Otaqo Institute. 41 



OTAGO INSTITUTE. 



FoUHTH Mi^iETiNO : "Jnd August, 1010. 



The Pn'sidout. Professor Waters, in the chuir. 



There were fort}- members present. 



New Members. — Messrs. E. E. Stark, James NicoU, and K. A. 

 Farquharson. 



Paper.^. — 1. Professor Waters laid on the table an important contri- 

 bution by Mr. R. A. Farquharson, M.A., entitled " The Occurrence of 

 Platinum in New Zealand," and he proceeded to show by means of maps 

 and diagrams the various localities where the metal is obtained, and 

 how by dift'eront methods the pure metal is finally extracted. He spoke 

 in highly flattering terms of the work that was being done by Mr. 

 Farquharson. 



2. Mr. J. Crosby Smith sent in a paper on the plants of Lake 

 Hauroko, and this was read by the Secretary. 



Exhibits . — Mr. George Howes exhibited some fine specimens of 

 Lepidoptera, and Dr. Benham spoke of the valuable work that was 

 being done in the field by Mr. Howes. 



Address. — Dr. Fulton gave a short address entitled " An Hour with 

 a Water Diviner," and argued that m the man interviewed there was 

 no more than a shrewd knowledge of localities, a good idea of the run 

 of all the streams in the district worked upon, and an almost imper- 

 ceptible volvmtary contraction of the muscles of the fingers, whicli caused 

 tlie twig to descend wherever it was deemed expedient. 



Dr. Benham and Mr. McLeod also spoke on the subject. 



Fifth MEpyriNG : 6th September, 1910. 

 The President, Professor Waters, in the chair. 

 There was a large number of members and friends present. 



Address. — Dr. Cockayne, of Christchurch, gave a most interesting- 

 address, entitled " The Scientific Importance of our Scenic Reserves and 

 National Parks.'' 



The lecturer stated that New Zealand st<jod out pre-eminently among the 

 countries of the world in the care taken for providing that certain natural objects 

 and natural phenomena shall remain the heritage of the people :or ever. There 

 were 414 scenic reserves, several vast areas known as national parks, and a number 

 of islands known as sanctuaries. 



