Otaqo Institute. 743 



give their pupiU hints and suggestions as to how to go to work, it must 

 be understood that the notes must be bond fide the work of the pupils 

 themselves. Appended is a sample of an actual record, which may serve 

 as a sort of ror.gti guide." 



The Chairman said he was sure the members of the Institute would 

 indorse every word contained in the suggestions. The Council had 

 unanimously agreed upon sending the circular just read to tiie Education 

 Board, and be hoped that that would receive the indorsement of mem- 

 bers also. 



Mr. W. Brown thought the proposal was an admirable one, and that 

 the Institute should give it its full support. Hf; did noD kiio^v of any- 

 thing that would tend to cultivate habits of observation more than what 

 Mr. Thomson had suggested. He had much pleasure in moving that the 

 suggestions be given effect to. 



The motion was agreed to. 



2. "Notes on New Zealand Earthworms," by Professor 

 W. B. Benham, D.Sc. {Transactions, p. 156.) 



Dr. Hocken and Mr. G. M. Thomson spoke on the subject-matter 

 of the address, and joined in welcoming Dr. Benham to fresh fields for 

 a fursher study of that group of animals in which he has already a world- 

 wide reputation. 



Dr. Hocken exhibitei some spirit specimens of the Palolo, 

 a marine worm that periodically appears from the coral-reefs 

 in Fiji and other places, and which is collected and eaten by 

 the natives. 



Mr. Hamilton then gave a short sketch of "The Art of 

 War as practised in Old New Zealand," describing the Mura 

 system, and the various ceremonies enacted in tribal warfare. 

 At the close of his remarks Mr. Hamilton exhibited a number 

 of specimens of war belts and girdles from the Urewera coun- 

 try. 



Dr. Benham exhibited a new species of Nudibranch. 



3. Mr. Hamilton read a paper " On a Maori Chert 

 Quarry," and exhibited a chert knife which he had obtained 

 from a Maori chert quarry near Eoxburgh. 



He explained that the knives were used by the Maoris for ordinary 

 cutting purposes, and also stated that some years ago the President of 

 the Institute had described a chert quarry which existed in the Mac- 

 kenzie country. No doubt many more would yet be discovered. 



Some specimens of native spring flowers were also shown 

 by Mr. Hamilton, grown in Mr. H. Matthews's garden, at 

 Mornington. 



Mr. Hamilton stated that he had received a letter from Dr. 

 Young, of Invercargill, in regard to the bird which was ex- 

 hibited at the last meeting of the Institute— viz., the celebrated 

 Notornis. 



He said the doctor informed him that the owner, Mr. Ross, had 

 kindly consented to make a considerable sacrifice, from his point of view, 

 so that the bird should be retained in the colony. Mr. Ross's patriotism 

 was such that he said if the Institute could succeed in raising £250 he 

 was prepared to accept that amount, so that the bird should remain in 



