AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9096, 3 July 1888, Page 6

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

The monthly meeting of the Auckland Institute was held last evening. There was a large attendance, and the president, Mr. S. Percy Smith, occupied the chair.

New Member.—Mr. H. F. Green way was announced as a new member.

Donations.—The secretary read the following list of donations received since the last meeting:—l 9 Maori carvings, deposited by Captain G. Mair ; set of silver and gold ores from Te Aroha, the Te Arohs Silver and Gold Mining Company ; quart; with dendritic markings, *T. L. White New Zealand shells, D. Jones ; ammonite) and other fossils Whangaroa, R. Bell; twe skins of Uticks, F. J. Symons ; leaf insec from Fiji, H. G. H. White. The Shy Albatross. —A fine specimer )f this extraordinarily rare bird was on th<

able. It is of a much smaller species than the wandering albatross, and, in consequence of its rarity, is greatly prized as a donation to the Museum. Mr. Cheeseman read a description of the bird. It was the third specimen caught in New Zealand. Mr. Bate, of Parnell, informed him that he had in his possession an albatross different to any in the Museum, and he (Mr. Cheeseman) at once recognised it as a fullgrown male shy albatross. Its distinguishing feature was the beautiful pearl-gray feathers on each side of the neck. Nothing was known of its home or habits.

The Wandering Albatross.Mr. Reischek, the distinguished and persevering naturalist, then read a paper on " The Habits and Homes of the Wandering Albatross." He had on view some splendid and instructive specimens of this majestic bird, captured by himself at the Auckland Islands. There were five large specimens, showing the plumage, &c., of the bird in its first, second, third, fourth, and fifth years. It arrives at maturity at this age. He also had two eggs and an embryo bird taken | from the shell, all of which were viewed ' with considerable interest. Mr. Reischek in an interesting manner described the habits, peculiarities, and structure of these birds, and also exhibited photos showing them on their nests. His description of the stages of plumage, which had evidently been noted with the greatest care and particularity, was followed by a technical description as to the measurements of full-grown birds, etc. At the conclusion of his paper Mr. Reischek was warmly applauded. The President asked if tlys was the same albatross which was seen on the voyage from England, and j Mr. Reischek replied that it was. Mr. j Car law stated that he had had an opportu- j nity of seeing albatrosses at their homes in ' the Auckland Islands. Their nests were peculiar, consisting only of a mud - heap twelve inches in diameter, and eighteen inches in height, scooped out like a dish. When approaching the nest, it was impossible to see whether there were any young, for the female hid them in a recess in her breast. Having been four months on Auckland Island, he had a good opportunity of watching them, and as remarked by Mr. Reischek, he found they always built their nests on the edge of a steep place. They were easily caught, and the way they used to manage was for one of a party of three to go in front of the bird and attract its attention. The other two stole up behind with a stick and pinned its neck to the ground. They then tied the bill and the bird was harmless, but the great peculiarity was that their nests were quite b'ire of feathers, grass, straw, or anything o- that kind as a lining. In reply to a question from the Chairman as to whether the land birds in these islands were the same as those of New Zealand, Mr. Reischek said that they seemed to be different species and differently coloured in many instances (which he gave). He had seen no specimens of thepukaki, but then their visit was short and the weather was bad. He trusted, however, that he would return to New Zealand and have a further opportunity of investigating. The Rev. Mr. Tebbs related his experience of albatrosses on the voyage out from England. He remarked that in calm weather they saw only solitary instances of the albatross, but in rough weather they were plentiful. Mr. Reischek said that, no doubt, was because an albatross found great difficulty in rising from a fiat surface of water. The Chairman said he was sure they were all much indebted to Mr. Reischek for the information he had given them, and ho trusted that he might have further opportunities affording him of prosecuting his very interesting investigations, and benefit

the institute by the information he obtained. Mr. Reischek said he regretted that he was about to leave New Zealand shortly, but when he returned he would do his utmost, and he might be more able than at present to do what he would like to do. (Applause). Poor Relief. —The Rev, W. Tebbs then read a thoughtful paper on the subject of poor relief, more especially as to the duty of the State in regard to the different classes of poor and how they should be relieved, as well as their claim to relief. In discussing the subject Dr. A. G. Purchas expressed strong approval of the boarding out system for children, but it would be still necessary to have a place such as a reformatory for those who were not fit to be sent into families or not likely to be received. Professor Brown said he would have been glad to have heard Mr. Tebbs make reference to the plan proposed by Bismarck in Germany, namely, compulsory insurance. Sir Robert Stout had recently reminded them of _ the enormous waste which was going on in this country, and surely in New Zealand where wages were higher than in any country, where food was cheap, and the climate genial, . surely here they could afford to put by something for a rainy day, say by insuring for an annuity upon reaching a certain age, or that in the event of the bread-winner dying he should not leave his family destitute. Further discussion on the paper was deferred until next meeting, to be held on July 16, and the Presisicfent announced that at that meeting Professor Brown would deliver a lecture. Attention was then called to the splendid Maori carvings deposited in the Museum by Captain Mair. There is the whole carved front of a large putaki or storehouse, two carved gable boards, two doorways heavily carved, two carved canoe stern-posts, and one figurehead, the latter being, perhaps, the finest specimen of its kind in New Zealand. There are also two ancient Maori spades, specimens of which are now only rarely met with; and there are several other smaller carvings, very interesting of their kind. The President expressed the indebtedness of the . Institute to Captain Mair for having deposited these rare and beautiful carvings in the Museum.