AUCKLAND INSTITUTE

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 270, 16 November 1887, Page 3

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE

The usual monthly meeting of tho mem. bers of tho above Institute was held on Monday evening in the Museum Buildings, when there was a good attendance. Professor Thomas presided. Mr Percy Smith read a paper on the neology of the Kermadec Group. He gave a short sketch of the position and history of the islands. He stated that the whole group comprised 8,200 acres, of which Sunday Island measured 7,200 acres. The {jroup was wholly a volcanic region of recent date, and was in tho lino of volcanic action stretching from Ruapehu to Tonga and Samoa. Tho islands stood on a plateau of from 300 to 1,200 feet in depth, and were really the tops of volcanoes lying on this plateau, Sunday Island being a mountain about 5,000 feet high. _ There were two distinct craters in tho islands, and there were still some few fumaroles at the foot of the cliffs of tho old craters. Various eruptions were on record, and the early settlers left an account of a threatened outburst, as also did some later inhabitants. An interesting account was then given of the craters, and the various beds of lava. From Mr Bell he had ascertained that thore was a distinct falling off in the escape of steam from tho fumaroles at the time of tho Tarawcra eruption, thus proving connection with the New Zealand volcanic system. The writer also thanked Professor Thomas for classifying the specimens of rocks brought back from the islands by him. . , - Professor Thomas then explained that tiie rocks were fragmentary and in the form of scoria and lava of a basic nature. Pebbles from the shore wero stated to be composed of hornblende granite. Where these pebbles came from it was impossible to say afc present but they might possibly be tho remains of an ancient lan°d which had preceded the present volcanic formation. Tho remainder of the paper contained information of a technical character. ' ~ _. Mr Cheeseman read a paper on the fauna and flora of the Kermadec He conSered that tho origin of the Kermadec flora must be sought for in two opposite directions; that, the larger anT more important portion had emipaper was very interesting, and was discus=ed afc considerable length. Mr L Cussen read a paper on the physiography and geology of the King Country He had been engaged in the SSation of the district, and had comSSPhS observations while so employed The,erahd and beautiful scenery of the districtparticularly pleased Mr Cussen, mSI he save a vivid description of his mprfsionf As the hour was late the other papers were not read.