MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 5, 16 August 1842, Page 2

MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION.

On Tuesday last, the first of a series of lectures on Geology, was delivered at the above Institution, by W. B. Mantell, Esquire. The lecture excited considerable interest in the audience ; and at its conclusion the lecturer recommended the establishment of a private class on the science, on the principle of mutual instruction, so successfully carried out in institutions of a similar nature in England. The suggestion was immediately adopted,“and several gentlemen enrolled themselves, and requested the worthy lecturer to take the lead, to which he kindly consented. The class, we believe, is to meet once a week.

In a new colony, we know of no subject more likely to prove interesting and useful than the study and practical pursuit of the science of Geology. There is a wide field open for investigation.

Narrow escape prom Drowning. —Last Thursday, a boat laden with wood from Petoni, bound for Te Aro, with Charles Cameron, Peter M‘Gregor, and a sailor; it was blowing very hard at the time ; and the boat being deeply laden, Cameron recommended M‘Gregor not to leave, and if he did he might go by himself, as he (Cameron) would walk it, M‘Gregor said he would chance it and left accordingly with the other boatman. They proceeded as far as Ngaurangi in safety, when a gust of wind upset the boat, and the men were thrown into the sea, the upper part of the cargo being washed away, the boat again righted, and the men got into her, although she was full of water, and were drifting out to sea all night, sometimes clinging to the • outside of the boat, being frequently washed overboard. About nine o’clock the following morning, some natives rescued them from a watery grave, near Barrett’s reef, and brought them ashore more dead than alive. Launch op the “Richmond” Schooner.— Scarcely a week has elapsed since the launching of the Maori, before we have to announce the launch of another fine schooner called the Richmond. The Richmond is about 30 tons measurement ; she was built on the Okauta, on the site of the proposed village of Richmond, from i which circumstance she has received her name. ' She has been built under the superintendence, and- we believe we may add by the manual labour of Mr. Sinclair, the owner, and his sons; and we are informed by competent judges, that she is a pretty model and faithfully built. She

was launched into hev native element on Thursday last, amidst the congratulations of a select party of friends, whom the spirited owner entertained on the occasion. We understand from the agent, Mr. Fitzherbcrt, that her first trip will he made to Kapiti and Nelson. We understand that the Ngatighnhuna Tribe have molested and driven the labourers employed by the Messrs. Boulcott, from their section in the llutt Valley. We beg to remind our readers, that Mr. Geo. White, J. P., will deliver his concluding lecture, ou Political Economy, this evening, in the Hall of the Mechanics’ Institution, at half-past seven.