472 Proceedings. 
1. “On Sinking Funds,”* by Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G-S., illustrated 
by a series of calculations applicable to the different methods adopted to pay — 
off debts. 
2. Mr. Gillies read a paper consisting of a letter to Captain Hutton 
from Mr. Mair, Resident Magistrate at Opotiki, descriptive of the tidal 
phenomenon at that place. 
Dr. Purchas said that he might mention a very curious cineuniakisnds 
with reference to the rise that had occurred in the land about Auckland. 
He thought it afforded positive proof that the land about Auckland was 
rising sufficiently to be quite measurable. Messrs. Thornton and Co. got a 
. supply of water from the harbour. They had a pipe fixed at some distance 
down the wharf, with a rose at the bottom. They have had to alter that 
rose three times, at intervals of three years. Mr. Firth had told him of the 
circumstance, and he believed that special pains had been taken with the 
fixing of the pipe the last time in order to test the matter. He had been 
assured by a settler that the harbour of Mahurangi was two feet less in 
depth than it was two years ago. Ifthe bottom of the harbour was rising, 
it was a matter of vital importance to people in the neighbourhood of the 
city. He had no doubt about the aceuracy of the information, as was shown 
by the fact that the rose had had to be altered three times in order to get a 
supply of water at low tide. He could not think that the wharf had risen, 
and would suppose the traffic would rather tend to put it down. 
A discussion ensued, in which Mr. Weymouth, Captain Hutton, Mr. 
Wark, Mr. Buckland, and Mr. Stewart took part. Most of the speakers 
seemed to be of opinion that there was not sufficient proof to show that the 
land was absolutely rising. 
Captain Hutton said he should be happy to investigate the subject, and 
report upon it to next meeting. 
Mr. Gillies said it seemed to him that two things had been brought 
before them—first, the silting up, and second, the average high water or low 
water. The water would maintain its level whatever silting up occurred. 
The level was not affected in the slightest degree by the silting up of the 
harbour. He was sure they were much obliged to Dr. Purchas for having 
mentioned the matter, and to Captain Hutton for having volunteered to 
eee tnn it. In such a case the facts must be carefully noted to be of 
2t 3. “On the Preparation of Native Flax,” by thd per: 0; Banat, 
ECS. 
This ed has also to be reserved, as it was found eee ee A S 
y in Wellington.— —Ep. (See “ 
