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Volume 39, 1906
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Wellington Philosophical Society.

First Meeting: 2nd May, 1906.
Mr. Martin Chapman, President, in the chair.

New Members.—Dr. Thomas A. Black and Dr. Charles Monro Hector.

Papers.—1. “Transpacific Longitudes,” by Otto Klotz, LL.D., F.R.A.S., Chief Astronomer to the Government of Canada, Ottawa.

2. “The Great Californian Earthquake of 18th April, 1906,” by G. Hogben, M.A.

Exhibits.—Mr. C. W. Adams exhibited two improved theodolites, viz:—

1. A 5 in. Cooke transit theodolite, reading by micrometers to 10″ and by estimation to 1″.

2. A 6 in. Kern transit theodolite, reading by scale microscopes to 1′ and by estimation to 6″.

Second Meeting: 6th June, 1906.
Mr. Martin Chapman, President, in the chair.

Papers.—1. “Recent Observations respecting the Origin of the Vegetable Caterpillar,” by G. V. Hudson, F.E.S.

Mr. A. Hamilton said that the specimen of vegetable caterpillar mentioned by Mr. Hudson as having been shown to him by the late Mr. N. J. Tone was duplicated in the Otago Museum. Mr. Hamilton exhibited a specimen of a fungus-infested caterpillar which had been found in the extreme north of New Zealand, probably a new species.

2. “Some Stray Notes on the Kea and the Seagull,” by C. W. Adams.

3. “A Few Facts about the French Metric System,” by C. W. Adams.

Exhibits.—1. The Rev. D. C. Bates exhibited a young guinea-pig—one of a number bred in the laboratory of the Health

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Department at Wellington—showing grey markings, which he stated were very unusual in the guinea-pig.

He explained that several other guinea-pigs born in the same place-were similarly coloured.

2. Professor H. B. Kirk showed some specimens of trap-door spiders' nests found near Wellington.

Third Meeting: 4th July, 1906.
Mr. Martin Chapman, President, in the chair.

A popular lecture on “The Physiography of Westland” was delivered by Dr. J. M. Bell, Director of the New Zealand Geological Survey.

There was a large attendance of members and their friends.

The lecture was illustrated by a fine series of lantern-slides from photographs taken by Dr. Bell.

At the conclusion of the lecture a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Bell.

Fourth Meeting: 1st August, 1906.
Mr. Martin Chapman, President, in the chair.

New Members.—Dr. Alexander Paterson and Mr. J. D. Climie.

An advance copy of Volume XXXVIII (1905) of “The Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute” was laid on the table.

The Chairman announced with much regret the death of Sir Walter Buller, K.C.M.G., who for many years was a member of the Council of the Society, and who had frequently filled the position of President.

The Chairman reminded members that Sir Walter was eminent in zoological science, particularly in the department of ornithology, in which he was regarded as one of the very highest authorities. He was always untiring in his work for the Society, and had contributed many valuable papers on subjects in which he was interested. Sir Walter was a recognized authority on Maori subjects, and possessed one of the finest collections in the world of Maori implements. His papers had commanded the attention of scientific men, not merely in New Zealand, but in Europe and America. Speaking as a personal friend of Sir Walter's, and as one who had been connected with the Society during the years of that gentleman's active membership, the Chairman said that he felt that we had suffered a great loss in his death, and concluded by moving: “That this Society has received with great regret the news of the death of Sir Walter L. Buller, K.C.M.G., and desires to place on record its high appreciation of his scientific work and of his services to the Society.”

The motion was seconded by Mr. R. L. Mestayer, M.Inst.C.E., and carried unanimously.

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The Chairman reported that the Council was co-operating with the councils of other societies in the colony in urging upon the Government the desirableness of causing a botanical survey of the colony to be made, and in recommending the appointment as Government Botanist of one of the most eminent botanists in the colony—Dr. Louis Cockayne, of Christchurch. It was to be hoped that the efforts of the societies would be successful.

Papers.—1. “Notes on the Entomology of the Routeburn Valley,” by G. V. Hudson, F.E.S.

2. “The Reason why Three Fingers only are carved in Maori Images of Deities,” by Dr. A. K. Newman.

