Wellington Philosophical Society. 603 



of blasting-powder in an improper manner, so that instead of breaking 

 down the coal it blew out like a cannon-shot, with the result that the 

 tremendous explosion took place. All the evidence went to show that 

 the noxious gas produced arose from imperfect combustion, and was car- 

 bonic oxide or white damp, and that the foolish conduct of the person 

 who fired the shot had been the cause of the disaster. 



Mr. Maskeil considered the meeting greatly indebted to Sir James 

 Hector for his clear and interesting explanation of the cause of the great 

 disaster. It was satisfactory to know that the Commissioners had agreed 

 as to the cause of the explosion, and they deserved thanks for their 

 careful work. 



Mr. Harding had always wondered how it was that gunpowder could 

 be safely exploded in so confined a space as a coal-mine. 



Mr. Tanner was glad to know what a blown-out shot was. He 

 should have thought that special men only would have been employed in 

 preparing for these dangerous explosions. 



General Schaw said that to him the most interesting part was the 

 general description of the New Zealand coal-formations. One never could 

 be quite sure, in making shot-holes, that they would not sometimes blow 

 out. To fire a blast in a coal-mine was, he considered, an awfully risky 

 thing. He hoped to see some other method adopted for bringing down 

 the coal. 



Sir James Hector, in reply, said no gunpowder had been used in the 

 Kaitangata coal-mine for some years ; a flameless explosive was used, 

 and it had proved most successful. He thought the use of gunpowder 

 would be done away with altogether. He hoped to see hydraulic pressure 

 used to bring down the coal, and this would be quite safe. Since the 

 Brunner explosion, the firing was done only by skilled men, as suggested 

 by Mr. Tanner. He described how the holes were bored and charged. 



The following exhibits were on view: (1.) Locusts from 

 South Africa, presented by Mr. W. P. Cohen. (2.) Fine 

 specimens of the vegetable caterpillar, collected and presented 

 by Mr. C. Fitton. (3.) Petrel (CEstrelata cervicalis), from 

 Kermadec Islands, presented by Sir W. Buller. (4.) Harrier 

 (Circus gouldi). (5.) Globe-fish (Tetrodon gillhanksii) , pre- 

 sented by Mr. F. E. Clarke, New Plymouth. 



Fourth Meeting : 26th August, 1896. 



Mr. W. T. L. Travers, President, in the chair. 



Papers. — 1. " A Phase of Hypnotism," by E. Tregear, 

 F.E.G.S. (Transactions, p. 83.) 



General Schaw said the condition mentioned by Mr. Tregear called 

 "lata" was no doubt similar to hypnotism or mesmerism. He had 

 witnessed exhibitions of this power, and it was very similar to that 

 described in the paper. It was an interesting subject, but he was not 

 sure that any real benefit had come from it. 



Sir James Hector thought this power was known among the ]\Iaoris ; 

 probably "lata" was the same as "rata," which lie thought meant 

 " tame, or friendly," and also "a friend, or adviser." When travelling 

 with Sir Grey among the Maoris lie was always addressed as " Rata-o-te- 

 Kawana." 



