AUCKLAND INSTITUTE CONVERSAZIONE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 137, 11 June 1889, Page 5

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE CONVERSAZIONE.

Theke was a large and fashionable assembly at the Auckland Museum, Princes-street, last evening, on the occasion of the inauguration ~of the 1889 eeesion of the Auckland Institute. The gathering partook of the character of a conversazione, and the principal source of entertainment was provided by the Microscopical Society attached to the Institute. They had altogether forty-five scientific instruments in working order, with a great variety of objects for exhibition, and these afforded considerable amusement and instruction to the spectators. Among those who had microscopes in operation were Professor Thomas, with an array of 6 or 7, Dr. Purchas (2), Mr E. Bartley (3), Mrs J. M. Clark, a large and remarkably fine instrument, Mr C. Cooper (2), Mr Kingsford (2). Dr. Bell (2), Mr Josiah Martin (2), Mr J. A. Pond (2). Other exhibitors were Messrs Herbert, G. Dacre, James Stewart, Trevithick, Fidler, Cheeseman, E. H. Whitaker, Runciman, T. Ball, M. H. Brown, Smallfield, J. Chambers, W. Smith, Shrewsbury, and some others. Each microscope was supplied with a large number of slides, which were changed during the evening. Mr E. Bartley exhibited a frog's foot, showing the circulation of the blood, a'so the circulation of sap in plants, some vinegar eels and water insects. Mr Cheeseman exhibited wings and legs of insects, sections of plants, feathers of birds, etc. Some novelties were also exhibited by Professor Thomas, Mr J. A. Pond, and others, and where explanation was desired the exhibitors were most obliging! During the evening selections of music were supplied by Mr Eady's string band, including Mr J. Hemus, firstviolin; Mr Cook, second violin; Mr Bartley, piano; Mr Jackson, clarionet; Mr McGinnis, double bass. The conversazione, so far as it went, was a success, but all except enthusiasts in microscopic curiosities would, no doubt, have preferred to have had a little more variety in the way of entertainment, which could easily have been arranged had the Committee so desired.