412 Proceedings. 



The Hon. Mr. W. B. D. Mantell, M.L.C., said he had held Manihera in 

 very high esteem, but suggested that the portrait would find a more fitting 

 place in the corridor of the House of Assembly. 



Dr. Hector differed from this opinion, remarking that, in its present 

 place, the general public would have the benefit of being able to see it. 



Before concluding the meeting, Dr. Hector stated that Mr. John 

 Buchanan, F.L.S., who had been connected with the Geological Survey for 

 over 20 years as a botanist, draughtsman, and explorer, was about to leave 

 the Government service, to retire on a well-earned pension ; and he ex- 

 pressed, in feeling terms, how much the Society would lose in Mr. Buchanan. 

 He referred at length to the valuable services rendered to the Society during 

 the past 18 years by that gentleman, by his execution of the illustrations and 

 diagrams, as well as by his numerous papers. 



Dr. Hector then referred to his personal acquaintance with Mr. 

 Buchanan, and related how, when he left for New Zealand in 1861, Sir 

 Joseph Hooker gave him the name of John Buchanan, as that of a remark- 

 able botanist, stating that if his services were secured in connection with 

 the Geological Survey, a great benefit would be rendered to science. 



A few months after landing, the speaker made his acquaintance, and 

 they had been together ever since. They had undergone many hardships 

 together, having on one occasion spent five or six months in the dingy cabin 

 of a little schooner, when exploring the West Coast Sounds, with rain falling 

 steadily for six weeks at a time. He spoke of Mr. Buchanan's ability at 

 designing diagrams and maps, and exploring, or any work requiring the 

 finest artistic touch or taste, in very high terms. At the close of his remarks, 

 the Chairman, on behalf of the Society, handed to Mr. Buchanan an 

 illuminated diploma of life membership, signed by the President, Vice- 

 Presidents, and Council of the Philosophical Society, as a small token of 

 the esteem in which his services were held. The diploma was handsomely 

 illuminated by Messrs. Bock and Cousins. The diploma was accompanied 

 by a present of several valuable books, chosen by the Council. The meeting 

 signified its approval of the gift by hearty acclamation. Mr. Buchanan was 

 quite taken by surprise, and was, in consequence, too much moved to reply 

 at any length. 



29th July, 1885. 

 Dr. Grabham, Vice-President, in the chair. 



New Members. — Mr. W. E. Vaux, and Mr. John Davies. 



Paper. — " On the Improvement in Vegetable Food in 

 Western Europe since Neolithic Times," by W. T. L. Travers, 

 F.L.S. (Transactions p. 30.) 



Mr. A. de B. Brandon read a paper entitled " Suggestions," 

 with a view to secure uniformity in expression in papers pub- 

 lished in the " Transactions," especially in relation to minute 

 measurements ; and the meeting generally agreed that such a 

 course would be of advantage. 



12th August, 1885. 



Mr. W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. , in the chair. 



Paper. — " On the Maori in Asia," by Mr. E. Tregear. (Trans- 

 actions t p. 3.) 



