AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7796, 16 November 1886, Page 6

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

The last meeting of the Auckland Institute was held last night in the Museum Buildings, Professor Brown (President of the Institute) presiding. The attendance was only small. The. Secretary read the following an. nouncement of proceedings since the last meeting of the Institute :-New member, Dr. Davy, Thames ; donations to the library and Museum ; Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for ISS4—the Association album of 24 photographic views in the province of Auokland, D. M. Beere; flying fox, Miss Annie Williams; obsidian bomb from Rotoiti, Major Mair; 21 silver and copper coins, 2 foreign bank notes, J. Brooks. The Chairman then invited discussion on the paper read at the last meeting on the value of kahikatea as a building timber. Mr. Bartley expressed the opinion that besides being very soft, the worst feature of it waa that it was infested with grub. Mr. Bagnall responded, stating that he had produced instances showing that kahikatea would last a considerable time, and was equal, or auperior, to what was called secondclass kauri. When kahikatea and kauri were mixed, insects no doubt had a preference for the kahikatea. He hoped on a future occasion to be able to recommend some method of preserving the timber from the ravages of insects. Professor Thomas asked if any attempt had been made to keep away the grub by means of corrosive sublimate. Mr. Bagnall said he was not aware of suoh experiments having been made. Creosote was used to preserve the timber. Salt Spring in the Kino Country.— Professor Brown then read a paper upon " A Salt Spring in the King Country," which was situated eighteen or twenty miles due west of the Taupo Lake. He said Some time ago, when he was at Hamilton, he met Mr. L. Cusson, of the Survey Department, who, in course of conversation, informed him that in riding along the flank of the Hikurangi Range he crossed a spring at which his horse refused to drink, and, on tasting the water, he found it was extremely salt. The point at whioh he crossed the stream was about 900 feet above the sea level, the water flowing down the side of the mountain in a stream, about 2 feet wide and 6 inches deep. The mountain was said by Mr. Cusson to consist of marl, containing many fossils and hard blue clay, the fossils being the remains of bivalves. It seemed to him that the occurrence of a considerable stream of salt water on that range would serve to throw some light upon the geology of the district, as it might be supposed that the water derived its salinity from beds of salt somewhere in the neighbourhood. Mr. Cusson, at his request, furnished him with a sample of the water. He gave an analysis of the water, which contained chlorine, calcium, sodium, and lithium, besides other materials. The water was unusually dense, no mineral waters that he knew of being so dense as it. He showed the proportion of solids contained in other well-known waters, including Harrogate water, and the water he spoke of oontained one-third more of solid material. He described the chemical peculiarities of the water, and said it was a matter of interest to know where the calcium ohloride it contained came from, as also other chemical contents to be found in it. Dr. Murray Moore trusted the fact of the spring existing would be well-made known, as it was a matter of considerable importance to certain classes of invalids. They were very muoh obliged to Professor Brown for his paper. In reply to an inquiry. Professor Brown said no doubt salt might be obtained from this water more easily, and with better results, than from sea water. He had not been able to make a complete analysis of the water, but it oontained more iodine than most mineral waters. Professor Thomas said it would be interesting to know whence the salt came into the water. Land and Fresh-water Shells of the Thames District.—a paper, by Mr. Jas. Adams, 8.A., bearing this title, was read by Mr. Cheeseman. The author remarked that it would surprise many persons to learn that the New Zealand forests oontained many kinds of indigenous land shells. Probably, no forest district of any size had less than 40 distinot kinds. They were over looked on account of their small size, dull oolours, and from their habit of hiding under leaves, bark, stones, etc., so that some practice was required to find them. A sketch was given of the distribution of the land shells in the Thames district, and their favourite localities were described. The nikau palm was stated to harbour a greater number of species than any other plant; but the puka-puka, kie kie, and the tree ferns were also favourites with them. Fresh-water shells were found in every stream and pond in the distriot; but although common enough there were very few kinds, probably not more than half-a-dozen. The paper concluded with a tabulated list of the species found in the distriot. Earthworms in New Zealand. — The next paper, on the work of earth-worms in New Zealand, by Mr. Urquhart, was also read by Mr. Cheeseman. This was an attempt to compare the work done by the New Zealand earth-worms with that performed by the European species, the methods of observation adopted being those described in Mr. Darwin's well-known book on the subjeot. Mr. Urquhart was of opinion that the number of worms in uncultivated lands in New Zealand was very small, but that a rapid increase took place when the land was cultivated, so that all our old fields and pastares were probably as well stocked as any in Europe. Little Barrier Island.—A desoriptive account of Little Barrier Island, the birds which inhabit it, and the locality whioh protects them, written by Mr. A. Reisohek, was read by Professor Thomas. He described the varieties of wood by which the island was well timbered, and the winged inhabitants which made the woods lively. The creeks and mountains constituting a wild and roraantio scenery were described, and the geological conditions whioh rendered it so favourable for preserving our native birds. There were no easy landing places, and the hills and vallies formed excellent positions for the. protection of the various birds, both native and foreign, to be found in the island, including 40 specimens of their New Zealand birds, some of the species being nearly extinct on the mainland. The writer agreed that the abundanoe of bees was unfavourable to the birds, but their great enemies were cats and pigs. He was in no doubt that the Little Barrier Island would be an admirable place for preserving the various species of native birds. Professor Thomas said it would be a matter of great regret if their native birds were allowed to become extinct. If Government set apart the Little Barrier Island for that purpose they would only be following an example whioh had been set by America. It has been suggested that the Institute should suggest to the Government the desirability of setting apart the island for that purpose, but it would be necessary to have some person to watch and protect it from interference. It had been resolved by the committee of the Institute to ask the Government to preserve the inland as a state forest for timber and the preservation of birds. Dr. Purohas thought they should get the inhabitants of Auckland generally to take an interest in acquiring the Little Barrieri He had no donbt a memorial to that effeot would be very largely signed. He expressed his regret at never now hearing the song of the Bell bird. Mr. Stewart thought the Little Barrier was private property. Mr. Percy Smith said some steps had been taken by the Government towards securing the island. A paper on " The whence of the Maori, by Mr. W. D. Blyth, waa taken as read. The Chairman asked if it was thought desirable that a special meeting of the Institute should be held to consider the matter, but no further action was taken and the Chairman announced the conclusion of the business of that meeting and of the meetings of the session.