On a remarkable Phenomenon observed at a Hot Spring near Lake Taupo.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 2, 1869, Page 414

By Captain J. G. Corbett (2.) “An account of a remarkable Phenomenon observed at a Hot Spring near Lake Taupo,” by Captain J. G. Corbett. The phenomenon described occurred on the 3rd of January, 1869, about eleven o'clock in the evening, when the writer was disturbed in a whare near Lake Taupo by a sound resembling the rushing of a strong wind. On going outside he observed a large column of vapour, which was being ejected from a hot spring near at hand, to a height of 200 feet. The President remarked that the natives assigned the rise and fall of the waters in the chain of Rotorua Lakes to atmospheric causes. Mr. Wilson observed that there was little doubt that the meteorological conditions had a considerable influence on the hot springs, but it was difficult to define their exact action. He questioned whether the greater density of the polar over the equatorial winds would be sufficient to account for all the changes in the state of the springs. The wind had a different effect on different springs at the same time. In some cases the tendency of an equatorial wind was to depress and in others to expand the waters. The condition of waters of the various springs, too, was not uniform, some being largely charged with mineral matter, while in others it was almost totally absent. They were also largely charged with gases, which he believed had a considerable influence on the eruptions, and if a light were applied to the waters of some a flame would be observable from the combustion of the gas emitted. A fire lighted near the springs would also at times have the effect of causing an eruption, but whether the result was brought about by the expansion of the steam or gases by the heat, he had not sufficient data to decide. Within a few miles of the spot indicated by Mr. Corbett, he had before seen eruptions, but he thought that the action of the geysers was subsiding. (3.) “On the Grasses and other Plants adapted for pasturage in the Province of Auckland,” by T. Kirk. (See ante, p. 102.) In this paper the author described the most suitable native and introduced grasses, which were carefully classified for the benefit of the agriculturist and botanical student. The paper contained a mass of information on the subject, which would prove most useful to those interested in pasturage. Mr. May suggested that it would be most advantageous were the Acclimatisation Society to plant various patches of different kinds of grasses to ascertain which sorts are best adapted to climate of the colony. Fifth Meeting. September 20, 1869. T. B. Gillies, President, in the chair. The names of the following new members were announced:—Messrs. E. Maclean, J. Gwynneth, H. Williams, and H. Campbell. The list of donations to the Museum during the past month was read by the Secretary. Papers read:— (1.) “Description of Nyroca australis, Gould, and æstrelata Gouldii, Hutt., n. s., two Birds new to the Fauna of New Zealand,” by Captain F. W. Hutton, F. G. S. (See ante, p. 78.) A specimen of æstrelata Gouldii was exhibited. Mr. Kirk remarked that it was barely possible the æstrelata Gouldii might be identical with the original Procellaria macroptera, the differences being those of age only. The description in each case was drawn from a single specimen. It must, however, be pointed out that this view was scarcely supported by the relative measurements of the two forms. (2.) “On the occurrence of Orobanche, a genus new to the Flora of New Zealand,” by T. Kirk. (See ante, p. 106.) (3.) “Description of the Lava Caves at the ‘Three Kings,’ near Auckland,” by James Stewart, C. E. (See ante, p. 162.) (4.) “On the Comparative Performances of certain River Steamers on the Waikato,” by James Stewart, C. E. (See ante, p. 220.) (5.) “Diary of a Canoe Voyage up the Waikato and Waipa Rivers, in September and October, 1852,” by the late Dr. Sinclair, —read by the President. (Reserved.)

