Otago Institute.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 6, 1873, Unnumbered Page

Otago Institute. First Meeting. 11th February, 1873. J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S., Vice-President, in the chair. New member.—The Right Reverend S. T. Neville, D.D., Bishop of Dunedin. 1. “On the Glacial Action and Terrace Formations of South New Zealand,” by J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S. (Transactions, p. 309.) Considerable discussion took place on the geological and glacial hypotheses set forth in the paper, in which the Hon. Captain Fraser, Messrs. McKerrow, Gillies, and Beal took part. They were all opposed to the theory propounded, and argued that as a rule the transformation of the earth's surface was attributable to aqueous and volcanic agency. Mr. McKerrow considered that the fact of the remarkable curve made in the course of a river's descent had been clearly brought out by the collating and comparison of the survey data. It was quite new to him.

Second Meeting. 24th April, 1873. R. Gillies in the chair. New member.—The Reverend E. G. Penny. The Secretary reported the election by the Council of Mr. Purdie to the office of Curator and Librarian.

The Secretary laid on the table three copies of the Tri-daily Weather Map and the Tri-daily Bulletin published by the War Department of the United States, and sent by the Chief Signal Master, to whom a vote of thanks was passed for his courtesy. The Secretary reported that the Book Committee had sent an order for additional books to the value of about £30, and for apparatus, to the value of about £20, to complete the spectroscope. Resolved—That in future the Institute year end on 31st December, and that the annual meeting be held at the commencement of each year, instead of in July. 1. “On the Variation of the Declination of the Magnetic Needle in the Southern Portion of the Middle Island, and Remarks on the Desirability of Establishing Magnetic Observatories in New Zealand,” by A. H. Ross. (Transactions, p. 3.) Resolved—That the suggestions at the end of Mr. Ross' paper be sent to the Manager of the New Zealand Institute.

(Abstract.) “The district comprises some of the best land on the Otago Peninsula, as well as some of the very worst. The coast line is a series of high, irregular cliffs rising to 400 or 500 feet above the sea, and forming here and there small bays and promontories, against which, the water being deep close in, there is always a heavy surf beating, even in fine weather. The district contains some magnificent scenery and some natural wonders of a very interesting nature.” The author first visited the lime works, where, he says, “the lime is of excellent quality, the rock cropping out on the side of a low hill, and bearing marks of extensive and long-continued water action, being worn into curious deep holes now filled with clay.” He then went along the side of a steep hill, through a heavy rock cutting of hard bluestone, to Sandfly Bay. The rocks there are very much broken and full of cavities, and the heavy waves dashed with prodigious force upon them. “The phenomenon known as the ‘water-rocket’ was frequent. Small masses of water are thrown up with great vigour, with tails of spray, just as if fired from a gun, often at right angles to the way the wave is moving. This is caused by the air being compressed in the hollows of the rocks by the advancing water, and, expanding rapidly when the pressure ceases in the hole, is blown through the wave into the air.” At one end of the bay several stacks of rocks, called “Gull Rocks,” stand at a short distance from shore, and are much frequented by sea birds. A bank of loose,

crumbling rock at the end of the beach is said to contain fossil shells. The point opposite Gull Rocks resembles at some places great beds of hard, black cinders, and at others hard, compact, ribbon-like masses, the strata being very much inclined. In the next bay is a large sandy cave, 120 feet in diameter, the result of the action of the sea at a former time, when the land stood at a lower level, which is the abode of numerous rabbits. Further on immense cliffs of black rock stand straight up from the water's edge to a height of at least 600 feet. The cliff then divides, forming a terrace, partly under cultivation, on the slopes around which the timber is being rapidly destroyed. “Away before us extended a huge gap in the ground, the bottom of which we could not see. To our left rose a high precipice of black basaltic pillars, from the base of which sloped gently down a beautifully green patch of low bush. The precipice extended on our front to the sea, the pillars being brownish coloured, standing perpendicularly, like the pipes of a great organ, and ranging from 35 to 50 feet in height, capped by a great thickness of amorphous basalt in several beds. Down to our right was a patch of sandy-looking rock through which the sea came rolling in through a great archway.” Nearly in front of the arch is a large pyramidal stack of rock in deep water, rising to about 350 feet in a pretty regular cone, and frequented by numberless birds. From a lofty cliff an extensive view of the surrounding country was obtained, and “a short way down the other side of the ridge we came to a very curious piece of ground. There was no soil on it, but plenty of stones of all sizes. The south-west and north-east winds sweep over this tract of land with great force, and carry away every particle that is moveable, blowing it into the valley on either side; the sand is thus kept perpetually passing, either one way or the other, over this arid belt. As a result of this motion all the stones are worn and polished into peculiar triangular shapes, something like those found in the wind-hollows among the sand-hills on the ocean beach near Dunedin.” * See Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vol. II., p. 247.—[Ed.] Several species of Raoulia were gathered here.

