Auckland Institute.

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

Auckland Institute. Special General Meeting. 4th January, 1872. T. Heale, President, in the chair. This meeting was held to consider the state of the Building Fund, and the President detailed the various steps taken towards the formation of such a fund. Annual General Meeting. 13th May, 1872. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New members.—Hon. J. D. Ormond, Hon. C. J. Taylor, R. C. Jordan. The list of donations to the library and museum was read by the Secretary.

Second Meeting. 24th June, 1872. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New members.—T. L. White, S. P. Smith, N. Kelly, R. J. Pearce, E. Perkins. The list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. The President delivered the following anniversary

Third Meeting. 22nd July, 1872. The Hon. T. M. Haultain in the chair. New members.—D. E. Macdonald, W. H. Floyd, H. P. Higginson, C.E. The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. It included a copy of London's “Arboretum Britannicum,” eight volumes, from the Hon. Col. Haultain. 1. Referring to the occurrence of the sprat and anchovy at the Thames, as reported at the last meeting, Mr. G. Thorne, jun., stated that in 1867 a small herring had appeared at Melbourne in such abundant shoals that the water looked quite black at a short distance. It had not been seen in that locality since that date. He inferred from this that it was possible that the sprat and anchovy were not regular visitors to the Ourakei Gulf. Mr. Kirk remarked that these fish had been observed at various parts of the coast of both islands, and he was inclined to regard them as periodical visitors which, until recently, had escaped notice. 2. “Notes on the Flora of the Lake District of the North Island,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 322.) This was the concluding portion of the paper begun at the last meeting. Fourth Meeting. 19th August, 1872. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New member.—Dr. Spencer. A list of donations to the Library and Museum was read. A collection of gems and precious stones, also several rare minerals, recently added to the Museum, were laid on the table. 1. “On the Flight of the Black-backed Gull (Larus dominicanus),” by Capt. F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (See Transactions, p. 140.)

Fifth Meeting. 23rd September, 1872. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New members.—J. Henderson, J. Lackland, J. Lamb, J. M. Fraser, J. Webster. The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary.

(Abstract.) In comparison with European and Australian trees, those of the North Island are slow in growth. Trees of the following kinds were planted by me in 1851–52 at Remuera, at an elevation above the sea of 210 feet, on a clay soil (Waitemata series); the height these have attained during twenty years is given in the following table:— Ft. In. Ti (Cordyline australis) 24 0 Puriri (Vitex littoralis) 20 0 Mapau or Tipau, black var. (Myrsine australis) 17 0

Pohutukawa (Metrosideros tomentosa) 16 6 Titoki (Alectryon excelsum) 14 6 Tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides) 14 0 Hohoheka (Aralia crassifolia) 14 0 Mapau, red var. (Myrsine, sp.) 13 6 Whauwhau 13 6 Kahikatea (Dacrydium excelsum) 13 0 Karaka (Corynocarpus lœvigata) 12 0 Warengapirau (Olearia cunninghamii) 7 9 The average circumference of six puriri trees of twenty years growth, taken 12 inches above the surface of the ground, is 2 ft. 9 in. As the puriri flourishes both on volcanic and clay soils if not flat, and its timber is durable and useful, I think that plantations of this tree will be profitable on broken ground suitable only for planting. The puriri will bear being made a pollard, which is an advantage.

(Abstract.) Kauri Pine (Dammara australis) is the largest and most useful of all the New Zealand trees in a commercial point of view. The seed is produced from a round cone, flattened at the apex, concealed under thin smooth scales, rounded at the top. The seeds are flat and very light, with a wing attached to each. The cone falls to the ground when ripe, and owing to the great height it has to fall separates immediately it touches the ground, or even before, in the latter case the seeds being often carried a long distance by the wind. It vegetates soon after it falls, and will not bear to be kept dry for any length of time, the seed being very difficult to transport on this account. The seeds are interspersed among the decaying vegetable matter, and many find a congenial soil in which to start into life. As the temperature of the bush is much warmer than that of the open country it is but natural to suppose that a plant will not succeed when removed from its natural habitat with all its roots entire inclosed in a ball of earth, and planted in an open situation. Shortly after removal the leaves assume a reddish hue, which is caused by evaporation from the cold wind and strong rays of the sun. The proper method to remove young kauri seedlings, not over six inches in height, is to take them up without breaking their tap roots and transplant in a warm, but shady, situation within three or four inches of each other, having the temperature nearly equal to that of the place from which they were taken, and to keep them moist and shaded until they start into growth. The same method must be applied to most species of our native trees in order to insure success in lifting. By the above method I

