482 Proceedings. 
A short conversation ensued on the merits of the invention and the 
feasibility of working such a boat in the rapid current of the Clutha. 
Firth Meetine. 29th October, 1872. 
The Rev. Dr. Stuart, Vice-President, in the chair. 
His Honour Mr. Justice Chapman 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 Institute Act. 
1. Mr. R. Gillies presented to the Society the remains of two kiwis, which 
had been captured on the harbour side, near Burke’s brewery, by a dog of 
Mr. Joseph Drake’s. One of the birds when found was partly devoured, but 
was still fresh and warm. Mr. Gillies stated that, so far as he was aware, 
this was the first authentic instance on record of the kiwi being found on the 
eastern coast of the South Island ; and that, seeing the birds were running 
wild, the inference was that in the vast bush extending from the harbour 
to beyond Blueskin there must, in all likelihood, be other specimens ; and, 
seeing that they were becoming almost extinct, it might be worth while to 
consider whether in the interests of science the Society should not take some 
steps to let the fact of the existence of these birds in that bush be as widely 
known as possible to the settlers, with a view to their preservation as much as 
possible. : 
In the discussion which followed, it was stated that on two or three 
previous occasions the capture of kiwis in the bush to the north of Dunedin 
had been reported, and that some specimens, one of which was now in the ` 
Museum, had been secured. It was thought that Mr. Gillies’ suggestions 
should be acted upon. 
2. “Notes on Plants collected near Invercargill,” by J. S. Webb. (See 
Transactions, p. 360.) 
The author gave the result of an investigation of open tussocky ground 
between the Puni creek and the Main East road for the purpose of comparison 
with that of similar ground elsewhere. He mentioned the curious circum- 
stance that none of the imported plants, including white clover, had been able 
to make headway against the native vegetation, notwithstanding that cattle 
were constantly wandering over the ground. It was also stated that the 
collection included five specimens which had not before been reported as 
existing in the province. 
