WELLINGTON PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
Pes Meretine, 14th June, 1879. 
A. K. Newman, M.B., President, in the chair. 
New Members.—A. B. Birch, G. Allen, R. Lee, Hugh Pollen, — Ed- 
wards, J. Hayward, C. E. Zohrab, C. Callis, R. 8. Waterhouse, T. C. 
Richmond, R. T. Holmes, E. Lee (of Napier), D. Mills, Dr. Collins. 
1. “Account of two Journeys to the Summit of Mount Ruapehu," by 
G. Beetham, M.H.R. 
ABSTRACT. 
The author graphically described the beauty and grandeur of the Scenery 
observed on the journey, and the difficulties and dangers encountered in 
endeavouring to reach the highest point. An excellent model of the 
mountain was exhibited, by means of which the author was enabled to 
point out clearly the exact route taken, and the various points of interest 
met with during the ascent. Specimens of the different rocks collected 
were also on the table. On the second ascent the author was accompanied 
by Mr. J. P. Maxwell. 
Mr. Maxwell gave some additional information regarding the nature of the country 
passed through, and also explained fully the model of the mountain before the meeting. 
2. “On Volcanoes and Geysers in New Zealand," by William Collie. 
(Transactions, p. 418.) 
Dr. Hector, after reading this paper, said that Mr. Beetham's paper contained many 
interesting facts, and to that gentleman the credit was due of being the first to organize 
a party to ascend this mountain. He himself had travelled all round the base of the moun- 
tain, but had no opportunity of making the ascent, so that he could not speak with any 
certainty of the formation, but he considered it one of the earliest voleanoes in the North 
Island. gave an account of his own ascent of Tongariro on the 23rd November, 
1867, and explained that the active steam eruptions on the side of the mountain were 
due to the percolation of water from a cold lake on the summit, a sketch of which he 
exhibited. 
Mr. Travers would like to know something about the vegetation met with on such a 
Journey, as Dr. Hector gave a list of plants differing from alpine plants in the South 
Island. 
Dr. Hector then exhibited on the screen with a lantern, views of both Ruapehu and 
Tongariro, 