(Abstract.) This paper was a description of the Grampus phocŒna orca † Orca pacifica, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1870, p. 70.—[Ed.] of Owen, which was killed at the heads by the Maoris, and obtained from them for the Museum by the Hon. Captain Fraser. It has a very formidable-looking head, and large laniariform teeth well adapted for tearing and destroying whales. The Maoris call them “killers,” and say that they attack whales and tear out their tongues. The author had a photograph taken of this specimen, and forwarded it to Dr. Hector, in the hope that scientific men might take up the

subject and give some information regarding the animals frequenting our coasts, as there was great uncertainty regarding their history. Third Meeting. 13th May, 1873. R. Gillies in the chair. 1. Mr. J. S. Webb read a letter from Dr. Lauder Lindsay, F.R.S.E., relating to the proposed visit to New Zealand of the Swedish botanist, Dr. Berggren. Resolved—That the Council be requested to take suitable steps to greet Dr. Berggren on his arrival in Otago, and to bring his intended visit under the notice of the Government.

(Abstract.) The author began by giving a history of his connection with the two experiments of 1867 and 1873. He then proceeded to enforce the importance of shortness of interval between the time of collecting the ova and their deposition in the breeding pond, and the necessity for speediness of transport, which can be obtained by substituting steamers for ordinary sailing ships; and, for the same reason, he urged the propriety of selecting California as the source of supply instead of Britain. He dwelt on the advisability of making a variety of experiments on means of preservation of ova, which would be calculated to secure greater certainty of result at a less expenditure than package in ice-houses on board ship; on the necessity for skilled supervision during the collection, transport, and hatching of ova; and on the importance of making due preparation for their reception in ponds constructed on suitable sites, and supervised by skilled superintendents. The possibility of transporting live parr or smolt, or even mature salmon, on short voyages, if placed in swing tanks or decked wells, was also suggested. The necessity for swinging the ova-boxes on gimbals, and so fixing their supports as to prevent upsets or violent jolts, was pointed out, as well as the importance of keeping the ova cool throughout the voyage by ice-cooling or refrigeration of the water or other substances in which they are imbedded; and the author finished by urging the propriety of extending the shipments over a series of years, so as to guard against any chance of failure. In the paper was interspersed a large mass of correspondence with many gentlemen, including some of the most eminent living authorities on the subject of salmon-culture.

Discussion was postponed till next meeting, before which time it was resolved that the paper should be printed and circulated. Fourth Meeting. 8th July, 1873. The Rev. D. M. Stuart, D.D., Vice-President, in the chair. New member.—John Douglas. The discussion on Dr. Lauder Lindsay's paper on “Salmon Acclimatization in New Zealand” was postponed, as, owing to an accident, the paper had not yet been circulated. 1. “Philological Considerations on the Whence of the Maori,” by J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S. (Appendix, p. xxv.) It was resolved that this paper be favourably recommended to the Governors of the New Zealand Institute for printing in extenso in the Transactions. Fifth Meeting. 12th August, 1873. J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S., Vice-President, in the chair. New member.—Dr. Webster. The Secretary laid on the table a complete Catalogue of the Library of the society. 1. “On a Smokeless and Self-feeding Furnace for Lignites and other Fuels, and the Utilization of the Waste Heat,” by Henry Skey. (Transactions, p. 25.) The Chairman said he should like to have seen some practical men there that evening. There was abundance of coal in the Province, and it would be a great benefit if it could be utilized as suggested by Mr. Skey. He was glad the matter had been brought forward, for it was certainly worthy of very serious consideration. He would ask the author if the principle could be applied to dwelling-houses. The author replied that it could be so applied with certain modifications. It was, however, principally intended for the raising of steam. As furnaces were now constructed there was a very great waste of heat; and the same in the case of ordinary fire-places, where a large portion of the heat escaped up the chimney. It took about one-fourth the fuel to give the draught. Could his principle be carried out, not only would one-fourth be saved in the value of the coal consumed, but we should be able to use any species of coal or lignite for domestic, and especially for steam, purposes. But it was true that great difficulties were in the way of utilizing heat in the way he had pointed out.

