Auckland Institute. 419 



district there was a continuous line of screens, without a break, for 27 miles 

 in length, arranged in three great loops, connected by a common centre. 



These results are of such magnitude, and the ravages of this insect so 

 serious, that I do not hesitate to bring this subject before this Institute, and 

 from this before the kindred societies of the adjacent colonies. Any efforts 

 that are made to guard against such a danger are worthy every consideration, 

 for such a calamity as the introduction of this scourge into Australia, with 

 its vast plains but partially peopled, with such an extent of breeding ground, 

 would result in an increase before which that of Cyprus would be trivial, 

 and the erfeets upon the Australian Colonies disastrous. It is true that 

 there might be but little risk to this colony ; but any serious misfor- 

 tune affecting the adjacent colonies would also prove injurious to us. 



S o far, we have been careless to a degree of culpability in not taking 

 steps to guard against the importations of several of these pests, more 

 especially the Codlin moth and Phylloxera, and are still lax in our action in 

 not discovering or introducing means for eradication. The combination of 

 the Australian Colonies to deal with these questions is a matter which has 

 already had a precedent in the expenditure of £40,000 at Geelong in the 

 attempt to exterminate the Phylloxera. 



He next reviewed the progress made in meteorology and mining, and 

 concluded with a mention of the chief manufacturing industries, and sources 

 of power that can be utilized. 



2. " New species of Carabidee," by Captaiii T. Broun. (N.Z. 

 Coleoptera.) 



3. " On a new species of Chromodoris," by T. F. Clieesenian, 

 F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 137.) 



4. " Notes on the Stitch-bird (Pogonornis cincta)," by A. 

 Beischek. (Transactions, p. 84.) 



Second Meeting. 29th June, 1885. 

 J. A. Pond, President, in the chair. 



New Members.— D. K. S. Galbraith, W. Goldie, W. F. 

 Hubbard, C.E., G. W. Owen. 



Papers. — 1. "Objections to the Theory of Evolution," by J. 



Buchanan. 



Professor Thomas criticised the paper at considerable length, and 

 further discussion was postponed until the next meeting. 



2. " On the Growth of Transplanted Trees," by J. Baber, 

 C.E. (Transactions, p. 311.) 



Third Meeting. 21th July, 1885. 

 J. A. Pond, President, in the chair. 

 New Members. — T. L. Bates, F. Ireland. 



The President alluded to the recent death of Mr. J. T. Mackelvie, for 

 many years past a most liberal benefactor of the Institute. Several other 

 members also spoke in reference to the active interest and sympathy always 

 evinced towards the Institute by Mr. Mackelvie. 



