86 



Also llic undcrmentioneJ books : — 



1. Hiaiorj of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia, 2 vols, bound. 

 By the Kev. J. E. T. Woods, Pcnola, South Australia. 



Geological Observations in South Australia, 1 vol. bound. By the same. 



Tliree pamphlets, " Pliysical Geography, &c., of Morth Australia," 

 "Geology of Portland," and "Not quite as old as the hills." By the same. 

 Piesented bythe author. 



2. Builder, the, Jany, to June, 1861, complete for 1862 and 1804, Jan. March, 

 April, and May, 1805. FroniDr. Agnew. 



3. Bound volume of maps and (13)sections of Geological Survey of Tasmania. 

 From M. Allport, Esq. 



The Secretary, after intimating that he had had the great pleasure within 

 the last few days of receiviuLf a communication from Dr. G. Bennett, of 

 Sydney, who is a corresponding nien)l>er of the Society, proceeded to lay 

 it before the meeting. It was entitled "Observations on the Rice Pai>ei- 

 Tree (Tefrapanax papyriferum) now naturalised in Sydney, New South 

 Wales. By George Bennett, M.D, F.L.S., &c." 



In the discussion which followed, Archdeacon Davies observed that 

 one of these trees had been gi'owing for some time in front of the Telegraph 

 office, a fact which confirmed Dr. Bennett's opinion as to its liardy character. 

 The height of this plant was about five feet. Mr. Abbott, Junior, remarked 

 that the tree also grew well in the Society's Gardens where there was a speci' 

 men about six feet in height. Its age was five years. 



Lieut, Colonel CHESNTJYread a paper " On the futurehome of the Waikato 

 settlers." In the words of the writer the paper contained "a brief account 

 of the interior of the North Island of New Zealand — a review of the causes 

 that led to the campaign in the valley of W^aikato and Bay of Plenty — a 

 glance at the proposed scheme of military occupation, and a description of 

 the future homes of the Waikato settlers." 



Conversation having ensued, the President remarked in reference to th e 

 sulphur springs of New Zealand, that the deposit of sulphur on the East Coast 

 <if the North Island was most extensive. Unlimited quantities of it could be 

 obtained, but not without extreme risk to the shipping required for the 

 service, owing to the exposed and inhosi^itable character of the Coast. 

 Another fact which His Excellency thought worthy of notice was the singular 

 circumstance that of the entire territory of New Zealand only one solitary 

 spot, the Province of Canterbury, was subject to the visitation of hot winds. 

 It was a phenomenon of which he had never heard any satisfactory explanation. 

 He had also been informed that the northern seaboard of Tasmania was scarcely 

 ever touched by these winds, whilst here on southern shores, we were all well 

 aware, they were occasionally felt, though in a far less degree than on the 

 neighbouring continent, 



Tlie Rev. M, Lallet corroborated the President's statement as to the 

 Province of Canterbuiy being alone subject to these winds. 



Mr. Stephens believed Strzelecki's idea was that the hot winds progressed 

 in a wave like, or undulatory manner, and, thei-efore only impinged upon the 

 earth's surface at distant and isolated spots. He (Mr. Stephens) thought it 

 jost possible that the wind might jjass across Bass's Straits at such an elevation 

 in the atmosphere as not to touch the surface till, passing over the Northern 

 Districts of the Island, they strucK the high midland ridge about Oatlands, 

 whence they were precipated, as it were, towards the lower levels between 

 this and the Southern Ocean . 



[The cause, origin, and progress of these winds are still mysteries. No 

 explanation hitherto given is quite satisfactory, and the entire subject presents 

 a most interesting field for further investigation.] 



The Secretary reported that for some time past the English sky -lark had 

 been heard singing every morning in the Society's Gardens, 



A vote of thanks having been passed to Dr. Bennett, Lient.-Colonel Chesne^^ 

 and the donors of presentations, His Excellency left the chair. 



