10 Proceedings 



Astronomical Society. — Advantage was taken by the President of the 

 large attendance of those interested in astronomy to introduce the ques- 

 tion of the formation of an Astronomical Society or an Astronomical 

 Section of the Society. 



Dr. C. Monro Hector thought it matter for regret that the Carter bequest for 

 a telescope had lain idle so long. He had no definite proposal to make, but thought 

 the time opportune to bring the matter forward and try to interest the public in 

 the subject. 



Mr. C. P. Powles thought the time for action had come, and moved, That 

 steps be taken to form a branch of the British Astronomical Association in connec- 

 tion with the Wellington Philosophical Society'. 



The motion, after some discussion, was withdrawn, it being uncertain whether 

 a branch of the Association could be affiliated with the Society, and finally a com- 

 mittee was appointed to consider the whole matter and report to a later meeting, 

 the committee to consist of Mr. A. Hamilton, Mr. C. E. Adams, F.R.A.S., Dr. 

 Kennedy, F.R.A.S., Dr. Hector, Mr. E. D. Bell, Mr. G. V. Hudson, Mr. A. C. 

 Gifford, Professor Easterfield, and Mr. C. P. Powles (convener). 



Second Meeting : 1st June, 1910. 



Mr. A. Hamilton, President, in the chair. 



New Members. — Mr. W. H. Carter, jun., and Mr. A. E. Aston. 



Papers. — 1. "The Elementary Psvchologv of Child-life," bv Miss 

 C. E. Kirk. 



The author illustrated her paper by many personal experiences with children 

 of different ages, and endeavoured to trace the causes of many interesting actions 

 and sayings incidental to childhood. 



2. "The Customs and Traditions of the Poutini Ngai-Tahu," by 

 Mr. H. D. Skinner. 



Abstract. 



It should first be explained that the Ngai-Tahu were the tribe that claimed 

 lordship over the greater part of the South Island at the beginning of the nine- 

 teenth century. The Poutini Ngai-Tahu were that branch of the tribe that had 

 won a home in what is now called Westland. The succession of conquest in that 

 district is as follows : First came Ngati-Wairangi ; they are said to have inter- 

 married with or been conquered by Ngati-Mamoe, who were in turn conquered by 

 Ngai-Tahu. Ngai-Tahu settled among the conquered, and the name Poutini Ngai- 

 Tahu was given to the united tribe. In the yeai's 1828 and 1832 these people were 

 raided by bands from Ati-Awa and Taranaki, who, however, did not settle in the 

 district, but withdrew. 



Hardly any record of the customs and traditions of Poutini Ngai-Tahu has 

 been preserved. For this reason it is worth recording details which if told of 

 any other tribe might be called trivial. The Maoris from whom most of the 

 information was obtained were, — Hemi, aged about 95 ; Mrs. Hemi, aged about 97 ; 

 Kere, aged about 75 ; Jacob, aged about 65 ; and Bill, aged about 50. They were 

 living at the Makawhio River, in South Westland, and belonged to Poutini Ngai- 

 Tahu, though they probably had Ngati-Wairangi and Ngati-Mamoe blood in their 

 veins. 



The paper begins with an account of the various passes across the Southern 

 Alps. It tells which of them were known to the Maoris, and to what extent they 

 were used. It then describes in some detail the preparation of food, sandals, socks, 

 and all the other things necessary for a journey across the range. Next comes 

 some account of old-time hunting and fishing, after which journeys and routes from 

 place to place on the West Coast are touched on. The account given of canoes 



