1. The President stated that Mr. Martin Chapman, who had been chosen by the Society to vote in the election of Governors of the New Zealand Institute for this year, had been duly elected, with the Hon. Mr. Rolleston and Mr. J. McKerrow.
2. "Remarks upon Mr. Travers' Paper on Sandfixing," by J. C. Crawford, F.G.S.
ABSTRACT.
Mr. Crawford took exception to Mr. Travers' proposal for planting the Pinus maritima for this purpose, chiefly on account of the risk of fire, the cost of labour, and the fact that it would not stand the sea breezes. He recommended, as more suitable, Cupressus macrocarpa and other hardy pines, and the olive also might thrive.
Dr. Hector thought the Australian wattle would be a suitable tree for such a purpose, and the Government, he stated, had purchased large quantities of the seed for distribution. It was found to be profitable in Victoria, on account of its bark, for tanning purposes, and no doubt it would be so here.
Dr. Hutchinson stated that the Algarobia tree had proved useful for the purpose stated in Honolulu.
3. "Is New Zealand a healthy Country?" by Alfred K. Newman, M.B., M.R.C.P.; with Statistics, by F. W. Frankland. (Transactions, p. 493.)
Mr. Holland regretted the evils arising from the introduction of manufactures and hoped that some of them might be provided against.
Dr. Hutchinson drew attention to the waste of human life in the colony due to preventible diseases, arising from the culpable neglect of all sanitary precautions. The waste of life from such preventible ills as scarlet and typhoid fevers was scandalous. He thought diseases among women arising from overwork in domestic life was very large.
Dr. Cole maintained that malaria did exist in the colony and that a true ague was not uncommon.
Dr. Hector strongly urged that, in place of dull wearisome figures, authors should exhibit statistical results by means of diagrams. Graphic representations more deeply impressed and were more explanatory. He said that in the gold mining towns of New Zealand, where the population had once been dense and careless of sanitary precautions, the soil had become so polluted that now, years afterwards, the remnants of the population are attacked by epidemics, which are severe and frequent, owing to the accumulation of old filth.
4. Communications by Messrs. Field and Drew were read, giving a description of a fish caught by the natives at Wanganui and thought at first to be the Californian salmon, but which proved to be the brown trout. A photograph of the fish was exhibited.
5. A fine specimen of cork, grown by Mr. Mason of the Hutt, was shown. It was taken from a tree fifteen years old. A drawing of the tree was shown, and Dr. Hector gave some interesting information regarding cork trees in other countries and of the progress of the bark growth; and stated that, from the specimen before them, it was clear that cork of excellent quality could be produced in this country and that the growth would probably be more rapid than elsewhere.
6. Dr. Hector laid on the table copies of the Alpine Journal, which contained papers by the Rev. Mr. Green, with an account of his ascent of Mt. Cook; and at the same time drew attention to some remarks which had appeared in the Press and might lead to the idea that he had doubted the accuracy of Mr. Green's calculations regarding the altitude reached. He had no wish whatever to dispute Mr. Green's statements.
