Wellington Philosophical Society. 429 
Abstract Report on’ the Progress of the Geological Survey of New 
Zealand during 1866-67, by Dr. Hector. 
On a new Form of Mudfish from New Zealand, by Dr. Albert 
Giinther, F.R.S. Extracted from the Annals and Magazine of 
Natural History, for November, 1867. 
Notes on the Moa Remains in the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865, 
by Dr. Hector. Extract from the Proceedings of the Zoological 
Society of London. 
Presented by W. Buller, Esq. :— 
Notes on New Zealand Insects, by W. Buller, F.L.S. Extract from 
the Zoologist, August, 1867. 
1. “On Building Materials for New Zealand," by J. C. Crawford, 
F.G.S. 
ABSTRACT. 
The author commenced by pointing out the causes which have led to 
the general use of wood for building purposes in the towns of New Zealand, 
and the disadvantages of this material. In the City of Wellington, corru- 
gated iron is now used extensively for stores; but although as a partial 
safeguard against fire this material has an advantage over timber, in other 
respects it is subject to similar and other disadvantages, among which the 
effects of temperature are greatest. In considering what is the best perma- 
nent material for building in Wellington and other towns similarly situated, 
the following points must be kept in mind :—Ist, The risk from earthquakes ; 
2nd, the prevalenee of high winds. To guard against the first danger the 
building ought to be, if possible, monolithic. To lessen the wear and tear 
caused by the action of high winds, the building and its roof should be as 
low as is consistent with the required accommodation. A wooden building 
may be considered an approach to a monolith, except that its ehimneys are 
detached, and consequently dangerous; but the narrow walls and high 
pitehed roofs in vogue give great power of leverage to high winds. It will 
be found impossible to make a monolithic building of stone or brick, and 
the best material to meet our requirements seems to be concrete. This 
— material has lately come into extensive use in Europe, and more particularly 
in France, where it is stated to have been found much stronger than stone, 
and much cheaper than either stone or brick. It was first applied to the con- 
struction of bridges and sewage drains, then to church architecture, and 
finally to dwelling-houses. There are many reasons for the adoption of con- 
creteas the chief building material in Wellington. (1.) Thereis a deficiency 
in the supply of the ordinary materials, with the exception of timber. (2.) 
The power of making a building monolithic would be an immense protection 
from the risk of damage by earthquakes, and its additional weight and 
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