Auckland Institute.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 3, 1870, Unnumbered Page

Auckland Institute. First Meeting. June 13, 1870. Rev. Dr. Purchas, President, in the chair. A list of newly elected members was read.

Second Meeting. July 11, 1870. Rev. Dr. Purchas, President, in the chair. The election of the following new members was announced, viz.,— B. Gittos, J. M. Clark, G. Eliott, P. A. Phillips, R. R. Hunt, J. George, E. Jones, and G. M. O'Rorke. A list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. 1. “On the Nests and Eggs of four species of New Zealand Birds, not previously described,” by Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. (See Transactions.) The nests and eggs described were those of Creadion carunculatus, Sula serrator, Graculus varius, and Majaqueus Parkinsoni; specimens belonging to the museum collection were exhibited. 2. “On the use of Salt-water in the Field Boiler,” by James Stewart, C.E. (See Transactions.) 3. “An Account of Experiments to determine the Power required to work the Flax Machines in common use in the Province of Auckland,” by James Stewart, C.E. (See Transactions.) Captain Hutton pointed out that this was the first attempt to ascertain the actual power required to work the ordinary machines for flax dressing, and in view of the waste and disappointment that had ensued from the want of knowledge of this kind, considered the paper of great value. Dr. Purchas considered the paper had been prepared with great care, and would lead to direct practical results. 4. “Remarks upon New Zealand Flax as a Paper-making material,” by T. Kirk. Mr. Kirk remarked that as the adaptability of New Zealand flax as a material for paper was being discussed in the newspapers of the day, it might be advantageous to show what had been accomplished in this direction. He exhibited a book, “An Account of the Phormium tenax, or New Zealand Flax; printed on paper made from its leaves,” by the late Mr. J. Murray, F.L.S., etc., a gentleman esteemed alike for his philanthropy and scientific ability. The book was printed in 1836, and the paper was in as good condition as on the day it was printed. It was manufactured by Mr. Smith, of the Morton Paper Mills, Yorkshire, is in an unbleached state, and in strength and tenacity resembles parchment, rather than ordinary paper. There can be no doubt that it is a paper of extraordinary durability. The paper appears to have been prepared from the undressed leaf, but no information is given as to the process employed in its manufacture, nor is it stated from

what part of the colony the material was procured. Mr. Murray observes, “I find that the tow of the New Zealand flax will make an excellent paper, free from specks,” which is by no means the case with the paper of which the book is composed. Mr. Kirk stated his opinion that Phormium Colensoi, the Wharaeki of the natives, the fibre of which was almost useless for ordinary purposes, was better adapted for paper than Phormium tenax, and he would add that he was convinced of the specific distinctness of the two plants, as originally maintained by Mr. Colenso; the fruit pods of P. Colensoi being rounded, twisted, and pendulous; while those of P. tenax are straight, angled, and rigidly erect. He concluded by reading several interesting extracts from the book. In the course of the interesting discussion which ensued, and in which Mr. Stewart, Captain F. W. Hutton, Dr. Purchas, and other members took part, it was generally agreed that the tow and waste from the flax mills might be profitably pulped and pressed into bricks, for export as a paper-making material, but that the present rate of labour would not admit of its being manufactured at a profit in the colony. Third Meeting. August 8, 1870. Rev. Dr. Purchas, President, in the chair. The Secretary read a list of members elected since the last meeting:— J. M. Dargaville, W. Hill, Jun., Captain Daldy, J. Sheehan, W. Morrin, T. Henderson, Jun., J. Buchanan, E. A. MacKechnie. The list of donations to the Library and Museum, for the same period, was also read. 1. “On the Relative Ages of the Waitemata Series and the Brown Coal Series of Waikato and Drury,” by Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. (See Transactions.) The groups of rocks treated of by the author are those ultimately arranged by Dr. Hochstetter, in the following series :— 1. Limestones of the Upper Waipa and Mokan. 2. Shales and limestones of Raglan, Aotea, and Kawhia. 3. Sandstones of Port Waikato. 4. Limestone of Papakura. 5. Waitemata series. 6. Brown coal series of Drury and Lower Waikato. The arrangement proposed by the author is as under:— 1. Waitemata series. 2. Limestone of Raglan and Kawhia.

3. Sandstone of Port Waikato and Aotea. 4. Clays of Raglan, Aotea, etc. 5. Papakura series. 6. Brown coal series. No. 1, being probably Upper Miocene; 2 to 5, Oligocene; and 6, Eocene. The paper was illustrated by several sections. 2. “On a Self-acting Clamp Wire Tramway, specially adapted for Hilly Districts,” by F. W. Wright, L.M.B.T., etc. (See Transactions.) This paper was illustrated by working drawings and a large model. In the lengthy discussion that ensued, it was generally agreed that the improvements and additions proposed by the inventor, would be found of great service on the Thames gold fields. 3. “On the Botany of the Auckland Isthmus and the North Shore of the Waitemata,” by T. Kirk. (See Transactions.) The Auckland isthmus extends from the Whau creek to the Tamaki, being bounded entirely by the Waitemata and Manukau harbours, with the exception of the portage between the Whau creek and the Manukau, and the very short one from Fairburn's creek to the Tamaki. The North Shore comprises the district from the north head of the Waitemata to Lucas' creek and Omangia bay. The author stated that notwithstanding the great changes produced by settlement in this small district, it still contained nearly 450 indigenous Phenogams and Ferns, and after pointing out its chief peculiarities, stated that its flora might fairly be taken as a representation of the flora of the colony, with the exception of the alpine section. The lower Cryptogams are to form the subject of another paper.