Wellington Philosophical Society.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 5, 1872, Unnumbered Page

Wellington Philosophical Society. Fifth Annual General Meeting. 29th January, 1872. W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S., President, in the chair.

Second Meeting. 20th July, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New members.—Commander K. A. Edwin, R. N., C. J. Harrison, J. Carruthers, C.E., Alfred Dobson, C.E., George Park, Hon. Capt. Fraser, F.R.G.S., C.J. Nairn. Publications received since last meeting were laid on the table. 1. “Preliminary Notes on Mr. H. H. Travers' Recent Collections of Plants from the Chatham Islands,” by Baron Ferd. von Mueller, C.M.G., M.D., F.R.S., Hon. Mem. N.Z. Inst. (See Transactions, p. 309.) The author considers that we have now an almost complete knowledge of the flora of these islands. Mr. W. T. L. Travers stated that, besides the botanical collection, his son had made large ethnological and zoological collections, and that the results of his expedition would be brought before the Society during this season. He believed they would throw much light on the habits of the Moriori race. The President said he had been fortunate enough to secure Mr. Travers' collections for the Colonial Museum, and that they would be valuable for exchanges with European museums. He was glad to find that the botanical collections were so highly appreciated, and he trusted that they would enable botanists to make accurate deductions respecting the geographic range of the species found there, as Baron von Mueller is to communicate a complete essay on the plants to the Society. Mr. Travers explained that the reason why the collection had not been intrusted to Mr. Kirk, of Auckland, for description was, that the collection of a former expedition, the expense of which was born by himself, was described by Baron von Mueller, and published at the cost of the Victorian, Government. 2. “Notes on some of the New Zealand Birds,” by James Morton, communicated by Captain Hutton. (See Transactions, p. 225.) Captain Hutton stated he did not agree with some; portions of the author's observations. However, if the description given of a blue crane with a dorsal crest is correct it must apply to a species that has not yet been described.

Birds. “H. brunnea. “Dr. Finsch writes me as follows:—' I consider Hieracidea brunnea as doubtful a species as Nestor occidentalis; and if you declare: the very singular Stringops greyi a mere variety I think you ought to do the same with the two former.' “Mr. J. H. Gurney, however, who is an acknowledged authority on Accipitres, writes me, under date April 10, I am sure you are right about the distinctness of the two New Zealand Hieracideœ.' “Nestor occidentalis has been retained provisionally for the reasons given in my work on the Birds of New Zealand (pp. 50–51). My arguments for the reduction of Stringops greyi to the rank of a synonym are, I think, conclusive, Mr. G. R. Gray (who described the so-called new species) says he accepts my decision. I may add that latterly he was himself very doubtful of the validity of the species.” Captain Hutton explained with reference to Norbea isolata, that he thought, the frequent representation, in New Zealand of tropical forms was not sufficiently appreciated. The lizard in question is of a stunted form, and may be a case like some tropical plants that are found in New Zealand and other islands near hot springs. 4. Dr. Hector described a Porpoise that had been shot by Mr. Lewis Wilson, from the s.s. “Luna.” The skull proves it to be Electra clancula, a species founded on the skull of a specimen in the British Museum. (Vide ante, 160.)

(Abstract.) Tauakira, known to sailors as “The Devil's Thumb,” is an important

land-mark, rising several hundred feet higher than any other point along the northern side of Cook Strait, and when brought in line with the great snowy mountain, Ruapehu, shows the entrance to the Wanganui River. No one had succeeded in reaching the summit till last March, when the writer and some others ascended the Wanganui River, and after some difficulty gained the top of the mountain, whence very extensive views of the surrounding country were obtained. The author states that “Dr. Hochstetter was mistaken in assuming, from its appearance when viewed from a distance, that Tauakira is of volcanic origin. It is simply a culminating peak of the recent white clay formation. Two large slips which have recently occurred on its northern face have exposed the substratum, from the hill-top right down to the Operiki gully, a depth of fully a thousand feet, and nothing but the white clay is visible anywhere along it. The crest of the hill, like that of nearly all the others of the same formation, is very narrow, and has its northern face precipitous, while sloping gently towards the south. “The party had with them no means of measuring the height of the hill, but by vertical angle from the town of Wanganui it appears to be about 2,400 feet, and this agrees so nearly with the comparative heights, 1,883 feet and 1,890 feet, assigned to Taupiri, that there is little doubt as to its being almost if not quite correct. The bearings from Tauakira confirmed the accuracy of others which had been previously taken, and proved conclusively that Ranana, which is always reckoned 60 miles from the town of Wanganui by the river, is actually only 21¼ miles in a straight line from the Wanganui Heads.” Among the exhibits on the table was a collection of stone weapons found on the south bank of the Teremakau by Judge Harvey. Besides green-stone and horn-stone adzes, there was a large mass of chert for making cutting flakes. Some bones recently obtained by the Hon. Captain Fraser in the same cave in Otago where the Moa's neck was obtained, were shown.*Vide ante, p. 102. The President stated that some of these bones, which are very fresh, belonged to the Cnemiornis, and with those is a humerus or wing bone of large size, which differs from the wing bone of that bird, as described by Professor Owen, in possessing a pneumatic foramen, which is generally considered to indicate a bird of flight. There are also the bones of a very large weka, which must have been equal in size to the large kiwi, and the bones of paradise ducks. Dr. Hector hoped that the remarkable deposit in this cave would soon be carefully explored. A sample of sheeting made from New Zealand flax (Phormium) forwarded by Dr. Featherston was exhibited. Also portions that had been tested for strength and lasting power with soap and bleaching powder by Mr. Skey, and found to wear well.

