14 Proceedings. 



6. " The Maoris of the West. Coast of the South Island." By H. D. 

 Skinner. 



The author explained that his paper dealt with a very small part of the subject. 

 He mentioned first the passes to the West Coast, then some of the preparations the 

 Maoris made for travelling across these passes, and finally indicated the discoverer of 

 the first pass. All the greenstone we knew of in New Zealand came from one or two 

 •.iver-beds on the West Coast, and must have been brought across these passes. Some 

 idea of the amount carried over might be gathered from the fact that from Murdering 

 Beach alone about 3 cwt. of worked greenstone had been removed. The author 'made 

 use of a length}' manuscript containing the only record of the history, customs, and 

 mythology of the Maori tribe now on the verge of extinction on the West Coast. After 

 referring to the various passes of the Southern Alps and their significance to the Maoris, 

 he gave a vivid description of the journeys which the Natives used to make across the 

 .Alps, and concluded with the story of Raurika, the mad woman who, about the year 

 ] 700, discovered Browning's Pass, and was the first to find a way across the great barrier. 



7. " The Mammalian Heart : the Nature of its Beat, and Some Striking 

 Variations in Rhythm recently discovered^' By Dr. Stuart Moore. 



Commencing with a few simple points about the anatomy of the heart, the writer 

 went on to discuss the two theories of the causes of its action and to describe some 

 remarkable recorded irregularities, and made the subject clear by the use of the black- 

 board and of several interesting diagrams shown through a magic-lantern. Incidentally, 

 some insight was given into the remarkably ingenious methods by which physiologists 

 can detect, record, and interpret the most delicate variations in the action of the heart. 



Third Meeting : 4th July, 1911. 

 The President, Mr. A. Bathgate, in the chair. 



There was a large attendance, over two hundred members and friends 

 being present. 



Address. — Mr. R. Speight, M.A., F.G.S., of Christchurch, gave an in- 

 teresting illustrated address on " Remote and Unknown Canterbury." 



Abstract. 



The address dealt chiefly with a part of Canterbury which is little known to the 

 general public, and lies at the head of the Rakaia, Ash burton, and Rangitata Rivers. 

 The lecturer first of all gave a brief account of the geographical features of the area, 

 ind referred to the work of exploration carried on by Haast, Potts, and Whitcombe, 

 as well as to the connection of Dr. Sinclair and Samuel Butler with its early history. 

 Some account was given of the geological structure of the district and the evolution of 

 the chief landscape-features. The lecturer drew attention to the fact that the Southern 

 Alps in their present form are not a mountain -range of the alpine type, but rather a 

 dissected peneplain of which the present mountain -tops are a remnant. The dissection 

 has been brought about first of all by stream-action and then by glaciation. The 

 effect of the latter was dealt with at greater length, and the address concluded with a 

 description of the present glaciers at the head of the Rakaia and the adjacent river- 

 valleys, which probably afford the finest alpine scenery in New Zealand with the excep- 

 tion of that in the Mount Cook district — a feature which is all the more remarkable 

 seeing that the highest peaks in that part of the main range do not reach the height of 

 y,000 ft. Even this comparatively moderate elevation seems competent to deprive the 

 wet westerly winds of by far the greater portion of the moisture they carry. 



The lecture was illustrated by an extensive series of lantern-slides, giving a fine 

 series of views of the country dealt with, and at its close a hearty vote of thanks was 

 KTOorded to the lecturer on the motion of the chairman. 



