434 Proceedings. 
The Secretary laid on the table three copies of the Tri-daily Weather Map 
and the Tri-daily Bulletin published by the War Department of the United 
States, and sent by the Chief Signal Master, to whom a vote of thanks was 
passed for his courtesy. 
The Secretary reported that the Book Committee had sent an order for 
additional books to the value of about £30, and for apparatus, to the value of 
about £20, to complete the spectroscope. 
Jiesolved—That in future the Institute year end on 31st December, and 
that the annual meeting be held at the commencement of each year, instead of 
in July. 
l. *On the Variation of the Declination of the Magnetic Needle in the 
Southern Portion of the Middle Island, and Remarks on the Desirability of 
Establishing Magnetic Observatories in New Zealand," by A. H. Ross. 
(Transactions, p. 3.) 
Resolved—That the suggestions at the end of Mr. Ross’ paper be sent to 
the Manager of the New Zealand Institute. 
2. “A Visit to Sandymount District, Otago Peninsula, and a brief 
Description of some of its more prominent natural Features,” by Peter 
Thomson. 
(ABSTRACT. ) 
“The district comprises some of the best land on the Otago Peninsula, as 
well as some of the very worst. The coast line is a series of high, irregular 
cliffs rising to 400 or 500 feet above the sea, and forming here and there small 
bays and promontories, against which, the water being deep close in, there is 
always a heavy surf beating, even in fine weather. The district contains some 
magnificent scenery and some natural wonders of a very interesting nature.” 
The author first visited the lime works, where, he says, “the lime is of 
excellent quality, the rock cropping out on the side of a low hill, and bearing 
marks of extensive and long-continued water action, being worn into curious 
deep holes now filled with clay.” He then went along the side of a steep hill, 
through a heavy rock cutting of hard bluestone, to Sandfly Bay. The rocks 
there are very much broken and full of cavities, and the heavy waves dashed 
with prodigious force upon them. “The phenomenon known as the ‘ water- 
rocket’ was frequent. Small masses of water are thrown up with great vigour, 
with tails of spray, just as if fired from a gun, often at right angles to the 
way the wave is moving. This is caused by the air being compressed in the 
hollows of the rocks by the advancing water, and, expanding rapidly when the 
pressure ceases in the hole, is blown through the wave into the air." At one 
end of the bay several stacks of rocks, called “Gull Rocks,” stand at a short 
distance from shore, and are much frequented by.sea birds. A bank of loose, 
