OTAGO INSTITQTE. 



First Meeting: 9th May, 1898. 

 Dr. T. M. Hocken, President, in the chair. 



After a few introductory remarks, Dr. Hocken was called 

 away ; and Mr. C. W. Adams, Vice-president, made a speech 

 welcoming the members and their friends, and on behalf of 

 the society offered a hearty welcome to Professor T. J. Parker 

 on his return from a visit to England. 



A number of interesting exhibits were displayed in the bio- 

 logical laboratory, notably a beautiful specimen of an albatros in 

 the down, and some of the specimens acquired for the Museum 

 in England by Dr. Parker. A special exhibit was a collection 

 of bird-skins from the Chatham Islands, containing a pair 

 of the extremely rare rail {Cahalus), and a number of scarce 

 birds. With these was a collection of over a dozen well- 

 finished stone axes and tools, with grinding-stones, found in 

 one place at the Chatham Islands. As the Museum was un- 

 able to afford the money necessary for the purchase of these 

 collections, a subscription list was started, and the Council of 

 the Institute supplemented the amount collected by a grant, 

 which enabled the Curator to secure the specimens for the 

 Museum. 



It was announced during the meeting that the Council had 

 received a letter from Mr. G. M. Thomson, F.L.S., drawing 

 attention to the inactivity of the Government in the matter 

 of setting aside Eesolutiou Island as a sanctuary for native 

 birds, and that the Council had appointed a committee to 

 confer with the Otago Acclimatisation Society as to the best 

 mode of forwarding the matter. 



The following gentlemen were elected members of the 

 Institute : Thomas Mackenzie, Balclutha ; Murray Aston, 

 St. Leonards ; W. Shacklock, Dunedin. 



Second Meeting : Idtli June, 1893. 



Dr. T. M. Hocken, President, in the chair. 



Dr. J. H. Scott read a paper entitled " Contributions to 

 the Osteology of the Maori and Moriori Eaces : Part I.'" 



