Preliminary notes on the bones of a fossil Penguin.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 2, 1869, Page 403

By J. Hector, M. D., F. R. S. (6.) “Preliminary Notes on the Bones of a Fossil Penguin,” recently discovered on the West Coast of Nelson, and presented to the Museum by Mr. Dingan, by Dr. Hector. The discovery is interesting, as a fossil bone discovered by Mr. Mantell in the Oamaru limestone of Otago, in 1849, was pronounced by Professor Huxley to belong to a gigantic penguin five feet in height. The fossil bones found by Mr. Dingan appeared to be those of a bird about four feet high, and therefore not larger than penguins that still exist in the antarctic regions. The fossil shells, sent from the same formation as the bones, indicate that they belong to the lower pliocene period. (7.) “On the General Principles of an Education Scheme for New Zealand,” by W. S. Hamilton. (See ante, p. 196.) The chief object of this paper was to show that sound education of youth is of vital importance to the success of the colony—that it can only be obtained by a careful selection of teachers through a system of licensing, and by general examinations of the scholars' certificates being granted, that would be generally accepted as a criterion of proficiency, and afford a standard for the schools to work up to. Mr. Hamilton, in the course of his paper, criticised the relations of the Government in the existing schools. Mr. Mantell, in discussing his remarks on this subject, did not see that any Government could improve or originate any system unless the movement was in accordance with the general wish of the people. He pointed out that where the inhabitants appreciated the benefits of education, as in Otago, there a good system existed. Mr. Pharazyn thought that nothing would be done towards improving the present state of things unless the educated members of the community led the way, he therefore agreed with the object of Mr. Hamilton's suggestions. The Chairman then stated that two papers remained on the list, but it was so late that they could only be briefly noticed. (8.) One was a most elaborate series of “Tables for facilitating the use of the Aneroid Barometer in Mountainous Countries, with explanations,” by E. Dobson, C. E. (See ante, p. 223.) This paper was intended to supply a practical want which had been felt by Mr. Dobson when making engineering surveys in New Zealand mountains, and no one could be more qualified than he to produce a valuable and accurate work of the kind.

(9.) The other paper was an account by Dr. Hector of “The Geology of the Outlying Islands of the New Zealand group.” (See ante, p. 176.) From various reports, accompanied by specimens of the rocks obtained from the islands during the last few years. Several additions to the Museum were exhibited, including a beautifully prepared skeleton of a dolphin, and specimens from the supposed auriferous reefs in Canterbury, Wellington, and Kaimanawa ranges. A series of photographs by Mr. Igglesden, showing the progress of the works on the Cape Campbell lighthouse, were also exhibited from the Marine department.