Wellington Philosophical Society. 431 
Dr. Newman, having been educated in a materialistic school of thought, was as much 
shocked as could be the most orthodox of believers. He thought Mr. Frankland exalted 
d far too much instead of relegating it to its really insignificant position in the uni- 
verse, and suggested that he could just as easily prove that matter was electricity-stuff 
as Mr. Frankland had proved that it was mind-stuff 
Mr. Chapman followed, and very largely agreed with Mr. Frankland’s doctrines, 
Mr, Frankland then replied 
W. L. Buller, C.M.G., F.R.S., was chosen to vote in the election of the Board of 
Governors for the ensuing year, in accordance with clause 7 of “ The New Zealand Insti- 
tute Act 
Nintu Meerinc. 22nd November, 1879. 
Martin Chapman, Vice-president, in the chair. 
New Members.—Dr. Gillon, George Drury. 
l. ** On the Cultivation of Beet for the Manufacture of Sugar, etc.," by 
B. M. Curl, M.D. 
ABSTRACT. 
The author went fully into the subject, and gave the result of extensive 
experiments made by himself, with the analysis of the roots, showing per 
centage of sugar. These experiments were carefully compared with the 
returns from other countries, and proved, in his opinion, that an industry 
of this kind would be most successful, and return large profits to all who 
took part in it. 
Mr. Chapman said that when lately in Germany he had made a point of collecting 
information on the subject of beet cultivation. The profits there were enormous at that 
time, so much so that the Government had levied a tax of 45 per cent. on the gross pro- 
duetion of sugar. There had, he believed, been a slight decline in this industry, which, 
however, had risen again. 
Kirk did not agree with many of the author's statements on the subject, but as 
there was a rather small attendance, and the subject was a most interesting one, he would 
move that the discussion be adjourned until next meeting, which was carried. 
“On Melicerta ringens and Plumatella repens," by A. Hamilton. 
cao. p. 801). 
wings of the animals were exhibited. 
3. “On the Ignorance of the Ancient New Zealander of the Use of 
Projectile Weapons,” by Coleman Phillips. (Transactions, p. 50). 
r. J. T. Thomson gave some information bearing on the question in a philological 
Tenth Meztinc. 10th January, 1880. 
A. K. Newman, M.B., President, in the chair. 
New Members.—Rev. W. M‘William, J. W. Henley. 