have had kauri pines grow six or eight inches the first season. New Zealand trees are invariably very difficult to acclimatize in other countries. Timber is cut here for commercial purposes without any regard to the season of the year. The proper season is from April to September. There is also another consideration in felling timber, that is, never to cut it except in the first or last quarters of the moon. This may appear to be a very trivial matter in the estimation of most people, but if we bring science to bear on this perplexing question it will soon solve the problem. I have no doubt most of you are aware that the sap of an evergreen tree bordering on the tropics is continually in motion, excited more or less every lunar month in the year. The moon when near the full has a very great power of attraction. For instance, springs always run faster at full moon than at the change; it has also the same influence on the vegetable kingdom, for it is a well known truth that nature's laws are governed by one common whole applicable to all. If a tree be cut down either a week before or after full moon the timber will not be so durable or lasting as that which was cut near the change. This is a question which requires investigation because it affects the community at large. Timber if cut while the sap is in motion will not endure nearly as long as that cut when the sap is not so much excited, therefore I think it would be a matter of great importance to restrict the cutting of timber to certain periods of the year. As the destruction of our forests is going on at a rapid rate, and no means are being taken to prevent it, if such destruction continues to increase for the next half century our forests will be well nigh exhausted. No landed proprietor who wants to leave a lasting inheritance to his children's children, and has the means at his command, ought to be without a plantation of New Zealand trees. Then any soil which is unsuitable for agricultural purposes might be turned to good account. The formation of plantations includes the inclosing, the preparation of the soil, and the mode of planting. First inclose the ground of the intended plantation with a strong fence, so as to exclude cattle; unless this precaution be taken it would be a waste of labour and property. Next in the preparation of the soil I would advise summer fallowing, so as to destroy all weeds and roots and leave the ground in a well pulverized state for the reception of the plants in the following winter. The most common mode is to plant promiscuously, not more than from seven to eight feet from plant to plant; but first plant a double row of rapid growing and hardy trees round the edge, the Coniferœ being the most suitable, as a means of protection against the wind. Within this boundary plant the following native trees: Dammara australis (kauri), Podocarpus totara, Dacrydium cupressinum (rimu), Podocarpus dacrydioides, Phyllocladus trichomanoides (tanekaha), Fagus, sp., (commonly called birch), Vitex littoralis (puriri), Alectryon excelsum,

Metrosideros robusta (pohutukawa), Podocarpus spicata (matai), Nesodaphne taraire. The above are a few of the largest forest trees, and those which are most useful as articles of commerce. There are many of the soft-wooded species which might be introduced with advantage, and also act as nurses to the hard-wooded varieties. It would also be advisable to intersperse among the trees at convenient distances a few of the hardy American or European pines, both for shade and shelter to the permanent trees. They can easily be cut out as the others advance in growth. As regards the growth of our native trees it is very difficult to arrive at a given standard, because we have to take into consideration the soil, aspect, and situation. Trees of the same genera and species planted in opposite aspects, and in different soils, will not attain to the same growth in one year. In alluvial deposits trees make more growth in a given period than those planted on more exposed situations. About ten years ago I planted on rather a poor sandy soil a rimu and a lance-wood; the plants were about one foot in height, with very little protection; they are now both flourishing remarkably well, each being about twelve feet in height, so that they have on an average grown a little more than one foot each season since planted. Dammara australis (kauri).—I have had young plants after being established grow about one foot in a season in a sheltered situation. Podocarpus totara (totara) is about the best of all our New Zealand trees to establish, as it generally grows on the most exposed situations in the bush. I have had young plants after being established for one year make a growth of two feet the following season. The average growth is from twelve to eighteen inches. The totara does not require so much shade as many of the other varieties of native trees. Dacrydium cupressinum (rimu).—The most graceful of the New Zealand trees, succeeds best in a rich but rather moist soil. Young plants in a sheltered situation make about one foot in a season. Podocarpus dacrydioides.—A very lofty tree, 150 feet high; wood white, soft; grows in low swampy ground. Young plants are easy to establish, and grow about eighteen inches in a season. Phyllocladus trichomanoides.—A slender tree, attaining a height of about sixty feet; wood white, close grained; not a very fast growing variety. Bark used for dyeing purposes. Fagus, sp.—Lofty and handsome trees, attaining to a height of from 80 to 100 feet; well adapted for planting in higher altitudes. Young plants make a foot of young wood in a season. Vitex littoralis (puriri).—A large and handsome tree, 50 to 60 feet high; trunk 20 feet in girth; wood very hard. The foliage is large, and of a beautiful bright green colour; flowers bright red. The flat symmetrical form

