![Thumbnail: [Volume 39, 1906 page 532]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_39/thumbnails/rsnz_39_00_0562_0532_ac_02.gif)
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.
![Thumbnail: [Volume 39, 1906 page 533]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_39/thumbnails/rsnz_39_00_0563_0533_ac_02.gif)
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.