Sixth Meeting. October 18, 1869. T. B. Gilles, President, in the chair. The names of the following new members were announced:—Dr. Nisbett, and Mr. J. H. Upton. Mr. Gillies said the first business they were called on to transact was the election of one of the members to vote for the governors of the New Zealand Institute: when the affiliated societies numbered only three, each elected a governor; but when they exceeded that number, each must nominate one of its own body. Mr. Whitaker proposed “That the President be nominated to vote on behalf of the affiliated society, for a governor of the New Zealand Institute.” Major Heaphy seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. A list of donations to the Institute during the last month, was read by the Secretary, among which was, a magnificent specimen of auriferous quartz, from the claim of the Long Drive Company; also, very curious specimens of crystallised auriferous quartz, from the claim of the Una Company—these were a blue casing, with white crystals, the gold being scattered upon it like spangles. Also, specimens of auriferous quartz from the gold mines of Hungary and Transylvania. Captain Hutton said the specimens exhibited had been sent to him by Dr. Hector, who, he believed, had received them from Dr. Haast. They corresponded very nearly with the auriferous rock of the Thames, except that there was rather more silica in the European specimens. Although there might be more valuable minerals in a specimen from one place, more than was to be found in a specimen taken from a different place, yet that did not alter the description under which the stone might be classed. There was more lead and silver found with gold in the Hungarian mines than was found here, so much that the silver mines had become more valuable than those which produced gold. The stone exhibited was described as volcanic tufa, by the Imperial Survey of Austria. He believed there was a good deal of controversy in reference to the subject, but he thought the Survey Department of the Austrian Government had much better means of knowing, and were more likely to be correct, than private individuals. Papers read:— (1.) “On the Discovery of Isoëtes, and other genera of Rhizocarpæ, new to the Flora of New Zealand,” by T. Kirk. (See ante, p. 107.) (2.) “On Epacris purpurascens,” by T. Kirk, who exhibited several specimens of this plant, which had been first observed by Dr. Sinclair, in the neighbourhood of Papakura, to which locality it appeared to be confined. (See ante, p. 107.) (3.) “On the Structure of the Leaf of Phormium tenax,” by Captain Hutton, F. G. S. (See ante, p. 111.) (4.) “On the New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax),” by Major Heaphy, V. C. (See ante, p. 116.) Archdeacon Williams, Captain Hutton, Captain Heale, and Major Heaphy, V. C., took part in the discussion which followed the reading of these papers. The President urged that more papers such as that by Captain Hutton were much wanted. At present, there seemed to be no agreement as to even the names by which the different varieties of flax were known to the natives. Captain Hutton said that, whatever kind might be chosen for cultivation, whether “tihore” or some other, years must pass before it could be of commercial importance. The common flax would have to be depended on for some time to come. The “tihore” was so rare at present, that unless a very much higher price than ordinary could be obtained for its fibre, it would not pay anybody to deal with that plant by itself. Was “tihore” ever found wild? Major Heaphy, V. C., said that he had found it in parts of the island which had not been inhabited or cultivated for many generations. It was to be found in one part of the Domain, on the left from Mechanics' Bay, but he had found at the roots of the plants the shells of edible fishes, showing that the natives had been there. Captain Heale said that he believed it would be found that very much which was known as to flax had been forgotten. In 1841, there was at Rugeley, in Staffordshire, a factory specially for the manufacture of canvas, etc., from New Zealand flax. It happened that he became possessed of £100 worth of that canvas; and a schooner which he had was fitted with a complete set of sails out of that canvas. He was not sure that he did not still possess, in England, some cambric handkerchiefs, made of flax; and in France, flax was at that time much used for covering the wood of tassels, because the fibre took dye to perfection, and, at a short distance, when so used, could not be distinguished from silk. The Secretary thought it doubtful whether, for commercial purposes, the fibre of any particular variety of flax would be found to have a decided superiority over that of the common variety. Specimens of the principal varieties of flax were exhibited by Captain Hutton.

