AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14225, 23 November 1909, Page 3

AUCKLAND INSTITUTE.

The winter session of the Auckland Institute was brought to a close last night with an ordinary meeting of members at the Museum Buildings. There was a moderate attendance, and Mr. E. V. Miller presided.

Mr. J. Clement Cuff read an interesting paper on the cam-lever balance, an ingenious weighing machine which is his own invention. . The system is a modification of the lever balance, and possesses many advantages, one of which is the minuteness of the objects which it can weigh. "The Meteorology of Waihi" was the title of a paper by Mr. H. B. Devereaux. The writer endeavoured to explain the reason why Waihi should have a rainfall nearly double that of the surrounding districts of Te Aroha, Paeroa, Tauranga, and Thames. His summarised conclusions were that the remarkable rainfall of Waihi was due (1) to its nearness to the ocean; (2) to its situation as regards the track of cyclonic storms; (3) to its topographical features; (4) to reasons 2 and 3 operating in combination. Mr. D. Petrie, M.A., gave an interesting paper on " The Naturalisation of the Scotch Heather in the Taupo District," and Mr. J. Stewart, C.K., wrote of "The Aeration of the Auckland Lava Beds."