378 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



The sewage being discharged in a concentrated form, un- 

 diluted with rain-water, its vak:e would be much enhanced as 

 a liquid manure for the purpose of irrigation, should it be 

 decided to employ it in that manner. For the same I'eason 

 the first cost and working-expenses would be greatly reduced. 



Provision for serving a population of 50,000 is, I maintain, 

 ample, the possibility existing of extending the system to 

 meet the future increase without sacrificing the work pre- 

 viously carried out. 



The remarks in this paper have, of course, a catholic appli- 

 cation : what has been said with reference to the difficulty of 

 draining Wellington applies equally to all towns occupying 

 flat sites, the difficulties which may arise, and sewage-gas 

 nuisances which threaten, being the same. 



The pneumatic system has, I venture to submit, solved the 

 problem of how to drain localities effectually and cheaply 

 which do not possess the natural conditions suitable for 

 drainage by gravitation. 



Aet. XLIX. — Notes on the Islands to the South of New 



Zealand. 



By A. Eeischek, F.L.S. 



[Read before the Aucldancl Instihite, 30th Julij, ISSS.] 



At last the time came for me to say ' ' Good-bye' ' to those solitary 

 wilds on tlie west coast of the South Island where, amidst 

 the grandest and most beautiful scenery, I had spent so many 

 happy days. Truly, nature has lavished her favours on 

 New Zealand, and I may well be excused for being sorry to 

 leave it. 



On the 19th January, 1888, the " Stella," under the charge 

 of Captain Fairchild, left the Bluff for her annual tour to pro- 

 vision the depots kept up for the succour of shipwrecked sailors 

 on the islands to the south of New Zealand. Mr. Dugald (the 

 photographer), a few youths, and myself were the only pas- 

 sengers. We started first for Stewart Island, distant fifteen 

 miles to the south-south-west. Passing through Foveaux 

 Strait, dotted over with romantic little islands, we disturbed 

 numerous fiocks of mutton-birds [Puffinus tristis) which were 

 feeding, playing, or sleeping on the water. A few nellies 

 (Ossifraga (jKjavtea) followed the vessel to pick up any scraps 

 thrown overboard, which they greedily devoured. 



Stewart Island is of irregular shape : its western or longest 

 side runs in a north-and-south direction for about thirty- 

 nine miles ; the north and south-east sides are each 



