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extinct, the traces, of which have already Taeen found 

 there, I believe the investigation is merely a matter of 

 money, and Mr Stanley, the resident engineer in charge 

 of the construction of the railway line, made, at my 

 request, an estimate of the cost of draining the marsh in 

 order that the peat at its bottom might be more easily 

 removed ; and if my memory serves me, I think he pu t 

 the total cost at about £ 100. I therefore most strongly 

 recommend the undertaking to the serious consideration 

 of the Society. The place is so easy of access by a railway 

 that as said before, the question is merely one of money. 



As mentioned by the Secretary, it is most desirable 

 that the Natural History of the smaller dependencies of 

 the Colony should be investigated. Unfortunately it is not 

 very easy to find any one competent to the task who 

 would contribute the necessary time, and who would 

 undertake the hardship and risk of so long a voyage as 

 the work would require ; tossed in a heavy sea, in a small 

 and unconfortable craft ; and visiting places where landing 

 is always dangerous. Failing to find such a naturalist 

 to undertake the arduous duty, I would suggest that tlie 

 sympathies of our friend Mr John Ackroyd, whose duty 

 calls him to visit annually those distant rocks and reefs, 

 should be enlisted in the cause, and that the Society 

 should provide him with bottles of spirits aud botanical 

 drying papers, for the preservation of specimens ; and that 

 he should be invited to occupy his leisure moments when 

 on any of these islands in collecting every wild animal or 

 plant on which he could lay his hands. By this means I 



