the Institute, the total amount of which is £16,263 12s. 5d., showing an increase of £36 9s 3d. during the year.
Museum.—The register kept by the janitor shows that the total number of visitors on Sundays has been 13,716, or an average of 263 for each Sunday. The greatest attendance was 474, on the 12th February; the smallest 91, on the 31st July. For the six principal holidays of the year—New Year's Day, 2nd January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, King's Birthday, and Boxing Day—the total attendance was 1,869, being an average of 313 for each day. On week-days the visitors can only be occasionally counted, and the attendance varies so much, according to weather and other circumstances, that it is not easy to form a reliable estimate, but the average daily attendance cannot be far from a hundred. This would make a total of 30,700, or of 46,285 for the whole year. Last year the estimated number was 45,360. A hall 50 ft. square has been erected in the space between the statue-hall and the main hall. One-half has been reserved for the Maori carved house, Rangitihi, which is now being erected on it; the other half will form an exhibition gallery for foreign anthropological specimens. The total cost of the building, including architect's fees and all other expenses, has been £1,082 2s. 3d., the surplus over the Government grant being provided for out of the ordinary revenue of the Institute. The Council trust that the present year will see the completion of a new and important exhibit in the shape of the Maori house Rangitihi, the carvings of which have been in their possession for several years past. A start was made with its erection immediately after the completion of the new hall, and the elaborately carved side-posts are now all in position. The ridge-post, together with the central post, or poutokomanawa, has been set up, and the rafters are now being prepared. Arrangements are now being made for obtaining
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the large supply of kakaho or reeds which will be required for the roof and verandah of the house. The huge gable-boards, or maihis, which were unfortunately wanting when the house was purchased, have been carved at Rotorua by an experienced Maori carver after old designs, the work being superintended by Mr. C. E. Nelson, whose intimate knowledge of Maori handicraft is a guarantee that it has been well executed. Members are aware that the late Mrs. Mackechnie bequeathed a sum of £500, to be expended, at the discretion of her executor, in suitable additions to the Museum. This gentleman decided that the bequest should be devoted to the purchase of stuffed groups of the larger animals, set up in the best style of taxidermy, and protected by plate-glass cases. The first of these groups, consisting of a male and female lion and four cubs, has been received during the year, and has been placed in the main hall, to which it forms a great attraction. A companion group, comprising a male and female tiger and a leopard, is now on its way from England, and may be expected at any time. A third group has been arranged for, and the funds will probably be sufficient to obtain a fourth. In last year's report it was stated that the Mackechnie bequest of £2,000 had been received and invested, and that in future an annual income of about £100 would be available for the purchase of books for the library. The Council have consequently been able to order two consignments from their London agents. The first of these arrived some months ago; the second is now on its way from England. Funds will shortly be available for another shipment; in fact, the regular purchases which can now be made will enable the Council to extend the library in a manner which could not be attempted out of the ordinary revenue of the society. With the quicker growth of the library the question of additional accommodation. Will soon require consideration. The Council have to report that the connection of the Institute with the maintenance of the Little Barrier Island as a sanctuary for the preservation of the avifauna of New Zealand, which has existed since the beginning of 1897, is now about to close, the Government having intimated that the Tourist Department will assume direct control at the end of the financial year, on the 31st March. The Council claim that during the eight years the island has been in their charge the visits of collectors have been effectually stopped, and that no unauthorised persons have been allowed to land; that the stock left upon the island by the Maori owners has been removed, and that their visits have consequently ceased; and that wild cats and other vermin have been shot or otherwise destroyed. The result of these measures is seen in the fact that birds of all kinds are much more numerous than when the island was first acquired, and are more generally distributed, even breeding in large numbers on the fiat, close to the Curator's house. The Council much regret the change, and would point out that in removing the management of the island from the Institute the Government are losing the services of a local body whose sympathies and inclinations are all on the side of the preservation of the fauna of New Zealand, and who can command the expert knowledge that is required, whereas it cannot be said that the Tourist Department possesses any special qualifications for the work.
Election of Officers for 1905.—President—Professor A. P. W. Thomas; Vice-Presidents—Dr. E. Roberton and J. Stewart, C.E.; Council—L. J. Bagnall, Professor F. V. Brown, H. Haines, J. H. Howell, J. Kirker, E. V. Miller, T. Peacock, D. Petrie, J. Reid, Professor H. W. Segar, J. H. Upton; Trustees—T. Peacock, J. H. Upton, Professor F. D. Brown; Secretary and Curator—T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; Auditor—W. Gorrie.