First Meeting: 2nd May, 1911.

moisture of the soil, and numerous examples were given from different countries of the effects of deforestation in drying up springs and producing desert conditions. The appointment of a thoroughly trained scientific forester in New Zealand to control all existing natural forests and to direct the formation of artificial forests was strongly urged, and it was argued that though afforestation on a more extensive scale than at present would lead to additional temporary expenditure, it was a duty that we owed to our descendants, and that eventually it would yield handsome profit.

At the close of the address several members spoke instancing cases of deforestation in various parts of Otago, and the following resolution was moved by Mr. J. N. Lawson, and carried unanimously: “That this Institute respectfully urge upon the Government the urgent necessity for a more vigorous prosecution of the work of afforestation throughout the Dominion, and that, notwithstanding its vast importance, the production of timber should not be the sole object of the forestry operations, but climatic considerations and the conservation of water should also be dealt with; and this Institute would also further urge upon the Government the necessity for appointing without delay a scientifically trained Chief Forester to direct and control the Department.”

Mr. A. Bathgate, President, in the chair.

New Members.—Miss Edith Howes, of Gore, author of “The Sun's Babies,” was elected an honorary member. Dr. P. D. Cameron, Dr. A. J. Hall, Captain S. G. Sandle, and Messrs. W. D. R. McCurdie, F. A. Simpson, Nelson Jones, F. Oakden, C. H. Marriott, C. H. N. Thomlinson, K. A. McDonald, F. R. Shepherd, W. J. Mitchell, A. Mackie, W. J. Scoullar, W. J. Crawford, G. J. Orchiston, and H. C. Auty were elected members.

Papers.—

The author stated that he had recently been investigating some of the food-products of New Zealand, and particularly oysters. One of the great principles of diatetics was that the food should supply a sufficient amount of combustible matter in the body to supply heat and energy. He referred to the three divisions of foodstuffs—fat, protein, and carbohydrates—and to the quantitative and qualitative ways of looking at food. New Zealand oysters contained from 6 to 12 per cent. of protein, and also a fair proportion of fat and carbohydrates, so that they had all the constituents of diet. There was also their value as an appetizer. He instituted a comparison between Stewart Island and American oysters, and also between the nutritive value of oysters and other common foods. A dozen of oysters equalled an ordinary hen's egg. He predicted that oyster-culture, as in France, would yet be a very large industry in New Zealand.

Professor Boys-Smith spoke at some length on the cooking of oysters, and stated that the less all protein food was cooked the better, provided it was made palatable. Carbohydrates were made more digestible by cooking. Oysters should be eaten as far as possible raw. She knew of only one good recipe for cooking oysters.

The author explained that his paper dealt with a very small part of the subject. He mentioned first the passes to the West Coast, then some of the preparations the Maoris made for travelling across these passes, and finally indicated the discoverer of the first pass. All the greenstone we knew of in New Zealand came from one or two river-beds on the West Coast, and must have been brought across these passes. Some idea of the amount carried over might be gathered from the fact that from Murdering Beach alone about 3 cwt. of worked greenstone had been removed. The author made use of a lengthy manuscript containing the only record of the history, customs, and mythology of the Maori tribe now on the verge of extinction on the West Coast. After referring to the various passes of the Southern Alps and their significance to the Maoris, he gave a vivid description of the journeys which the Natives used to make across the Alps, and concluded with the story of Raurika, the mad woman who, about the year 1700, discovered Browning's Pass, and was the first to find a way across the great barrier.

Commencing with a few simple points about the anatomy of the heart, the writer went on to discuss the two theories of the causes of its action and to describe some remarkable recorded irregularities, and made the subject clear by the use of the blackboard and of several interesting diagrams shown through a magic-lantern. Incidentally, some insight was given into the remarkably ingenious methods by which physiologists can detect, record, and interpret the most delicate variations in the action of the heart.

The President, Mr. A. Bathgate, in the chair.

There was a large attendance, over two hundred members and friends being present.

Address.—Mr. R. Speight, M.A., F.G.S., of Christchurch, gave an interesting illustrated address on “Remote and Unknown Canterbury.”

Abstract.

The address dealt chiefly with a part of Canterbury which is little known to the general public, and lies at the head of the Rakaia, Ashburton, and Rangitata Rivers. The lecturer first of all gave a brief account of the geographical features of the area, and referred to the work of exploration carried on by Haast, Potts, and Whitcombe, as well as to the connection of Dr. Sinclair and Samuel Butler with its early history. Some account was given of the geological structure of the district and the evolution of the chief landscape-features. The lecturer drew attention to the fact that the Southern Alps in their present form are not a mountain-range of the alpine type, but rather a dissected pencplain of which the present mountain-tops are a remnant. The dissection has been brought about first of all by stream-action and then by glaciation. The effect of the latter was dealt with at greater length, and the address concluded with a description of the present glaciers at the head of the Rakaia and the adjacent river-valleys, which probably afford the finest alpine scenery in New Zealand with the exception of that in the Mount Cook district—a feature which is all the more remarkable seeing that the highest peaks in that part of the main range do not reach the height of 9,000 ft. Even this comparatively moderate elevation seems competent to deprive the wet westerly winds of by far the greater portion of the moisture they carry.

The lecture was illustrated by an extensive series of lantern-slides, giving a fine series of views of the country dealt with, and at its close a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer on the motion of the chairman.