448 I'rocff'di iKjsi. 



Tknth Meeting : SOtJi May, 1912. 



Dr. H. K. Hatherl}-, President, in the chair. 



Lecture. — " Old-time Memories of Cook Strait," by Hon. Robert 

 McNab. 



Eleventh Meeting : Wfli June, 1012. 



Rev. J. L. Dove, M.A., Vice-President, in the chair. 



Lecture. — " Industrial Conditions and Social .Piogress," by H. E. 

 Sturge, M.A. 



Twelfth Meeting : 8th July, 1912. 

 Rev. J. L. Dove, M.A., Vice-President, in the chair. 



Ltrtures. — 1. "Education in Japan," by Mr. H. B. Watson, MA. 



In his paper the lecturer embodied his observations during a three months' 

 stay, when the authorities gave him every opportunity of investigating all classes 

 of schools and educational institutions. 



2. Lecture, illustrated with lantern-slides, " K*uapehu," by Mr. 

 Thomas Allison. 



The lecturer recounted the Maori legend of the first ascent of Buapehu by 

 Nga-toro-ai-rangi, an ancestor of the Maoris at Poutou. He climbed the moun- 

 tain, but suffered anguish from the cold, and his cries for help were heard by his 

 sisters at their home on an island in Poverty Bay. They set off with torches 

 of sacred fire to his assistance, and the falling sparks started numerous volcanoes 

 and puias on their route. The historicity of this ascent is vouched by the fact 

 that their footprints where they crossed the Poutou River were pointed out by 

 an old Native to Mr. Batley about 1882 ! 



In November, 1877. the lecturer, with his brother, Mr. John Allison, climbed 

 the northern peak of Ruapehu. On this trip they found an English artist named 

 Connolly stranded at Tokaanu. His Maori guides, explaining that the mountain was 

 tapu, robbed him of his horses, sketches, and camera. In December, 1877, the 

 lecturer and his brother, Mr. John Allison, ascended Ruapehu via the north- 

 eastern spur. The ascent of Messrs. Beetham and Maxwell next year was ren- 

 dered interesting by their discovery of the crater-lake. 



The lecturer described the valley of Stony Creek, or perhaps Waihi-anoa, on 

 the eastern side of Ruapehu, which is probably the finest valley or gorge in the 

 North Island. It runs back three or four miles into the heart of the mountain. 

 Half-way up the valley is very narrow, with a torrent flowing between cliffs aliout 

 900 ft. high of black shattered rock. Farther up the valley is a small hill of 

 columnar basaltic or andesite rock. Near the source of the torrent the rocks are 

 very fantastically shaped. The cliffs are at least 2,000 ft. high, while the southern 

 peak, the finest peak of the mountain, rises to a height of between 4,000 ft. and 

 5,000 ft. above the floor of the valley. This splendid valley is easily accessible 

 from Waiouru. and a tourist route to it, which would also give access to the 

 Wangaehu Gorge, could easily be made. 



Officers for 1912-13.— President — Dr. Hatheily, M.]{.C.S. ; Vice- 

 Presidents — Rev. J. LI. Dove, M.A., Mr. J. T. Ward; Council — Messrs. 

 T. Allison, W. A. Armour, M.A., M.Sc, C. P. Brown, M.A., LL.B., 

 T. W. Downes, R. Murdoch, H. E. Sturge, M.A., H. B. Watson, M.A., 

 and H. W. Hesse, B.A.. B.Sc, F.L.S. ; Hon. Trecmirer-Mr. F. P. 

 Talboys; Hon. Secretory — Mr. J. P. Williamson. 



