456 Proceedings. 
Seventa MEETING. 23rd December, 1872. 
His Honour T. B. Gillies in the chair. 
New members.—G. Aickin, E. Gibbons, G. Fraser, W. Hay, A. Beetham, 
G. Kirton, W. Humphreys, J. Wilson, W. Ware, Lt.-Col. Nation. - 
The list of donations to the Library and Museum was read by the 
Secretary. 
Mr. Gillies presented the original Ms. of a Maori poem, for the publica- 
tion of which Mr. C. O. Davis was tried for sedition in 1865, and which 
might therefore be expected to become of historic interest. 
Mr. Gillies called attention to a statement made by Dr. Hector in the 
fourth volume of Transactions (p. 379) respecting the first introduction of 
trout, from which it appeared that trout were first liberated in the North 
Island in November, 1871 ; the fact being that trout were first introduced into 
the North Island by the Auckland Acclimatization Society, and liberated near 
Auckland in October, 1870. He thought it possible that, unless corrected, 
this error might at some future day lead to misconception with regard to the 
rate of diffusion of this fish. 
1. “Notes on Rurima Rocks,” by Major W. G. Mair. (See Transactions, 
p- 151.) 
The Hon. Col. Haultain corroborated the author’s statement respecting 
the abundance of fish in the vicinity of the rocks. — 
2. “On the Mud Fish (Neochanna apoda), an extract from a letter written 
by G. G. Fitzgerald ;” communicated by W. C. Roberts. 
(ABSTRACT. ) 
The author noted that he had found several specimens of this curious fish, 
while trenching. A heavy rain fell, and on baling the water out he found 
three or four of the fish were left, which were thought to have fallen from the 
sky. The soil was only about six inches deep, the subsoil being very tenacious 
blue soil. The fish was found at least eighteen inches down in this clay, in a 
little chamber somewhat larger than its own carcase. The clay was damp, but 
there was no water about. The chamber was dry and completely shut in 
from above, a large root of a tree passing immediately over the spot. 
3. “ On the Mud-fish (Neochanna apoda) ; an extract from a letter written 
by 8. E. Vollams ;” communicated by W. C. Roberts. 
(ABSTRACT. ) 
The author knew of this fish in the early days of Hokitika. The land 
where they were found was covered with the usual bush, and in rainy weather 
was va under water. 
