Vote of Thanks to the Retiring President

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 24, 1891, Page 700

Mr. Travers moved that a vote of thanks should be awarded to the retiring President (Mr. E. Tregear) for his past services, with an expression of regret at the illness which had caused his absence from the Society's meetings and from the meeting that evening. Sir Walter Buller, in seconding the motion, expressed great admiration of the Maori-English lexicon brought out by Mr. Tregear. It was a remarkable work, and it would be a landmark in Polynesian history. Other members also expressed admiration of the work, and the motion, with the addition of an expression of appreciation of the book, was then carried. Papers.—1. “Status quo:. a Retrospect.—A Few More Words by way of Explanation and Correction concerning the First Finding of the Bones of the Moa in New Zealand; also Strictures on the Quarterly Reviewer's Severe and Unjust Remarks on the Late Dr. G. A. Mantell, F.R.S., in connection with the same,” by W. Colenso, F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 468.) The paper evoked some discussion, the Hon. W. B. D. Mantell expressing himself strongly in sympathy with the author, but stating that he would reserve further remarks until the paper was printed. The Chairman expressed regret that so many years had elapsed

before this question as to the discovery had been settled, and he hoped that Professor Owen would have an opportunity of replying to the paper just read. 2. “On Earthquakes in the Vicinity of Wanganui,” by H. C. Field. (Transactions, p. 569.) 3. “On the Discovery of Moa-bones in the Vicinity of Waikanae,” by H. C. Field. (Transactions, p. 558.) 4. “On the Large Kiwi from Stewart Island (Apteryx maxima),” by Sir Walter Buller, K.C.M.G., F.R.S. (Transactions, p. 91.) 5. “On a New Mistletoe,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 429.) 6. “Description of New Plants from the Vicinity of Port Nicholson,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 423.) 7. “Remarks on the Genus Abrotanella, Cassini, with Descriptions of New Species,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 418.) 8. “Notice of the Occurrence of Australian Orchids in New Zealand,” by T. Kirk, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 425.) The reading of the following paper was deferred: “The Moas and Moa-hunters,” by Mons. A. de Quatrefages; translated from the French by Laura Buller; communicated by Sir Walter Buller.