(SER 
WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
First Mertine. 21st July, 1877. 
W. T. L. Travers, M.H.R., F.L.S., President, in the chair. 
New Members.— Charles O'Neill, C.E.; J. P. Maxwell, A.I.C.E.; Ebenezer 
Fox; Edward Thorley Noakes; H. S. Mackellar; C. P. Knorpp, A.I.C.E.; 
the Hon. W. D. H. Baillie, M.L.C. 
l. The President, in opening the proceedings, apologized for the absence of Dr. 
Buller, who, in consequence of engagements in Napier, was unable to be present at that 
meeting. He then proceeded to say that in bringing under the notice of the meeting the 
papers which were to be read that evening, he would make a few remarks as to tho 
progress made by the society during the past year. Having learned during the early part 
of the week that Dr. Buller would be unable to attend, he had entertained hopes that he 
should be able to put together a few notes of what had been accomplished by the society 
during that period ; but unfortunately e 
him from doing that which he had des 
notes of what had been done during the last session, not only by this society, but by all 
the Ineorporated Societies in New Zealand. He then entered on the subjects of his 
of the Geological Department for ascertaining the mineral resources of the colony, and 
then alluding to the importance of the discoveries made in reference to the races which 
had inhabited New Zealand since the time when any record could be obtained of the 
country. A work on the subject had been recently published, a eopy of which would be 
a valuable addition to the library of the Institute. He next referred to papers coniri- 
buted by different members of the society on a variety of subjects, and in his eoncluding 
remarks said he was glad to observe a growing interest in scientific examinations. 
He then briefly referred to the papers to be read that evening, which were of a very 
interesting character. 
2. On the motion of the Hon. MpgMantell, seconded by Capt. Edwin, a vote of 
thanks was given to Dr. Buller for the able manner in which he presided over the 
meetings of the society as president during the past two years; and also to Mr. Travers 
for the address he had just given in opening the meeting, 
3. “On Gold in the Wellington Provincial District,” by J. C. Crawford, 
F.G.S. (Transactions, p. 477.) 
The Hon. Mr. Mantell, who read this paper for the author, said he would like some 
explanation regarding the presence of sulphate of iron. 
Dr. Hector stated that there must have been some mistake, probably iron bi-sulphide 
was meant. He reminded the society that a great deal had been done in prospecting the 
country referred to by Mr. Crawford, and that in 1869 he (Dr. Hector) had communicated 
to the society the results obtained. Eighteen analyses had been made of quartz 
