432 Proceedings. 
source ; the bitter taste of the mineral substance which the water holds in 
solution is quite appreciable at the mouth of the river after a course of 
about seventy miles. 
It was down this river that the wonderful avalanche of ice and mud 
forced its way from Ruapehu to the sea in 1863, scouring out the bed 
of the river, destroying a bridge, and doing great damage to the native 
cultivations. The cause of the avalanche may no doubt be attributed to a ` 
sudden escape of vapours from the same volcanic source that gives origin 
to the mineral waters. 
A specimen of the water from near the source of the river, forwarded 
by Mr. Gilbert Mair, R.M., has been analyzed, with the following results :— 
Water persistently turbid, from the presence of clayey matter; taste, 
very sour. Contains the constituents of potash alum, with the addition of a 
little chloride of magnesium and protochloride of iron. The total of fixed 
matters obtained from 2 oz. of the water was ‘370 gramme, or at the rate of 
456 grammes per gallon. 
7. “On Phosphate of Lime for Manure,” by W. Skey. 
The analysis showed this to be a really valuable manure, admirably 
adapted from its richness in phosphates, and especially in soluble phos- 
phates, to supply growing crops with the one thing which is most useful, 
viz. phosphoric acid. 
is manure was sold by Messrs. W. and T. Hurst, of Auckland, and 
was forwarded by Mr. Ryburn, of Auckland, for analysis. 
8. “On Coal from Preservation Inlet,” by W. Skey. 
The specimen was forwarded for examination by Mr. Eccles, of Dunedin. 
It appears that this coal belongs to the series of hydrous or brown coals, 
and, as is usual with such, its proportion of sulphur is very large. Asa fuel, 
therefore, it ranks in value with the Clutha and Saddle Hill coals of the 
South Island. The following is an analysis :— 
Water isi ae as 5 10320 
Fixed carbon de t s ADEM 
Hydro-carbon oe ve —.. 29°48 
Sulphur... isis ‘aa 26075 040 
Ash UE 7774 
1 
_ Percentage of water upon carbonaceous matter, 21:29. 
9. “Remarks on some of the Coleopterous Insects which injure Trees 
in the Neighbourhood of Wellington, by R. H. Huntley. 
|. After explaining upon what trees the various insects feed, the author 
