524 Proceedings. 
2. Several interesting communications from Mr. J. C. Crawford, now in England, 
accompanied by pamphlets and printed notices bearing on the subjects, were read, the 
most important being on the “ Manufacture of Granolithic Cement,” the material for 
which, he considered, was abundant in New Zealand. 
Dr. Hector considered this a question of great importance, and the information was 
most valuable. We had ample material in accessible positions, and he had no doubt that 
in time we could ourselves manufacture all the cement and concrete we required in the 
colony and of the very best kind. He instanced the blocks now largely used here, and 
known as O’Neill’s patent flagging, as showing the excellent quality of this production, 
which was so highly thought of at the Sydney and Melbourne Exhibitions. 
The President endorsed these views, and remarked that he hoped in time also to see 
the splendid granites we had largely used in constructive works. 
Dr. Newman mentioned the newly-erected cement works in Nelson, which would prove 
of great importance, and entirely supersede the imported article. 
8. “On Suitable Hedge Plants for New Zealand,” by J. C. Crawford. 
4. “ On Harvesting Crops independent of Weather," by J. C. Crawford. 
5. “ On Ensilage," by J. C. Crawford, F.G.8. 
6. ee th submitted to the Society a circular sent to him by Mr. Tebbutt, 
of Windsor ew South Wales, inviting assistance from New Zealand observers 
in systematic “ eat ans Deak 
Dr. Hector explained that Mr. Tebbutt was a most zealous worker in this branch of 
astronomy, and had been foremost in discovering the southern comets. He had been 
requested by the Astronomical Society at Boston, who had established a corps of 
eomet-seekers, to endeavour to get information from southern latitudes, and hence this 
appeal to New Zealand. He (Dr. Hector) knew that there were many amateur observers 
in possession of good instruments who might do valuable service in this direction. It was 
a pity that we had not in New Zealand a properly-equipped astronomical observatory 
placed in a suitable position; and he believed, if the societies combined in an appeal to 
Government, something might be done in this matter. He would suggest that a copy of 
this circular be sent to the other societies inviting co-operation in this special matter of 
comet-seeking, and in an endeavour to bring about the establishment of a panganen 
observatory. 
The President concurred, and said he thought such an appeal would be successful. 
7. “On Weather, Health, and Forests in Mauritius,” by Dr. Meldrum. 
The President pointed out that this bore immediately on the question of forest con- 
servation in New Zealand. He gave a short description of the damage Gone by the 
destruction of our forests, which brought about floods of a most disastrous kind. 
r. Hutchinson, who had recently arrived from the Sandwich Islands, stated that 
there, in consequence of the wholesale destruction of the forests, floods had occurr 
doing great injury. The water rushed down the bare hills and thro ugh the valleys, and 
then followed a long drought and the ground became baked, as there was no vegetation 
left to hold the moisture of the previous rain. He was glad to say that the settlers had 
at last seen the necessity of forest conservation and great improvement was taking plac 
8. Mr. Chapman described a brilliant triple meteor seen by him on Wednesday ud 
It was travelling from the south. 
9. Several recent additions to the — were laid on the table for inspection, 
ng them being a ease of gold and sil awarded to New Zealand at the Wool 
Pes P at the Crystal Palace, idein. 
