744 Proceedings. 



the colony, and he would not seek for a better offer outside. He had 

 already received an offer of a greater amount than that from anotlier 

 oountry, and he (Mr. Hamilton) had no doubt that he could obtain a 

 higher price if he put it in the open market. He (the speaker) might be 

 permitted to say that, much as he should like to see the bird added to 

 our Museum treasures, he must still adhere to the views which he partly 

 expressed at last meeting— viz., that the capture of another bird— a young 

 female— pointed to the fact that there must be other specimens of the 

 birct still existing; and he thought that, if the members of the Institute 

 felt inclined to raise any money, that money would be better expended n\ 

 undertaking a private search for living specimens, which should be pre- 

 served on Resolution Island. 



The Chairman said, no doubt Mr. Ross's offer was a most public- 

 spirited one; but still it was entirely beyond the means of the Institute 

 to spend so much money in the purchase of the bird. It would be a 

 thousand pities if the bird left New Zealand, and it might be possible to 

 make some public appeal to raise the necessary £2-50 for the purchase of 

 the bird. 



Mr. Hamilton did not for a moment contemplate that the Institute 

 would spend £250, but it could head a public subscription with a sub- 

 stantial amount. However, even if a public subscription were raised, 

 and the Government contributed a certain amount, he still adhered to 

 the views he had expressed on the subject. 



The Chairman said they could not do less than send a grateful note 

 of thanks to ^Ir. Ross and Dr. Young, and he would propose that. 



Mr. Melland suggested that the Government should be asked to buy 

 the bird from Mr. Ross, and that Mr. Henry should accompany Mr. Ross 

 on an expedition with the view of seeing if they could catch some live 

 specimens of the bird. 



Dr. Benham was quite in agreement with previous speakers in saying 

 that they should not spend so much money on the purchase of the bird. 

 The Institute ought, however, to thank Mr. Ross and Dr. Young for 

 allowing them to have the bird on exhibition for so long a period. It 

 had been a source of great pleasure to themselves, and to a good many 

 people who had come to the Museum to see it. 



Mr. Smith moved, That the Government be asked to purchase the 



bird. 



Mr. Mellanii seconded the motion, which was carried. 

 It was also decided to write to Mr. Ross and Dr. Young, tlianking 

 them for the offer they had made in couuectioii wiili the bird. 



The Chairman, in his closing remarks, drew the atten- 

 tion of the members to the death of Mr. John Buchanan, 

 F.L.S., and feehng reference was made to the large amount of 

 useful botanical work done by him. Mr. Buchanan was one 

 of the oldest members of the Otago Institute, and in conjunc- 

 tion with Dr. Hector had collected largely in Otago when 

 attached to the Provincial Geological Survey Department. 



Seventh Meeting • 18th November, 1898. 

 The annual meeting of the members of the Otago Institute 

 was held in the lecture-room at the Museum. Mr. F. K. 

 Chapman, President, occupied the chair. 