of the tree and the bright green foliage affords a pleasing relief to the landscape. Young plants average about one foot of fresh wood in a season. Nesodaphne taraire.—A. lofty and handsome forest tree, from 60 to 80 feet high; wood white; leaves three to six inches long. Young plants grow freely. A lenthy discussion ensued in which Messrs. Stewart, Haultain, Kirk, Heale, Munro, and the author took part.

Sixth Meeting. 14th October, 1872. T. Heale, President, in the chair. New members.—A. Heather, W. C. Roberts, Owen Jones, J. Mason, J. W. Preece, Capt. J. Wilson, A. Sheath. The monthly list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary. Capt. F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S., F.G.S., was chosen to vote in the election of the Board of Governors for the ensuing year, in accordance with clause 7 of the New Zealand Institute Act. 1. Mr. Kirk read a memorandum by Governor Weld on the jam tree (Acacia, sp.), of West Australia, of which he had forwarded a parcel of seed through Dr. Hector for distribution in the province of Auckland. 2. “On the Fertilization of the New Zealand species of Pterostylis,” by T. F. Cheeseman. (See Transactions, p. 352.) 3. “Notice of a Remarkable Arborescent Fern on Ngongotaha,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 347.) 4. On the Specific Characters of Dicksonia antarctica, Br., and D. lanata, Col.,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (See Transactions, p. 345.)

Seventh Meeting. 23rd December, 1872. His Honour T. B. Gillies in the chair. New members.—G. Aickin, E. Gibbons, G. Fraser, W. Hay, A. Beetham, G. Kirton, W. Humphreys, J. Wilson, W. Ware, Lt.-Col. Nation. The list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the Secretary.

(Abstract.) The author noted that he had found several specimens of this curious fish, while trenching. A heavy rain fell, and on baling the water out he found three or four of the fish were left, which were thought to have fallen from the sky. The soil was only about six inches deep, the subsoil being very tenacious blue soil. The fish was found at least eighteen inches down in this clay, in a little chamber somewhat larger than its own carcase. The clay was damp, but there was no water about. The chamber was dry and completely shut in from above, a large root of a tree passing immediately over the spot. 3. “On the Mud-fish (Neochanna apoda); an extract from a letter written by S. E. Vollams;” communicated by W. C. Roberts. (Abstract.) The author knew of this fish in the early days of Hokitika. The land where they were found was covered with the usual bush, and in rainy weather was always under water.

When the ground is cleared there is generally only a few inches of the top soil, and then from two to four feet of whitish blue clay, something like pipe-clay. This clay as it nears the shingle gives way to a gritty brownish coloured soil. At an average depth of four feet the shingle is reached, and is firmly held together by a rust-coloured cement. This shingle holds water to a depth of as much as six or eight feet. Below that a drift is reached which drains the water. A trench was cut about two feet wide into the shingle, completely separating a block of land except in floods, when the trench was filled and the land under water. About two years after the land was cleared the roots were grubbed up, and numbers of these fish were found in the soft clay. Some were very lively and others torpid, some showing a bright skin and some a foul slimy coat. The shape of the fish could sometimes be seen in the mud from which it had been dislodged. They are found in great numbers in making new roads through swampy land, but seem to disappear from the land on its being drained and cultivated. Mr. Lodder remarked that he had collected a similar fish under stones on the banks of a fresh-water stream, near the anchorage ground for coal vessels, at the Bay of Islands. Mr. Gillies stated that fish apparently similar, and which manifested the same dislike to fresh-water, had been obtained by Mr. G. B. Owen at a depth of several feet when sinking a well at Newmarket. He also drew attention to the interesting account of the mud-fish given by Dr. Hector in his Notes on the Edible Fishes of New Zealand.