At the close of the meeting Mr. T. Kelly, M.H.R., exhibited and explained to a number of the members interested in such matters a full-sized model of a new flax-dressing machine. The novelties in the construction were highly approved by those competent to judge of such matters. Third Meeting. 14th August, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New members.—Adino Boughton, Lipman Levy, Charles Nichol. Presentations to the Society, and additions to the Museum were laid on the table. Among these were specimens in a crude and prepared state of the iron paint manufactured from hematite ore, lately discovered near Collingwood; also, a specimen of soap-stone, which has been found in large quantities in the same locality, and will be extremely valuable as a fire-stone for the construction of furnaces; and lastly a splendid sample of tobacco, grown, cured, and packed by the King natives at Tokangamutu, contributed by the Hon. D. McLean. The President then delivered the following

Fourth Meeting. 21st August, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New members.—W. F. Parsons, R. Collins. 1. “On the Life and Times of Te Rauparaha,” Chapters I. and II., by W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 20.)

Fifth Meeting. 28th August, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New member.—H. Nicholas.

Sixth Meeting. 4th September, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New member.—F. M. Betts. Several publications received for the library since the last meeting were laid upon the table. The President exhibited several specimens of towelling, made by Mr. Forbes, of Arbroath, from pure Phormium, and pointed out the great advance which had been made during the last six months. 1. “On the Life and Times of Te Rauparaha,” Chapter III., by W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 41.) 2. “A Description of the Earnsclough Moa Cave,” by the Hon. Capt. Fraser, F.R.G.S. (See Transactions, p. 102.)

Seventh Meeting. 11th September, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 1. “On the Geographical Relations of the New Zealand Fauna,” by Capt. F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (See Transactions, p. 227.) This was the concluding part of the paper begun at the last meeting of the Society.

Mr. Travers drew Capt. Hutton's attention to the fact that Mr. Rochfort had seen newts in a lake on the top of Mount Arthur; that he had in his garden a carnivorous slug, and he also referred to a red parasite he had seen on a reptile on his station. He thought many distinctive forms of life had been introduced from other countries, but owing to the time required for distribution they were but imperfectly known. Dr. Haast would like to know if submergence had only been partial. There was no doubt that New Zealand was originally part of a large continent. Captain Hutton felt doubtful about the newts until he had heard further of the matter. The President after discussing some of the points raised by Capt. Hutton, said that the Society should be congratulated on the paper, which was a practical application of the Darwinian theory. 2. “On the Birds of the Chatham Islands,” by H. H. Travers; “With Introductory Remarks on the Avifauna and Flora of the Islands,” by W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S., (See Transactions, p. 212.) Mr. J. D. Enys asked if Mr. Travers could account for the gizzard stones of the kiwi being found in the Chathams, if it did not belong to it. Mr. Travers said it might have been taken over by the Maoris, but it certainly did not belong to the islands. A skeleton of a Wallaby, prepared by Dr. Knox, was exhibited. Eighth Meeting. 18th September, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New member.—J. B. Bradshaw, M.H.R. Publications received since last meeting were on the table.

Ninth Meeting. 25th September, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 1. “Notes on Miramar Peninsula, Wellington Harbour,” by J. C. Crawford, F.G.S. (See Transactions, p. 396.) The author exhibited bones of various species of the Moa which have been found on the peninsula, and had been presented by him to the Colonial Museum. The President said that the remains were as follows:—

Tenth Meeting. 2nd October, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. 1. “On the Life and Times of Te Rauparaha,” Chapter IV., by W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 51.) Embracing the period from 1770 to 1817, and bringing down the account of that eventful period to the first conquest of the native tribes and the migration of the chief from Kawhia to Wanganui. The President said in reference to a remark relative to Kawhia harbour that he had been there on board H.M.S. “Eclipse,” and that he thought it would yet be a most important settlement. 2. “On the New Zealand Sertularians,” by Capt. F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (See Transactions, p. 256.) The author enumerated thirteen species, twelve of which he had found in Lyall Bay, eight of these being new to the New Zealand fauna, and five new to science.

