748 Proceedings . 



showed bow argon could be obtained by passing atmospheric nitrogen 

 backwards and forwards from one gasholder to another over red-hot 

 magnesium, whereby the nitrogen was slowly taken up as magne- 

 sium nitride, while there remained a residue of uuabsorbed gas ; 

 and he also described the other methods which have been followed to 

 obtain argon. 



At the close of the lecture a vote of thanks was proposed by the Vice- 

 presidenf(^Ir. J. H. Upton) and carried by acclamation. 



Thikd Mektinu : Ist 'I nlij, 1895. 

 Professor A. P. Tliomas, F.L.S., President, in the chair. 



Netv Member.— Froiessor H. W. Segar. 

 Paper. — "Social Problems: Poverty and Unemployed 

 Labour in Civilised Communities," by F. G. Ewington. 



Fourth Meeting : 16th July, 1805. 



Professor A. P. Thomas, President, in the cliair. 



The Eight Eev. W. G. Cowie, D.D., Bishop of Auckland, 

 gave a popular lecture on " The Kecent Chitral Difficulty, and 

 the Future of the Country between Western /Afghanistan and 

 the Indus." 



Fifth Meeting : 5th August, 1895. 



Professor A. P. Thoiiuxs, President, in the chair. 



Papers. — 1. •' Note on a Volcanic Outburst on Sunday 

 Island in 1814:," by S. Percy Smith. {Transactions, p. 47.) 



2. "The History of Otakanini Pa, Kaipara " (translated 

 from the Maori of Hami Tewaewae), by S. Percy Smith. 

 (Transactions, p. 41.) 



3. "The Training of Teachers for Primary Schools," by 



the Rev. J. Bates. (^Transaciions, p. 111.) 



A lengthy discussion arose, in which Mr. Petrie, Chief Inspector of 

 Schools, Mr. Upton, ]\lr. Stewart, ^Ir. G. Aickin, and the President took 

 part. 



Sixth Mee'J'inu : 19ih August, L895. 

 Professor A. P. Thomas, President, in the chair. 

 Professor C. W. Egerton gave a popular lecture on "The 

 j^avvn of the English Drama." 



Absi'bact. 

 The lecturer said tlie English drama was the slow and gradual 

 development of many centuries. It had its origin in the ritual services 