The Chairman remarked that the subject was one that would get more important with a scarcity of coal. He would certainly like to see Mr. Skey's project a success. Mr. Gillies would certainly like to see the matter tested, and a machine constructed on the principle referred to. He hoped the author would pursue his enquiries into this subject still further. The Chairman had no doubt that if the principle was a beneficial one there would not be wanting practical men to take the matter up. Mr. Skey, in answer to a question, said there was no doubt that under his principle the coal would burn away more rapidly, but as long as it gave out the same heat this would be all the better. Mr. Gillies said that, when at the Mosgiel Woollen Factory lately, he had been informed that the Green Island coal was used there, and that there was no comparison between its cost and that of Newcastle coal. The postponed discussion on Dr. Lauder Lindsay's paper on Salmon Acclimatization then took place. Mr. Webb said that the information and suggestions contained in this paper were of a most valuable character. If proper waters were found for them he thought Salmon from North America could be acclimatized quite as well as from other countries. He hoped the suggestions of Dr. Ransom would be carried into effect. Resolved—That copies of Dr. Lindsay's paper be sent to the Colonial Government, the Provincial Government of Otago, and the Acclimatization Societies of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland; and that attention be, at the same time, called to the information supplied in this paper as to the suitability of the Pacific Coast of British America as a source of supply; to the suggestion of Dr. Ransom for the conveyance of ova in ice-cold water in swinging vessels;and to that of Dr. Lindsay, that the experiment of Salmon Acclimatization ought to be persisted in for several years regularly under the superintendence of experts. The Chairman spoke in favour of the Southland waters over the Molyneux, as the latter was now charged with silt. Sixth Meeting. 11th November, 1873. J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S. Vice-President, in the chair. New member.—The Rev. Alexander Dasent, M.A. His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman 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.

The nomination for the election of Honorary Members of the New Zealand Institute was made in accordance with Statute IV. 1. “On Observed Irregularities in the Action of the Compass in Iron Steam Vessels,” by A. H. Ross. (Transactions, p. 10.) The Chairman then introduced Captain Hutton to the society, and, in doing so, dwelt upon the large field that Otago presented for scientific enquiry. For instance, the circumstances under which gold had been deposited at the Blue Spur had to him always been a perfect enigma. Captain Hutton would be able to investigate, and perhaps solve, this and similar enigmas, and his labours would bring the Province under the notice of savans in Europe, which could not but prove beneficial to it. 2. “List of the Insects recorded as having been found in New Zealand previous to the Year 1870,” by Captain F. W. Hutton, C.M.Z.S. (Transactions, p. 158.) The author said the list now offered was nearly complete. The difficulty in this matter was that the species were so numerous that no person would undertake the task of naming them all. The Beetles alone, for example, were more numerous than all the plants of New Zealand. The only way that he could see by which the task could be performed was for the General Government to place a sum, say £300, on the Estimates (as they did with the flora) to pay some young entomologist at home to collect into one volume, and translate the descriptions already printed, which numbered about 1,000. A beginning of the work of naming the species could then be made. As a preparatory step he had prepared the list in his hands. He had stopped at the year 1870 because there was no later copy of the “Zoological Record” in the colony, and he therefore could not feel sure as to what had been done. He concluded by again urging the Institute to bring its influence to bear on the General Government to vote the money required to pay some one to bring out a catalogue of all the genera and species of New Zealand insects already known. Annual General Meeting. 17th February, 1874. J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S., Vice-President, in the chair. New members.—Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S., C.M.Z.S.,—.Johnston, D. Petrie, A. T. Thomson, G. Shrimpton. The Annual Report and Balance Sheet were read and adopted. The Secretary reported the arrival of additional Apparatus for the Spectroscope.

First Meeting. 7th April, 1874. J. T. Thomson, F.R.G.S., President, in the chair. New members.—Dr. Bakewell,—.Mouat. The President read the following anniversary