Eleventh Meeting. 9th October, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair.

Twelfth Meeting. 23rd October, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New members.—Rev. R. Taylor, F.G.S., John Clarkson, Charles Napier Bell. Mr. Charles C. Graham was chosen to vote in the election of the Board of Governors for the ensuing year in accordance with clause seven of the New Zealand Institute Act. 1. “Notes on some of the Birds brought by Mr. Henry Travers from the Chatham Islands, with Descriptions of the New Species,” by Capt. F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (See Transactions, p. 222.)

Thirteenth Meeting. 30th October, 1872. Capt. F. W. Hutton, F.G.S., in the chair. New member.—J. Monteith. Meteorological Records from Batavia, Java, and the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute were laid on the table. 1. “On the Life and Times of Te Rauparaha,” Chapter VI., by W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 73.) Capt. Hutton pointed out the value of this paper, not only from an historical point of view, but on account of the mention it made of the introduction of animals and plants into the colony. He also stated that Captain Cook planted potatos in Queen Charlotte Sound, but the natives not caring to cultivate them, they were not propagated. Captain Cook also let out fourteen pigs in Queen Charlotte Sound, and four in the North Island, near Cape Kidnappers. Mr. Travers thought the pig introduced by Captain Cook was a different kind from that now found wild. Mr. Nicholl said that in 1842, when the early settlers landed in Nelson, wild pigs were very abundant. Capt. Hutton explained that Captain Cook brought pigs from Polynesia as well as from the Cape of Good Hope, and that therefore he probably introduced two species. Mr. Brogden read a calculation, according to which ten pigs, half of them being females, would produce fifty-two millions of pigs in ten years. 2. “On the Skeleton of an Aboriginal Inhabitant of the Chatham Islands,” by F. J. Knox, L.R.C.S.E. (See Transactions, p. 304.) Fourteenth Meeting. 6th November, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President, in the chair. New member.—J. Barleyman. The nomination for the election of honorary members of the New Zealand Institute was made, in accordance with Statute IV. 1. “On the Influence of Change of Latitude on Ships' Compasses,” by Commander R. A. Edwin, R.N. (See Transactions, p. 128.) The President remarked on the great practical importance of the subject, and hoped the author would be able to suggest some practical steps to be taken for the protection of the public. With the late Mr. Balfour he had

gone a little into the question on the occasion of the loss of the p.s. “City of Dunedin,” and certain errors were discovered in the cards of correction in the possession of some coasting steamers that may in part have been due to the causes pointed out by Captain Edwin, and which he did not think were taken into account by Mr. Balfour. 2. “On Moa Beds,” by W. B. D. Mantell, F.G.S. (See Transactions, p. 94.) This paper excited some discussion, in which Messrs. Hutton, Wain, Graham, and others took part. 3. “An Account of the First Discovery of Moa Remains,” by the Rev. Richard Taylor, F.G.S. (See Transactions, p. 97.) The author described his first discovery of Moa bones on the East Coast, in 1839, and the discovery of the particular deposit under consideration in 1843. The Maoris told him of traditions of how they had regular battues of the Moa at this place, driving them into swamps, where they were easily despatched. The name given to the Moa on the East Coast was Tarepo, and not Moa, but this word is not used elsewhere. The Maoris had distinct knowledge of the Moa, and copies of hunting songs, in which the bird is mentioned, are in existence. All the Moa bone deposits he had seen were superficial, and there was a mistake made in quoting him as saying that the bones at Waingongoro were mixed with marine strata. They were in cooking-ovens that formed numerous layers separated by drift sand. Capt. Hutton pointed out, with reference to the supposed absence of any traditional knowledge of the Moa as held by Dr. Haast, that in Hochstetter's “New Zealand” Dr. Haast is himself made responsible for such a tradition. 4. “On the Whales and Dolphins of the New Zealand Seas,” by James Hector, M.D., F.R.S. (See Transactions, p. 154.)

Fifteenth Meeting. 13th November, 1872. Dr. Hector, F.R.S., President in the chair. New member.—James Bull. 1. “On the Life and Times of Te Rauparaha,” (Chapter VII.) by W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 84.) 2. “Lecture on the Formation of Mountains,” by Capt. F. W. Hutton, F.G.S., C.M.Z.S. (See Appendix, p, xxv.) The President congratulated Capt. Hutton upon having revived and so ably developed this ingenious theory, and thanked him on behalf of the meeting for placing before the members of the Society so difficult a subject in such a lucid manner. Sixth Annual General Meeting. 1st February, 1873. James Hector, M.D., F.R.S., President, in the chair.