Wellington Philosophical Society. 533 



Mr. Smith explained that the castings were effected at the Onehunga 

 Ironworks, whilst the malleable portion of the exhibits was the work of 

 Messrs. Luke and Son, of Wellington. A pan of the ironsand was shown ; 

 and it was stated that 85 per cent, of the sand is virgin iron. Mr. Smith 

 gave a most interesting account of the process employed in the manu- 

 facture of these articles, and declared that they could be made 25 per 

 cent, cheaper and 25 per cent, better than similar imported articles. 



In answer to Mr. Higginson, Mr. Smith stated that the Taranaki 

 iron had been tested for strength, and had been proved 2 J tons over best 

 B.B.H. iron ; and the report was in the Assembly Library. 



Sir James Hector remarked that he had recommended Mr. Smith to 

 send samples of the iron recently manufactured to the Engineering School, 

 Canterbury College, where all the necessary appliances for testing were 

 to be kept. 



Sir W. Buller asked Mr. Smith how it was that, notwithstanding 

 his great exertions to develope this important industry, all attempts up to 

 the present had failed. 



Mr. Smith replied that it was through no fault of the material, but 

 owing to the apathy of those engaged in the work, and who did not push 

 the matter as it deserved. 



Replying to a vote of thanks, Mr. Smith remarked that he desired to 

 express his thanks to Sir James Hector for the very kind and valuable 

 assistance he had invariably given him. 



Fifth Meeting : 5th October, 1892. 



Sir Walter Buller, President, in the chair. 



Papers. — 1. "On a Maori Waiata, or Song," by E. C. 

 Bruce, M.H.E. (Transactions, p. 426.) 



Mr. Tregear said that Mr. Bruce deserved the thanks of the Society 

 for having brought this beautiful poem to light. It was of great value 

 historically, as well as from a poetical point of view. He thought, how- 

 ever, it might have been in part adapted from some other old song, and 

 not altogether an original composition by the old chief mentioned. 



Sir James Hector said the chief interest of this luaiata was the 

 mention of the hokioi associated with the moa. The hokioi had been 

 identified as a huge vulturine bird that preyed on the moa and was now 

 quite extinct. The bones were first identified and described by the late 

 Sir J. von Haast. He (the speaker) then exhibited two photographs of a 

 very fine skull of this bird recently taken by Mr. Hamilton, of Dunedin. 



Sir W. Buller, whilst testifying to the historical interest attaching to 

 the waiata, expressed a doubt as to its entire originality. He had heard 

 it alleged by other natives that it was only an adaptation by Te Hakeke. 

 That this chief was, however, a man of renown and individuality was 

 admitted on all hands. His son, the late Kawana Hunia te Hakeke, 

 inherited these qualities ; indeed, he was one of the most capable and 

 remarkable men of his day. With a devotion beyond all praise, he spent 

 his whole life in continuous and never-ceasing efforts to restore the fallen 

 fortunes of his tribe. Bishop Hadfield had described in graphic language 

 the deplorable condition of the Ngatiapa Tribe when he first came to the 

 coast. Chiefly through the exertions of Kawana Hunia the tribe had 

 been completely rehabilitated, and had recovered possession of all its 

 ancestral lands. He was glad to have this opportunity of paying a 

 tribute to the unselfish character of the late Kawana Hunia. He was 

 inclined to think that the hokioi referred to was really the frigate-bird. 



