528 Tranaactions. — MisccUancons. 



The fact of volcanic agency having been at work in this 

 part of the country is interesting, in connection with the sup- 

 posed changes in the course of the Waikato Eiver, and would 

 probably go a long way towards accounting for such changes. 



I am informed that during the spawning season the inullet 

 swarm round the island, hence I suppose the name ; but I have 

 also been told that they acquire such a disagreeable flavour 

 that they are scarcely eatable. At the time of my visit a flock 

 of geese had established their nests on the island. 



In crossing and re-crossing Waikare in different directions 

 I have taken soundings, and find that the bottom is of a very 

 uniform level at a depth of from 6ft. to 8ft., and is composed of 

 deep mud, the ever-increasing sediment which is being de- 

 posited by flood-water. The swamps on the south and west 

 appear to be encroaching rapidly on the lake, and it is only a 

 question of time for this grand sheet of water to be turned 

 into a huge morass. 



I also send with this a specimen of iron-sand from the 

 eastern shore of the lake. 



Art. LXI. — Gn Vine-growing in Hmvke's Bay. 



By the Eev. Father Yaedin. 



'Read before the Ilmvlcc's Bay PhUosopMcal Institute, 11th August, 1890.] 



When I had the honour to be admitted into your society I 

 begged exemption from any literary or scientific contribution, 

 having been condemned by sickness to suspend my favourite 

 studies, and to avoid all serious mental exertion. It is then 

 with hesita-tion that, yielding to kind solicitations, I have been 

 persuaded, perhaps not wisely, to record a few remarks on 

 a question of some interest to this province— -namely, vine- 

 growing in Hawke's Bay. The following remarks, written by 

 fits and starts, are not a treatise on the matter, but simply the 

 results of personal practical observations. Incomplete as they 

 are, they may, perhaps, induce some industrious person to 

 attempt the experiment. 



My remarks do not refer either to vineries in hothouses, 

 or to vines planted outside, along a wall, but to real vine- 

 yards, in the open air. These already exist in Hawke's Bay : 

 some have been in full produce for many years past ; some have 

 been planted recently ; and I am convinced that a great many 

 more could be planted, even on a large scale, anywhere, under 

 certain conditions. The principal points to which I shall refer 

 are : a proper soil, a dry temperature, and a sunny exposure. 



