stitute " Professor Hutton sought to show that the Waihao Forks green-sands do not underlie the limestones of the Oamaru system at that place; and Mr. McKay, in reply, endeavoured to prove that they do. In vol. xx., "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," Professor Hutton admits there is a greensan'd under the limestone, but contends that it is not the greensand equivalent to that at the Waihao Forks, which, as appears, he still regards as younger than the Waihao limestone. Mr. McKay also admits the occurrence of two distinct deposits or bands of greensand, but he maintains that both have a position inferior to the Waihao limestone. Mr. Park said there was really no geology in this paper ; it was merely an explanation of some personal differences between the author and Professor Hutton. He deplored the fact that personalities should find their way into scientific discussions, and thought it would be wise to exclude such papers from publication.

5. Mr. James Wallace gave an interesting account of the recent discovery of manganese upon property near the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company's line. He stated that a quantity had been sent home for a professional opinion as to its real value. He stated that upon analysis in the Colonial Laboratory the ores yielded, in the case of the oxide, 75 per cent., and of the carbonate, 84 per cent, of manganese. Mr. McKay considered this an important discovery: it occurred in very large blocks, and would no doubt prove of commercial value. Mr. Hughes, who had also visited the locality and seen the deposit, spoke highly of it. He had sent samples to England for expert opinion. Fourth Meeting: 22nd August, 1888. W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S., President, in the chair. New Member.—A. B. Keyworth.

Papers.—1. " On the Oil-bearing Strata of the North Island," by J. Park, F.G.S. Abstract. Mr. Park said that the oil-strata of this island belonged to two formations—one of pleistocene and the other of cretaceous age. The former included the petroleum springs at Taranaki, and the latter the oil-rocks at the east coast of Wellington and Poverty Bay. The geological conditions and the surface-evidences of oil at these places were discussed at considerable length. On the east coast of Wellington the strongest gas-spring was that at Blairlogie, the flow of gas being about equal to the discharge of an inch pipe. The oil-strata, consisting of slaty shales and crumbling marly clays, were everywhere much shattered and contorted. The gas-spring at Langdale was unlike any other in the district. The gas was sulphuretted hydrogen, and the water accompanying the gas belonged to the sulphurous or hepatic class of mineral waters, which possess valuable medicinal properties. The gas-springs at Ika, Aohanga, and Akitio were feeble compared with that at Blairlogie. Passing on to Poverty Bay, Mr. Park said that the first report on the district was made by Sir James Hector in 1873. Gas-springs were numerous throughout the whole district, and ab places oil oozed from the rocks and collected on the surface of lagoons and pools. The author quoted from the reports of Sir James Hector and Mr. McKay to show the character of the oil-strata, which consist of grey contorted sandstones and dark-grey shaly marls. The strata are everywhere much disturbed and broken. At Taranaki the oil-strata consist of volcanic agglomerates and tufaceous sandstones,