390 Proceedings. 
meeting, making a total of 149 members. The periodicals mentioned in last 
report are still taken in, and the following have been since subscribed for, 
viz.:—Annals of Natural History, Proceedings of Microscopical Science, and 
Philosophical Magazine. 
The following works have been presented to the Library :—Thirty-five 
vols. of Dietrichsen and Hannay’s Almanack, from 1838 to 1871, by Captain 
Edwin; thirteen vols. on various subjects, by Mr. W. Lyon ; a complete set of 
the publications connected with the “Novara” Expedition, through Dr. 
Hochstetter ; and a copy of Dr. Bullers *Birds of New Zealand," from the 
Colonial MM 
From the annual statement of accounts it appeared that the balance brought 
forward from last year was £95 10s. 8d. The subscriptions received 
amounted to £146 18s., and one life subscriber had paid £10. The largest 
items of expenditure were Gray's * Genera of Birds," one vol, £25 5s. 2d. ; 
Bouchard, second payment for insects, £25 8s. 114. ; contribution to New 
Zealand Institute, £24 9s. 8d. The balance in hand was £107 14s. 8d. 
Mr. W. T. L. Travers drew attention to the insects which had been 
purchased by the Society from Mr. Bouchard. "When they arrived they were 
in very bad condition, but through the exertions of Mr. Gore they were now 
in a state fit for inspection, and formed a creditable collection. 
ELECTION or OFFICERS ror 1874.— President— Charles Knight, F.R.C.8., 
F.L.S.; Vice-Presidents—J. С. Crawford, F.G.S. ; W. T. L. Travers, F.L.S. ; 
Council—Dr. Hector, F.R.S., H. F. Logan, W. S. Hamilton, J. R. George, 
С. C. Graham, Commander R. A. Edwin, R.N., J. Blackett, C.E. ; Auditor— 
Arthur Baker; Secretary and Treasurer—Richard B. Gore. 
l. “Ona New Species of Rubus,” by John Buchanan, of the Geological 
Survey of New Zealand. (Transactions, p. 243.) 
2. * On the Durability of New Zealand Timber, with Suggestions for its 
Preservation," * by John Buchanan. 
(ABSTRACT.) 
The author remarked that in every locality some partieular timber was 
specially lauded above every other, but that such opinion was seldom based on 
a general knowledge of our timbers. The very best kind may be rendered 
quite useless by cutting badly-selected trees at wrong seasons, and by want of 
proper treatment afterwards. Trees of less diameter than 18 inches contain a 
large amount of sap, and, consequently, are not durable. The proper time to 
cut them is in winter, when the sap does not circulate. But the winter in New 
Zealand is so short and uncertain that a sufficient supply of timber could not 
* Printed in the ** Wellington Independent " of 29th January. 
