Auckland Institute. 551 
2. “ Notes on the recent Earthquake Wave, as observed at the Bay of 
Islands," by James Macfarlane. 
At Manawaora Bay, at 5 a.m. on May 11th, the sea rose six feet above the level of 
the highest spring tides, covering several stretches of low-lying land at the head of the 
bay, and causing considerable alarm to the settlers. About the same time the wave was 
felt very strongly in the Waitangi River. Some small cutters that were beating up the 
river had to drop anchor to avoid being washed ashore. At Russell, the tide ebbed and 
flowed at least seven times during the day, at irregular intervals. At Wairoa, just 
opposite Russell, at about 4 p.m., a wave rushed in with great force, covering at least ten 
yards of the strand above high-water mark ; Mr. Ford's whale-boat was washed up by it 
and left high and dry. This wave receded immediately, but shortly afterwards again 
advanced, and remained at the same level as before for over ten minutes. During this 
time a large boat was loaded with potatoes, afloat all the time, and was just ready to 
shove off when the water again receded, leaving the boat aground several yards higher up 
than any boat has been in the recollection of Captain Haughton, who has been at the 
Bay of Islands since 1840. After this the lide eame in and went out repeatedly, but 
never reached its former height. 
9. “ Notes on the Earthquake Wave as felt at Gisborne,” by Captain 
Crisp, Harbour-master. 
The first wave felt at Gisborne occurred between midnight and 2 a.m. on the morn- 
ing of May 11th, and came in but slightly. Another wave came in about 4 a.m., rising 
about two feet. It being then high water, it had the appearance of an extraordinary 
swelling of the tide or some distant storm-wave. At about 7 a.m., however, when the 
tide had considerably receded, a very heavy wave rushed in with terrific force, and in the 
Space of seven or eight minutes rose perpendicularly as many feet, and then as quickly 
receded, carrying with it about fifty yards of à sandy point in the harbour. No noise or 
any other warning was given of its approach. Similar waves occurred at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 
12:40 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. on the same day, each rising from two to three feet. On the 
morning of Saturday, the 19th, I was under the impression that the tidal disturbances 
had ceased, but later in the day they commenced again, and kept on at intervals of 
irregular dtration until the morning of Monday, the 14th of May. During the whole 
period of the disturbances it was extremely difficult to know anything about the regular 
time of high water. It will also be observed that at first there was some little regularity 
in the intervals, but later on this disappeared. 
4. “ Description of a new Mollusk from Auckland Harbour,” by T. F. 
Cheeseman, F.L.S. 
5. “ Descriptions of new Species of Coleoptera,” by Capt. T. Broun. 
This paper dealt exclusively with beetles of the sub-family Colydiidz, of which one 
new genus and sixteen new species were described. 
Tarp Meeting. 28rd July, 1877. 
R. C. Barstow, President, in the chair. 
New Members.—A. Aitken, C.E., J. O. Barnard, G. Black, W. H. 
... Colbeck, H, E. Cotton, W. Elliott, J. James, W. McLaughlin, J#Howard, 
DE Mackenzie, G. Wade, F. Larkins, J. Newman, A. Whitaker. 
