Auckland Institute. 577 



has been absorbed by the growing needs of the Museum, and to have 

 drawn so large a sum as £1,000 from the invested capital, upon which the 

 income of the society depends, would have been rash and injudicious 

 in the extreme. Under such circumstances, it was decided to issue a 

 circular to the citizens of Auckland, explaining the position and inviting 

 donations for the purchase of the collestion as the only means of retain- 

 ing it in Auckland. The response to this invitation has been most 

 generous, and has amply proved that the people of Auckland are ready 

 and willing to support any object of undoubted public utility. The 

 amount contributed up to the present time has been £962 7s. 7d., 

 and there can be little doubt that the full sum of £1,000 will be 

 obtained before the subscription-lists are finally closed. In the mean- 

 time the collection has been secured, and the whole of it is now displayed 

 in the Museum. The Council has great pleasure in recording their 

 most grateful thanks for the liberal and sympathetic assistance which 

 has been so freely rendered. A full list of all donors will be found 

 appended to the report. 



The Council has also to report the purohase of the well-known Maori 

 carved house Te Rangitihi, formerly standing at Taheke, on the northern 

 shore of Lake Rotoiti. This house, which is about 60 ft. in length by 

 25 ft. in width, with a height of 18 ft., is beautifully carved throughout, 

 and is considered to be one of the best and most complete runanga houses 

 in existence, and will doubtless form a most attractive addition to the 

 Museum. It is hoped to erect it as an annexe to the eastern side of the 

 Maori hall, but the estimated cost is so large that it is doubtful whether 

 it is within the means of the Institute. The matter is now in the hands 

 of a sub-committee, which will report to the Council. The thanks of the 

 Institute are due to Captain G. Mair for his assistance in negotiating the 

 purchase. 



The Institute still retains the management of Little Barrier Island 

 as a reserve for the preservation of the avifauna of New Zealand. The 

 curator, Mr. Shakespear, has resided on the island during the year, and 

 reports that no unauthorised persons have landed thereon, and that no 

 attempt has been made to interfere with the birds. So far as can be 

 ascertained, the birds show no signs of decreasing in numbers ; in fact, 

 the curator is of opinion that several species have shown a decided 

 increase during the last two or three years. There can be little doubt 

 that if a resident guardian is maintained on the island it will for many 

 years remain a secure home for a large part of the avifauna of New 

 Zealand. 



Election of Officers for 1902. — President — E. Eo- 

 berton, M.D. ; Vice-presidents — J. Stewart, M.I.C.E., and 

 Professor H. W. Segar; Council — Professor F. D. Brown, 



C. Cooper, H. Haines, E.E.C.S., E. V. Miller, T. Peacock, 



D. Petrie, J. A. Pond, H. Swale, M.D., Professor H. A. 

 Talbot-Tubbs, Professor A. P. W. Tbomas, F.L.S., and 

 J. H. Upton; Secretary and Curator — T. F. Cbeesenian, 

 F.L.S., F.Z.S. 



Paper. — "On the Volcanic Belts of the Auckland 

 Isthmus," by C. E. Fox. {Transactions, p. 452.) 



37 



