Weilmgton Philosophical, Society. 49 



several journeys to Mount Hector and the neighbourhood, speaks highly of a peak 

 known as the Quoin. The height is about 3,900 ft., and it has the special advantage 

 of being well wooded on the one side. It is easily reached from Kaitoke, where you 

 have already reduced the altitude b_\ 800 ft. Tiie track is not a difficult one, excepting 

 a small distance, which is covered with a good deal of fallen timber. In tl e immediate 

 neighbourhood are lakelets, bogs in which the growth and structuic of the aliiine peaks 

 can be studied, and many varieties of cushion ])lants and plant formations peculiar to 

 that elevation and exposure. From the Quoin there is a clear walk to the higher peaks 

 of Mount Hector. I first thought it would be advisable to proceed to the mountain- 

 tops by way of the Otaki Gorge, but the distance from a railway-station is greater, the 

 climb through the bush more arduous, and the facilities for a base camj) are said not to 

 be so good. The ranges are noted for their alpine treasuies. and for some time there 

 has been a rest-house on Mourt Holdsworth, which is approached from Mast<>rton. This 

 trip is yearly becoming more and more ])opular. Mr. Hudson has several papers in the 

 Transactions on the insect fauna of Mount Holdsworth, and 1 feel sure he will say that 

 there is still much to be done in entomology as well as in botany. It would, of course, 

 be necessary to obtain permission from some one to build a weatherjiroof shelter on the 

 spot that may be selected. If this were do7ie, I feel sure that we could organize a party 

 to undertake the work, under the auspices of the Society. 



For those members who study the physical and geological features of New Zealand 

 I have another suggestion, which is still further afield. AVe have had recently an 

 excellent re])ort by Dr. Cockayne on the magnificent National Park, which includes the 

 volcanic grouj) of Ruapehu. Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro. Within this park are ('ouutless 

 subjects for investigation, and now that the Main Trunk line is opened I think we might 

 endeavour to obtain permission to build a small hut for the use of members on Ruapehu. 

 There are already tourist shelters at the other end of the park, but it is found now that 

 a good track can be taken from the neighbourhood of Ohakune to the glacier of Rua- 

 pehu and the summit. The area of the park is so large that at least two shelter-huts 

 are required. To prevent misapprehensions. I may explain that the kind of hut oi 

 shelter that I suggest is not at all an expensive one, and that most of the material for 

 its construction can be foimd on the spot. Formerly a visit to Ruapehu meant a long 

 and tedious journey ; now it is a matter of a few hours' train journey. The natural 

 history of the National Park would be an interesting subject for a group of members to 

 take up. 



Putting aside for a while these schemes for future work, let me say a few words 

 to those whose business or circumstances do not permit them to go far afield and study 

 Nature in her varied aspects. Some who are closely tied to town life turn their attention 

 to literature or languages, problems of mathematics, or problems of political and social 

 economics. Where there is a will to work, generally a way is found. One of our mem- 

 bers has for some time been doing vei-y useful work in closely investigating what is really 

 the archaeology of his immediate neighbourhood — identifying pas or settlements of the 

 Natives of the olden times, hunting for and recording the relics of the former inhabit- 

 ants found from time to time in jire^iaring foundations and road-cuttings. The result 

 of his labours will be gratifying to himself, and of considerable interest to all the future 

 inhabitants of that part. An example like this is one which might well be followed in 

 other places by numbers of peo])le whose spare time would be made interesting. The 

 great point is to observe carefully and thoroughly, and to promptly make a note of the 

 obseivations. In course of time the notes become more and more valuable, and what 

 may ai^pear at the time of noting as a bare isolated fact of little interest may prove an 

 important link in a chain of evidence. 



We must not forget that there are other workers at the history of New Zealand 

 besides the members of the New Zealand Institute, and I should like to draw the attention 

 of our members to the special effort that is being made by the Council of the Polynesian 

 Society to raise a fund for the jniblication of much important matter that has been col- 

 lect?d by them. Much has been done by the Polynesian Society in the sixteen volumes 

 already i)ublished. They have s])ent over £2.500 in printing, and they can with a good 

 grace ask assistance from their fellow-colonists and from kindred societies in printing 

 their stores of history and mythology. Their cause is worthy of every encouragement. 



The archaeology of New Zealand is a fascinating subject, in which there is a wide 

 field for all workers, and we need more workers in the field. One of the foremost writers 

 on archaeology in general says, " Archaeology is the latest-l)orn of the sciences. It has 

 but scarcely struggled iiito freedom out of the swaddling-clothes of dilettante specula- 

 tions. It is still attracted bj' pretty things rather than by real knowledge. It has to 

 find shelter with the fine arts or with histor^^ and not a siiigle home 1 as yet been provided 

 for its real growth. All other sciences deal with the things around us — with subjects 

 which mav or mav not aflfpct us. Even medical sciences are concerned with the median- 