Seventh Meeting. November 15, 1869. The Rev. D. Bruce in the chair. The names of two new members were announced:—Messrs. Hugh Hart Lusk, and George Thompson Chapman. A list of donations to the Museum was read by the Secretary. Papers read:— (1.) “On the occurrence of the New Zealand Frog (Leiopelma Hochstetteri) at the Puriri Creek, Thames; with an Account of a peculiar feature in the habits of an Australian Frog,” by Alexander Aitken, second officer of the late Victorian Exploring Expedition. (See ante, p. 87.) A specimen of Leiopelma Hochstetteri, from Puriri Creek, accompanied the paper. (2.) “On Drainage Operations at the Remuera Swamp,” by J. Baber, C. E. (See ante, p. 219.) In the course of the discussion which ensued, Mr. Baber drew attention to the numerous subterranean currents of water in the lava field of Mount Eden, and which formed the source of supply to the swamps and streams having their outlet at Coxe's Creek. Certain wells in the Epsom district appear to tap these streams, as they are never dry, while other wells, within a few yards even, and at much greater depths, are often dry. Dr. Purchas remarked that after the floods of Ash Wednesday last, when the traffic was stopped at Penrose, new springs broke out in Onehunga, and continued in operation for some time. Wells sunk through the scoria in Onehunga yielded at the same level; but there was a difference of ten or twelve feet in the height of the water during the summer and winter seasons. A lava field was like a vast sponge, collecting the surplus water of the winter and storing it for future use. Mr. W. Buckland considered that the flood at Penrose was in all probability caused by the discharge from the Ellerslie slaughter house having blocked up the usual outlet from St. John's Lake, and forced it to seek another channel. Dr. Purchas said that Mr. Buckland's statement at once explained what has been a great puzzle to the inhabitants of Onehunga; their water supply, usually remarkable for its extreme purity, had of late been slightly tainted. (3.) “On the Naturalized Plants of New Zealand, specially with regard to those occurring in the Province of Auckland,” by T. Kirk. (See ante, p. 131.) Mr. W. Buckland observed that he had lately observed the so-called Chilian groundsel in great abundance, and of unusual luxuriance near Taupo. He should like to know if Mr. Kirk considered the Rat's-tail grass native or introduced. Dr. Purchas remarked that he had listened to the reading of the paper with great interest, and trusted the interesting questions it suggested would receive the attention they merited from members of the Institute during the recess. Mr. Kirk stated that the so-called Chilian groundsel was Erigeron canadensis, a native of North America, which, since the middle of the seventeenth century, had spread over the world. The Rat's-tail grass was Sporobolus elongatus, and he believed it to be a true native; although an exotic grass, Selaria italica, which Mr. Bassett informed him had been introduced within the last ten years was often growing with it in the Otahuhu district. He pointed out the value of records of the first appearance of naturalized plants in any district with regard to the important subject of their powers of diffusion, and urged the members of the Institute to place facts of this kind upon record. (4.) “On Improvements in the Processes for extracting and saving Gold,” by T. Heale, C. E. (See ante, p. 174.) Dr. Purchas remarked that he considered the mode of assay and separation, suggested by the author of the Paper, just read, not only feasible, but the best that had been proposed; it was, in fact, identical with the first process employed by Mr. Ransen, in the production of his patent concrete, he dissolved flints in caustic potash under pressure; and auriferous quartz differed essentially from flint only in the presence of metals. Mr. James Stewart spoke of the ease with which pressure could be applied by means of steam; the material to be operated upon being placed in iron retorts furnished with safety valves, and surrounded by clay. He believed that specimen-crushings would never take place if this plan were adopted. Mr. W. Buckland considered that most of the gold lost in the process of extraction was lost from its connection with pyrites, and therefore that the results of Mr. Heale's plan would be nil. He believed that twenty-five per cent. of the entire quantity of gold in the quartz was lost from this cause. Mr. Heale did not believe that so large a proportion of gold was lost at the Thames, except under special conditions; his impression was that with the general run of stuff the gold was extracted fairly, perhaps not perfectly. It was at times difficult to ascertain

when low returns were to be referred to imperfect machinery, and when to inferior qualities of material. He had seen gold which yielded fifty per cent. of silver. The Chairman remarked upon the importance of the members of the Institute working, during the recess, for the furtherance of the objects for which it was formed, and declared the second session of the Auckland Institute to be closed.