AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7772, 19 October 1886, Page 3

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

» A meeting of the Auckland Institute was held last night at the Museum Buildings, Princeß>«street, Professor Brown presiding. The following list of donations sinoe last meeting was read by the secretary (Mr. Cheeseman.) DONATIONS TO THB MUSEUM. Giant Petrel, J. Harding; kiwi, E. Wasley; collection of geyserites from Rotorua, E. B. Diokson ; rook crystal from Kinmare, Ireland, J. Considine; photographs of inscribed stones from Easter Island ; sling and stone from Rarotonga, S. B. Biss ; Maori stone adzes, A. Wilson. PAPERS READ. Mr. Cheeseman read a paper by Mr. Weetman, of the Survey Department, giving an account of the discovery of moa bones on the Great Barrier Island. Some time ago the writer was informed by Mr. G. A. Martin that moa bones had been found near the mouth of the Owano River, a small stream whioh runs into the sea about midway on the eastern coast of the Barrier. On visiting the island in 1885, he caused a search to be made in the locality, and ultimately secured a number of bones, These bad been examined at the Museum, and proved to be partly seal bones and partly moa bones. Traces of an old Maori pa were observed near the place, so that the bones were probably the remains of some feast. Whether the bird had been caught on the Barrier or brought there in a canoe to be cooked could not be decided until further evidence was obtained, but moa bones had not been previously found off the mainland. Mr. Cheeseman next read an abstract of a lengthy paper describing the New Zealand species of ooproama. This genus contains a number of shrubs or small trees, often known by the native name of karamu, and most of them very plentiful throughout the oolony. It belongs to the rubiaceae, or madder family, aod is not very distantly allied to the coffee shrub, and the cinchona. The species are all very variable, and difficult to describe and classify in a satisfactory manner. After alluding to what other botanists had done on the same subject, Mr. Cheeseman gave a Bketch of the floral and vegetative characters of the genus, pointing out the range of variation that they are subject to, and describing in detail some structural peculiarities. The paper also inoluded descriptions of each of the species, with notes on their distribution and economic properties. Professor Thomas read a paper on "Ornithological Notes" by Mr. Reischek. He added that it appeared that the birds of New Zealand seemed to have less power of resisting their various enemies than those whioh had had to go through keener competition in the struggle for life. Judge Fenton suggested that the members of the society should make an effort to get the Little Barrier Island (Hauturu), where the birds alluded to were abundant, into their own possession. Mr. Ruschek and Dr. Murray Moore also spoke, the latter suggesting that the question of acquiring the island should be taken in hand by the Acclimatisation Society. No doubt the extinction of these birds would lead to an increase in their insect pests. Professor Brown said the difficulty would be to maintain the island if they got it. The Acclimatisation Sooiety seemed to him more of a sporting sooiety. Judge Fenton said he would certainly never advocate getting the island under the management of the Acclimatisation Society. Mr. L. J. Bagnall then read a paper on 'Kahikatea as a Building Timber," in which he spoke most favourably of the appearance adaptability, and durability of the wood! He showed specimens of ' the wood newly cut, and others whioh had stood a long test of time and wear. Mr. J. Stewart endorsed the remarks of Mr. Bagnall as to the value of the wood. Dr. Murray Moore snowed a specimen of the kahikatea, expressing the opinion that it was most desirable to have fuller information as to the different varieties of the wood. Mr. Bartley said he thought the discussion would be best postponed until next meeting. The meeting then terminated.