WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



FiEST Meeting : 3rd July, 1895. 



Mr. T. Kirk, F.L.S., President, in the chair. 



The President expressed his thanks for the honour con- 

 ferred upon him by his election to the chair for the current 

 year. He nmde a brief reference to the recent death of Pro- 

 fessor Huxley, to whose distinguished abilities he paid a 

 graceful tribute. Mr. Kirk then read his inaugural ad- 

 dress, "The Displacement of Species." (Transactions, p. 1.) 



Sir James Hector proposed a vote of thauks to the President for 

 his interesting address. He agreed with the view that the vast 

 changes which had been effected in the fauna and flora could never 

 be recovered from. Some were good and others verj' bad, and often 

 resulted from the misdirected energy of colonists who did not realise 

 bow easy it is to disturb the delicate balance of nature. 



Mr. Travers had great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks. 

 He had often pointed out the necessity of taking steps to prevent the 

 introduction of undesirable plants, &c. Foreign organisms obtain a 

 greater flourishing power here than in their ov>'n climate. He had 

 observed the rapid growth in New Zealand of plants that would be 

 considered insignificant in their own country — and the same with 

 insects. Nothing was done to prevent the spread of injurious plants 

 and insects in the first instance, and it is difficult to do it now. Snakes 

 and toads are not allowed into the country, although they are really 

 useful; but stoats and weasels are introduced, and they are doing harm 

 all over the country, and it is penal to destroy them. 



The vote of thanks was carried. 



Mr. Kirk returned thanks. 



Neio Members.— Dv. A. G. Talbot, Mr. A. Haylock. 



Second Meeting: 17th July, 1895. 



Mr. T. Kirk, F.L.S., President, in the chair. 



Papers. — 1. " On Eare Lepidoptera in the Wellington Dis- 

 trict," by W. P. Cohen. Specimens exhibited. {Transactions, 

 p. 377.) 



The President said there was much iuterestii g information in Mr. 

 Cohen's paper, and complimented him for making such a valuable col- 

 lection. 



