704 Proceedings. 



Second Meeting: 22ncl June, 1891. 



Professor F. D. Brown, President, in the chair. 



Neto Members. — E. Craig, C. Malfroy, P. Sylow. 



Papers.— 1. " On the Prospects of finding Workable Coal on 

 the Shores of the Waitemata," by James Park, F.G.S. {Trans- 

 actions, p. 380.) 



2. " On Geyser-action at Eotorua," by Camille Malfroy, 

 Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. [Transactions, p. 579.) 



This paper was illustrated by a series of maps, diagrams, and photo- 

 grai)lis, specially prepared and exhibited (by limelight) by Mr. Josiah 

 Martin, Vice-president. 



The President complimented jNIr. Malfroy ui)on the excellent paper 

 which he had prepared. He thought that the views advanced were in 

 entire harmony with the facts observed. He considered that the Govern- 

 ment of the colony should be congratulated upon having such an excel- 

 lent observer as Mr. Malfroy in a position of such importance. 



Thibd Meeting : 20th July, 1891. 

 Professor F. D, Brown, President, in the chair. 



Netu Member. — H. C. Choyce. 



Papers. — 1. " Notes on the Discovery of some Ancient 

 Maori Eelics at Parua Bay, Whangarei," by A. J. Millar. 



" On felling some bush in September last we found two 

 skeletons placed in hollow trees growing not very far apart. 

 A greenstone ear-ring and some eardrops were near one of the 

 skulls. Some giant puriri trees were growing not far from 

 where the skeletons were found, and these w^e did not cut 

 down, wishing, if possible, to preserve them. When burning 

 the rest of the clearing-off in March, however, the trees caught 

 fire, and several of them were burnt through and fell. Then 

 the other remains appeared to view, consisting of numerous 

 skeletons — charred, of course, and some of them almost cal- 

 cined. Close to the bones we found several polished green- 

 stone axes or chisels of small size, and some stone sinkers, 

 together with several chips of obsidian, used no doubt in the 

 process of stone-scraping. The remains were found in a 

 hollow situated between two low-lying spurs near the sea. 

 The fact that so many human bones were discovered within 

 an area of little more than two acres leads me to suppose 

 that the hollow puriris have many years ago been made to 

 serve as a depository for the remains of the dead Maori. 

 One of the chisels found is only l|in. long, and barely *in. in 

 wddth. It is of greenstone, polished, and semi-transparent. 

 One of the eardrops is a beautiful specimen. It is about 3in. 



