Nelson Philosophical Society.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 19, 1886, Page 624

Nelson Philosophical Society. [Abstract of Proceedings omitted to be returned.] 13th April, 1885. Dr. L. Boor, Vice-President, in the chair. Mr. R. T. Kingsley exhibited a specimen of Peripatus caught in Nelson, and read a description of same. Mr. A. S. Atkinson also exhibited a specimen of Peripatus caught at Belgrove, and stated reasons for its recent new classification.

4th May, 1885. The Bishop of Nelson, President, in the chair. Paper.—“Localization of Faults in Telegraphy,” by Mr. J. C. Lockley. 1st June, 1885. The Bishop of Nelson, President, in the chair. New Members.—The Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Mr. Smythe, and Mr. W. Bond. Paper.—“The Connection between Mind and Body,” by the Rev. Edward Shears. 3rd August, 1885. The Bishop of Nelson, President, in the chair. Paper.—“Nelson Surveying, Past and Present,” by Mr. J. S. Browning.

31st August, 1885. The Bishop of Nelson, President, in the chair. Paper.—“The Proper Functions of Government, and the evils arising from overstepping them,” by Mr. J. Meeson, B.A. [Proceedings for remainder of 1885 are printed in previous volume.] 2nd March, 1886. A. S. Atkinson, President, in the chair. New Member.—Mr. H. M. B. Marshall. Contributions to Museum.—Collection of Moa bones, by Mr. C. Lewis; carved spear from Fiji, by Mr. G. H. Gore Martin; two seagulls' skins, by Mr. F. Huddleston; two specimens of Helix hochstetteri, one marine Alga, by Mr. J. Mackay; Blue-Mottled Crow, by Dr. Boor. Dr. Hudson exhibited two varieties of worms found in the pipes of the Nelson Waterworks. Paper.—“Technical Education,” by M. Fearnley, M.A. 5th April, 1886. A. S. Atkinson, President, in the chair. New Member.—Dr. Cressey. Contribution to Museum.—Mounted specimen of Apteryx oweni, of unusually pale colour, by Dr. Boor. Paper.—“Forestry and its Uses,” by W. Wells. Photographs of the Hot Lakes and Terraces were exhibited and described by the Bishop of Nelson. 5th July, 1886. A. S. Atkinson, President, in the chair. Mr. R. Kingsley exhibited two living specimens of Naultinus elegans (?) from Westport—an adult female, and a young one born in captivity. He doubted if they altogether corresponded with the figure and description given in the “Transactions of the New Zealand Institute.” The Hon. Secretary made a communication* This communication did not represent original matter. on “The Germ Theory of Disease,” as introductory to one he intended shortly

to submit on “The Experiments and Researches of M. Pasteur with regard to Rabies, and the Treatment of Hydrophobia by Preventive Inoculation.” Some excellent microscopical specimens of germ disease, lent by Dr. Boor, were shown under a powerful 1/10th immersion object. 6th September, 1886. A. S. Atkinson, President, in the chair. New Member.—Rev. A. Cecil Wright. Contribution to Museum.—Specimens of volcanic products from Tarawera District, from Professor Hutton. The Hon. Secretary gave a description* Did not contain original matter. of “M. Pasteur's researches regarding rabies and his treatment of hydrophobia by preventive inoculation.” Council Meeting: 26th October, 1886. A. S. Atkinson, President, in the chair. The Bishop of Nelson was nominated to vote at the election of a Governor of the New Zealand Institute. Mr. H. S. Cox, F.G.S., of Sydney, was requested to act as a delegate for the Society at the inauguration meetings of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. Annual Meeting: 1st November, 1886. A. S. Atkinson, President, in the chair. The Treasurer's report showed that during the past year four new members had been elected; that the loss through death, removals, and withdrawals had been 26; that the present number of members was 57; and that the balance in hand was £36 4s. 11d. The Secretary's report showed that there had been seven ordinary meetings and twelve Council meetings held during the past year, and that valuable additions had been made to the Library. The number of original papers read had been eight; but some communications, not original, had been made, and a variety of objects of interest had been exhibited.

Election of Officers for 1886–87:—President—J. T. Meeson, B.A.; Vice-presidents—The Bishop of Nelson and A. S. Atkinson; Treasurer—Dr. Hudson; Secretary—Dr. Coleman; Council—Dr. Boor, Dr. Cressey, R. Kingsley, J. Holloway, and J. S. Browning; Curator—R. Kingsley. Paper.—“The Aryo-Semitic Maori,” by the President, A. S. Atkinson. (Transactions, p. 552.) 6th December, 1886. Mr. J. Meeson, B.A., President, in the chair. New Members.—Mr. J. H. Bettany and J. Keyworth, M.D. Lond. The Bishop of Nelson gave an account of his recent visits to Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, describing the Governments, vegetation, scenery, character of the inhabitants, etc., of those islands. 7th February, 1887. Mr. J. Meeson, B.A., President, in the chair. New Members.—Mr. W. Justice Ford, M.A., and the Rev. A. Ralph Watson. New Associate.—Mr. J. G. Bartel. Paper.—“The Volcanic Eruption of 1886 at Tarawera,” by the Bishop of Nelson, illustrated by charts and drawings kindly lent by Dr. Hector. 7th March, 1887. Mr. J. Meeson, B.A., President, in the chair. New Member.—Mr. George Ashcroft. Mr. R. T. Kingsley exhibited a specimen of volcanic product from the South Island, which from its character and other circumstances went to show that there existed a line of volcanic agency running from quite north to south throughout the two islands. Mr. D. Grant exhibited skeleton (not perfect) of a species of Moa. Paper.—“The Relation between Mind and Body,” by the Rev. Edward Shears.