554 Proceedings. 
of sparrow clubs and similar institutions a wholesale slaughter of the smaller birds took 
place. But it soon became evident that as the birds decreased the insects increased, and 
he was happy to say that public opinion was fast undergoing a change, as was evidenced 
by the Small Birds Protection Act. Here in New Zealand, where the native birds were 
evidently unable to accommodate themselves to the changed conditions brought about 
by the advent of the European settlers, and were fast diminishing in numbers, it was 
almost a publie duty to introduce others to take their place and perform their work; and 
he felt certain that ultimately the colony would thank the Acclimatization Societies for 
having taken the matter up. 
Mr. Barstow agreed with much that the author had advanced, but could not assent 
to the view that the rat was the sole enemy of the New Zealand birds. He had long 
been of opinion that the introduction and spread of the honey-bee had much to do with 
the disappearance of the honey-eating species, such as the korimako. It was a common 
statement among the Maoris that the bees had appropriated the honey on which the 
korimakos fed, and had thus absolutely starved the birds to death. By many people the 
rat was credited with being the cause of the extinction of the native quail, which bred on 
the ground, and (so ran the story) was especially liable to have its eggs or young taken. 
But the same reasoning should apply still more strongly to the case of the pihoihoi, or ` 
ground lark, which nevertheless still very fairly maintained its numbers. 
6. “ Technical Education," by J. C. Firth. 
The author stated that he had been induced to bring this matter under the notice of 
the Institute in consequence of the perusal of an excellent report issued by the Minister 
of Education for Victoria. After reading some extracts from this report, Mr. Firth 
offered some verbal remarks of his own as to the system of technical education now 
widely established in Germany, and recommended its introduction, in a modified form, 
into New Zealand. - 
A discussion arose, in which the Chairman, Col. Haultain, Mr. Mitford, and the 
author took part. 
7. “ Notes on blowing up Snags in the Waikato River with Dynamite," 
by R. R. Hunt. (Transactions, p. 161.) 
This paper, which was fully illustrated with plans and diagrams, was read by Mr. 
Firth in the absenee of the author. 
BixrH Meeting. 19th November, 1877. 
R. C. Barstow, President, in the chair. 
1. The following letter, addressed by Capt. G. Mair, F.L.S., to Mr. 
Cheeseman, was read :— : 
“ By cutter ‘Leah’ I send you a branch of a marine plant called by the natives 
otaramoana or Rimumoana. It was brought up from thirty-five fathoms at Whale 
Island, where it is very abundant on the Hapuka fishing grounds. In the old days, before 
the introduetion of iron, this plant was much prized by the natives, who dredged for it to 
make their fishing-hooks from. They bent it when green into the required shape, which 
it retained when dry and became as hard as ebony. Several hundred pounds weight of 
fish were caught on these hooks. When taken out of the water the plant was covered 