Mr. R. C. Harding expressed the opinion that, although Dr. Newman might be right in thinking that Mr. W. T. L. Travers's suggested explanation of the carving of only three fingers in Maori images of deities was a mistaken one, yet the Natives who were Mr. Travers's informants might possibly have given their explanation in good faith. It might very well be that in the course of ages a knowledge of the real reason had been lost by the Maori race.

3. “Notes on Ferns,” by H. C. Field.

4. “Notes on New Zealand Echinoderms, with Description of a New Species,” by H. Farquhar; communicated by A. Hamilton.

5. “Note on the Bipolarity of littoral Marine Faunas,” by H. Farquhar; communicated by A. Hamilton.

Fifth Meeting: 5th September, 1906.
Mr. Martin Chapman, President, in the chair.

New Member.—Dr. J. S. Maclaurin.

Paper.—“On Two Marine Gymnomyxa,” by Professor H. B. Kirk.

An address on “Petroleum” was given by Professor T. H. Easterfield.

Professor Easterfield illustrated his remarks by a number of experiments on New Zealand mineral oils.

The lecture was listened to by a very large audience, and at the close a vote of thanks to Professor Easterfield was carried by acclamation.

Exhibits.—1. Mr. G. Hogben exhibited and described seismograms of the great Chilian earthquake of August, 1906.

2. Miss Mestayer exhibited a crustacean (Paridotea ungulata) found by her recently at Island Bay, Wellington.

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Annual Meeting: 3rd October, 1906.
Mr. Martin Chapman, President, in the chair.

The Council's annual report and annual statement of receipts and expenditure were read and adopted.

The report stated that, including an extra meeting held in November, 1905 (after the close of the session dealt with in the previous report), there had been six meetings of the Society.

Fourteen papers in all had been read, and at several of the meetings interesting exhibits had been shown. Popular lectures by Mr. E. F. Stead, Dr. J. M. Bell, and Professor T. H. Easterfield had been delivered to good audiences.

Seven new members had been elected, and two members had resigned. A number of names had been removed from the roll because of non-payment of subscriptions. There were now 104 members of the Society.

Regret was expressed at the death of Sir Walter L. Buller, K.C.M.G., F.R.S., who had frequently filled the position of President of the Society.

Mr. Martin Chapman and Professor T. H. Easterfield had been reelected to represent the Society on the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute.

The Council had represented to the Government the advisableness of having a botanical survey of the colony made, and had recommended the appointment of Dr. Louis Cockayne as Government Botanist; but, unfortunately, the Government could not see its way to take the desired action.

The statement of receipts and expenditure showed that, inclusive of a balance of £36 4s. 1d. brought forward from the previous financial year, the receipts amounted to £150 13s. 1d., and the expenditure to £106 18s. 3d., leaving a credit balance of £43 14s. 10d. The Research Fund stood at £42 7s. 7d.; so that the total sum in hand was £86 2s. 5d.

Election of Officers for 1907.—President—Professor H. B. Kirk; Vice-Presidents—Mr. G. V. Hudson, F.E.S., and Mr. A. Hamilton; Council—Mr. C. E. Adams, B.Sc., Mr. J. W. Poynton, Mr. T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Dr. A. K. Newman, Dr. J. M Bell, Professor T. H. Easterfield, and Mr. Martin Chapman; Secretary and Treasurer—Mr. Thomas King; Auditor—Mr. E. A. Dymock, A.I.A.N.Z.

Exhibits.—The secretary (Mr. Thomas King) exhibited and described a series of star stereograms by Mr. T. E. Heath, of Cardiff; also some photographic stereograms from the Yerkes Observatory, illustrative of a meteor-trail, of Borrelly's comet, and of the moon.

Papers.—1. “The New Zealand Plateau,” by H. Farquhar; communicated by Thomas King.

2. “Preliminary Note on Matai-resin,” by James Bee; communicated by Professor T. H. Easterfield.

3. “Notes on Ferns,” by H. C. Field.

4. “New Zealand Flax,” by H. C. Field.

5. “Notes and Descriptions of Lepidoptera,” by E. Meynell, B.A., F.R.S.; communicated by G. V. Hudson, F.E.S.

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