Otago Institute. 713 



Mr. F. R. Chapman exhibited a number of Maori bone 

 implements, fish-hooks, neck -ornaments, &c., found in the 

 neighbourhood of Dunedin. 



Thibd Meeting : 14th July, 1891. 



Mr. Adams, Vice-president, in the chair. 



Mr. G. M. Thomson, F.L.S., gave a lecture on the Dun- 

 edin water-supply, with illustrations projected on the screen 

 by means of a lantern microscope. 



Fourth Meeting: 11th August, 1891. 

 Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons, President, in the chair. 



Papers. — 1. " On the Structure of Boltenia j^acJiydcrma- 

 tina," by James Watt, M.A. ; communicated by Professor T. 

 J. Parker, F.R.S. {Transactions, p. 334.) 



2. "On the Extinction of the Native Birds on the West 

 Coast," by James Eichardson. 



A long and interesting discussion followed the reading of this paper, 

 which attributed the disappearance of the kiwi and kakapo to the ravages 

 of ferrets. 



Sir Walter Buller pointed out that the decrease had been apparent 

 before the introduction of ferrets, and was inclined to think that tlae Nor- 

 way rat was resj^onsible for much of the mischief. It was suggested that 

 steps should be taken by the Society to represent to the Government the 

 desirability of proclaiming some suitable islands as reserves, on which the 

 rarer species of New Zealand birds might be placed in safety. 



Professor Parker exhibited two rare species of fish recently 

 added to the Museum collection, and portions of a fossil sword- 

 fish found in the limestone on the estate of Messrs. Suther- 

 land, near the Milburn Lime Company's works. 



Fifth Meeting : 9tii Septcmher, 1891. 

 Professor F. B. de M. Gibbons, President, in the chair. 



Neiv Members. — James Eichardson, Spencer Cook. 



The Secretary announced that a letter had been forwarded to the 

 Colonial Secretary from the Council on the subject of reserves for the pro- 

 tection of certain of the native birds. 



Paper. — " On the Foundation and Settlement of Canter- 

 bury," by Dr. Hocken. 



This was a further contribution to a series of lectures on the early 

 history of New Zealand. 



