Auckland Institute. 421 



2. " The Minerals of the Cape Colville Peninsula," by J. A. 

 Pond. 



3. " Observations on the Habits of New Zealand Birds," by 

 A. Keischek. (Transactions, p. 96.) 



Seventh Meeting. SOtk November, 1885. 

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



1. The President called attention to the Maori Carved House , 

 or Pataka, erected in the Museum at the expense of Mr. F. D. 

 Fenton. An unanimous vote of thanks to Mr. Fenton was 

 passed. 



2. "Descriptions of three new Species of Coprosma," by 

 T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S. (Transactions, p. 315.) 



3. " Notes on the Habits of Pole-cat, Ferret, Stoat, and 

 Weasel," by A. Eeischek. (Transactions, p. 110.) 



4. "An Account of the new Volcano in the Friendly Islands," 

 by Eev. S. W. Baker. (Transactions, p. 41.) 



Dr. Murray Moore read the following extract from the official 

 log of the schooner Made, Captain Lane, in reference to the same 

 volcanic outburst : — 



" Position at noon, Friday, 16th October, 1885 : longitude, 

 175° S.W. ; latitude, 20° 15' S. Observed columns of smoke 

 shooting into the air, bearing W.S.W., about 20 miles away. 

 Kept away, and ran within seven miles of it, when we found it 

 to be an active volcano, and that it had thrown up an island 

 about one mile long and over 100 feet high in the centre, sloping 

 gradually all round, with a crater on the E.N.E. side, from 

 which immense columns of matter were thrown continually to a 

 great height ; said matter falling again has evidently formed the 

 island, as the crater is on the weather side, and nothing to 

 windward but a low ledge. At sunset the eruption was almost 

 over, only a small jet now and then appearing. The position of 

 the volcano is— longitude 175° 25' W. ; latitude 20° 20' S. 



" [While going before the wind, and when seven miles to 

 windward of the island, some fine gritty dust fell on the deck, 

 which I believe to be pure scoria ash from the volcano.] 



" Nov. 21st, 1885.— Left Tonga for Auckland. The volcano 

 is still active ; a party, just returned from there in the schooner 

 Jiole Tafa, report the island four miles long and 300 feet high. 

 The columns of smoke, etc. shot into the air are visible at 

 Nukualofa anchorage, 47 miles N.N.W., the bearing from thence 

 exactly agreeing with the position formerly given. 



W. S. Lane." 



5. " The Building Timbers of Auckland," by E. Bartley. 

 (Transactions, p. 37.) 



Mr. T. Peacock, M.H.E., said he had no doubt that discrimination was 

 necessary in the selection of timber for different purposes. He took excep- 



